Long-time MicroCenter customer, new to the "community"

dbeezley

I'm here because I have a question. For a couple of decades, I've been building/rebuilding my own computer, updating whatever part is needed. I've gone through a series of MOBOs, Processors, and cases. What I have now works fine, but it doesn't meet Windows 11. My Intel processor is Gen 7, need at least Gen 8. It appears I'm going to need a new MOBO as well, probably RAM. From what I see, I'm not sure if I'd be better off going with a prebuilt box but it has been so long since I've thoroughly researched the market, I'm not sure where to start.

First, I'm not 100% sure I'm in a hurry to do Win 11 anywhow. This is my office "work" machine (work as in "stuff a retired guy wants to do"). I have multiple hard drives and multiple screens at my desk. I don't do anything fancy. I'm 73 and Windows 10 is fine. My laptop and phone are Apple, so there is that...

Here's what I'm asking: What are the arguments for or against going to Win 11? IF I go to Win 11 should I gut out my (new) case and start over? Should I get a prebuilt? What choices to consider.

I'm attaching specs of what I have now.

ComputerSpecsOct2021.docx

Ian

Greetings, welcome to the Micro Center Community.

If you are wanting to upgrade Windows 11 on this PC, you'll need a new motherboard and CPU based on what you have right now. If you do not have DDR4 RAM as well, you would need that as well to work with a newer motherboard. Based on the parts listed provided, it should already be DDR4 RAM.

As for upgrading, you could always end up just going for a pre-built (or picking out new parts) that already has some of the latest parts and Windows 11 pre-installed. Your existing case should be fine if you want to use that, you'd just want to make sure you get the same size motherboard - looks like you have an ATX motherboard right now.

For the processor requirements, anything 8th generation Intel or newer will work as well as AMD Zen+ or newer. For a full list of compatible processors, check out the Microsoft support pages - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-intel-processors and https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-amd-processors

For some insight on the differences between Windows 10 and 11, you can check out our recent post on that here:

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/9734/the-big-differences-between-windows-10-and-11

I hope this information helps, please let us know if you have any other questions!