Anyone Have Any PC/Laptop Upgrading Experience?

[KyCatFan]

I've been out of the computer game for a while. I used to keep up with all of that stuff. I am trying to hold off on getting a new PC/Laptop and just upgrade the current laptop I own. The only upgrades I can really do are the RAM and M.2 SSD. I currently have 12GB of RAM and only a 256GB M.2.

Current Processor - 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-1155G7 @ 2.50GHz 2.50 GHz
Current RAM - 12GB DDR 4 (?) 3200Mhz
Current M.2 - NVMe SK hynix BC711 HFM256GD3JX013N

According to my research, that processor supports up to 64GB of RAM. So I had this in mind.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08C4X9VR5/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

This seems to be a compatible M.2.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CJRTVLJ2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A35WBLVWI03KEF&th=1

Since the laptop only has one storage device (the M.2), I guess this would work to clone the current drive and swap it out.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MNFH1PX/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A41S1C1L96T2O&psc=1

Any issues with what I'm trying to do? I appreciate any help I can get.

 

[RunninRichie]

I build gaming desktops. What laptop do you have?


Your processor has DDR4 support. So the ram should be fine. Just make sure you slot it dual channel. It also has PCIE gen 4 support. So the SSD should work as well. I recommend using clonezilla to clone the SSD with that adapter you linked. Of course, you could also reinstall windows 10/11 if there's nothing you care to lose. Just relog into your accounts and what not. But if you care about losing files you can clone the drive.

 

[KyCatFan]

I build gaming desktops. What laptop do you have?


Your processor has DDR4 support. So the ram should be fine. Just make sure you slot it dual channel. It also has PCIE gen 4 support. So the SSD should work as well.

It's nothing special. Says the model is HP 15-dy4xxx. It runs decent most of the time, but when I run some 3d printer slicing programs, it can bog down a bit.

 

[HymanKaplan]

Ditto. You should be fine.

(And second on the clonezilla)

 

[RunninRichie]

It's nothing special. Says the model is HP 15-dy4xxx. It runs decent most of the time, but when I run some 3d printer slicing programs, it can bog down a bit.

Yeah. Sounds like you just need some better ram. Not sure if the included SSD is faster than the one you linked. But I assume with only 250gs and a 400 dollar price point it's pretty slow. It doesn't even list the SSD brand on the amazon page. So I assume it's some cheap chinese SSD. If you're using 3d programs I'd recommend maxing the ram out. Since it can support 64G i'd get 64. Those programs are ram hogs and need as much memory as they can get. Just make sure you get a 2x32 kit and slot it dual channel.

 

[KyCatFan]

It actually runs pretty well most of the time. Just struggles a bit on the slicing. Sometimes it runs solid using Cura or Orcaslicer and other times it's painfully slow. Right now I got the laptop running as basically a PC with it shut and running an exterior monitor with a wireless keyboard and mouse. I have a 256GB micro sd card in it as well to help with storage. A 2TB SSD will be an awesome upgrade. I'll take a look at the 2x32GB RAM sticks as well.

If I can swing it, I'd like to try and build one of those $600 ish gaming PC's. Not really for heavy gaming. I use consoles for that. Just want it to be able to be well rounded for lots of uses. I know video cards are stupidly expensive these days. That is probably where you have to sacrifice a bit for that price. I've never built a PC before so any suggestions on a solid budget build would be great. I've only done some upgrades in the past.

 

[HymanKaplan]

A high end gaming PC is probably the only "type" that you can build and save money on. Building PC's is NOT difficult, but for general use, it's damn near impossible (in my experience) to save any money, as opposed to purchasing online/looking for sales.

 

[RunninRichie]

A high end gaming PC is probably the only "type" that you can build and save money on. Building PC's is NOT difficult, but for general use, it's damn near impossible (in my experience) to save any money, as opposed to purchasing online/looking for sales.

Yeah. Only build a PC if you want a serious workstation or a gaming platform. For general office use a prebuilt will do just fine.

 

[BC_Wader]

I remember Dad and I building our gaming computers so we could run the original Far Cry game and also Painkiller. I miss those gaming days. I haven't had a desktop in ages it seems.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I build gaming desktops that are really just high-powered spank stations.

FIFY.

 

[KyCatFan]

Well I was able to swap out the RAM and M.2 drive. Was a bit nervous about pulling the laptop apart. Wasn't bad when I was just swapping the parts out.

Unfortunately I had a few issues. First I couldn't get the laptop to recognize the M.2 in the external drive. Tried a Samsung SSD and same issue. Tried the Samsung hooked to my phone and was able to format it and be recognized when I hooked it back up to the laptop.

Tried the same thing with the external M.2 hooked to my phone and it worked as well to get it recognized by the laptop. Then after swapping everything, it was only showing what the space I had on the old drive.

Ended up having an issue with unallocated space that had a recovery partition between it and the Windows partition. Had to do a lot of research to figure out that I had to open the command prompt and delete that recovery part and then I was able to expand it to use the unallocated space.

Everything is working now but I can't get it to create a recovery drive in case something happens. I guess that partition I deleted caused that.

 

[KyCatFan]

Ended up doing a $1k build. Turned out pretty good. Ignore the cable running across the top. Don't have the PC where I want it yet and was just testing it there.

I know the fans and lights are a bit excessive but what the heck. You can't have to much good airflow. The only issue is the RAM and CPU cooler lights are not synced up. Plus a couple of the intake/exhaust fans need to be turned to match up with the others. The specs are similar to a prebuilt I saw at Best Buy. Did this one for like $500 less than that one.

 

[entropy13]

@KyCatFan, looks like you kinda half-assed it by not building a mineral oil cooled system:

https://www.pugetsystems.com/mineral-oil-pc/

😆

J/K, of course. Yours looks cool.

@RunninRichie, what in your opinion is a good value for a fairly high-end gaming laptop?

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I'll probably look on building a new rig in the coming years.. Ahem sorry, spank station.

 

[KyCatFan]

@KyCatFan, looks like you kinda half-assed it by not building a mineral oil cooled system:

https://www.pugetsystems.com/mineral-oil-pc/

😆

J/K, of course. Yours looks cool.

@RunninRichie, what in your opinion is a good value for a fairly high-end gaming laptop?

I thought about a water cooling system, but I don't know anything about them. I'm sure there's extra maintenance involved with them compared to just fans and I'm lazy. I doubt I'll be doing any overclocking. Plus was trying to keep cost down. Still need to download some games to test it out. Waiting for my 1440p monitor to show up.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I thought about a water cooling system, but I don't know anything about them. I'm sure there's extra maintenance involved with them compared to just fans and I'm lazy. I doubt I'll be doing any overclocking. Plus was trying to to keep cost down. Still need to download some games to test it out. Waiting for my 1440p monitor to show up.

I always felt Water Cooling was more about vanity and "coolness" than actually providing value. Unless you're really doing some overclocking and compute, I don't think it's necessary. Plus when you've worked in datacenters for almost 15 years, you realize how water (condensation) and computing, just don't go well together. I'd be too nervous to mess around with water cooling in a machine I just spent $2,000 on.

 

[RunninRichie]

I always felt Water Cooling was more about vanity and "coolness" than actually providing value. Unless you're really doing some overclocking and compute, I don't think it's necessary. Plus when you've worked in datacenters for almost 15 years, you realize how water (condensation) and computing, just don't go well together. I'd be too nervous to mess around with water cooling in a machine I just spent $2,000 on.

Water cooling is just something you do because you have cash to blow. You have to worry about leaks and things too. Air cooling is fine for most builds. CPU cooling depends on the CPU. You may want an AIO on some chips. But custom loop is a rich man’s toy. You can find tons of videos where people’s custom loops just leaked, for no reason.

 

[IdaCat]

My last build was about a year and a half ago. Gigabyte Z790 MB with wifi, Intel Core I5 13600K 13th gen Raptor, AIO CPU cooler, 32 GB DDR5 RAM, a couple of SSDs, 1000W Gold PS, Corsair iCUE 4000X RGB ATX Mid Tower Case. Installed an inexpensive SATA HD for bulk storage needs.

Went with a Radeon RX 6800 XT graphics card which will probably handle any game I would want to play at higher settings. I usually go Nvidia, but the price/performance on this Radeon was unbeatable. At the time, higher end video cards were scarce and expensive.

Chose the I5 because it's powerful enough to do anything I need over the lifespan of the system and generates less heat than an I7/I9 which would be overkill.

The AIO cooler is fully integrated and requires no maintenance. They CAN fail (leak), but the risk seems very low for that. Excellent cooling and I think it's a little quieter than CPU fan coolers. This system is dead quiet with basic use. The fans spin up and it generates heat during high-end gaming, but it's reasonable and normal.

Mine has all the eye candy lighting, but I find it distracting and only use them for system notifications.

I spent a little over $2K total for the HW. Had zero issues and it's been completely stable so I'm happy. Oh, I'm using Winblows 11 Pro 64bit O/S.

I do a deep dive into current tech to be informed before each build.

To help organize and price out your build, PCPartsPicker is very handy.

 

[KyCatFan]

My last build was about a year and a half ago. Gigabyte Z790 MB with wifi, Intel Core I5 13600K 13th gen Raptor, AIO CPU cooler, 32 GB DDR5 RAM, a couple of SSDs, 1000W Gold PS, Corsair iCUE 4000X RGB ATX Mid Tower Case. Installed an inexpensive SATA HD for bulk storage needs.

Went with a Radeon RX 6800 XT graphics card which will probably handle any game I would want to play at higher settings. I usually go Nvidia, but the price/performance on this Radeon was unbeatable. At the time, higher end video cards were scarce and expensive.

Chose the I5 because it's powerful enough to do anything I need over the lifespan of the system and generates less heat than an I7/I9 which would be overkill.

The AIO cooler is fully integrated and requires no maintenance. They CAN fail (leak), but the risk seems very low for that. Excellent cooling and I think it's a little quieter than CPU fan coolers. This system is dead quiet with basic use. The fans spin up and it generates heat during high-end gaming, but it's reasonable and normal.

Mine has all the eye candy lighting, but I find it distracting and only use them for system notifications.

I spent a little over $2K total for the HW. Had zero issues and it's been completely stable so I'm happy. Oh, I'm using Winblows 11 Pro 64bit O/S.

I do a deep dive into current tech to be informed before each build.

To help organize and price out your build, PCPartsPicker is very handy.

I went with something similar. I got a Ryzen 5 7600X CPU with an RX 6800 16GB GPU and 32GB of DDR 5 (6000 MHz). Threw in a 2TB M.2 in it with room for 2 more of them. PSU is only an 850w Thermaltake 80+ Bronze semi-modular. I still haven't gotten around to finishing my Windows setup. I have to purchase the Home edition. Have you or anyone else bought one of those CD keys for Windows? Are they legit? Can get them for a fraction of the cost of what it costs through Microsoft.

 

[IdaCat]

I went with something similar. I got a Ryzen 5 7600X CPU with an RX 6800 16GB GPU and 32GB of DDR 5 (6000 MHz). Threw in a 2TB M.2 in it with room for 2 more of them. PSU is only an 850w Thermaltake 80+ Bronze semi-modular. I still haven't gotten around to finishing my Windows setup. I have to purchase the Home edition. Have you or anyone else bought one of those CD keys for Windows? Are they legit? Can get them for a fraction of the cost of what it costs through Microsoft.

I thought about the CD key option, but decided I didn't want to use my credit card on those sites. Also, Microsucks can kiss my ass, but I haven't rationalized honorably going around their scam yet.

 

[RunninRichie]

I went with something similar. I got a Ryzen 5 7600X CPU with an RX 6800 16GB GPU and 32GB of DDR 5 (6000 MHz). Threw in a 2TB M.2 in it with room for 2 more of them. PSU is only an 850w Thermaltake 80+ Bronze semi-modular. I still haven't gotten around to finishing my Windows setup. I have to purchase the Home edition. Have you or anyone else bought one of those CD keys for Windows? Are they legit? Can get them for a fraction of the cost of what it costs through Microsoft.

Google “microsoft authentication script”. Free windows. I have lifetime windows 10 pro, Lol

GitHub - massgravel/Microsoft-Activation-Scripts: Open-source Windows and Office activator featuring HWID, Ohook, KMS38, and Online KMS activation methods, along with advanced troubleshooting.

Open-source Windows and Office activator featuring HWID, Ohook, KMS38, and Online KMS activation methods, along with advanced troubleshooting. - massgravel/Microsoft-Activation-Scripts

github.com

 

[RunninRichie]

@KyCatFan, looks like you kinda half-assed it by not building a mineral oil cooled system:

https://www.pugetsystems.com/mineral-oil-pc/

😆

J/K, of course. Yours looks cool.

@RunninRichie, what in your opinion is a good value for a fairly high-end gaming laptop?

I’m not too well-versed in laptops, so I can’t say.

 

[RunninRichie]

im probably gonna upgrade my ram and CPU this holiday. 16gb DDR4 to 32. And a 5600x to a 5700x3d. Rocking a 3080. Gonna ride this build for as long as I can. Then upgrade to AM5/DDR5 in a few years.

 

[KyCatFan]

I have a second monitor on the way delivering tomorrow. First one I tried was a cheap one on Amazon by a brand named KTC. It's 1440p 100Hz and looks pretty good to me so I ordered a second one to replace a curved Samsung 1080p monitor. There's a $20 coupon so you get a 27" monitor for $119. I'm almost tempted to have 3 monitors to give like a 180° view. Not sure if many games even support that though.

Couldn't get the link to work on my phone. Just do a search for KTC 1440P monitor if interested.

 

[AustinTXCat]

My last system build for a mining machine nearly 7 years ago. Ran great. But I stopped mining a few months later. Sold one video card to a relative up in KY. He's a gamer.

Intel Core i3 7th Gen - Core i3-7100 Kaby Lake Dual-Core 3.9 GHz LGA 1151 51W BX80677I37100 Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 630​

WD Blue 1TB Desktop Hard Disk Drive - 7200 RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5 Inch - WD10EZEX​

MSI H270 GAMING M3 LGA 1151 Intel H270 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 ATX Motherboards - Intel​

2x MSI Computer Video Cards (GTX 1050 TI 4G OC)

8 gb Crucial ram.

 

[IdaCat]

I have a second monitor on the way delivering tomorrow. First one I tried was a cheap one on Amazon by a brand named KTC. It's 1440p 100Hz and looks pretty good to me so I ordered a second one to replace a curved Samsung 1080p monitor. There's a $20 coupon so you get a 27" monitor for $119. I'm almost tempted to have 3 monitors to give like a 180° view. Not sure if many games even support that though.

Couldn't get the link to work on my phone. Just do a search for KTC 1440P monitor if interested.

I don't use PC monitors anymore. Not even for gaming.

I have a 65" Sony Bravia VH1 TV that's used solely as a monitor for my desktop PC. No noticeable latency. It works and looks great. I don't use the smart features of the TV. Everything is streamed from my PC graphics card via HDMI. My TV has a setting for working as a PC monitor and it handles high graphics settings. Also have a Dolby Atmos capable sound system connected.

My Sony was a little expensive, but you probably don't need an expensive TV to use as a monitor. Sorry, I can't remember the tech details.

Anyway, this setup works for me. I'll never buy another PC monitor.

 

[KyCatFan]

I don't use PC monitors anymore. Not even for gaming.

I have a 65" Sony Bravia VH1 TV that's used solely as a monitor for my desktop PC. No noticeable latency. It works and looks great. I don't use the smart features of the TV. Everything is streamed from my PC graphics card via HDMI. My TV has a setting for working as a PC monitor and it handles high graphics settings. Also have a Dolby Atmos capable sound system connected.

My Sony was a little expensive, but you probably don't need an expensive TV to use as a monitor. Sorry, I can't remember the tech details.

Anyway, this setup works for me. I'll never buy another PC monitor.

I thought about trying to build one of those home theater PC's in the past and hook it up to my TV but never got around to it. I already have a PS5 and an Xbox Series S on my TV now, so I'd rather have the PC hooked up to monitors. Then I can watch TV shows/movies while doing whatever on the PC.

 

[SDC888]

You're fine using foreign batch CD key sites.

Use a CC that lets you create a virtual number, or failing that, i guess you could just buy a visa gift card. Only issue I've had is reinstalling once failed authentication, so I just bought another one for 5 bucks.

 

[RunninRichie]

You're fine using foreign batch CD key sites.

Use a CC that lets you create a virtual number, or failing that, i guess you could just buy a visa gift card. Only issue I've had is reinstalling once failed authentication, so I just bought another one for 5 bucks.

Just use MAS script.

 

[CrittendenWildcat]

EDIT: MEANT THIS TO BE IN RESPONSE TO POST ABOUT HTPC: Beelink N100 mini-PC with 16GB memory and 500GB HD will handle just about any video you can throw at it. Comes with Windows 11 Pro installed, and they run ~$160 on Amazon.
That may not handle a library of movies/TV shows very well, but you can add in a 3.5" laptop hard drive or an external hard drive for that purpose.
Like this one: Link

 

[KyCatFan]

My son just came over and I showed him my build. We got all of the lights on the same page but not sure if I can if I use color changing patterns yet. Will have to play with it some more. Probably will leave it in UK blue.

 

[KyCatFan]

Last one. Got the last of it in. Just ignore the wires and cords. Not sure if I will fix it yet. Getting ready to have some bedrooms redone and got it out in the living room until then.

 

[FirewithFire]

For anyone reading this thread and thinking about an upgrade, steer clear of the 13th and 14th gen Intel chips. They have some nasty failure/voltage issues that Intel knows about. They say they fixed them, but reports are sketchy.

This is coming from an Intel fan boy.

 

[IdaCat]

For anyone reading this thread and thinking about an upgrade, steer clear of the 13th and 14th gen Intel chips. They have some nasty failure/voltage issues that Intel knows about. They say they fixed them, but reports are sketchy.

This is coming from an Intel fan boy.

First I've heard of this. I've been running my 13600K since Feb 2023 and have had zero issues. Have not done any overclocking. This one is plenty fast without it for everything I do including extreme gaming.

Found this info on the issue. Downloaded and ran the Intel diagnostic tool and passed all tests. I'm not going to do any more testing or worry about it. If I start having trouble down the road, I'll remember this as a possible cause. Thanks.

How to check if your Intel 13/14 gen cpu is affected by instability problems​

 

[d2atTech]

Last one. Got the last of it in. Just ignore the wires and cords. Not sure if I will fix it yet. Getting ready to have some bedrooms redone and got it out in the living room until then.

@KyCatFan , i hate you dude. i always thought i could resist a second monitor and a slick computer set up. but this makes me want to lobby for one. i'm going to request the missus for a second monitor now. what the stand that you have them mounted on? also, do you have a big pc box for the cooling or would a smaller one work for the processor you chose?

 

[KyCatFan]

@KyCatFan , i hate you dude. i always thought i could resist a second monitor and a slick computer set up. but this makes me want to lobby for one. i'm going to request the missus for a second monitor now. what the stand that you have them mounted on? also, do you have a big pc box for the cooling or would a smaller one work for the processor you chose?

I get it. I see some cool stuff (eye of the beholder) others have and I really think I need it to. I only did this as a reward for myself from getting a divorce after nearly 24 years. Finally getting to do/buy things I want. My mom asked me why I needed a second monitor and I said to multitask. I might not put up a TV in the room it will go in so I can watch something like Netflix on one and whatever I'm doing on the other (gaming, 3d printing stuff, posting on here, etc.).

The monitor stand is this.
Dual Monitor Stand

It can hold 2 monitors up to 32" it says. Mine are both 27" so I can't confirm that.

CPU Cooler

I just chose that one because it had more RGB lighting and it's what they had at Best Buy. I don't think it's substantially bigger than a standard one that comes with some processors. Definitely a little bigger but mostly because the fan is positioned on it's side instead of lying flat on the processor. It's taller for sure. I was going even bigger that that but the first one I purchased wouldn't fit over my RAM. Didn't realize you had to have some kind of low profile RAM. Stuck out to far when I raised the fan above the RAM and would hit the glass side of the case.

Original Cooler

I'm sure a smaller one like a stock fan would work for most setups. This was just designed to help with higher settings on games that make the CPU run a lot hotter. Some of the build videos mentioned that it would be fine if you just bought the chip that came with the stock cooler. I especially would have probably been alright. Just look at all of those other fans 😂. Good luck on convincing the significant other.