Upgrade advice for i3-2100 system

[Solo_Apple]

When I am not that busy with the baby, I plan to spend some $$$ and time to overhaul my system. Any advise?

Current spec:
i3-2100
H67 mATX
8GB
256GB Intel 520
2x1TB
Seasonic 520W
Lian-Li PC-V1000z
GTX260 with Dual DELL 2412M


I won't upgrade the monitor, the storage setup, Ram and PSU probably not either.

Looking to downsize the chassis, but I am only interested in full aluminum case. So, it is hard to decide among ATX, mATX or ITX.

Anyway, thank you in advance.

 

[Solo_Apple]

BTW, this PC is mainly for web and office work related use. No big block time for game, sigh.

 

[unhinged_loon]

No need to upgrade.

If you really want to spend money, buy a second hand Sandy Bridge i5 and stick it in. No need -k model.

 

[longpiao]

When I am not that busy with the baby, I plan to spend some $$$ and time to overhaul my system. Any advise?

Current spec:
i3-2100
H67 mATX
8GB
256GB Intel 520
2x1TB
Seasonic 520W
Lian-Li PC-V1000z
GTX260 with Dual DELL 2412M


I won't upgrade the monitor, the storage setup, Ram and PSU probably not either.

Looking to downsize the chassis, but I am only interested in full aluminum case. So, it is hard to decide among ATX, mATX or ITX.

Anyway, thank you in advance.

You should be downgrading instead. i3 is an overkill. Get a Celeron and remove the dedicated graphics card if your motherboard can support multiple display. The onboard graphics is good enough for most people who don't do gaming. Downsize your ram to 4 Gb.

 

[jarred1223]

You should be downgrading instead. i3 is an overkill. Get a Celeron and remove the dedicated graphics card if your motherboard can support multiple display. The onboard graphics is good enough for most people who don't do gaming. Downsize your ram to 4 Gb.

I've seen forumers suggesting downgrade from i7 to i5, from i5 to i3, now from i3 also suggest downgrade to Celeron

 

[ykgoh]

Change to mini-ITX mobo and Jonsbo casing?

 

[Ark Law]

Looking to downsize the chassis, but I am only interested in full aluminum case. So, it is hard to decide among ATX, mATX or ITX.

Sell and get a NUC lah. Forget ITX, go UCFF

 

[unhinged_loon]

Sell and get a NUC lah. Forget ITX, go UCFF

I don't like such small form factors. Cooling is an issue which can substantially reduce lifespan.

 

[Ark Law]

I don't like such small form factors. Cooling is an issue which can substantially reduce lifespan.

If 4K youtube playback under 60deg is hot for you, I'd imagine your pc casing is a fridge

 

[Solo_Apple]

No need to upgrade.

If you really want to spend money, buy a second hand Sandy Bridge i5 and stick it in. No need -k model.

H67 a bit old and probably no more warranty. It is time to upgrade.

You should be downgrading instead. i3 is an overkill. Get a Celeron and remove the dedicated graphics card if your motherboard can support multiple display. The onboard graphics is good enough for most people who don't do gaming. Downsize your ram to 4 Gb.

I do agree that for that usage, i3 is an overkill. But downgrade to Celeron

I've seen forumers suggesting downgrade from i7 to i5, from i5 to i3, now from i3 also suggest downgrade to Celeron

LMAO

Change to mini-ITX mobo and Jonsbo casing?

I consider ITX at the beginning. At that time I have 4x1TB HDD inside my case. There is no full aluminum ITX case that can accommodate 4 HDD + 1 SSD + 1 ODD.

Sell and get a NUC lah. Forget ITX, go UCFF

I have lobang for NUC and can buy it cheaper directly from Intel.

But similar to ITX, I need to spend some time and money for the storage (probably with NAS).

I still prefer to putting the storage HDD to the same PC as we download a lot. I also have to perform monthly backup for the storage HDD.

 

[Ark Law]

Maybe you could look into replacing your 4x 1TB with 2x 4TB/2x 6TB. House them inside a NAS/RAID box and hook it up to a NUC via USB3.

NUC follows same idea as MacPro, being all external expansion. Can also fit the NUC with a 1TB laptop HDD if you need additional space on the fly