[SOLVED] Custom build help wanted

Ozzballz

Reputable
Feb 11, 2017
34
1
4,535
Hello fellow people, this thread is on the behalf of my grandfather's desire to have a PC built just for him.

Here are his words:
"I want something that is fast like when you click it, boom, it is there. I like the layout of Windows 7. I am not fond of Windows 8 or 10. I don't game. I go on YouTube, check my e-mail, browse the world wide web and pay my bills."

Currently, he owns an HP Pavillion 500-281.
Question,
Is there hardware from his PC that could be used in his potential build?

His budget is $1,500.00



USEFUL INFORMATION


I made a build a couple years ago thanks to this communities feedback on what is sufficient for 60 FPS gaming on a 1080p monitor. I am not confident enough to build one for him without y'alls opinions. However, apart from gaming, I found my PC being absolutely perfect for what my grandfather wants out of a computer.

Here is my build:

CPU: i5 7500 3.4Ghz
Motherboard: GA-B250M-DS3H
RAM: ADATA XPG Z1 (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400
Storage: PNY CS1311 240GB 2.5" SSD
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM HDD
Video Card: GTX 1060 6GB
Case: Phanteks Eclipse P400 Tempered Glass
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 HOME OEM 64-bit

Even though his budget can cover the cost of my computer, my question is,
What parts can be reduced in cost but are still effective? Since my computer was made for gaming only? I want to make sure he gets the most bang for his buck, but also don't want anything he doesn't need. He wants a case with a CD tray as well.


Thank you in advance guys. Much love.
 
Last edited:
Solution
I would do this. It is fast with the NVMe SSD, has a 4c/8t CPU, best iGPU with fast RAM, built-in WiFi, and the mix of the PSU and case will make it near silent.
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 3.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($144.25 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte X570 I AORUS PRO WIFI Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard ($218.69 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Patriot Viper Steel 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: HP EX920 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 7K3000 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($37.95 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define Nano S Mini ITX Desktop...
I would do this. It is fast with the NVMe SSD, has a 4c/8t CPU, best iGPU with fast RAM, built-in WiFi, and the mix of the PSU and case will make it near silent.
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 3.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($144.25 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte X570 I AORUS PRO WIFI Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard ($218.69 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Patriot Viper Steel 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: HP EX920 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 7K3000 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($37.95 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define Nano S Mini ITX Desktop Case ($73.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Gold 450 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($78.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($99.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $791.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-10-13 18:31 EDT-0400


While the case doesn't have a DVD slot, for the few times it is used you can use an external drive. Also you can use Classic Shell to give the UI of Win 7 while running Win 10.
 
Solution

WildCard999

Titan
Moderator
He doesn't need to spend nowhere close to that budget unless it could include peripherals. Contact the retailer for the motherboard to make sure the BIOS is updated enough to use the 3rd gen Ryzen. Make sure AXMP is enabled in the BIOS as getting the memory to run at 3200mhz makes a significant performance increase for Ryzen.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 3.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($144.25 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty B450 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Intel 660p Series 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($62.49 @ B&H)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H15 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Gold 450 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($78.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.52 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($99.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $689.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-10-13 19:19 EDT-0400


+1 to jeremyj_83 for recommending classic shell.

I would consider a monitor upgrade if desired, 21:9 monitors can handle quite a bit of information on the screen.
 
What country? If USA, what state? I'll make recommendations once I know this.

Does he really need more than 500GB of storage that an SSD offers?

I like the mITX build suggestions, but it could needlessly raise costs compared to mATX.

I also recommend 2400G/3400G + 2x8GB DDR4-3200.

PC Partpicker is an easy way for people to put together build lists, but it doesn't do well with pricing.

Should EASILY be able to keep this under $600 including a Windows license.
 

WildCard999

Titan
Moderator
He lives in Texas and really wants to have Windows 7. Is this possible with the direction some CPUs are going?
You'd need to find a newer motherboard that has Win7 drivers but that could prove to be difficult, plus support is ending soon (Jan 2020) which could be problematic with viruses & malware. Getting 10 and making it look like 7 would be the better choice.
 

boju

Titan
Ambassador
Microsoft support for Win7 ends next year. Afaik, A/V updates is continuing but bugs/exploits found in the core system of Windows won't be fixed. Since banking stuff will be done i would feel uncomfortable.

Win7 driver support is extremely limited on new platforms. Would be best getting him used to 10 now rather than redoing the OS later if you manage to get Win7 working.
 

Ozzballz

Reputable
Feb 11, 2017
34
1
4,535
Yeah, Ryzen G cpus have a graphics accelerator inside the processor (Radeon Vega 11 graphics) which routes video through the motherboard video ports.

https://www.amd.com/en/products/apu/amd-ryzen-5-3400g
Wow. That's insane. I did not know that. I appreciate you guys! I came from Intel so I had no idea Ryzen came up with that collaboration.

Here is the list I have gathered:

Ryzen 5 3400G
Gigabyte X570 I AORUS PRO WIFI MINI ITX AM4
G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB DDR4-3200
Intel 660p Series 512GB SSD
Thermaltake Versa H15
SeaSonic FOCUS Gold 450W 80+
Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer
Windows 10 64-bit

Pcpartpicker says everything is compatible but I have a note saying,
"Some physical dimension restrictions cannot (yet) be automatically checked, such as cpu cooler / RAM clearance with modules using tall heat spreaders."

Should I be concerned?
 

boju

Titan
Ambassador
Think you should be fine with dimensions, the Wraith Spire isn't wide enough to block ram slots.

images
 
  • Like
Reactions: WildCard999

boju

Titan
Ambassador
Looks good to me. Only niggling thought might be the psu. It's a high quality psu albeit 450w im not sure if that's cutting it close, 2nd opinion would be appreciated. Id would probably prefer 500~550w.

The guys listed 450w in their builds above so probably is enough.
 

Ozzballz

Reputable
Feb 11, 2017
34
1
4,535
Looks good to me. Only niggling thought might be the psu. It's a high quality psu albeit 450w im not sure if that's cutting it close, 2nd opinion would be appreciated. Id would probably prefer 500~550w.

The guys listed 450w in their builds above so probably is enough.
Pcpartpicker says the estimation is 119W so I would say it should be fine? However, I can't argue with your opinion. You can never be more safe than sorry.
 
Your own i5-7500 has integrated graphics. If you remove your GTX1060 and connect your monitor to the ports on the mobo rear panel, you'll get signal also. Intel had on-die graphics before AMD did (2010-ish), and before that, the "integrated" graphics was a chip on the motherboard.

If you're going with the 3400G, wait a couple weeks for B550 motherboards to launch. They'll be cheaper than X570.
 
Last edited: