New
#11
So there are three "models" for every Gen, the i3, i5, and i7. The Gen is indicated by the first digit after the "i" designation. What are the remaining three digits for?
Help an AMD guy figure out what Intel build to put together for Win7
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New #12
There are others, xeon, pentium , i9 for example.
Most consumers use i3 or i5 or i7
the following is not a complete list:
List of Intel processors - Wikipedia
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New #13
For my newer computer I also recommend an NVME SSD but not an older computer running Windows 7.
A 2.5-inch SATA SSD easily replaces an old 3.5-inch SATA HDD because all the connections are the same.
On the other hand NVME SSD drives have a M.2 form factor. Since a Windows 7 era computer will not support that you will have to use a PCIe adapter. Even then you will probably not be able to boot from it unless you can bootstrap a driver into the Windows 7 boot disk to do so.
If you have a relatively new motherboard that has Windows 7 drivers and at least one M.2 connector then I see no problem using a NVME SSD. The problem is this is probably a small minority of people that are using Windows 7.
BTW, my main desktop has two 2TB NVME SSDs and no hard drives. The computer that is similar to the OPs had one 1TB SATA SSD and two 2TB HDDs. I doubted trying to get an NVME drive to work with the old computer was even worth it so I figured why bother. Price difference was no consideration at all.
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New #14
Yeah, if I ever did add an SSD to this PC, it would be SATA. the motherboard doesn't have an NVMe slot on it. But I was handed two 1TB SATA HDD's for free, so I am using them for now. This is not a build I want to spend any amount of $$ on really, I will someday build a top of the line Intel Windows 7 PC and will put $$ into that
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New #15
I hadn't planned on spending money on this computer either but on a whim put an SSD in it. Now I am mad I hadn't done it a lot earlier. It almost seems like a different computer it seems so much faster. I thought that a 1TB SSD drive would be enough for all the programs and games. Unfortunately, I quickly ran out of space. I solved the space problem by moving the Steam games to one of the HDDs. It makes sense to move Steam games because Steam is set up to easily do this.
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New #16
Just note what I had already written. A 9th and 10th Gen Intel CPU (Skylake-X/Cascade-X) will work under Windows 7 with certain X299 chipset motherboards. At least for certain x299 Gigabyte varieties that have Windows 7 drivers. Now, whether you should reuse RAM or not, I wouldn't. You might be able to get away with it, but motherboard manufacturers have something called a QVL (Quality Vendor List) for compatible RAM for that motherboard. This list is at the motherboard website. Sometimes it's damn hard to find RAM that's compatible and withen your budget.
I say this because I've seen so many BS reviews on RAM and I know damn well these PC builders didn't take the time to make sure their RAM was compatible in the first place. It's very important because data that is read/written on the drive can be affected with bad RAM. Sometimes certain software or OS oddities are due to bad or incompatible RAM.
This motherboard supports 9th and 10th Gen CPUs and has Windows 7 and 10 drivers. X299 AORUS Gaming 9 (rev. 1.0) Key Features | Motherboard - GIGABYTE Global
Unfortunately, it doesn't look Gigabyte's line of x299 motherboards have an mATX version. Probably because the X CPUs are for gamers and what not.
Next best on the list is a 270x chipset and a 7th Gen CPU which would be the 7700 or 7700K. GA-Z270MX-Gaming 5 (rev. 1.0) Key Features | Motherboard - GIGABYTE Global
Poke around here: Intel Z270 / H270 | Motherboard - GIGABYTE Global
Wanna know your CPUs? Go here: WikiChip
Depending on your browser, if you have a search box you can add that website to it be clicking the drop down arrow in the search box and adding the search engine for wikichip.
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This is why I have four 2TB enterprise grade Hitachi platters and a 5.25 bay HDD selector switch made by Kingwin. Due note however that some games will perform sluggishly on a platter. GTA V works well, but games like ARK, PUBG or 7 Days To Die may suffer. Of course, you could always RAID 1 two 2TB Hitachi platters. I would never use 0.
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New #17
No it isn't. Win7 works fine with 8th gen, which is much better than 7th gen.Next best on the list is a 270x chipset and a 7th Gen CPU
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New #19
You can pick up 8th gen quite reasonably now if you go second hand. My 8th gen system was a bargain - i5-8400 cpu, 2x8gb 3200mhz ram and gigabyte b365 ds3h mobo for less than £170.
If you have case and psu and some sort of storage already.
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New #20
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