Looking at upgrading parts on my custom built pc

meaks89

meaks89

meaks89

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Joined
5 Jun 2025
Posts
24
Location
UK
Hi,

I built my PC a few years ago and it's been solid for me, however it's becoming a little old now and I want to bring it up to date a little. I feel if I play a game like Tropico 6 it makes the machine become a little bit loud (hoover like), I'm feeling that maybe it's being pushed with the graphics? Any advice on how you would upgrade my pc, where to begin, I would appreciate the advice.

Ryzen 5 3600xt 6 core
32gb ram
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
224GB SSD Kingston and 1tb HDD
64 bit operating system


Thanks
 
You're way over the recommended requirements for Tropico 6, it sounds more like your hardware is getting hot. Are there any performance issues or is it just the noise?

When was the last time you gave your PC a good clean? Repasting the GPU might help too given its age.
 
Gray2233 said:
You're way over the recommended requirements for Tropico 6, it sounds more like your hardware is getting hot. Are there any performance issues or is it just the noise?

When was the last time you gave your PC a good clean? Repasting the GPU might help too given its age.
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I am due to give it clean to be honest and did think this could be contributing to the issue.
But equally I'm thinking where should I be thinking for giving the machine a boost, I don't need mega heavy graphics, not for how I use a pc nowadays. Is it worth adding some cooling elements?
 
Corsair CC-9011023-WW Carbide Series 200R Compact ATX Performance Computer Case -
Graphics card temp with Tropico loaded - seems to rise to 80 degrees
Cpu got to 81 then Started to cool to 70

Soon as I turn Tropico off GPU decreases at time of writing (still decreasing) 47

Motherboard seems high at 63 degrees


Running with one fan.

Guess I need to increase cooling?
 
meaks89 said:
I feel if I play a game like Tropico 6 it makes the machine become a little bit loud (hoover like), I'm feeling that maybe it's being pushed with the graphics?
Click to expand...
Has it always been loud, or is this recent?

meaks89 said:
Motherboard seems high at 63 degrees
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What part of the motherboard are you referring to? They usually have a number of different sensors and for some positions (e.g. VRM or chipset) that's a normal temperature and no concern.

meaks89 said:
Graphics card temp with Tropico loaded - seems to rise to 80 degrees
Click to expand...
Which model of card is this, specifically? 80 isn't necessarily a problem.

meaks89 said:
Cpu got to 81 then Started to cool to 70
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tamzzy said:
What CPU cooler?
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meaks89 said:
Running with one fan.
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In the case, you mean? It is an exhaust?

meaks89 said:
But equally I'm thinking where should I be thinking for giving the machine a boost, I don't need mega heavy graphics, not for how I use a pc nowadays. Is it worth adding some cooling elements?
Click to expand...
If you want a new PC, we can spec a new PC, that's not a problem. Your graphics card is way behind the times and something like a 9060 XT 16GB (just out) would be a good upgrade. CPU is not bad, but maybe a new CPU cooler.
 
Sorry I was reading the temps from speccy.
ASUSTek ROG STRIX B450-F GAMING (AM4) 70 degrees
GPU is Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB - now down to 35 (been sat idol)

Well I completed Tropico 5 and naturally went to Tropico 6, game is a bit of an uplift in graphics between the two. So never really noticed the noise.
 
meaks89 said:
Sorry I was reading the temps from speccy.
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download hwmonitor: https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html
fire up your game and play 10 or so mins
tell us the max temps of the cpu and gpu

what cpu cooler do you have? if you don't know then post a pic of your pc innards
also need to know the make and model of your power supply

please refer to this post as to the info required: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/read-first-build-and-upgrade-advice-template.19002453/
 
meaks89 said:
Sorry I was reading the temps from speccy.
ASUSTek ROG STRIX B450-F GAMING (AM4) 70 degrees
GPU is Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB - now down to 35 (been sat idol)

Well I completed Tropico 5 and naturally went to Tropico 6, game is a bit of an uplift in graphics between the two. So never really noticed the noise.
Click to expand...

If you're happy with performance you can look at resolving your heating issues, the noise you're hearing is related to the fans on your CPU and/or GPU I'd guess.

If you're not sure about what CPU cooler you have, could you take a picture of the inside of your case so that we can see it?

Otherwise, as mentioned by Tetras we can spec you a new build or upgrade which would help.

Edit: @tamzzy beating me to it. :p

Edit 2: I actually had a 200R years back and while it was good for the time it's a touch dated by todays standards, so-so airflow too if you didn't add a couple of fans.
 
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Gray2233 said:
If you're happy with performance you can look at resolving your heating issues, the noise you're hearing is related to the fans on your CPU and/or GPU I'd guess.

If you're not sure about what CPU cooler you have, could you take a picture of the inside of your case so that we can see it?

Otherwise, as mentioned by Tetras we can spec you a new build or upgrade which would help.

Edit: @tamzzy beating me to it. :p

Edit 2: I actually had a 200R years back and while it was good for the time it's a touch dated by todays standards, so-so airflow too if you didn't add a couple of fans.
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I will do the test and give it a clean out over the next two days, but out of interest what cases, fans/CPU fans would you recommend
 
meaks89 said:
I will do the test and give it a clean out over the next two days, but out of interest what cases, fans/CPU fans would you recommend
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Was your system this noisy when you got it or has it become this noisy over time?

I think it might just be a worn out fan or two that need replacing. Any static pressure optimised fan will work great and you won't need to get a ton, just a couple.

If the fan on your CPU cooler is worn, you might consider getting a new cooler as replacing the fan for it will cost about the same as a good budget CPU cooler.

I don't know fans these days, I spent some money on some cheap Artic cooling 120mm fans back in 2023 and they are fine but won't last as long as some fans with better bearings.

IIRC, this is a good budget cooler and there are other members who know which cooler to go for.

My basket at OcUK:

Total: £27.98 (includes delivery: £3.99)​
 
tamzzy said:
that fan is the wrong way round, it should be an exhaust. not an intake


definitely swap out this cpu cooler. the stock cooler ain't great
something like this is more than sufficient: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/thermalright-assassin-king-120-se-cpu-air-cooler-coo-tlr-03267.html
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Thank you, I was sure I had it wrong way.

Not done the test, decided to give it a clean and the paste has dried up. I've decided to upgrade the CPU cooler so I'm not sure about firing it back up until I fit the new cooler.


I think I will have a look into a newer GPU (I don't need anything flash but think mine now old), anything else you think I should maybe look into adding or upgrading? Just to keep it at a fairly moderate level/ future proofing like the GPU?
 
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