What are some good upgrade recommendations for my first build?

Jah247

So I built this pc about 2-3yrs ago and I want to upgrade some things like the gpu and cpu and my case because my cpu cooler just wont fit and close the case properly I've got a budget of about $1000-1200 I'm pretty sure I've made a lot of mistakes making this build so any advice or feedback is appreciated.

CPU: Intel Core i5-9400F 2.9 GHz 6-Core Processor 

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black 82.52 CFM CPU Cooler 

Motherboard: MSI Z390-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard 

Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory  

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2666 CL16 Memory

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB Video Card  

Case: NZXT H500 ATX Mid Tower Case 

Power Supply: Corsair CXM 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM 64-bit 

Monitor: Acer Predator XB3

Jah247

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/41307#Comment_41307

okay well i thank you for your honesty ill take a look at motherboards and cpus as well but what about graphics do you think i should try to upgrade to something like a 3060 or should i continue to run my 1070

magarity

Well people with 1070 tend to say they're still running well. so it's hard to tell you to go get a new card. I mean you know prices on GPUs are still rather bad? They've been coming down though so I think someone with a 1070 ought to hang on til this fall and then ask again unless you just have to get one.

magarity

Do you live near a Microcenter? If so they have all the cases on display and you can look at them in person to make sure they are the right size for that cooler.

The fact that you're mixing memory speeds with one pair being 2666 is really killing your system. That motherboard supports up to 4400 DDR4. I think if you sold those two pair and got a matching set of 2 or 4 modules of all 4000 DDR 4 then that right there is a huge improvement.

You dont mention what drives you have, did you put in a 2.5 SATA SSD or an m.2? If you have a 2.5 then upgrading to an m.2 is also a huge boost.

Ian

Greetings. I'm guessing you are trying to improve gaming performance for your PC?

Jah247

yes i am

Jah247

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/41270#Comment_41270

thanks for the advice ill take that into consideration though i dont know how id sell my ram to get new ones but i do live new a micro center so ill be going down there to take a look at the cases ill definitely check out some 4000-4400ddr4 ram too but i still want to upgrade my cpu and gpu as well any recommendations for those?

magarity

So that motherboard you have is socket 1151 which means your CPU choices are really limited unless you also get a new motherboard. Microcenter doesnt seem to carry any compatible. I can find some i9 for that socket but they're over $600. So to get a new CPU you're looking at a new motherboard also.

Jah247

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/41291#Comment_41291

understandable i was hoping maybe there is a good i7 for my socket even if its not on micro center but ill keep that in mind

magarity

Intel changes socket almost every generation so 1151 is getting old and hard to find now that even 1200 is end of life.

Jah247

Alright I think I got an idea of what I need for my system thanks to you I appreciate the help now I have a mission of building two pcs for my brothers so I’m gonna try to attempt to make parts list for them if I get stuck I’ll post another question thank you again

Ian

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/41341#Comment_41341

Just as an FYI, I would suggest to open a new discussion thread if you do have questions about a new parts list.