Build Advice Budget Build For Light Gaming & Home Office

[jobondur]

My 7 year old system has finally seemed to have bitten the dust. I'm looking for something that can be used for home office work and some light gaming, basically just playing fort nite with my kids. Aside from fort nite, the only thing it will have on it is MS Office. From a budget perspective, let's target $700 for now and see what that gets me. I don't need any peripherals and I have a Win 10 license I can put on this. I don't want any crazy lights in the case and I need a vertical tower with room to expand if I want to add a crazy graphics card in the future. The only thing I could safely scavenge from the old build is a DVD burner. Location is Virginia Beach, VA - so no Microcenter nearby. Looking to order parts in the next 3-5 days.

What are your recommendations? Thanks and happy Labor Day.

 

[Lutfij]

This is a template you could work off of;
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($182.14 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B650M GAMING PLUS WF Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($131.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL38 Memory ($85.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: TEAMGROUP MP44L 500 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: TEAMGROUP T-Create Classic C47 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($119.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: Gigabyte GAMING OC Radeon RX 7600 XT 16 GB Video Card ($314.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Montech AIR 100 LITE MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($45.01 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: MSI MAG A650GL 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ B&H)
Total: $996.08
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-09-02 10:48 EDT-0400
This is by no means set in stone and has room for tweaking.

I couldn't find the Ryzen 5 7500F in stock off of PCPartPicker sadly.

 

[geofelt]

What is the make/model of all of your current parts?
I suspect that you can reuse more than you think.
Do peripherals include a monitor?
Do you need a dvd burner for anything?
Modern cases mostly omit that capability.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Hey there,

Or this:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8700G 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor ($279.00 @ B&H)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B650M GAMING PLUS WF Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($131.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL38 Memory ($85.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: TEAMGROUP MP44L 500 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: TEAMGROUP T-Create Classic C47 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($119.99 @ B&H)
Case: Montech AIR 100 LITE MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($45.01 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: MSI MAG A650GL 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ B&H)
Total: $777.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-09-02 10:53 EDT-0400


If it's just light gaming this CPU has an iGPU which is very decent. No need for a dedicated graphics card.

 

[jobondur]

What is the make/model of all of your current parts?
I suspect that you can reuse more than you think.
Do peripherals include a monitor?
Do you need a dvd burner for anything?
Modern cases mostly omit that capability.

Here is a link to a post from like 6 months ago when I was looking to upgrade vice rebuild.

I have a dual monitor setup, they are Asus VS247 monitors that I'm happy with. I don't really NEED a DVD burner, but figured it's nice to have it in case I do. I'd prefer to keep it as I do have some stuff saved on DVDs that I access every once in a while.

LINK HERE

 

[Why_Me]

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($105.00 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: *Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($17.89 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: *ASRock B660M Pro RS Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: *Silicon Power XPOWER Turbine 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($47.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: *TEAMGROUP MP44L 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: *MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12G GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 12 GB Video Card ($265.00 @ B&H)
Case: *Fractal Design Pop Air ATX Mid Tower Case ($58.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: *MSI MAG A650GL 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $726.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-09-02 11:04 EDT-0400

Pop Air

Fractal fuse flair with function in the new Pop series of cases that doesn’t skimp on aesthetics or flexibility. The entire series offers a solid foundation and excellent build quality, giving all users plenty of options and room to maneuver.

www.fractal-design.com

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W79wfESM4SU

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($105.00 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: *Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($17.89 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: *ASRock B660M Pro RS Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: *Silicon Power XPOWER Turbine 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($47.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: *TEAMGROUP MP44L 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: *MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12G GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 12 GB Video Card ($265.00 @ B&H)
Case: *Fractal Design Pop Air ATX Mid Tower Case ($58.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: *MSI MAG A650GL 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $726.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-09-02 11:04 EDT-0400

Pop Air

Fractal fuse flair with function in the new Pop series of cases that doesn’t skimp on aesthetics or flexibility. The entire series offers a solid foundation and excellent build quality, giving all users plenty of options and room to maneuver.

www.fractal-design.com

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W79wfESM4SU

The 3060 will defo give more gaming ooomph!

 

[jobondur]

Also, part of the reason I'm starting from scratch is because my computer just experienced a crash that I can't seem to EASILY fix. It's probably OS related but I'm concerned about the HD and Mobo because of some other suspect stuff that has happened recently.

 

[jobondur]

Would there be any other accessories that I need? Cables, etc.? I've built 2 computers in the past but the last one was like 7 years ago and then before that probably another 7 years. My intent is to build a solid and stable system and then keep it for quite a while.

 

[jobondur]

so @Roland Of Gilead are you saying you'd recommend the build @Why_Me made over yours? The major difference that jumps out to me is Intel vs AMD for the chipset. I'd probably also want to upgrade the storage to 2TB while I'm doing this. I'm guessing the 2TB option of the drive you selected would work fine, correct? It's $106 on Amazon.

 

[Lafong]

You will need thermal paste.

It may be included with your cooler of choice.

A magnetic screwdriver is handy.

You may or may not be happy with the fans included with the case. They can be replaced if you aren't.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

so @Roland Of Gilead are you saying you'd recommend the build @Why_Me made over yours? The major difference that jumps out to me is Intel vs AMD for the chipset. I'd probably also want to upgrade the storage to 2TB while I'm doing this. I'm guessing the 2TB option of the drive you selected would work fine, correct? It's $106 on Amazon.

Well, it really depends on your needs.

The build that @Why_Me suggested will be by far the better gamer. It's a turn it on and game type of system. But it has six cores and is slightly slower than the 8700g with a discrete GPU. With just the iGPU, yes, his build would be better for gaming.

However, the 8700g comes with 8c/16 and performs better at specific workloads than the 12400f.

Also, with the Ryzen build, you will be on the latest tech. You will be able to pop in any new AMD CPU from Zen 4 up to prob Zen 6 or even 7. This gives you longevity without having to change platform. WIth the Intel rig, you have no room for upgrades really. You would have to upgrade that for further performance, which is switching out CPU/Mobo/Ram.

With the Ryzen build, you can add in any discrete GPU down the line, and your CPU will be quite capable of feeding it FPS.

 

[jobondur]

Optimally, I'd like to have the ability to upgrade down the line as the kids will likely switch off to more resource intensive games as they get older, so being able to bring it up to a higher level easily would certainly be nice. My last two builds were also AMD and they were solid, so I have a little loyalty there as well.

 

[jobondur]

Why two SSDs? I'm guessing the OS and program files go on the smaller one. What does that get me over simply partitioning the bigger one and simply going with one HDD?

 

[jobondur]

Also, need a case with USBs and controls on the front vice the top. The place where I keep it is in a cabinet and the shelf is 18.5" tall so I wouldn't be able to put any USBs in at that point. I could always keep the case I have as it works fine but I would probably want to upgrade the case fans as it's like 15 years old, but would prefer to just get a new one.

 

[Lafong]

Why two SSDs? I'm guessing the OS and program files go on the smaller one. What does that get me over simply partitioning the bigger one and simply going with one HDD?

One HDD?

Are you considering an HDD rather than an SSD?

If you meant SSD, there isn't much of an advantage of having 2 SSDs............to the extent that you are confident the single SSD won't run out of capacity. If you had just 1 drive and ran out of capacity, you'd have to fiddle with moving the OS and programs to the new replacement. Doable, but some folks prefer to avoid that possibility. Dual SSDs can also make backups a little slicker.

 

[jobondur]

Yeah, I meant SSD. I guess at $36 for the second one, why not right?

 

[Lafong]

Yeah, I meant SSD. I guess at $36 for the second one, why not right?

OK..

It's up to you to decide how big the OS SSD has to be. 500 GB could easily be enough "forever".....you are the world's foremost authority on how much you need.

What SSD matters a bit. Most would probably point you toward gen 4, with DRAM...but the differences are not night and day.

 

[Gururu]

Some things I would recommend which I learned along the way:
1) Make sure you get an NVME m.2 1TB or bigger
2) Get a cpu with integrated gpu if possible. If it can do Fortnite with your desired settings that is a HUGE plus and you can delay a GPU for now. also pays dividends when troubleshooting graphic driver issues
3) Minimum 2x16 DDR5 memory
4) 750W minimum PS but go bigger if you can and get a well reviewed one
5) Pay attention to the MB audio and Wi-Fi capabilities see if meet need


Great fun and good luck!

 

[punkncat]

I am somewhat surprised that unless I missed it, no one has mentioned the Micro Center bundle discounts and inquired as to whether you have one nearby. They have a fairly attractive deal on the 12600KF, mobo, and DDR4 RAM right now at $260, or the 12700K for $40 more.

Going with an Intel build on 12th gen is a great value right now. The real question is going to be upgrade path given the ongoing issue with Intel's 13th and 14th gen CPU. If they get a good fix out and the market reaction on price points already make it somewhat appealing.

I just finished building out a 12600KF build in a Lian Li Lancool alongside an Intel graphics solution. Intel has done well on the maturity of the drivers and for light 1080P gaming have some options that would allow you to put a few dollars more towards some good storage as I see being discussed above. At this point, I would retire the HDD or set it to some bulk storage use case in an enclosure or older PC. These new mobo are so quick and responsive with NVMe drives.

 

[Why_Me]

My 7 year old system has finally seemed to have bitten the dust. I'm looking for something that can be used for home office work and some light gaming, basically just playing fort nite with my kids. Aside from fort nite, the only thing it will have on it is MS Office. From a budget perspective, let's target $700 for now and see what that gets me. I don't need any peripherals and I have a Win 10 license I can put on this. I don't want any crazy lights in the case and I need a vertical tower with room to expand if I want to add a crazy graphics card in the future. The only thing I could safely scavenge from the old build is a DVD burner. Location is Virginia Beach, VA - so no Microcenter nearby. Looking to order parts in the next 3-5 days.

What are your recommendations? Thanks and happy Labor Day.

If you plan on reusing your dvd burner then that case I posted is the ticket.

 

[jobondur]

@punkncat - no Microcenters nearby unfortunately (see first post). I can't understand why they don't ship...

 

[jobondur]

@Why_Me I do like that case but I need one with the USB and controls on the front vice the top.