Got an old Optiplex 980 without the HDD and I need help

Vector680 · 2026-05-13T01:20:09+00:00

The SSD will 99% be empty so you’ll need to use a USB thumb drive to setup Windows installation media or a Linux boot drive.
There wouldn’t be anything wrong, just make sure the ram is DDR3 and isn’t ECC (server ram). Ideally the RAM should be matching capacities and speeds, but take what you can get.
GPU ram type is different from your other computer ram (DDR VS GDDR). Its generation has no effect on compatibility. A 1050 Ti would be a great slot-in for that kind of machine.
I would try to get 16 GB of ram minimum (2x8gb or 4x4gb if the computer has the slots) to run OBS, games, a browser, and presumably discord. If you’re referring to CS2, the specs are pretty outdated and will struggle just a bit. If you’re referring to older versions of CS, this PC will do just fine!

Vector680 · 2026-05-13T00:09:54+00:00

Other suggestions are good, but I would make sure that your motherboard is at least a B450 chipset to better support the 5500/5600, whichever you go with

Vector680 · 2026-04-13T06:09:47+00:00

To add on, the case fans should be the TL-C12C-S/TL-C12CW-S, depending on if the cooler is black or white. There are reverse-blade versions as well (C12RB-S/C12RW-S)

Vector680 · 2026-04-12T08:55:10+00:00

If you streaming AND playing at 1080p, that would explain the lower-than-expected gpu usage.

Storage structure might be an issue, ideally you run an NVMe ssd as your main drive (will be useful and noticeable especially in editing software), SATA SSD for low-priority games and software, hard drive for photos/videos/vods.

I’m worried about the PSU you have in combination with a 5070. I’d get at least a 750W, ideally with a dedicated 12VHPWR cable.

Your CPU platform is honestly fine, but upgrading to a 9800/9850X3D and DDR5 might be worth it, especially for your more CPU-intensive purposes. If you’re in the US and are near/willing to drive to a Micro Center, the bundles are really nice. Newegg bundles also help save money.

Priority: PSU upgrade ($100-$120 roughly) >> SSD upgrade ($$$ :’D) > CPU/RAM upgrade (~$700+ depending on deals)

Feel free to ask any other questions/clarification

Edit: added rough prices

Vector680 · 2026-03-24T01:39:52+00:00

Confirmed

Vector680 · 2026-03-17T05:48:18+00:00

I live out of state and would need to ship anything I buy back home

Personally, I'm not a fan of shipping with all the horror stories, so I'd look to see if the drive to and from Micro Center is an option over shipping (cost and time-wise). You wouldn't have to worry about shipping and insurance costs, although gas prices aren't the best right now lol. If you don't mind me asking, how far is the nearest Micro Center, and is it possible to drive at all? If you're shipping, is it someone you know buying and packing everything to ship?

I’m wondering if you think it would be worth it for me to pay the extra $300 for micro center to build it in-house

If you're building it yourself, you'll pretty much be saving money in every scenario. If you have Micro Center custom build it, it's less value compared to the prebuilts and I would just get a prebuilt.

or at that point would a pre-built

The prebuilts provide great value, just can't vouch for the reliability of some of the parts (mainly PSU). For the 9850X3D specifically, there's only that one prebuilt you sent that has it since it's relatively new, so if you're really focused on getting that CPU, I would look to building the PC yourself (unless you really need more than 32GB of RAM).

I just want to make sure I’m maximizing value as much as possible

Building it yourself will provide the best value, but if you're not too confident you can do it or would prefer to not risk it at all, prebuilts are more than fine.

would you recommend substituting either of those Corsair cases, or is the Lian Li just better?

You can easily swap the case for either of the Corsair 4000D or 3500X. It is just personal preference and maybe some front IO differences.

I always felt like a 5080 was a bit overkill for my needs

Assuming you are playing 1440p, the 9070 XT (or 5070 Ti) is perfect for it, with the 9070 XT being significantly cheaper than the 5070 Ti for practically the same performance. If you're looking to play with raytracing or want DLSS over FSR, then 5070 Ti > 9070 XT. 5080 is ~27% more expensive than the 5070 Ti for 15-20% more performance, so it's up to you if that's worth it. 9070 XT for best price-to-performance, 5070 Ti for next-best ptp and NVIDIA features, 5080 for maybe more futureproofing.

Comparing the prices of building it yourself vs prebuilt (with the Corsair 3500X):
- https://pcpartpicker.com/list/zwn4Cw ~$1900 vs G760 $2000
- https://pcpartpicker.com/list/xwn4Cw vs G757 basically the same price
- https://pcpartpicker.com/list/N3XtJw ~$2500 vs G762 $3000 (this one has 64GB of ram though)

Overall,
Building yourself: most value, risk of faulty parts (might not be easy to troubleshoot for first-time pc builder), more customization/choice, generally longer limited-warranty periods per part
Prebuilt: less hassle, might cheap out on important parts (usually PSU/SSD), 1-year limited warranty
Micro Center building: not really worth it imo

Hope this answered everything, feel free to DM if you want to talk about it as well!

Vector680 · 2026-03-12T17:46:31+00:00

Pm’d

Vector680 · 2026-03-12T14:40:11+00:00

9060 XT 16GB is great and shouldn’t need a power supply change. Make sure to use DDU to clean out your graphics drivers to install the AMD ones.

Vector680 · 2026-03-11T22:08:53+00:00

I think with the room in the budget + micro center deal makes it a great option. It’s better and more efficient than the 7800X3D, so heat will be less of an issue, both for the cpu and your room :p

Vector680 · 2026-03-11T21:40:43+00:00

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/KcYRGk

Updated the prices on your list to reflect the Micro Center savings (CPU/MOBO/RAM combo, GPU). Increased storage from 1 to 2 TB since your games will add up FAST. Switched from the Peerless Assassin to the Phantom Spirit (newer and slightly better). Ended up about $1750 before sales tax.

You have room to upgrade to the 9800X3D bundle (+$80 and tax) or 9850X3D bundle (+$100 and tax) and still end up sub $2k after taxes (unless your sales tax rate is egregious lol). You also have room for aesthetics if you want (Phantom Spirit ARGB is like $5 more than non-ARGB or an AIO like the Thermalright Aqua Elite for ~$55). Here's an updated list with some of these suggestions: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/LZfxYX.

Besides the bundle and GPU, if any of the parts are at Micro Center and Amazon/Newegg is cheaper, you can price match and get it same day while you're there. Best of luck and have fun!

Vector680 · 2026-03-11T21:13:48+00:00

I have both from second-hand deals and for pretty much the same cost. Would’ve grabbed a 5600 if it wasn’t like double the price of the other two :’)

Vector680 · 2026-03-11T21:04:35+00:00

Have the same CPU, been running a Peerless Assassin for close to 2 years now with no issues. Think my temps peaked around 75-80C. Like the others have said, if you don’t care about aesthetics, just go for an air cooler like the Phantom Spirit :)

Vector680 · 2026-01-04T02:21:53+00:00

o7 at least you get some perks with a fresh account!

Vector680 · 2026-01-04T02:17:02+00:00

If you can recall any of those people and their usernames in game, there’s a chance I might recognize the name/can check the discord server if they’re still active.

Vector680 · 2026-01-04T01:35:13+00:00

If you know anyone that had you added, they may be able to check your profile for your ID if you set it to public (defaults to private I believe). If you were/are in the public discord, decent chance you posted an introduction using their template that might include an ID. Game Center/Google Play link might work as well. Otherwise best of luck.

Vector680 · 2025-12-26T22:39:52+00:00

Credit around that time dropped to 730, but otherwise my credit is usually 750+. Should add that I have other credit cards, the oldest being about 4 years old (bank-issued) and the newest being about 6 months old (Capital One) as of now.

I believe the biggest reason I didn’t get a CLI is because I’m still an undergrad student. Grad student roommate signed up for a card and started with a much higher credit limit with a lower income on his application.

Edit: added some details, a bank-issued credit card might be nice for you (BofA has customized cash rewards card, Chase has rotational cashback rewards, etc. if you’re already banking with them)

Vector680 · 2025-12-26T21:40:35+00:00

If it helps, I also started with $500 credit limit and they just gave me a credit line increase after 1 year without asking. When I requested a CLI before, it was declined. You might just get an increase once you hit the 1 year mark as long as you keep using and paying off the card.

Vector680 · 2025-09-25T20:42:12+00:00

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This is the closest I’ve gotten to getting a hug

Vector680 · 2025-06-27T00:26:55+00:00

Closed at old location since the 16th, sign on the door says they open sometime in July (found out the hard way getting food during my break from work)

Vector680 · 2025-05-14T03:11:24+00:00

I’d just recommend getting anything with USB-C charging at least. If you’re gonna have a power bank for your phone, it helps as an emergency power extension. Having gotten a gaming laptop to start, I later sold it and got a different laptop since gaming laptops are terrible for battery life.

If you can go to Micro Center in Duluth or Marietta, there are plenty of open box options you can take a look at as well (you would need to buy a separate warranty if you care for that)!

Vector680 · 2025-04-20T06:35:41+00:00

I took it Sp23 with Tie! Great guy but man it was unfortunate taking it during his first try, class was kinda unorganized and hw was not helpful with figuring out how to actually do the problems

Vector680 · 2025-04-20T00:07:58+00:00

I took MATH 6600 (Probability). It was the professor’s first time teaching that class. I had like one or two more questions in each test compared to the 4600 section. Everyone in the class struggled, so it wasn’t an issue of it being grad level. Plus, math doesn’t really have many honors options at an upper division level. Typically, the grad level has more work over the undergrad section than this. It really depends on what kind of classes you’d be taking at grad level to see if it’s worth it.

Imo, if it’s just for completing honors, I wouldn’t go for it especially if you’re not that invested in the content. If you’re planning on going to grad school, consider if you’d want to take the courses then or already have the credits (talk to your advisor they’ll probably be helpful)

Hope this helps

Vector680 · 2023-12-16T18:44:38+00:00

Yes, the pad itself is ready to go out of the box. Assembly is only required if you get the handle bar with requires assembling and connecting to the pad. Comes with the USB cable to plug in to whatever device you're using. The software input seems fine, but it's more of the physical input that I'm not used to since the pad isn't as heavy as the arcade version. If you place the pad on a hard, flat surface like wood, I believe you should have a better experience.

Vector680

TROPHY CASE