[SOLVED] Budget gaming build advice please

[JameyF]

Hello once again,

I am currently thinking about building a new system as my current rig, though still functional, is beginning to show its age (4 years!).

Here's my tentative shopping list:

Case: Corsair air 540
M/B: Gigabyte B450 Gaming X
CPU: Ryzen R7-2700x
GPU: Sapphire Nitro+ Radeon rx590 (SA-RX590-8GD5N+OC/11289-05-20G)

SSD: Samsung 970 Evo plus 500g m.2
Memory: Kingston hyper fury x ddr4-2933 16gb
(HX429C17FB2K2/16)

HDD: Western Digital 3.5 inch 1tb hd (wd10ezex)
PSU: SilverStone SST-ET650-HG gold plus 650w

R7-2700x, r5-2600x and i5-8400 are all pretty similarly priced here. The i5 is about $50 cheaper but I'd have to spend a little more on the m/b so it evens out.
I do not plan to do any overclocking, for what it's worth.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Jamey

 

[fry178]

your better of with the zen2 cpu, it would be a bit better for long term.

drop the samsung 970, as read/write for larger files are virtually identical to sata ssd's,
and something like the 860 evo would have (better quality) mlc nand.
the crucial mx500 has power protection (to finish write of cache in case of power issue).
for the OS alone get a 128 or 256gb, another 256-500gb one for your games/software.

the psu is a bit too big (550-600w) and costs way more than others in same quality,
like corsair/evga/seasonic.
spend the difference on something like the 1660 (vs rx590) or maybe a 1070/ti as open box.


https://pcpartpicker.com/product/4mkj4D/crucial-mx500-250gb-25-solid-state-drive-ct250mx500ssd1
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/6yKcCJ/samsung-860-evo-500gb-25-solid-state-drive-mz-76e500bam

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/8P...fully-modular-atx-power-supply-120-gp-0650-x1

 

[JameyF]

your better of with the zen2 cpu, it would be a bit better for long term.

drop the samsung 970, as read/write for larger files are virtually identical to sata ssd's,
and something like the 860 evo would have (better quality) mlc nand.
the crucial mx500 has power protection (to finish write of cache in case of power issue).
for the OS alone get a 128 or 256gb, another 256-500gb one for your games/software.

the psu is a bit too big (550-600w) and costs way more than others in same quality,
like corsair/evga/seasonic.
spend the difference on something like the 1660 (vs rx590) or maybe a 1070/ti as open box.


https://pcpartpicker.com/product/4mkj4D/crucial-mx500-250gb-25-solid-state-drive-ct250mx500ssd1
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/6yKcCJ/samsung-860-evo-500gb-25-solid-state-drive-mz-76e500bam

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/8P...fully-modular-atx-power-supply-120-gp-0650-x1

Hey Fry178, Thanks for the advice. Sorry for my tardy reply, I haven't been able to access the forums on my phone for some reason and just finally found time to get on the computer.

Bearing your suggestions in mind I am currently rethinking my build, also bearing prices here in Tokyo in mind...
The only thing I'm sticking with from my original list is the PSU as, for some reason, SilverStone is cheaper than comparable brands by about $50 here and dropping to a 500w only saves me about $10...

I like the idea of going Zen 2, and the R5-3600 is the same cost as an R7-2700x. I hadn't even looked at those, assuming they were out of my budget.

One thing I'm concerned about is cooling. I've heard the 3000s get pretty hot, as do Tokyo summers, so I'm thinking about throwing a small AOI in there, probably the Corsair H75, to keep CPU temps down. However, the GPU will still be air cooled and I don't fully understand the positive/negative air pressure issue and its importance. Specifically, for example, if I put the H75 radiator, which sandwiches the radiator between two fans, blowing out the back, should I also put two fans blowing in the front to draw cool air over the GPU? Or would one intake fan be sufficient? Is two too much? Or am I just overthinking the whole thing?

The cases I'm considering now, Corsair 275R and 400C, both come with two fans anyway.

Thanks again!

 

[fry178]

the 3600 (non x) is a 65w cpu, so it shouldnt be a prob with a decent cooler.
maybe run the stock for a month or two, as i would recommend getting a 240,
just to have some headroom (temps/future upgrades).

the 75 isnt a good deal, the H60i (2018/upgraded model with bigger hoses) and another 10$ fan should do the same, but a H100i would be significantly better, and you can easily put some silent fans on it.
something like the P series from arctic is pretty good (similar to noctua and blacknoise fans),
optimized for pressure (aka on heatsinks/radiators) and have 6y warranty as well.

i definitely recommend any corsair aio (with the thicker hoses), as they have 5y warranty and cover any components that get damaged if it dies/leaks.

 

[fry178]

After looking at 3600/X myself, you definitely want to get a X570 board,
if X470 it needs to have bios flashback, or you cant update it for 3xxx series cpu without installing a 1x/2x cpu for the update first.
asus/msi have a few, but by the time they support it (usually on the bigger boards),
they usually are much more than going straight for a X570.
since you not doing any (manual) oc, any level will be fine, i would prefer msi/asrock for lower priced ones,
maybe the asus tuf gaming (12+2/DrMos feature), so a few years down the road you can upgrade to a beefier cpu/do some oc if you need some more hp...

ram should be around 3200-3600, as up to 3600 the rest runs 1:1 and it will boost system perf (vs at/below 3200).
most boards will consider 3200 non oc (might be easier to get it to work on stock settings) but the boards now have amd xmp profiles, so most of the time you only need to select a profile in the bios to oc to 3200-3600.

 

[JameyF]

the 3600 is a 65w cpu, so it shouldnt be a prob with a decent cooler.
maybe run the stock for a month or two, as i would recommend getting a 240,
just to have some headroom (temps/future upgrades).

the 75 isnt a good deal, the H60i (2018/upgraded model with bigger hoses) and another 10$ fan should do the same, but a H100i would be significantly better, and you can easily put some silent fans on it.
something like the P series from arctic is pretty good (similar to noctua and blacknoise fans),
optimized for pressure (aka on heatsinks/radiators) and have 6y warranty as well.

i definitely recommend any corsair aio (with the thicker hoses), as they have 5y warranty and cover any components that get damaged if it dies/leaks.

Hey, Thanks the tips. I'll avoid the H75. I think I'm going to go with the Corsair 400c case, by the way. It says it'll hold the 240 up top, then I'll pop 2 intake fans in the front,low and center, to draw air over the GPU...

 

[fry178]

make sure to cover all those openings on the rear, to prevent unfiltered/reentry of hot air.
you dont need the pc stuff, just some neoprene with sticky backing works fine.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0040JHMH6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/Primode-sponge-Neoprene-Adhesive-Purpose/dp/B018DDM698/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=1/8+neoprene+with+adhesive&qid=1565315609&s=gateway&sr=8-4

not questioning your choice, but the corsair is a not cheap, and unless you plan on regularly opening the side, i would go with a window that covers the full size of the case (usually TG).
having gone thru a lot of cases (either for myself/friends and customers) i prefer the thermaltakes.
especially since they allow lots of things in the case to be changed/removed,
and you can usually get a TG window (rather than acrylic and or the smaller "cutout" windows),
for less/same what others charge for non TG.

i got the H26 for 60$, but they dont make them anymore, but you might be able to find them in online stores.

https://www.thermaltake.com/products/chassis.html

 

[JameyF]

make sure to cover all those openings on the rear, to prevent unfiltered/reentry of hot air.
you dont need the pc stuff, just some neoprene with sticky backing works fine.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0040JHMH6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/Primode-sponge-Neoprene-Adhesive-Purpose/dp/B018DDM698/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=1/8+neoprene+with+adhesive&qid=1565315609&s=gateway&sr=8-4

not questioning your choice, but the corsair is a not cheap, and unless you plan on regularly opening the side, i would go with a window that covers the full size of the case (usually TG).
having gone thru a lot of cases (either for myself/friends and customers) i prefer the thermaltakes.
especially since they allow lots of things in the case to be changed/removed,
and you can usually get a TG window (rather than acrylic and or the smaller "cutout" windows),
for less/same what others charge for non TG.

i got the H26 for 60$, but they dont make them anymore, but you might be able to find them in online stores.

https://www.thermaltake.com/products/chassis.html

Haha no, please, do question my choices. I really appreciate it. I only went with Corsair because this is just the second system I've ever built, the first one being the one I'm using now which is in an Air240 case. So my decision was simply based on staying with the company I knew. I'll definitely take a look at the Thermaltake cases!

I just checked my usual retailer and I can order a Versa H26 TG for about $30 less than the 400c. However... excuse what is likely a very noobish question but the specs say it will support a 360mm or 280mm radiator in the top. Does that mean that I won't be able to use a 240?

Cheers,

 

[fry178]

lol, just had too many ppl whining why i would recommend other things than the poster wanted,
but i always like to give (additional) options, and its not like im forcing ppl to get it.

i do love their core series, as they are more cube shaped than tower,
which makes install/working on it easier.
but yeah, spend an evening going thru their lineup, as all friends/ppl i help with builds
were set on certain brands/models, until i showed them what options you have to "mess" with the case.
e.g. on the core series, you can change were you "front" panel goes (left/right etc),
and things like the covers are also not fixed, like swap left with right when there is only one window,
or you want the panel with the filter in a different location.

the X32 would have more of a traditional midi size/shape, but i like the X5.
will probably my last case i every buy, and just swap components ;-)

https://www.thermaltake.com/core-x5-tempered-glass-edition.html