Upgrade or buy new?

backfromthepast

backfromthepast

backfromthepast

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Joined
23 Nov 2025
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3
Location
UK
Hi all,

I used to be very much clued up on PC building and was a regular on here many moons ago. However, I am very much at least 10 years out of date with upgrading/building and, sadly, this aging machine doesn't meet the spec for Windows 11.

So, I'd be keen to hear your thoughts on whether it is worth (or even possible) to upgrade this PC to Windows 11 standards. Or just buy a new one?

Mobo: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. Z77-D3H (Intel Core i5-3570K CPU @ 3.40GHz
CPU: Intel Core i5 3570K @ 3.40GHz Ivy Bridge 22nm Technology
RAM: 8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz
Graphics: 1024MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series (MSI)
Storage: 232GB Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB ATA & 465GB Hitachi HDS721050DLE630 ATA

I'd just like to be able to upgrade to Windows 11 for security reasons. The gaming days are gone unfortunately.

Thanks in advance
 
Are you happy with the performance of your pc?
If you are then I'd suggest that you don't upgrade.

Instead you can install windows 11 on your current computer with rufus.
Rufus allows you to bypass win 11 requirements and install on "non-compatible" hardware


Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

Rufus: Create bootable USB drives the easy way
rufus.ie
 
Why are you wanting to upgrade, is it just the W11 support or are you unhappy with performance?

If you're content with your current PC other than o/s compatibility, there are work arounds to get W11 working on it via an app called Rufus, see here:

www.ifixit.com

How to install Windows 11 on unsupported devices

With the release of Windows 11, Microsoft has imposed certain requirements for hardware compatibility, including the need for TPM 2.0, specific CPU...
www.ifixit.com www.ifixit.com
 
tamzzy said:
Are you happy with the performance of your pc?
If you are then I'd suggest that you don't upgrade.

Instead you can install windows 11 on your current computer with rufus.
Rufus allows you to bypass win 11 requirements and install on "non-compatible" hardware


Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

Rufus: Create bootable USB drives the easy way
rufus.ie
Click to expand...

Git, beat me by fractions of a second! :p
 
Thanks for the speedy replies!

I am fairly happy with the performance, it does all that we need it too. So I'll take a look at this Rufus method. Is it generally successful? I just wouldn't want to completely mess up the computer :cry:
 
backfromthepast said:
Thanks for the speedy replies!

I am fairly happy with the performance, it does all that we need it too. So I'll take a look at this Rufus method. Is it generally successful? I just wouldn't want to completely mess up the computer :cry:
Click to expand...

Never known it not to be, I've used the method a couple of times on similarly old machines and I've no doubt Tamzzy has more so.


tamzzy said:
need to be quicker...some people like it quick :cry:
Click to expand...

I shouldn't have stopped to pick my nose half way through typing the post!
 
Gray2233 said:
Never known it not to be, I've used the method a couple of times on similarly old machines and I've no doubt Tamzzy has more so.
Click to expand...
yep, same experience here too. with 3/4/6/7 gen intels with zero issues
(surprisingly not with ryzen 1000/2000 series though, mainly because my advice is to toss those chips away and get a 5600 instead :cry: - long live AM4!)

Gray2233 said:
I shouldn't have stopped to pick my nose half way through typing the post!
Click to expand...
picking is fine. eating the booger after isn't ;)
 
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tamzzy said:
picking is fine. eating the booger after isn't ;)
Click to expand...

I'll have you know a random German doctor I read about on the internet said it was excellent for building up the immune system!

Inclined to agree regarding the 5600 for first/second gen Ryzen, the IPC was horse-plap at that point and you can find 5600's for less than £40.
 
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Just watched the YouTube video and I'll definitely give the Rufus method a go tomorrow. Hopefully I'll get a few more years out of this rig.

Thanks for your advice, you have saved me from wasting money as I was so tempted to go all in on this one...https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/cyberpower-amd-ryzen-7-9800x3d-32gb-ram-1tb-ssd-nvidia-geforce-rtx-5080-gaming-desktop-pc-black-friday-deal-4742249. It would have been massive overkill.... unless my teenagers switched to PC gaming!
 
backfromthepast said:
Just watched the YouTube video and I'll definitely give the Rufus method a go tomorrow. Hopefully I'll get a few more years out of this rig.

Thanks for your advice, you have saved me from wasting money as I was so tempted to go all in on this one...https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/cyberpower-amd-ryzen-7-9800x3d-32gb-ram-1tb-ssd-nvidia-geforce-rtx-5080-gaming-desktop-pc-black-friday-deal-4742249. It would have been massive overkill.... unless my teenagers switched to PC gaming!
Click to expand...

If you're really wanting to get into modern gaming there's no harm in upgrading, but if you're happy with what you have it's insane levels of needless overkill to go for a rig like that.
 
Nothing wrong with considering a new build, as the cheapest AM5 system would spank the old silly. But sadly ram prices and a few others are going up making things less comfortable for many. The reality is you could pick up pretty much any budget AM4/AM5/Intel pre build around £600/£800 and have a way better system with the latest Windows installed.

Not sure why you would even consider a £1700 9800X3D/5080 system as a replacement when your system was such a low spec to start with, you have no interest in gaming and the same place does far cheaper systems.

Also it is against forum rules to link competitors. Would be worth removing that.
 
What do you use your pc for? If it us for gaming then at what resolution and for wgat games and what fps do you want?
 
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