Quote:
Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby
I love my 27" monitor and really don't want an "all in one" computer. My current computer works fine, but for a bad fan that needs replacing. The other two fans are in perfect shape.
Problem is, my computer is -not- upgradable to Win11, and Win10 will no longer be supported this coming year - and some of the "apps" already don't work on it anymore.
I'm thinking - maybe I could get a new hard drive? Or even an SSD? I'd have to buy Win11 but that's cheap enough, I can get the license and download for less than $50. A new SSD I think can run under $200.
That seems a lot more useful to me than spending $600+ for a new tower.
My current computer comes with an older generation Intel i7, and at 2.8ghz is fast enough for my needs.
The computer itself is not a "true" component computer, but it's also not fully integrated. So I can swap out the hard drive, I'm pretty sure the motherboard is easily removable, I've already reseated the heat sink with new thermal paste so I know that's doable (thanks to villagetinker for the smear of paste).
It's been SOOOO long since I've worked on a computer other than the heat sink, and my CompTIA A+ certification was from back in the days when DOS was still included with Windows so - I'm really not up to speed on technology anymore.
Does adding an SSD or swapping out for an updated hard drive sound like the right move here? Or should I get rid of my beautiful Acer 27" monitor that's only 2 years old and works great, and go for an all-in-one that's cheaper than $500?
My budget is limited. I can go UP TO $500, no matter which way I go. I'd even consider an "out of box" or certified refurbished tower from Best Buy, but it needs to be a new(er) model computer if I go that route instead.
I -will not- buy a Dell. I wouldn't even take on if someone gave it to me. I prefer HP, but I'm not opposed to Acer, Asu, MSI, or even Lenovo.
I prefer a computer that comes with a dvd r/w and it must have a card reader.
Suggestions, things to watch out for, things to avoid, can my idea of keeping my tower and upgrading it work?
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Windows 11 has 2 specific requirements that relate to the motherboard/firmware:
1. Unified Extensible Firmware Interface - This is required to enable secure boot
2. Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. You must be able to run TPM v2.0.
TPM 2.0 became standard in 2016. If your motherboard doesn't support these, you need a newer motherboard. If you're getting a new motherboard, you'll also need to get new RAM (memory). You can get a motherboard for <$100 as well as memory for <$100. You'll also need a new processor. It all depends on much money you want to spend. You can certainly use your existing case. You'd probably want to get a SSD that would fit into an M.2 slot. If you have windows 10, you can install windows 11 on the new motherboard/SSD and move your license to the new computer, i.e., it will not cost you anything. I've done this multiple times.
You should be able to hookup your existing hard drive to the new motherboard and as such all of your files will be there.
It's not difficult, just time consuming. Good luck.