[SOLVED] €1700 mid-range PC build - final thoughts?

[thomasst]

Hello,

So after much deliberation, which I started in the thread here, I've assembled what should be the final list of components for my mid-range build that I intend to use for 1080p gaming, some light photo editing, analog audio ripping, media storage, and other usual desktop tasks.

And I decided to cough up the money for a new GPU despite the cost.

I wanted to have:

• a reasonably powerful CPU, as well as an aftermarket cooler, as I've been informed that the 5600X warms up quite a bit with the stock cooler;
• an overall relatively silent PC, so I chose components that generate less noise;
• a mobo with good audio (I often rip music from analog media so I need it) and plenty of options;
• a GPU capable of running games at 1080p, with high settings;
• enough storage for my needs.

What do you think of this?

It should overall cost me around 1.700 EUR - perhaps I could get a better deal, but this is an offer from my local vendor, who will assemble it for me for free, and I'll be able to pay in installments 😆😆

Motherboard: ASUS TUF GAMING B550-PLUS
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
CPU Cooler: be quiet! BK022 Dark Rock Pro 4 CPU Air Cooler
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3200MHz
Video Card: Sapphire AMD Radeon RX 6600 Pulse
Power Supply: be quiet! Pure Power 11 600W cm
Case: be quiet! Pure Base 500DX
SSD: Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB
Total: cca. €1700
(Estimated Wattage: 310W)
(Generated by Pangoly - Sat, 29 Jan 2022 17:24:30 GMT)

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Hey there,

It's a pretty solid build all round. I'd consider one or two things.

You've chosen 3200mhz ram. Whilst not bad in of itself, getting 3600mhz ram will give you about 10% more performance from your CPU, which can translate to higher in game FPS. Have a look here: 3200 vs 3600 vs 4000MHz RAM Ryzen 5 5600X Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 - YouTube - This is because the memory clock and infinity clock run at the same speed (ratio), 1800mhz which is the most responsive you can get.

Your GPU is latest gen, but if possible getting a 6600XT version or RX3060ti would be a great match. Not that your CPU can't drive any high end card anyway.

 

[thomasst]

Hey there,

It's a pretty solid build all round. I'd consider one or two things.

Hi, Keith!
Thanks for responding - it seems you have a similar build yourself, at least the CPU and motherboard. Have they been serving you well, are you satisfied?

You've chosen 3200mhz ram. Whilst not bad in of itself, getting 3600mhz ram will give you about 10% more performance from your CPU, which can translate to higher in game FPS. Have a look here: 3200 vs 3600 vs 4000MHz RAM Ryzen 5 5600X Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 - YouTube - This is because the memory clock and infinity clock run at the same speed (ratio), 1800mhz which is the most responsive you can get.

Point taken. I took a look at my vendor's website and they are offering a set of G.skill Ripjaws V @3600 MHz for the same price.
However, Asus website says it supports these modules only in single rank. Does this matter?

Your GPU is latest gen, but if possible getting a 6600XT version of RX3060ti would be a great match. Not that your CPU can't drive any high end card anyway.

It would undoubtedly be better, but also pricier. I think this one will do just enough...
Especially as I'm currently on a "regular" 60 Hz monitor as my previous two 144 Hz gaming monitors died on me (can't believe the bad luck, but at least they were under warranty).

Cheers!

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Hi, Keith!
Thanks for responding - it seems you have a similar build yourself, at least the CPU and motherboard. Have they been serving you well, are you satisfied?



Point taken. I took a look at my vendor's website and they are offering a set of G.skill Ripjaws V @3600 MHz for the same price.
However, Asus website says it supports these modules only in single rank. Does this matter?



It would undoubtedly be better, but also pricier. I think this one will do just enough...
Especially as I'm currently on a "regular" 60 Hz monitor as my previous two 144 Hz gaming monitors died on me (can't believe the bad luck, but at least they were under warranty).

Cheers!

Yes, very similar systems. Totally satisfied with both CPU and mobo. The 5600x rocks as a gaming chip. Mobo is solid. I'm using CTR to fine tune my CPU. It's very useful. Look into it.

Yes, I'd go ahead and get the ram. It should work just fine. Just because it's not on the QVL, just means they haven't been tested with the mobo. You will be thanking yourself by getting them. Those G Skill can overclock too!

The reason I mentioned the more powerful gpu's, is that often with custom builders, you can choose to upgrade the build by paying extra for the parts. My own is an example. The build orginally had a 2060 Super as the GPU. Then I decided to upgrade the GPU. It cost only 17e extra. Now, that's not saying I paid nothing for a 3060ti, only that the way the vendor works, I was always gonna pay over the odds for a GPU (given the current market conditions), but to go from a 2060 S to a RTX3060ti for 17e was a no brainer, in terms of the overall cost of the system.

Similarly, I paid €1695 for my system.

 

[thomasst]

Yes, very similar systems. Totally satisfied with both CPU and mobo. The 5600x rocks as a gaming chip. Mobo is solid. [...]
Similarly, I paid €1695 for my system.

Hi, Keith!

I finally bought the PC, and since you had responded to my query, I wanted to share my impressions with you (and anyone else who might be reading):

• 5600X is a very potent CPU, easily boosts up to 4.5 GHz and beats my i5-10105f that I use at work, not to mention my old Ryzen 1400;
• I finally opted for a Dark Rock Slim cooler - a bit weaker than the regular version, but does its job excellently. I was doing a demanding game installation that put my CPU under 100% load for more than an hour, and its temp never exceeded 62 C;
• I bought the RAM modules you suggested, and they work at 3600 MHz without issues, despite Ryzen "officially" supporting only up to 3200;
• Boot time is very short, 12-13 seconds at most with Samsung 970 Evo Plus.
• Radeon RX 6600 is rather competent at 1080p. On the few games I've tried, it keeps a more or less constant 60fps frame rate (my current screen is only 60 Hz). Rarely the fps dips to 35-40, but only momentarily. The GPU fan is off unless under heavy load;
• The build is overall quite silent, despite three fans+ CPU cooler working at all times.

So overall, I'm very satisfied with this acquisition. 👍

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Hi, Keith!

I finally bought the PC, and since you had responded to my query, I wanted to share my impressions with you (and anyone else who might be reading):

• 5600X is a very potent CPU, easily boosts up to 4.5 GHz and beats my i5-10105f that I use at work, not to mention my old Ryzen 1400;
• I finally opted for a Dark Rock Slim cooler - a bit weaker than the regular version, but does its job excellently. I was doing a demanding game installation that put my CPU under 100% load for more than an hour, and its temp never exceeded 62 C;
• I bought the RAM modules you suggested, and they work at 3600 MHz without issues, despite Ryzen "officially" supporting only up to 3200;
• Boot time is very short, 12-13 seconds at most with Samsung 970 Evo Plus.
• Radeon RX 6600 is rather competent at 1080p. On the few games I've tried, it keeps a more or less constant 60fps frame rate (my current screen is only 60 Hz). Rarely the fps dips to 35-40, but only momentarily. The GPU fan is off unless under heavy load;
• The build is overall quite silent, despite three fans+ CPU cooler working at all times.

So overall, I'm very satisfied with this acquisition. 👍

Hey Thomas,

Ah, I'm delighted to hear that Yes, it's a strong system by any measure, and well capable. Glad to hear the 6600 is working out okay. Indeed it's pretty strong for 1080p, with some tweaks here and there, most major AAA games will look great and be pretty smooth.

Best of luck with the new system, and happy gaming

Edit: If you have any questions further down the line, feel freem to drop me a PM.