muchwow

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Nov 27, 2017
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Hi, I am dreaming to build my own gaming PC hopefully this year, I would love to get your feedbacks on it! Any improvements (that doesn't cost a lot of $$) that can be made on this build? Or you have any input that some parts are not a good match and should be replaced by others?

I'm not really educated in PC building so your advices are much appreciated!

Here are the build:
  • Mobo : Asus ROG Strix B450-E Gaming motherboard
  • CPU : AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6Ghz 6-core
  • RAM : Corsair Vengeance 2x8gb DDR4-3000
  • SSD : 2x ADATA XPG SX6000 Pro 256gb M.2-2280
  • GPU : Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2060 6gb OC Rev 2.0
  • PSU : Seasonic Core GM-650
  • Case : Corsair 4000D Airflow
  • Cooler : Stock fan

It will be used mostly for gaming and daily uses. A little bit of rendering but nothing too demanding. Am planning to use this PC for a long time. Currently as I said I'm not doing anything too demanding except for gaming, so I think the fan airflow will suffice and I won't be splurging on the cooling system. If I have to, I was thinking of installing the NZXT Kraken M22.
 
Solution
Part prices fluctuate on a daily basis, so its better to create part list immediately before purchase. Your list is fine but I would make some better part choices in a typical scenario...

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $239.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard | MSI B550M PRO-VDH WIFI Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard | $107.99 @ Amazon
Memory | Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory | $93.99 @ Amazon
Storage | ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $109.99 @ Amazon
Video Card | MSI GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER 8 GB GAMING X Video Card |-
Case | Corsair 275R...
Part prices fluctuate on a daily basis, so its better to create part list immediately before purchase. Your list is fine but I would make some better part choices in a typical scenario...

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $239.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard | MSI B550M PRO-VDH WIFI Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard | $107.99 @ Amazon
Memory | Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory | $93.99 @ Amazon
Storage | ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $109.99 @ Amazon
Video Card | MSI GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER 8 GB GAMING X Video Card |-
Case | Corsair 275R Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case | $79.98 @ Amazon
Power Supply | Corsair TXM Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply | $79.99 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $731.93
| Mail-in rebates | -$20.00
| Total | $711.93
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-04-16 02:18 EDT-0400 |
 
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Solution

muchwow

Reputable
Nov 27, 2017
17
1
4,525
Part prices fluctuate on a daily basis, so its better to create part list immediately before purchase. Your list is fine but I would make some better part choices in a typical scenario...

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $239.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard | MSI B550M PRO-VDH WIFI Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard | $107.99 @ Amazon
Memory | Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory | $93.99 @ Amazon
Storage | ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $109.99 @ Amazon
Video Card | MSI GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER 8 GB GAMING X Video Card |-
Case | Corsair 275R Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case | $79.98 @ Amazon
Power Supply | Corsair TXM Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply | $79.99 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $731.93
| Mail-in rebates | -$20.00
| Total | $711.93
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-04-16 02:18 EDT-0400 |
Hi, thanks for the info! Any particular reason why would you pick the MSI mobo and gpu?
 

muchwow

Reputable
Nov 27, 2017
17
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Nothing to do with MSI. The B550 chipset is newer and has better upgrade path. The GPU is random with a higher boost clock.

Do you mind helping me to understand what does it mean by better upgrade path? As I understand the AMD allows compatibility between chipset generations, and the slots are usually the same for years to come. So I can upgrade the GPU, CPU, RAM, SSD with no problem. Thanks man
 

Karadjgne

Titan
Ambassador
Amd allows compatibility, but there's nothing saying the board partners must also follow that. And it's specific. Physically, the cpus are all AM4, so fit, but 5 series cpus only work on X470, select B450 and 5 series motherboards. It's a bios restriction.

B450 use pcie Gen3. Currently there's a shift towards pcie Gen4, all new gpus are using that primarily, as are some storage. It's double the bandwidth of Gen3. If gpu rendering, that can help and in the future maybe of more help as software/games have more use for the bandwidth capacity. A B550 uses Gen4. A B350 uses mostly Gen2, with some Gen3, so can become a limiting factor for data transfer speeds.

Since you'd not 'upgrade' from a 3600 to a 2600x, an upgrade from the 3600 would be a Zen3 cpu, 5 series, so a motherboard capable of using that chipset would be advisable. You may decide one day the 3600 just won't render your projects fast enough and move upto a 5800x instead, cutting the rendering time in half, so a decent B550 motherboard will be recommended now. That's an upgrade path.

Better to use a single larger nvme than multiple smaller Sata SSDs. Pros outweigh the cons here. The larger SSDs have better speeds, better longetivity and are generally cheaper as a whole in the long run.
 
Last edited:

muchwow

Reputable
Nov 27, 2017
17
1
4,525
Amd allows compatibility, but there's nothing saying the board partners must also follow that. And it's specific. Physically, the cpus are all AM4, so fit, but 5 series cpus only work on X470, select B450 and 5 series motherboards. It's a bios restriction.

B450 use pcie Gen3. Currently there's a shift towards pcie Gen4, all new gpus are using that primarily, as are some storage. It's double the bandwidth of Gen3. If gpu rendering, that can help and in the future maybe of more help as software/games have more use for the bandwidth capacity. A B550 uses Gen4. A B350 uses mostly Gen2, with some Gen3, so can become a limiting factor for data transfer speeds.

Since you'd not 'upgrade' from a 3600 to a 2600x, an upgrade from the 3600 would be a Zen3 cpu, 5 series, so a motherboard capable of using that chipset would be advisable. You may decide one day the 3600 just won't render your projects fast enough and move upto a 5800x instead, cutting the rendering time in half, so a decent B550 motherboard will be recommended now. That's an upgrade path.

Better to use a single larger nvme than multiple smaller Sata SSDs. Pros outweigh the cons here. The larger SSDs have better speeds, better longetivity and are generally cheaper as a whole in the long run.
Hi, thanks much for the thorough explanation! I see your points. Can you recommend me some good options for the mobo that cost less than 200 dollars? i think that's my limit

Do you think this is a contender?
Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro AMD Ryzen AM4 B550 Micro ATX Motherboard
 
Last edited:
Gaming graphics cards of the GTX2060 class are all but unobtainable.
Certainly at less than double MSRP.
Your first task is to find something suitable.
On your build, I see no sense in buying two pcie 4.0 devices.
Motherboards will only have the bandwidth to support one pcie 4 ssd depending.
Better to buy a single 500gb device.
Don't even think about raid-0.
Samsung 980 PRO is likely to be your fastest device.
On my system a 980 PRO 1tb scores 9347 on as ssd benchmark.
That is about the best I have seen so far.

Also, I would buy latest gen ryzen 5000 series or intel 11th gen.
Those processors will have better performance per clock.
My suggestion would be an Intel I5-11500. $218
https://www.newegg.com/intel-core-i...VR8vICh1rpwEGEAQYASABEgIDdPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Most any B560 based motherboard will do.
Here is one for $140:
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813144396?quicklink=true

How many expansion slots do you plan to use?
For most, that is only one, so look at the MATX format which is usually cheaper than ATX,

Same 12 threads, but it is stronger than the 3600, particularly in single thread performance which is what games need most.
A big Plus is that it has Xe 750 integrated graphics which will get you started until you can snag a good graphics card.

Do not put much value in upgrading.
Fact is that most all cpu upgrades are, for one reason or another, accompanied by a motherboard change.
Next hear, we will see DDR5 and new chipsets from both Intel and AMD.
 
Hi, thanks much for the thorough explanation! I see your points. Can you recommend me some good options for the mobo that cost less than 200 dollars? i think that's my limit

Do you think this is a contender?
Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro AMD Ryzen AM4 B550 Micro ATX Motherboard
Yes that will do. You can also check this one out...

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
Motherboard | Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS (WI-FI) ATX AM4 Motherboard | $192.99 @ Amazon
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $192.99
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-04-16 14:20 EDT-0400 |