SSD's are even faster? Really?
This should be of no surprise because, as a general rule, everything is faster - if not by actual clock speeds, then by the amount of data being moved each clock cycle. For example,while many CPUs today still "only" run at 3.6GHz as many did years ago, they can do much more work in the same amount of time, and often while consuming less energy and producing less heat.
Other examples include USB interface speeds are faster, as are SATA, PCIe, and wifi, as well. RAM speeds aren't just faster, but RAM densities are much greater too. That is, along with CPUs, GPUs and other integrated circuit (IC) devices, they have millions (or billions!) more transistor gates per square inch.
If considering Corsair again, one sad note is you can no longer depend on Corsair power supplies just because the supply has the Corsair logo on it.
For sure, their top-of-the-line series supplies are top-of-the-line and can be trusted. But it is generally recommended to stay away from their entry level models as Corsair changed OEM suppliers for those models. EGVA (my preferred) and Seasonic supplies have become most popular. But regardless, I think avoiding entry-level models is good advice, regardless the brand.
You are wise to look for a quality PSU and for sure, you should look for one that is
80 PLUS certified as they ensure at least 80% efficiency across the range of expected loads. I do NOT, however, recommend seeking Platinum or Titanium certified CPUs. Instead, I recommend "Gold" certified CPUs. It would take many years of use to make up in energy savings for the added cost of a Platinum or Titanium PSU. Gold certification still requires at least 87% efficiency across the full range of expected loads - which is still excellent. If a Platinum just happens to be on sale at a great price, then go for it. But note a higher rating does NOT mean you are getting a more reliable supply, or a supply with tighter regulation or better ripple suppression, or a supply that will run more quietly.
Another big change over the last 10 years has been the security situation. It is much better and worse at the same time. It much better because with the latest version of Windows, it is much easier to keep our systems secure if you just leave the default settings alone, and you avoid being "click-happy" on unsolicited emails, attachments, links, popups, and downloads.
Many people still hate Microsoft so you often have to take what you hear with a grain of salt - or a 10lb box of salt. W10, for example, is NOT the privacy concern many will want you to believe. First, there is a HUGE difference between privacy and security. Microsoft does not know and is NOT trying to learn your real name, physical location, passwords, account numbers, contacts or your other personal and sensitive information. Nor are they trying to tie your Internet activity to you personally. That is important to accept and understand.
Google and Facebook, however, are much greater threats to your privacy. And worse yet are your ISP and especially your cell phone carriers, as they already know your real name, real address, billing information and more and are actively seeking to tie that to everything you do on the Internet!
And sadly, Congress has given ISPs the green-light to not only collect that information about us, but to do with it just about anything they want!!!
And the president quickly signed it despite the fact there is literally
no public support to repeal the bill that protected our privacy! So now, your ISP can collect all your surfing habits and sell it for their own personal gains, and you can do nothing about it. That's how our current government is looking after its citizens.
But I digress. The point is, when it comes to "securing" your computer (protecting it from malware), it is much easier today than it was 10 years ago (AS LONG AS we keep our computers and security program current, and avoid being click-happy). That's the good news.
But the bad news; because it has gotten so much easier for us to secure our personal computers, the bad guys are concentrating more and more on attacking organization and corporate networks because, sadly, those systems are much easier to hack to steal our personal information.
And to make it worse, most of those hacks (like the big Equifax hack) could have been prevented if only the IT admin and security management had done their jobs!
The patch that would have prevented the massive Equifax hack, for example, was provided to Equifax many months before the hack occurred, but the system managers and administrators never applied it! And that's not all. All our personal data (names, birthdates, social security numbers, credit information) was stored on their severs "in the clear!" That is, it was not encrypted. And were any at Equifax held accountable or charged with criminal negligence? Nope.
For more info on the Equifax breach and the settlement, the US Federal Trade Commission as set up
this website. If not sure you were affected, follow the "look-up tool" link on that page. If affected, the free credit monitoring is the recommended choice.
But I digressed again. Sorry.
Other changes are with cooling. Better cases come with much better cooling to start, and most offer a lot more cooling options. If you are not planning to do extreme overclocking, there's no need for radiators and alternative cooling solutions. Contrary to what many want us to believe, both AMD and Intel make great OEM coolers today. If you get a processor that does not come with an OEM cooler, you can get great cooling with a traditional HSF (heatsink fan) assembly. Remember, it is the case's responsibility to provide a sufficient flow of cool air through the case. The CPU cooler need only toss the CPU's heat into that flow.
Yes, water/radiator cooling can provide cooler temps. But cooler temps is NOT automatically better. Yes, it is
absolutely critical we ensure adequate cooling. But it is not necessary to provide the coolest temperatures possible. That is, a CPU running 25°C will
NOT perform better, be more stable, or have a greater life expectancy than a CPU running at 50°C or even warmer.
And speaking of cases, you talk about "rebuilding" your desktops. With their current age, I would recommend just building new computers from the ground up with all new components, starting with a good case - one that supports multiple large (140mm or larger) case fans, USB 3.1/3.0, and removable/washable air filters. It is likely your old case does not support the latest USB standard. I like Fractal Design cases.
I don't have the funds at the moment to rebuild our desktops. I'm in pretty large debt from other life expenses but I hope to have the funds within the next year or so. Meanwhile I'm just curious what has come out over the years.
Then again you are being wise to start getting up to speed now. I do have one word of advice when it comes to actually buying your components. Save your money until you can buy everything at once. Don't buy piecemeal over time. It is important to remember warranties periods begin at the time of purchase/shipment. Also some products (like motherboards and graphics cards) use firmware updates and even may go through hardware "Revision" updates with the same model number. So if, for example, you buy a motherboard today and wait 6 months before you buy your last component, already you wasted 6 months of your warranty, and the board may be a revision behind and possibly a couple firmware (BIOS) updates behind too.
Also note many retailers have a 30 day "no questions asked" return policy where after that period, any returns then have to go through the manufacturer. So save your pennies and buy all at once.
Last, don't forget a new motherboard constitutes a new computer and new computers typically need a new OS license to be legal. OEM/System Builder license are not "legally" transferable to new computers under any circumstances. So be sure to include the cost of a new OS in your budget, unless planning on going with one of the many fine versions of Linux.
