Question First Time Builder - Needing New Desktop

[dragomaster]

I could use some input or comments on this build. Especially the cooler. Might consider the be quiet! Dark Rock Slim 180W TDP as it is smaller.

My thoughts are leaning to this:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/FbxXzP

Mostly using for astronomy calculations pertaining to solar system simulations. Watching streaming video, Bits of Photoshop and editing home movies from GoPro.

Nothing that my current 10yo W10 desktop doesn't handle using an i5-4590 16GB with an NVIDIA Quadro K620 2GB GPU.

Am I overthinking the needs as I have no understanding of all the component lingo: B850-PLUS WiFi AMD AM5 B850 ATX Motherboard, 14+2+1 80A Stages, AI Ready, DDR5, PCIe 5.0, 3X M.2, Wi-Fi 7, 2.5Gb LAN, DisplayPort, HDMI™, USB 10Gbps & 20Gbps Type-C®, BIOS Flashback™

 

[Eximo]

Well, I would say you might be over buying on CPU, but not really if you plan to keep it 10 years. And not really accounting for a GPU. K620 is pretty old, and I don't think the onboard graphics of the 9700X is going to be an ideal replacement. There are some suitable upgrades on the Nvidia low end if you are used to that. But a few options from AMD, and Intel as well.

That is some quite slow memory, and I don't know that you would need 64GB. Shared GPU would utilize the system memory as video memory, so speed is good.

Power supply is extreme overkill, and I can't say I would pay that much for a chassis.

Depending on how you want to go. Could get a 8700G for the CPU. Basically a 7700 + 1/3 or so of a late model AMD GPU and some faster memory.

Or optimize the other parts to get a GPU in there.

Do you live near a Microcenter? Their bundle deals can often shave $100 off the total.

 

[logainofhades]

For Ryzen DDR5 6000 CL30 is what you want. In real world use, Gen5 doesn't do much, unless you are moving a lot of big files all the time. If you are insistent on gen5 storage, there are better priced models that are still really good drives. You are overspending by enough that you could get yourself a low end Nvidia GPU to handle your photoshop stuff with.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor ($305.89 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING B850-PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($220.94 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Venom 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($157.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI VENTUS 2X XS OC GeForce RTX 3050 8GB 8 GB Video Card ($219.99 @ Best Buy)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($77.17 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Montech CENTURY II 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.90 @ Amazon)
Total: $1236.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-07-16 15:31 EDT-0400

 

[Eximo]

8700G, also switched out for the slightly cheaper Fractal Design North, another wood accent case.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8700G 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor ($279.00 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($219.99 @ Abt)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 48 GB (2 x 24 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital WD_Black SN850X 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design North ATX Mid Tower Case ($139.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: ADATA XPG Core Reactor II 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1083.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-07-16 15:36 EDT-0400

Or this with a surprisingly cheap RTX 5050 and the cheapest wood accent case.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X 4.5 GHz 8-Core Processor ($227.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($219.99 @ Abt)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 48 GB (2 x 24 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital WD_Black SN850X 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC GeForce RTX 5050 8 GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Montech XR Wood ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.90 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: ADATA XPG Core Reactor II 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1221.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-07-16 15:40 EDT-0400

 

[logainofhades]

I totally forgot about the 5050 being out. Definitely better than a 3050. A B580 is another option.


PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X 4.5 GHz 8-Core Processor ($227.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING B850-PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($220.94 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Venom 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($157.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Inland Performance Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Intel Limited Edition Arc B580 12 GB Video Card ($289.99 @ B&H)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case ($77.17 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Montech CENTURY II 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.90 @ Amazon)
Total: $1227.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-07-16 15:54 EDT-0400

 

[dragomaster]

Eximo, I have considered the 8700G. It is lower cost and a huge jump to what I'm using. I was looking for a high quality psu in the 450-550 watt range. Not a lot to choose from. My son has a AMD FirePro 4100 he will give me 4GB. Don't do any gaming. Liked the case due to lots of slow air flow and wood trim. I thought I was choosing memory on cpu recommendations. Maybe need to look again. I often load an 18GB file for one of the astro programs. It can take several minutes on the current system. Microcenter ~60 miles south.

logainofhades, Yep, that ssd is most likely way overkill with the darned fan built in. I'm open to more gen 5 storage ideas. I do move/load a good number of large files on a regular basis. Again, I'm totally a novice when it comes to even the thought of configuring and building a desktop.

 

[dragomaster]

The Lian Li LANCOOL 217 Genuine Walnut Wood Computer Case, Mid-Tower ATX PC Case with 5 Pre-Installed PWM Fans 2x170mm, 2x120mm & 1x140mm, Flexible PSU & Cable Installation - Black (LAN217X)

is the same price as the Fractal Design North but I do like the ports on top. Thanks!

 

[Eximo]

ADATA XPG Core Reactor II is about the best 'small' PSU on the market at the moment. But the price difference between it and decent 750W/850W PSUs isn't all that much. I have seen the 850W version get pretty low on occasion as well. Just depends on the sales that may be happening. All this push for larger and larger GPUs makes most of the smaller PSUs undesirable to manufacture, so they have pretty much dried up. I have no potential replacement for my excellent 450W EVGA Gold that I use for light systems.

That Montech Century II is also a fine choice. Though I am less familiar with the OEM, and haven't tried one myself.

60 miles is a bit much, and the bundles are all 32GB of memory. So getting 48GB or 64GB would only be a small savings. Probably not worth the trip.

They do price match though, so potentially you could get everything in one go with a little googling.

 

[dragomaster]

$250 for a graphics card NVIDIA Blackwell with the GeForce RTX™ 5050

I don't do any gaming. My son told me I should get a 16GB gpu. NOT!

 

[logainofhades]

Microcenter is worth the 60 mile drive. That bundle saves quite a bit. Mine is a good 1.5hrs away, but I make a day out of it and go to other stores while I am up that way. Cabelas is like 15 mins from Microcenter, as is Bass Pro. lol

$250 for a graphics card NVIDIA Blackwell with the GeForce RTX™ 5050

I don't do any gaming. My son told me I should get a 16GB gpu. NOT!

You do not need a 16gb GPU, if not gaming. or not working with large files with regards to your photoshop stuff. Photoshop can use GPU to do the work, over your CPU, and often does it faster.

 

[dragomaster]

8700G, also switched out for the slightly cheaper Fractal Design North, another wood accent case.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8700G 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor ($279.00 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($219.99 @ Abt)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 48 GB (2 x 24 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital WD_Black SN850X 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design North ATX Mid Tower Case ($139.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: ADATA XPG Core Reactor II 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1083.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-07-16 15:36 EDT-0400

Or this with a surprisingly cheap RTX 5050 and the cheapest wood accent case.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X 4.5 GHz 8-Core Processor ($227.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($219.99 @ Abt)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 48 GB (2 x 24 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital WD_Black SN850X 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC GeForce RTX 5050 8 GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Montech XR Wood ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.90 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: ADATA XPG Core Reactor II 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1221.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-07-16 15:40 EDT-0400

Thanks Eximo. That configuration (#1) looks very good. I can hold off on the vcard until I determine how the 8700G does with the stuff I do. Then try the other two cards 2GB & 4GB to see what they add.

 

[dragomaster]

Microcenter is worth the 60 mile drive. That bundle saves quite a bit. Mine is a good 1.5hrs away, but I make a day out of it and go to other stores while I am up that way. Cabelas is like 15 mins from Microcenter, as is Bass Pro. lol




You do not need a 16gb GPU, if not gaming. or not working with large files with regards to your photoshop stuff. Photoshop can use GPU to do the work, over your CPU, and often does it faster.

Agree. Make it a day trip. Visit friends. I sometimes can work with a number of 50Mb image files stacked etc. The 2GB card I have now and the i5 intel work fine if I go have lunch while the putr does it's thing.

 

[dragomaster]

8700G, also switched out for the slightly cheaper Fractal Design North, another wood accent case.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8700G 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor ($279.00 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($219.99 @ Abt)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 48 GB (2 x 24 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital WD_Black SN850X 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design North ATX Mid Tower Case ($139.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: ADATA XPG Core Reactor II 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1083.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-07-16 15:36 EDT-0400

Or this with a surprisingly cheap RTX 5050 and the cheapest wood accent case.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X 4.5 GHz 8-Core Processor ($227.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($219.99 @ Abt)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 48 GB (2 x 24 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital WD_Black SN850X 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC GeForce RTX 5050 8 GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Montech XR Wood ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.90 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: ADATA XPG Core Reactor II 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1221.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-07-16 15:40 EDT-0400

Thanks for the PSU recommendation. I had not seen that brand. It appears to get good review at Tom's. Cost savings is always appreciated.

 

[Eximo]

You would be vastly surprised what even a 'small' card like the 5050 can do to accelerate image editing. Same CUDA core count as the now quite old GTX1080.

Can't really do one to one comparison, but even raw numbers it is crazy. RTX 5050 has 2560 CUDA cores running at 2500Mhz. K620 has 384 @ 900Mhz So not even accounting for architecture improvements it should be about 18 times faster. So a one hour job could be down as low as 3-4 minutes.

The 8700G has 768 shaders, so only 'double' the K620, but running at around 2800Mhz. So maybe 6 times faster.