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It's been a decade since last build, need new

  • Thread starter Deleted member 394373
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Deleted member 394373

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My last build, which is still going stronger than ever, is an i5 2500k with 32GB. No issues other than I'm running Windows 10 pro.
If im not mistaken, I can't run windows 11 (officially) on this processor.
What would be my next logical upgrade? I would probably need a new motherboard, but I can figure that out later. What processor should I be looking at to last me another 10 years? I dont mind buying the processor used either, Im down for whatever.

The only game I consistently play online is the best game that ever existed, which is Unreal Tournament GOTY 1999. I don't really play other games.
Thanks
 
Oof, you've picked about the worst time to choose to upgrade. Component costs are grim, to say the least. What's your budget?

Pre-builts may be the best bet for a relatively decent deal at this time. Most of them were made from components purchased by their assemblers months ago before things went to hell, so they probably aren't going to soak you quite so horribly. Since your needs appear to be fairly mild most anything should do, though I suspect you'd want something with a decent GPU (not necessarily discrete) and at least 32 GB RAM. Even many of those mini boxes with laptop chips would do you well (or for that matter, an actual laptop). Check for sales at the usual places (e.g., Best Buy, Micro Center, Amazon, NewEgg) and some you may not have thought of (e.g., Costco, Walmart). (I'm assuming US, please correct us if this is not the case.)

If you want to build your own system maybe look to an AMD B550-based mainboard paired with the 5600G/5700G APU and DDR4 RAM. A little dated, but should be good for a good while. Or you could step up and get something more current like an 8600G/8700G paired with a B650/B840/B850 mainboard, but the cost of DDR5 is just absolutely stupid right now. NewEgg has been putting together some OK bundles (though not with the aforementioned APUs that I could find). Woot also has some decent deals on components.

Also consider a used system from a few generations ago (though I'd stay away from Intel gen-13/14 desktop CPUs). Check the local big-box stores for open box/returns. Woot has a number of used/refurb desktop options, though I can't vouch for how good they are.

As for possibly sticking with your current setup: any way you can get in on one of the extended support options for Win10? Or if you're up to the change maybe convert to a Linux distro if UT works well (e.g. no multiplayer/anti-cheat conflicts/issues)?
 
Do you need win11?
You say everything is fine and dandie so why upgrade then?
A thought though would be to upgrade to the best CPU / MB that you can still use your current RAM with. Used of course and should be very affordable as that stuff is.
Enjoy the extra cores and speed while you sit it out and wait for a major upgrade when things aren't as stupid.
 
penelhum said:
My last build, which is still going stronger than ever, is an i5 2500k with 32GB. No issues other than I'm running Windows 10 pro.
If im not mistaken, I can't run windows 11 (officially) on this processor.
What would be my next logical upgrade? I would probably need a new motherboard, but I can figure that out later. What processor should I be looking at to last me another 10 years? I dont mind buying the processor used either, Im down for whatever.

The only game I consistently play online is the best game that ever existed, which is Unreal Tournament GOTY 1999. I don't really play other games.
Thanks
Click to expand...

If you're still using a 2500k, you could just get a Handheld like this Lenovo Legion Go S. Or just check which models are available and/or meet your needs.
 
One comment on UT '99: If it runs like complete shit on whatever you build, try alt-tabbing out of the game, opening task manager, and set affinity to run it on a single CPU core. Yes, just one. It doesn't know how to use more than one, and I've had issues with it on some multi-core and dual socket systems. If you run into that problem you should be able to write a script to launch it with affinity set. I'd have to read up on how to do that in Windows.

You're not going to be able to reuse much out of a 2500k system. You hardly need anything to run UT '99 really well. A laptop I bought in 2007 ran it great. That had a weenie little "business graphics" dGPU in it. 2026 iGPU is gonna blow it's doors off. Just get something that doesn't totally suck in case you feel like playing something else once in a while.

I've run UT99 GOTY on a 9600X system with an ARC B580 and Win11, so I can vouch for recent Intel graphics and Win11 working. I could try it on 50 and 30 series NV cards if you're feeling paranoid.

Personally I'd seriously consider a laptop if the 2500k is meeting your needs. If you don't need desktop power portability becomes tempting. No need for a gaming laptop, just an iGPU will do for UT99. The biggest problem with it is that it's a DX7 game, so it's limited to 2048x2048 screen resolution. Widescreen is fine, worst case you have to hack the config files a little. UT99 worked well at 4:1 (12:3) when I had surround set up on a Matrox Parhelia back in the day. But alas, that 2048x2048 limit - it only worked at 3x640x480. 3x800x600 was 2400 wide and DX7 just goes splat.
 
BlueLineSwinger said:
Oof, you've picked about the worst time to choose to upgrade. Component costs are grim, to say the least. What's your budget?

Pre-builts may be the best bet for a relatively decent deal at this time. Most of them were made from components purchased by their assemblers months ago before things went to hell, so they probably aren't going to soak you quite so horribly. Since your needs appear to be fairly mild most anything should do, though I suspect you'd want something with a decent GPU (not necessarily discrete) and at least 32 GB RAM. Even many of those mini boxes with laptop chips would do you well (or for that matter, an actual laptop). Check for sales at the usual places (e.g., Best Buy, Micro Center, Amazon, NewEgg) and some you may not have thought of (e.g., Costco, Walmart). (I'm assuming US, please correct us if this is not the case.)

If you want to build your own system maybe look to an AMD B550-based mainboard paired with the 5600G/5700G APU and DDR4 RAM. A little dated, but should be good for a good while. Or you could step up and get something more current like an 8600G/8700G paired with a B650/B840/B850 mainboard, but the cost of DDR5 is just absolutely stupid right now. NewEgg has been putting together some OK bundles (though not with the aforementioned APUs that I could find). Woot also has some decent deals on components.

Also consider a used system from a few generations ago (though I'd stay away from Intel gen-13/14 desktop CPUs). Check the local big-box stores for open box/returns. Woot has a number of used/refurb desktop options, though I can't vouch for how good they are.

As for possibly sticking with your current setup: any way you can get in on one of the extended support options for Win10? Or if you're up to the change maybe convert to a Linux distro if UT works well (e.g. no multiplayer/anti-cheat conflicts/issues)?
Click to expand...
I do not have a budget but im trying to stay on the cheap side. I don't expect the system to cost much because I don't do heavy gaming or need a video card that will chew up games. I play one game only, and that's UT99. I'll look into the other options (linux) and yes for now im staying with my setup.
 
funkydmunky said:
Do you need win11?
You say everything is fine and dandie so why upgrade then?
A thought though would be to upgrade to the best CPU / MB that you can still use your current RAM with. Used of course and should be very affordable as that stuff is.
Enjoy the extra cores and speed while you sit it out and wait for a major upgrade when things aren't as stupid.
Click to expand...
I dont need win11. However I was reading how my current OS is about to lose support soon, I think this year. I'd like to upgrade before then
 
AVATARAT said:
If you're still using a 2500k, you could just get a Handheld like this Lenovo Legion Go S. Or just check which models are available and/or meet your needs.
Click to expand...
nah I'll pass on handhelds. I need a keyboard or some sort, screen too small, feels like a remote control. these seem to be gaming machines. I would go for something like a surface pro though, but not the Legion
 
penelhum said:
nah I'll pass on handhelds. I need a keyboard or some sort, screen too small, feels like a remote control. these seem to be gaming machines. I would go for something like a surface pro though, but not the Legion
Click to expand...
Legion Go has a dock to allow keyboard, mouse, and external monitor...just like the desktop experience.
Don't look at it as just a "gaming machine"... It's just a x64 computer like your tower.. it runs Linux or Windows..and they boot to their respective app/storefront in full screen mode.. they are still real computers under the hood.
Some people run these docked like a daily use rig... With external eGPU for more horsepower.. and the extra benefit of portability


(edited for typos as my original post was posted from mobile)
 
Last edited:
The ONEXPLAER APEX is like a mid-to-high-end gaming laptop, especially the liquid-cooled version.
And yes, as Hash_Immutable_1337x mentioned, you can add everything you need to it.
Yes, it’s really expensive, which is why I suggested something entry-level.
 
Don't see any other posts by penelhum outside this thread. Either they were deleted, or he got banned for a different reason, or he asked to have his account deleted for some reason.
 
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