Help me get with the times (desktop PC upgrade options)

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Ultimate Geek
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#3422550 7-Oct-2025 09:31

Handle9:

With a 3GB GPU about all it can do is output to a monitor. Modern AAA games are out, it’ll play indie games and old games.

100% but trying to stay inside OPs budget, plus if it is doing their light gaming sessions atm just fine, then no real need to upgrade it just yet.

But yeah agree with everyone, not something for modern AAA.

sidefx

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#3422667 7-Oct-2025 11:25

I recently did this and waited for a mild pbtech sale, and ended up going for a Ryzen 9600+mobo+RAM for now; Fortunately GTX1080 from old system was still enough GPU for me, and re-used old sdds, nvme, case, PSU, etc, etc.

If you're just looking at (very)light\limited\old games then integrated GPUs might do you for a little while?

Plan from here is to get a more recent GPU second-hand at some point and possibly one of the X3D CPUs.

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Handle9

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#3422754 7-Oct-2025 16:12

Qazzy03:

Handle9:

With a 3GB GPU about all it can do is output to a monitor. Modern AAA games are out, it’ll play indie games and old games.

100% but trying to stay inside OPs budget, plus if it is doing their light gaming sessions atm just fine, then no real need to upgrade it just yet.

But yeah agree with everyone, not something for modern AAA.

I’m not sure there is any benefit to using that GPU over integrated graphics unless OP buys a -F CPU.

SpartanVXL

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#3422756 7-Oct-2025 16:22

If OP has a HD 7970 then it’s slightly better than a 1050ti in performance. Wonder if it’s a 7950 bios unlocked to a 7970, or a GHz model. Those were the days, now we have gpus reaching 3GHz.

Thats not saying much since pascal is eol this month but pretty sure it’s still better than recent iGPU’s. the only downside is power draw and support for DX12.

Qazzy03

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Ultimate Geek
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#3422806 7-Oct-2025 17:07

Handle9:

I’m not sure there is any benefit to using that GPU over integrated graphics unless OP buys a -F CPU.

I had a quick look online, when I saw OPs GPU was still well ahead of the Intel IGPU in the 12400.
OP could save approx $100 by not including an IGPU and put it towards even a 2nd hand recent GPU that will be so far ahead, it isn't funny.

Hence suggestion with an Intel F suffix CPU,
Note the AMD CPUs have a 'G' in their suffix to show if they have an IGPU.

Comes back with the recipts.

Intel 12400 IGPU
https://technical.city/en/video/Radeon-HD-7950-vs-UHD-Graphics-730#gaming

AMD 5600G IGPU
https://technical.city/en/video/Radeon-HD-7950-vs-Radeon-Vega-7#gaming

Intel

AMD

note: I am trying to respect OPs $600-$800 budget.
If OP wants to go to current gen systems happy days, but they will need to adjust there budget.

TwoSeven

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#3422855 7-Oct-2025 18:08

I just thought I would throw something in out of left field as a concept (rather than a recommendation).

Have a look at the Asus NUC 15 from PBTech - it has a list of specs on it - these are where the industry is at currently (specifically around thunderbolt) and other types of connectivity. These do not have a graphics card as such that would enable gaming, which is why I said look at it from a conceptual what can I get for my money.

To go to a graphics card, one would look at the same kind of spec'd mainboard for use in a PC chassis (Lian Li fan here), with an appropriate power supply for the card and cooling solution.

Basically, machines these days are compute, memory, storage and connectivity.

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Master Geek
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#3422870 7-Oct-2025 19:28

Qazzy03:

Handle9:

With a 3GB GPU about all it can do is output to a monitor. Modern AAA games are out, it’ll play indie games and old games.

100% but trying to stay inside OPs budget, plus if it is doing their light gaming sessions atm just fine, then no real need to upgrade it just yet.

But yeah agree with everyone, not something for modern AAA.

I would also keep the GPU for the initial upgrade and then upgrade the GPU as a future step when budget allows. Or i would just use well published workarounds to get Win11 on the existing PC and upgrade everything later once I had saved more for a GPU

cddt

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#3422878 7-Oct-2025 19:50

huxtable:

I hadn't realised my hardware is now between 9 and 16 years old! (except for my Graphics card and RAM which are a bit more recent).

Gfx: AMD Radeon HD 7900 Series (3GB) (0x6798)

Your graphics card is about 13 years. I bought one of those in January 2012. :)

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huxtable

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Master Geek
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#3422901 7-Oct-2025 22:07

Batman:

The only upgrade to a PC that i can see is a Mac. But it does depend on what programs you use and whether you are willing to pay more to be in the ecosystem.

I have not touched my 13900K system for a while, mainly using the MacBook. Can be plugged into the monitor as a desktop.

Thanks but I would rather use my Commodore 64 than a Mac and I'm not kidding.

jarledb

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#3422904 7-Oct-2025 22:20

huxtable:

Thanks but I would rather use my Commodore 64 than a Mac and I'm not kidding.

Is it this one you mean?

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huxtable

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Master Geek
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#3422906 7-Oct-2025 22:24

cddt:

huxtable:

I hadn't realised my hardware is now between 9 and 16 years old! (except for my Graphics card and RAM which are a bit more recent).

Gfx: AMD Radeon HD 7900 Series (3GB) (0x6798)

Your graphics card is about 13 years. I bought one of those in January 2012. :)

Jeepers, I believe you as I did buy it second-hand - time flies haha.

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Master Geek
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#3422909 7-Oct-2025 23:11

A huge thank you to everyone for your input. I've decided to ditch the upgrade option, and instead have a fresh start by purchasing a new desktop pc. At a point in life where I'd prefer the 'ready to go' rather than having to build something entirely from scratch. And feel like my Case and other parts have had a pretty good life!

Budget of $2,000. (Don't need monitor, keyboard, mouse).

For this price, I feel like I should be able to get something with a dedicated GPU, even if it's not a particularly good one - I'd like to have something that offered the capability for light/moderate gaming at 1080P.

Reiterating that I don't want a flashy 'gaming' style case with LEDs etc, in fact would like it to be as quiet as possible.

Here's a couple of options from PB Tech:

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSGGPC10034/GGPC-RTX-3060-12GB-Gaming-PC-AMD-Ryzen-5-5600-6-Co (seems decent value, 12GB GPU but assuming older / lesser powered, case looks a bit tacky and has a glass side panel which I'm not so fussed on)

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSGGPC50370/GGPC-AMD-Radeon-RX-9060-XT-16GB-Gaming-PC-AMD-Ryze (slightly above budget, could stretch if worthwhile, doesn't look too tacky although also has a glass side panel)

I've looked at a few other stores but struggling to find other options at a similar value. Can anyone suggest anything else worth a look? THANKS!

Handle9

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#3422913 7-Oct-2025 23:39

Buy once cry once.

I'd go for the second option, it's a massive uplift on what you have now and will probably be great for your use for another 10 years.

It also has the benefit of being AM5/DDR5 so if you do have a hardware failure down the track those two will be actively sold for many years to come. AM4 /DD4 still has heaps of support options today but it was replaced 3 years ago so you won't have as much runway.

I'd also be very wary of a 12GB GPU, 16GB really is the minimum I'd buy now for longterm use.

SpartanVXL

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#3422914 7-Oct-2025 23:43

https://computerlounge.co.nz/products/qubit-rr-rx-9060-xt-8gb-ryzen-7-9700x-gaming-pc can always ask for no rgb fans or a custom build.

Above is a starting point. As said before you should get a decent platform over a decent GPU. I realise you’ve said you don’t want to build but there is a cost factor for ready-to-go which will eat into your budget. Cost of everything including services here is going up.

If you will stick to pre 2016 era games your 7900 will get you by at 1080p. Perhaps get a machine built for you sans GPU and you can add one in later if you are willing.

There are other options now in the market as well if you aren’t too hung on playing games. Someone mentioned NUCs as an alternative but those won’t play games very well without a external thunderbolt gpu chassis. Mac M chip machines are surprisingly good at playing games using crossover. Valve the makers of Steam have made huge strides in linux gaming with proton, their hardware funnily enough is quite okay as a desktop with dock.

Qazzy03

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Ultimate Geek
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#3422918 8-Oct-2025 06:54

OP, i think your new budget and requirements are reasonable and you can get something that meets them.

I would suggest waiting for computer lounge PB techs black friday or pre black Friday sale, the discounts on systems will hopefully mean you have more options.

Unfortunately system builders are trying to offload older generation entry level parts and slapping rbg on it and call it a deal being.

Option 1 is an EoL system has is 2 to 3 generations older than current, depending on if you count AMD 8000.

The GPU is 2 generations older than current.

Option 2

Isnt EoL, GPU current generation, CPU is 1 to 2 generation old but cpu socket continues, cpu is below entry level for its generation, imo.

Really suggest waiting for black Friday sales and seeing what is available if younare going for prebuilt.

Just looked at Spartans computer lounge suggestion and it is significantly better compared to 1 and 2.

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