JVM wrote:I am looking at upgrading my E8400 Core Duo 2 to Intel i5 either 8500 or 8600 (3.0-3.1). I believe they both TDP is 65 watts. I need advice for motherboard and cooling. I presently have a Sythe Ninja but will go with something else for new build.
For motherboards, i would recommend for
MSI Z370 GAMING PLUS, if you wan to gamble/beta test the new H370 go with
MSI H370 GAMING PLUS its a very similar motherboard, both come with intel nic, one M.2 ssd. A little better overall, with better outs for video
MSI Z370 GAMING M5
For cooling, depends on how much you willing to spend, the good value for the money are
Scythe Mugen 5 revB and
Thermalright Macho RevB. If you are willing to spend a little more
Thermalright LeGrandMacho.
JVM wrote: Graphics card just an Nvidia 1030 passive. I don't game on computer, except for chess.
If you are not gaming, i would recommend to avoid getting the GT1030, intel iGPU on the 8600 will allow you to do anything but gaming. You can always add an
MSI GeForce GT 1030, later on if you feel the intel iGPU isnt enough for you. Now if you go with intel iGPU, check the motherboard video outs before buying it, as not all have the same, the Plus has HDMI/DVI/VGA while the M5 has DP/HMDI (i prefer this).
Once you settle on the motherboard, buy memory that its on the QVL list to avoid incompatibility. In case you like the M5, im running mine with
Crucial 32GB DDR4 2666 MHz DIMM Memory Module Kit (2 x 16GB) with no issues, you can buy less memory, i just found the kit on a sale so went with 32.
JVM wrote:I am thinking about Fractal R5 for new build.
The
Define R6 was released a couple of months ago, seems like a very nice upgrade, you can get it with Glass or solid panels. But if you not planning on having any mechanical hdds, i would suggest to take a look into
Define C, its a more compact case than the R5 with really good and easy cable managemnt, with better airflow (no cages on the front) and you still can have mechanical if you wish (only 2).
JVM wrote:I will be using SSD hard drive.
For SSDs not sure if you are going to be re using your intels, or you going with new? In case you going with new, i would recommend to take a look into
Samsung 960 Evo, a very good NVME M.2 drive, or if you want mass storage on ssd look into
Micron 1100 2TB