Long-time MicroCenter customer, new to the "community"
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.
Answers
-
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:
I hope this information helps, please let us know if you have any other questions!
Categories
- All Categories
- 1 The Blog
- 1 What's Trending
- 7.2K The Community
- 3K General Discussion
- 92 New Members
- 758 Consumer Tech
- 183 Prebuilt PCs and Laptops
- 151 Software
- 28 Audio/Visual
- 48 Networking & Security
- 4 Home Automation
- 5 Digital Photography
- 12 Content Creators
- 27 Hobby Boards & Projects
- 72 3D Printing
- 83 Retro Arcade/Gaming
- 58 All Other Tech
- 258 PowerSpec
- 2.5K Store Information and Policy
- 137 Off Topic
- 33 Community Ideas & Feedback
- 594 Your Completed Builds
- 3.5K Build-Your-Own PC
- 2.5K Help Choosing Parts
- 299 Graphics Cards
- 305 CPUs, Memory, and Motherboards
- 133 Cases and Power Supplies
- 50 Air and Liquid Cooling
- 45 Monitors and Displays
- 87 Peripherals
- 56 All Other Parts
- 58 Featured Categories
We love seeing what our customers build
Submit photos and a description of your PC to our build showcase
Submit NowLooking for a little inspiration?
See other custom PC builds and get some ideas for what can be done
View Build ShowcaseSAME DAY CUSTOM BUILD SERVICE
If You Can Dream it, We Can Build it.
![](https://60a99bedadae98078522-a9b6cded92292ef3bace063619038eb1.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/images_Graphics_builder_4Builds.png)
Services starting at $149.99