[SOLVED] Looking to build a PC for the first time in 7 years

Jul 21, 2021
7
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My budget is $1000.

I last built a PC back in 2014 and enjoyed it a whole lot. I would like to build a PC that can be used for games, but I'm not interested in a bleeding edge machine. I've included a link to the parts I am looking at and would certainly enjoy feedback: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/jG67xc

I bought a GPU last year after mine died, so I will just transplant it. My gaming mouse and keyboard are still working great, as is my monitor, so I don't need to worry about those expenses in my budget either. I don't foresee a problem porting over my DVD burner from my current machine either.


J
 
Solution
I feel you are overspending in some areas, that would allow you to get a better CPU, and more storage.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor ($394.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Vetroo V5 52 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory ($93.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Team T-Force Cardea Zero Z330 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($95.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact TG Dark Tint ATX Mid Tower Case ($101.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Plus...

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator
I feel you are overspending in some areas, that would allow you to get a better CPU, and more storage.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor ($394.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Vetroo V5 52 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory ($93.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Team T-Force Cardea Zero Z330 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($95.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact TG Dark Tint ATX Mid Tower Case ($101.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Plus Gold 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($88.57 @ Amazon)
Total: $965.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-07-21 13:48 EDT-0400
 
Solution
On your parts list, I have some thoughts:

Thermal paste makes litle real difference; you can use the paste that comes with the cooler.

Ryzen depends on fast ram for performance; 3600 speed is the sweet spot.
Verify that the ram is compatible for your cpu/mobo combo; not all ddr4 will be.
Check the motherboard ram qvl list or the corsair supported list.

Samsung is the best, but there is very litle value in the PRO versions. Mainly for long term endurance which is no longer the issue it used to be. EVO is fine.

The selected case does not have a space for a dvd drive.
If you will use a smaller MATX motherboard, look at the Silverstone PS07
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16811163186?quicklink=true

For games, the single thread cpu performance is all important.
For that, you want to look at ryzen 5000 series or intel 11th gen, each of which have some 19% improved single thread performance per clock.
The least expensive ryzen 5600x is about $285:
https://www.newegg.com/amd-ryzen-5-5600x/p/N82E16819113666?quicklink=true
The least expensive intel 11th gen processor is the i5-11400 or 11400f at about $250.
https://www.newegg.com/intel-core-i5-11400f-core-i5-11th-gen/p/N82E16819118264?quicklink=true
They both come with adequate coolers.
Intel will want a lga1200 motherboard preferably with a B560 chipset.
Here is an example at $105:
https://www.newegg.com/msi-b560m-pro/p/N82E16813144447?quicklink=true
Intel does not depend on fast ram for performance. 2666 is fine, 3200 is lilely the fastest supported.

What is your graphics card?
That is usually more important than the cpu.
Here is a review of the 11400f which includes 5600x as part of the comparison.
Not all that different.
Either cpu beats the 3700X in the ten game average.
 
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Yea, I missed that as well. Personally, I would get an external USB optical drive. The 11400f's cooler is not adequate, by any means, and is said as such in that techspot review. Intel's boxed coolers are a waste of aluminum.
Agreed the stock intel cooler sucks but for a mere $180 you can run that cpu 24/7 with the PL turned off.

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813144396
MSI MAG B560M BAZOOKA $139.99

https://www.amazon.com/Gelid-Solutions-Phantom-Cooler-Case/dp/B076KYYSRW
Gelid Solutions Phantom CPU Cooler $36.99

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B560M-BAZOOKA


b560temps.jpg
 

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator
I would never run an 11400 with PL off, and stock cooler.

Avoid the Box Cooler
A few words about the shiny new box cooler in the Core i5, which is just the old box cooler with a new coat of black paint. Although this model features a copper slug, it’s still woefully inadequate for use on boards that don’t adhere to the TDP limits.

Installed on the MSI B560 Tomahawk using the default BIOS configuration, the 11400F peaked at just 52C using our Corsair iCUE H150i, a $220 cooler that we don’t expect anyone to pair with an 11400F.


That said, a basic $20 tower cooler will work nicely. The box cooler quickly hit 100C and as a result the CPU started to throttle. Truth be told, this cooler is only designed to handle the 65 watt TDP configuration, and by enforcing the TDP limits it peaked at 70C, though even here it was still very loud. Our advice is to ignore the box cooler and budget an additional $20 for a basic tower-style cooler that will provide much better performance.
 
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Jul 21, 2021
7
1
15
I've taken what what said into account, and I think I am persuaded to give an Intel build a try.

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel Core i5-11400F 2.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $184.01 @ Adorama
CPU Cooler | ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports CPU Cooler | $35.99 @ Amazon
Thermal Compound | Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut 1 g Thermal Paste | $5.94 @ ModMyMods
Motherboard | MSI MAG B560 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX LGA1200 Motherboard | $179.99 @ Walmart
Memory | G.Skill Trident Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL15 Memory | $119.99 @ Amazon
Storage | Samsung 980 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $119.99 @ Amazon
Case | Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact TG Dark Tint ATX Mid Tower Case | $101.98 @ Newegg
Power Supply | Corsair RMx (2021) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | $139.99 @ Amazon
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $887.88
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-07-22 14:24 EDT-0400 |
 
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I've taken what what said into account, and I think I am persuaded to give an Intel build a try.

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel Core i5-11400F 2.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $184.01 @ Adorama
CPU Cooler | ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports CPU Cooler | $35.99 @ Amazon
Thermal Compound | Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut 1 g Thermal Paste | $5.94 @ ModMyMods
Motherboard | MSI MAG B560 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX LGA1200 Motherboard | $179.99 @ Walmart
Memory | G.Skill Trident Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL15 Memory | $119.99 @ Amazon
Storage | Samsung 980 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $119.99 @ Amazon
Case | Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact TG Dark Tint ATX Mid Tower Case | $101.98 @ Newegg
Power Supply | Corsair RMx (2021) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | $139.99 @ Amazon
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $887.88
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-07-22 14:24 EDT-0400 |
Here's a few money savers to consider .. and btw I'd forget the thermal compound. Pretty much every cpu cooler comes with a small tube of decent thermal paste so that's a cost cutter right there.

Super Flower makes the high end psu's for EVGA.

https://www.newegg.com/super-flower-leadex-iii-sf-750f14hg-750w/p/1HU-024C-00006
Super Flower Leadex III 750W 80+ Gold Modular Power Supply $109.99
+ $20 off w/ promo code 76RKTECHAA3, limited offer By Super Flower

If you need/want wifi while saving a few dollars here's a board to consider.


https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-TUF-B560M-PLUS-Motherboard-Thunderbolt/dp/B08W6PSC52
ASUS TUF GAMING B560M-PLUS WIFI $149.99

Fast speeds, DRAM cache and for cheap atm.

https://www.amazon.com/PNY-CS2130-Internal-Solid-State/dp/B0869B4Q66/
PNY CS2130 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen3 x4 Internal SSD $109.00

CL15 for an Intel 10/11 gen. build is a waste of money. Crucial > G.Skill

Crucial Ballistix DDR4 3200MHz Memory Kit 16GB (8GBx2) CL16 $87.99
 

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator
I've taken what what said into account, and I think I am persuaded to give an Intel build a try.

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel Core i5-11400F 2.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $184.01 @ Adorama
CPU Cooler | ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports CPU Cooler | $35.99 @ Amazon
Thermal Compound | Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut 1 g Thermal Paste | $5.94 @ ModMyMods
Motherboard | MSI MAG B560 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX LGA1200 Motherboard | $179.99 @ Walmart
Memory | G.Skill Trident Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL15 Memory | $119.99 @ Amazon
Storage | Samsung 980 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $119.99 @ Amazon
Case | Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact TG Dark Tint ATX Mid Tower Case | $101.98 @ Newegg
Power Supply | Corsair RMx (2021) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | $139.99 @ Amazon
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $887.88
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-07-22 14:24 EDT-0400 |

I also believe some cash can be saved elsewhere too. That corsair PSU is nice, but you can get a Seasonic one for less, and not sacrifice quality. Also Intel doesn't care much about CL, so I wouldn't spend that much, on your ram. The Vetroo V5 can handle an R9 5900x, so it would be fine with an 11400f. You could then use the savings for a larger SSD. With some games hitting over 200gb, a 1tb could fill up pretty quickly.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-11400F 2.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($184.01 @ Adorama)
CPU Cooler: Vetroo V5 52 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B560 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX LGA1200 Motherboard ($179.99 @ Walmart)
Memory: Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($71.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Team T-Force Cardea Zero Z330 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($199.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact TG Dark Tint ATX Mid Tower Case ($101.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Plus Gold 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($87.34 @ Amazon)
Total: $855.28
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-07-22 16:26 EDT-0400
 
Jul 21, 2021
7
1
15
Thanks mdd, I think that did it for me. I feel good and totally solid on the AMD build. One final question: I have a 750w PSU. Do I need a 750, or would 650 be alright, accounting for a new GPU that will be bought in the next couple of years.
 
Jul 21, 2021
7
1
15
One more question. I look up the specifications for my CPU, the Ryzen 5800X. AMD notes that the system memory may be up to 3200MHz. The motherboard supports much higher, but does this mean that there is no point in purchasing memory higher than 3200, given the CPU spec?