Upgrading my AMD FX-4100 quad-core utility desktop PC to budget web app and mobile app software development PC

Last updated on 17th Jan. 2025
Decided to put up this post as it may be useful to students (and others) who are on a tight budget but want to learn and develop web apps and mobile apps using React Native. This post captures my ongoing efforts to upgrade my desktop PC which is currently not working.

Summary

My old AMD FX(tm)-4100 Quad-Core Processor + Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Motherboard + 4 GB DDR3 RAM combo bought in 2017 as a basic needs PC (no software development work on it was anticipated then), with mobo repaired in 2021, died some days back (8 Jan. 2025 or a day earlier). Probably the mobo has failed again.

I now have to buy a new Processor + Mobo + RAM (DDR4/DDR5) and perhaps may need to buy higher wattage SMPS (400W SMPS now which is working OK)
I plan to be doing MERN stack software development on it and also may do Android app. development using React Native.
I don't want to spend too much money on it.
...
The upgrade I have ordered (on 16/17 Jan):
1) Intel Core i3-12100 3.3 GHz Processor, 
2) GIGABYTE H610M K Ddr4 Micro_ATX 
3) Crucial or Silicon RAM DDR4 2 x 8 GB RAM (total 16 GB)

I will be using Windows 11. It seems that Windows 11 install needs a formatted disk. Recommended disk size for OS is 64 GB or more. I plan to use my existing 240 GB SATA SSD (move its data elsewhere). I don't want to buy a new SSD as of now.

I hope to have my PC functioning again with the upgrade installed in a few days. 

================

Detailed Log

13/1/2025 to 17/1/2025 edited log

17 Jan. 2025

NVMe vs SATA: What is the difference?, https://www.kingston.com/en/blog/pc-performance/nvme-vs-sata . The article praises NVMe to the skies with lot of spec. numbers but real-world articles and videos indicate that barring special needs (like sequential copying of data), NVMe may not really give significant performance advantage over SATA.

Gigabyte-H-610-MH-DDR4 mobo seems to have M2 PCI3.0 slot and NOT PCI4.0. But PCI4.0 cards can also be put in the PCI 3.0 M2 slot. Downside is that the 4.0 cards will have PCI3.0 limits.

OS install is advised to be done on NVMe instead of SATA SSD for faster speed. Note that from what I could get on the net, Windows 11 boot time is similar for NVMe and SATA SSD but perhaps that's due to waiting for devices as I heard in one video. For me, the big question is will Android Emulator be faster or will ReactJS/Next.js build be faster.

The answer is not clear. Is M 2 better than SATA SSD for gaming? Is NVMe SSD needed for gaming?, https://www.quora.com/Is-M-2-better-than-SATA-SSD-for-gaming-Is-NVMe-SSD-needed-for-gaming has an interesting post on it by Nathan Gamble

I think with an i3-12100 low-end processor, it may not make any significant difference whether I buy a SATA SSD or an NVMe SSD (PCIe 3 OR 4 as my mobo seems to be limited to PCIe 3 M2 slot anyway).
-------

Republic Day deals:
Western Digital WD Blue SN580 PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD Internal Storage, 500GB, https://www.amazon.in/BlueTM-SN580-NVMeTM-Internal-Storage/dp/B0C8WP6B8R/ , New Generation- Upto 4150 MB/s, Rs.2999 , 5 yr warranty, 7 days Service Centre Replacement

Western Digital Green Sn350 Pcie Gen 3 Nvme Ssd, 250Gb, https://www.amazon.in/Western-Digital-Green-Sn350-250Gb/dp/B0BXVS3TSK/ , Rs. 1,659

Fascinating to know that NVMe M.2 SSDs can be housed in external enclosure and used at decent speeds through USB 3.2: 

How to make a portable HIGH SPEED SSD Drive | M.2 PCIe NVME, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mOkvQx9zbw , around 4 mins, Apr. 2024

Lemorele M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure Adapter, Tool-Free USB C 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps) NVMe M.2 PCIe External Hard Drive Case Adapter for (M-Key & M+B Key) NVMe SSD (2230/2242 /2260/2280), https://www.amazon.in/Lemorele-Enclosure-Adapter-Tool-Free-External/dp/B0C65Q2JSG/ , Republic Day Deal: ₹999.

The earlier tech. person I had contacted and asked for upgrade quotation seemed to have got busy with some other stuff. So I switched to another tech. person. His quote was somewhat higher than the online shopping figures I had got earlier (total price of Rs.18,149). However, this tech. person provides installation service, good support, including help during warranty period for replacement/repair, and is knowledgeable and so provides good advice on config and compatibility of various components. So it is fair that he has a somewhat higher price. I do not want to share the quotation figures in this post. But the config is as follows (he advised against using Adata RAM, and has suggested 2 RAM sticks of 8 GB each instead of 1 of 16 GB):

1) Intel Core i3-12100 3.3 GHz Processor, 
2) GIGABYTE H610M K Ddr4 Micro_ATX 
3) Crucial or Silicon RAM DDR4 2 x 8 GB RAM (total 16 GB)

I have ordered the upgrade and paid the advance. I hope to have my PC functioning again with the upgrade installed in a few days. 

I will be using Windows 11. It seems that Windows 11 install needs a formatted disk. Recommended disk size for OS is 64 GB or more. I plan to use my existing 240 GB SATA SSD (move its data elsewhere). I don't want to buy a new SSD as of now.

...

In future, I may buy NVMe SSD. The GIGABYTE H610M K Ddr4 mobo supports PCIe Gen 3 M2 slot. Read that PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD can also be used in the Gen 3 slot but it will operate at speeds limited by Gen 3. 

...

I have this issue of having Windows 10 on my old PC and which SSD is working, being moved to new motherboard and processor based PC. Earlier I had read that Windows 10 would detect the hardware changes when booted with old SSD on new motherboard but on further reading, it now seems that that is successful only when the hardware changes are minor. In my case, the hardware changes are major - AMD to Intel. So it seems that Windows 10 may not successfully update the drivers if new Intel i3 12th gen PC is booted from old SSD (having AMD Windows installation).

=========================
I saw some article(s) and video(s) that say that Windows 11 ISO can be downloaded for free and used for free indefinitely including having facilty for Windows updates.  This is referred to as using it without activation. [Activation is done by buying a license and using it for activation.]

The only downside of not activating Windows 11, as per these article(s)/videos(s), is that you'll see "Activate Windows" watermarks on the display, get reminders and lose access to many personalization settings. Apps can be installed without any issues.

Related article & video:
Fascinating article. If one is willing to accept the watermark issue, one can use Windows 11 without a product key! "You Can Install and Use Windows 11 Without a Product Key", https://www.howtogeek.com/871189/you-can-install-and-use-windows-11-without-a-product-key/ , LU Jul. 2023.

This video is in line with above article: What happens if you "Never" activate Windows 11?, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZvEwJkmE4M , 2 min. 22 secs., May 2023. 
-----

[Covers Rs.6000 odd (lower than official price) Windows 11 Pro installation in Hindi:] I Bought the Physical Copy of Windows 11! in 2024🔥 FREE Orignal windows 11 Installation Step by Step, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt3ZYsMTAHI, 11 min. 10 secs., Jan. 2024.

[Covers Windows 11 download from MS site and then installation. Claims that any PC with above 4 GB RAM and SSD will run Windows 11 using its tricks but don't know how valid that claim is. Perhaps installation may happen but then some features may not work as expected.:] How to Install Windows 11 on Any PC Step by step Hindi tutorial |2 Magical Tricks| |TechnoBaazi|, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGGm8FhX6OI , 12 min. 49 secs., Sep. 2022

Windows 11 Home vs. Pro: What Are the Differences?, https://www.pcmag.com/comparisons/windows-11-home-vs-pro , June 2024. From above article:

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro Genuine Lifetime Retail License Key (Digital Delivery via email in 2 to 24 hrs), https://www.amazon.in/Microsoft-Windows-Genuine-Lifetime-Delivery/dp/B0DJL162HQ/ , Rs.799, [M.R.P.: ₹4,990]. The customer reviews are good!

Official Microsoft Store price seems to be Rs.16,515: Windows 11 Pro (Download), https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/d/windows-11-pro/dg7gmgf0d8h4 [US price is around US$200: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/windows-11-pro/dg7gmgf0d8h4?rtc=1]

13 Jan. 2025 
============

Part(s) of first 3 minutes of video covers the topic of video title: Can you move a Windows 10 SSD to a new PC? - Probing Paul #40, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LfHn4rmpgM , Sep. 2019

Test Your Newly Assembled Computer, https://openclassrooms.com/en/courses/7132546-assemble-a-computer/7250031-test-your-newly-assembled-computer : covers POST (Power On Self Test) and going through BIOS settings as a way (to do a basic test of) the PC.

The Circle SMPS I have: 400 Watts power supply. ["True Power" according to tech person who had supplied it.]
Model no. CPH698V12-400 (Power Supply with 12 CM fan). The box says 3 years warranty (and lifetime support).

Intel® Core™ i3-12100 Processor
12M Cache, up to 4.30 GHz
...
Processor Base Power 60 W
Maximum Turbo Power 89 W
---

In contrast AMD FX-4100 seems to have a 95 W rating!
AMD FX-4100
95 W TDP
3.6 GHz Frequency
3.8 GHz Boost 
...
With a TDP of 95 W, the FX-4100 consumes a good deal of power, so decent cooling is needed.
-----

'stock cooler' seems to mean the fan that comes with the processor. Nice video about i3 12100F installation on a Gigabyte motherboard B760M including installation of the 'stock cooler': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFNXsu_jhxo , 8 min. 34 secs.

intel Core i3 12100 GIGABYTE B660M GAMING DDR4 MASTERBOX E300L PC Build, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3j3MIYYe70 , 13 min. 19 secs., Jun. 2022

================

In  Hindi: Covers i3-12100 (and i5) without graphics card: PC Build with Intel 12th Gen Processor for All Purpose Under 30,000/-, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRUnPaUlxJQ , 7 min. 20 secs., Feb. 2023

In  Hindi: Covers i3-12100F (needs graphics card): Intel core i3 12100 pc build in india 2022 | Intel 12gen Budget PC Build | H610 Motherboard is here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c2cpw9CfQc , 9 min. 37 secs., Jan. 2022
Desc. shares India website whose custom build link is: https://techpc7.com/product-category/custom-pc/


==========================
12/1/2025 to 13/1/2025 edited log

Based on message I sent a few friends: 
My old AMD FX(tm)-4100 Quad-Core Processor + Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Motherboard + 4 GB DDR3 RAM combo bought in 2017 as a basic needs PC (no software development work on it was anticipated then), with mobo repaired in 2021, died a few days back (8 Jan. 2025 or a day earlier). Probably the mobo has failed again.

I now have to buy a new Processor + Mobo + RAM (DDR4/DDR5) and perhaps may need to buy higher wattage SMPS (400W SMPS now which is working OK)
I plan to be doing MERN stack software development on it and also may do Android app. development using React Native.
I don't want to spend too much money on it.
Mr. ----, computer maintainence/repair person of Puttaparthi is going to provide me an upgrade quotation.
Looks like a decent budget development PC upgrade for my needs could be:
* i5 6 core processor - "Intel Core I5 12400F 12 Gen" is listed as a bestseller on Amazon.in: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09MDFH5HY/ , price: Rs.9299, 3 yr warranty
* Compatible motherboard for above i5 12400F - Any suggestion here would be helpful. I am OK with Gigabyte but on amazon, a compatible one I could find - GIGABYTE B760M, https://www.amazon.in/GIGABYTE-B760M-AC-Support-Processors/dp/B0CDLZ15M4/ - is priced at Rs.12,877. I wonder whether that is on the higher side for my needs.

I also have to buy 
* 16 GB DDR5 RAM 
* 650 W SMPS
But I think RAM and SMPS should be easy to finalize.

Any suggestions/advice, especially on processor & motherboard combo would be very helpful. Thanks.

I want to add that the old AMD quad core + 4 GB RAM PC was good enough for MERN stack development even though some work like ReactJS/NextJS initial project build/compilation would be slow. I was able to do [NGO volunteer project] app. work on it for 3 months. So the proposed new config will surely be good enough for my MERN stack development needs. But Android Emulator of Android Studio was very, very slow on my old AMD quad core + 4 GB RAM PC due to which I simply could not do any non-minor Android app development work on it. In my new PC config, I will be fine if Android Emulator of Android Studio lags a little. But it should be able to run without taking too long. In other words, I am OK with some speed issues for Android Emulator of Android Studio on the new PC like I was OK with some speed issues for ReactJS/NextJS project build/compilation on my old PC config.

Short correction: The "Intel Core I5 12400F 12 Gen" processor I mentioned earlier (priced at Rs. 9299 on amazon.in) does NOT have integrated graphics and so a separate graphics card has to be bought. The "Intel Core i5-12400" (without letter F at the end) HAS integrated graphics. It costs Rs.14,000 on amazon.in: https://www.amazon.in/Intel-i5-12400-Desktop-Processor-Cache/dp/B09NMPD8V2/
I confirmed it by visiting appropriate processor pages on Intel website.

--- end message sent to friends ---
=========

Note that in 2017, I was not into software development and so was looking for a basic needs PC.

===========

Gigabyte H 610 MH DDR4, https://www.amazon.in/Gigabyte-H-610-MH-DDR4/dp/B0CSKFTP5V/ supports 12th Gen Intel processors but seems to be suited for "internet surfing and office productivity work" and may not be suitable as a development PC. A detailed review: Gigabyte H610M H DDR4 Motherboard - Unboxing & Overview, https://www.alktech.co/articles/gigabyte-h610m-h-ddr4-unboxing-overview , Jun. 2022 . From its conclusion, "To sum up, the Gigabyte H610M H DDR4 is a basic Intel 12th Generation Alder Lake motherboard that is well-suited for a low-end PC build, targeted at PCs meant for internet surfing and office productivity work. In view of this, an Intel Core i3, Pentium Gold or Celeron processor would be right at home with this board." It goes on to say for i5 processor it is better to go for Intel's B660 chipset board.

===============

GIGABYTE B760M seems to have some variations. "GIGABYTE B760M ATX DDR5 Ram Gaming Ac Intel Socket Lga Support 13Th and 12Th Gen Series Processors Hybrid 6+2+1 Phases Digital", https://www.amazon.in/GIGABYTE-B760M-AC-Support-Processors/dp/B0CDLZ15M4/ seems to be DDR5 model and seems to correspond to "B760M GAMING X (rev. 1.0)", https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B760M-GAMING-X-rev-10#kf . Manual pdf: mb_manual_b760m-gx-series_1404_e.pdf

Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core LGA 1700 Processor, https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1675542-REG/intel_bx8071512400f_core_i5_12400f_desktop_processor.html : "The Core i5-12400F does not include integrated graphics, meaning that users will need to purchase a separate dedicated graphics card."

Intel Core i5-12400 2.5 GHz 6-Core LGA 1700 Processor, https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1675541-REG/intel_bx8071512400_core_i5_12400_desktop_processor.html : "The Core i5-12400 features integrated Intel UHD 730 Graphics and includes an Intel Laminar RM1 thermal solution."

Intel Core i5-12400 Desktop Processor 18M Cache, up to 4.40 GHz LGA 1700 Socket, https://www.amazon.in/Intel-i5-12400-Desktop-Processor-Cache/dp/B09NMPD8V2/ , Price: Rs. 14,000 [Price is on higher side. Rs 12 to 13K price is listed elsewhere.]



Intel Core I5-12400 Desktop Processor, https://www.buildmypc.in/product/intel-core-i5-12400-desktop-processor/ , 3 yr warranty,  ₹12,758.16incl. GST


INTEL-STANDARDS RIG (Core i5 12400F, GRAPHIC CARD: GT 730 2GB COLORFUL), https://www.buildmypc.in/product/intel-2/
The rig uses GIGABYTE h610 M-k mobo, GT 710 graphics card and 550 Watt SMPS.

====================

Do I need dedicated graphics for the emulator of Android Studio to run smoothly?, https://www.quora.com/Do-I-need-dedicated-graphics-for-the-emulator-of-Android-Studio-to-run-smoothly :
From Assistant (Bot) answer: "While a dedicated GPU can enhance performance, especially for graphics-heavy apps, a well-equipped system with a strong CPU and sufficient RAM can still run the Android emulator effectively. If you're primarily developing standard apps, integrated graphics may suffice."

Android Studio Performance - Integrated vs Discrete GPU, https://coderanch.com/t/767029/Android-Studio-Performance-Integrated-Discrete

Which Hardware Do You Need For Android Development?, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq9m28DDJHM , 8 min, Dec. 2020 : At https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq9m28DDJHM&t=325s says that GPU needed for making games. GPU is not needed for normal (non-games)apps. 

(In Hindi) Build Computer for Android App Develpment (2025?), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZRGHVTgjNI , 23 mins , Apr. 2023. Initial part of video can be skipped. Later part has good coverage of various computers he used for Android App. development. At around 20 min. 15 secs he says that, (for budget Android app development PC), GPU is not needed (at all).

Based on above links and that I plan to develop (non-games) Android apps, I will skip the graphics card.


MSI PRO B760M-E Motherboard, Micro-ATX - Supports 14th/13th/12th Gen Intel Core Processors, LGA 1700 - DDR5 Memory Boost 5600MHz, PCIe 4.0 x16 Slot, M.2 Gen4 Slot, https://www.amazon.in/MSI-PRO-B760M-Motherboard-Micro-ATX/dp/B0CC9F9X7S/ref , Rs. 9149.

===============

GIGABYTE Intel B760M D2H Motherboard with 6+2+1 Phases Digital VRM Solution Intel® Socket LGA 1700：Support 13th and 12th Gen Series Processors Dual Channel DDR5：2*DIMMs XMP Memory Module Support, https://www.amazon.in/GIGABYTE-Motherboard-Solution-1700%EF%BC%9ASupport-Processors/dp/B0CDPFR9N1/ , Rs. 12030.

=============

A friend suggested refurbished options if Windows 11 was not a requirement: e.g. https://www.amazon.in/Dell-Optiplex-Performance-Computer-Graphics/dp/B09V5JJB5Y

I responded: I think I must seriously think about this (or similar) option. I think the key may be moving from Windows to Linux. The price point of around Rs.7000 makes it worth experimenting with it. i5 3rd gen + 16 GB RAM seems to be main requirements for decent/acceptable Android Studio and Android Emulator usage for non-games apps is what I have gathered from reading and viewing lot of links on it today. Thanks a ton --- for this suggestion.
=============

A friend also mentioned that Windows 11 iso can be downloaded and used free for a year. Need to confirm that.
=============

I did some intense thinking about whether to go in for refurbished Dell or similar company PC box (Rs. 6 to 7K). Now I think that if I were only offering free software development seva in MERN stack, it would be a great option. But for my efforts to get part time remote commercial (paid) software development work not only on MERN stack but perhaps on DotNet C# web dev as well as perhaps in near future, mobile app development using React Native, I think I have to invest in at least lower end current processor, motherboard and RAM (I already have two SSDs of 240 GB and 60 GB) which will run Android emulator decently even if with some lag, and can run Windows 11.

I have given more details of the analysis below. 
I think MERN stack development would be fine on refurbished Dell PC box even after a move to Linux. I believe VSCode which is the IDE I use and which is very popular is stable on Linux.
But Android emulator may need some more recent processor than present in a refurbished Dell PC box.
Also, DotNet Core and C# is a backend platform I have learnt to some extent and am confident I can do work on it for live project with some additional learning. Even frontend ASP.NET and C# is something I could get into. But here even if Microsoft Visual Studio 2022, the popular IDE for Dot Net, is stable on Linux, I think a customer company considering hiring me for Dot Net work, would want me to be on Windows 11.

Also, at times for remote commercial software development work, I will have to share my PC configuration with the customer. I think that's when a refurbished Dell PC may be a significant disadvantage.

So I am thinking of making the 20 to 25K investment for i5 processor 10th gen or 12th gen, compatible mobo, 16 GB DDR4/DDR5 RAM and, if reqd., upgrade of power supply from 450 watts to 650 watts.

3 yr manufacturer warranty will surely be nice, and hopefully the box will run well for 3 years.
===============

Then I explored less expensive option of i3 processor instead of i5.

10th Generation Intel® Core™ i5/i3/Pentium®/Celeron® processors:
Support for DDR4 2666/2400/2133 MHz memory modules
2 x DDR4 DIMM sockets supporting up to 64 GB (32 GB single DIMM capacity) of system memory
---
=====

OR

GIGABYTE H610M K Ddr4 Micro_ATX, https://www.amazon.in/GIGABYTE-H610M-S2H-V2-DDR4/dp/B0C4G3Z6H1/ , Rs. 6349 :
Supports Intel Core 14th/ 13th /12th processors
Dual Channel Non-ECC Unbuffered DDR4, 2 DIMMs
---
Support for DDR4 3200/3000/2933/2666/2400/2133 MT/s memory modules
Manual pdf: mb_manual_h610m-k-ddr4_1001_e.pdf
-----

Specs: Intel_UPE_SpecificationsChart_2025_01_11.csv
Windows 11 supported Intel processors, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-intel-processors lists the following as supported processors:
"Intel® Core™ i3-10100"
"Intel® Core™ i3-12100"
So both the Intel processors considered here are listed as supported by Windows 11.
========

Adata XPG Gammix D30 16GB (16GBx1) 3200MHz (AX4U320016G16A-SR30), https://www.theitdepot.com/Memory/DDR4_Memory/adata_xpg_gammix_d30_16gb_16gbx1_3200mhz_ax4u320016g16a-sr30, ₹2,470.00

================
As per PSU calc: https://www.coolermaster.com/en-in/power-supply-calculator/ , for above config + 2 SSDs of 256 - 512 GB has "recommended PSU wattage is 185 WATTS". So I think my current 450W Power Supply is enough. Note that I am using Integrated Graphics motherboard without Graphics card.
...

Core i3-12100 PC Build help, https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianGaming/comments/vr3tew/core_i312100_pc_build_help/ , July 2022 uses a 450 Watts SMPS.
========

Summary of above:
Am trying to keep the budget below Rs.20K. So have downgraded config from i5 to i3, and also from DDR5 to DDR4. Based on my reading up, this downgraded config will run Windows 11, give decent performance for Android Studio's Android Emulator for non-games type of apps, even if it may lag a little due to no graphics card, and thus be an OK (not great) developer PC for MERN or DotNet web development and mobile apps development using React Native and Android Studio's Android Emulator. 
1) Intel Core i3-12100 3.3 GHz Processor, https://www.theitdepot.com/Processor/Intel/Core_i3/intel_core_i3-12100_3.3_ghz_processor , Rs. 9,240.00 [10th Gen i3 processor is ₹8,752.00. So only slightly less and suitable motherboard for it is more expensive in what I could find. So I am going for i3 12th Gen processor]

2) GIGABYTE H610M K Ddr4 Micro_ATX, https://www.amazon.in/GIGABYTE-H610M-S2H-V2-DDR4/dp/B0C4G3Z6H1/ , Rs. 6349 . This supports Intel Core 14th/ 13th /12th processors and Dual Channel Non-ECC Unbuffered DDR4, 2 DIMMs
Its manual page, https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/H610M-K-DDR4-rev-10 states, "Support for DDR4 3200/3000/2933/2666/2400/2133 MT/s memory modules"

3) Adata XPG Gammix D30 16GB (16GBx1) 3200MHz (AX4U320016G16A-SR30), https://www.theitdepot.com/Memory/DDR4_Memory/adata_xpg_gammix_d30_16gb_16gbx1_3200mhz_ax4u320016g16a-sr30, ₹2,470.00


So total online price for above is: 9240 + 6349 + 2470 = Rs. 18,149
Warranty for the above should be 3 years (or more)

================

If and when required upgrade paths for graphics card (will need SMPS upgrade too, in all probability), processor (i3 -> i5/i7; 12th -> 13th/14th gen); DDR4 -> DDR5 which will need mobo upgrade, etc. are available.

===========


===========================

How To Find Or Retrieve Your Windows 10 or 11 Product Activation License Key, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJsVxtM18Tg , 12 min. 10 secs.

...

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro 64-Bit | FPP | USB 3.0 | Single License, https://www.amazon.in/Microsoft-Windows-64-Bit-Single-License/dp/B09X11M88J , Rs. 5500.

==================

Gigabyte mobo BIOS seems to have a setting for TPM which has to be turned on, for Windows 11. More details given below.
What Is a TPM, and Why Do I Need One for Windows 11?, https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/what-is-a-tpm-and-why-do-i-need-one-for-windows-11 , LU Feb. 2024

The BIOS of GIGABYTE Motherboards Features TPM 2.0 Function to Support Windows 11 Upgrade, https://www.gigabyte.com/Press/News/1925

Run tpm.msc as administrator from Windows Taskbar search

How to Enable TPM 2.0 on Gigabyte Motherboards - AMD and Intel / Install Windows 11 Requirements, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV15QR2-Hr4 , 9 min. 20 secs, July 2021

===================


Footer
=====
Related 2021 post of mine covering same PC Gigabyte motherboard failure followed by repair: Exploring Motherboard repair possibilities through company service center without computer technician support, in rural India; Below Rs.3000 (US$40) limited functionality Linux mini PC box with 1 year warranty, https://ravisiyermisc.blogspot.com/2021/11/exploring-motherboard-repair.html .

Ultra low-cost (Rs.3000) but possibly risky option of using old/discontinued components for upgrade to Linux software developer PC: Zebronics H61 + i5 3470 (3rd gen) Quad-Core processor and fan (+ 8GB RAM) priced around Rs.3000, https://www.amazon.in/Zebronics-Chipsrt-Motherboard-Processor-2-90Ghz/dp/B07G44RQS6/ . It seems to have 1 year warranty for all the components sold. The motherboard may be new (even though Intel has discontinued its H61 chipset). But perhaps the processor may  not be new. The product is non-returnable but if the product simply does not work on delivery, within a week's period or so, I am sure amazon.in will consider a refund. The awesome aspect about this combo is that, processor wise, it is comparable to the old AMD quad-core processor my PC had, and has 4 GB more RAM. As it is DDR3, I could add my existing 4 GB RAM to it to boost RAM to 12 GB if there are no compatibility issues. The motherboard may be lower end as compared to my existing Gigabyte motherboard (as an example, the H61 mobo does not support USB 3.0). But, overall, this H61 mobo + i5 3rd gen processor + 8 GB RAM may be enough for MERN web apps development and may also run Android Studio emulator with OK (less than good/great) performance and so could be used as low-end Android apps using React Native developer PC. At Rs.3000, this seems to be a really great deal. The risk lies in how many issues the possibly used Intel processor has and issues that Zebronics H61 board has. Also, it will run Windows 10 but not Windows 11 and so after Windows 10 support is discontinued, a move to Linux will have to be done.

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