[SOLVED] Mid-range rig for 1080p 144hz gaming. ~$800-900 build.

Apr 14, 2020
9
0
10
Interested in good framerates for 1080p 144hz gaming. Don't play many super demanding triple A games.

PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($174.99 @ B&H)
Motherboard: MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX ATX AM4 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Best Buy)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($72.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Blue SN550 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon RX 5600 XT 6 GB GAMING OC Video Card ($259.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT H510 ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx (2018) 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($108.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $921.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-04-20 20:58 EDT-0400

  • Thinking about dropping the R5 3600 for the 1600 AF to save $90 (bringing the total to ~$830). Would I notice a decrease in performance at all?
  • Also, I'm having trouble locating the B450 TOMAHAWK MAX in stock or for a reasonable price (it's currently $200 at NewEgg). What would be a good, comparable alternative? If I go for the 1600 AF, thinking about getting a refurbished B450 TOMAHAWK (non-MAX) on Ebay for $70 to save even more money.
  • Any good recommendations for case fans? Believe I need two more for the H510.
 
Last edited:
Solution
Compared to the 3600, the 1600AF is way too weak...
https://www.techspot.com/review/1977-amd-ryzen-1600-af/

All parts available at the time of posting...

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $174.99 @ B&H
Motherboard | MSI B450 Gaming Plus MAX ATX AM4 Motherboard | $104.99 @ B&H
Memory | G.Skill Ripjaws V 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory | $85.99 @ Newegg
Storage | Crucial P1 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $109.99 @ B&H
Video Card | Gigabyte Radeon RX 5600 XT 6 GB GAMING OC Video Card | $259.99 @ Newegg
Case | Thermaltake Core G21 Tempered Glass Edition...
Compared to the 3600, the 1600AF is way too weak...
https://www.techspot.com/review/1977-amd-ryzen-1600-af/

All parts available at the time of posting...

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $174.99 @ B&H
Motherboard | MSI B450 Gaming Plus MAX ATX AM4 Motherboard | $104.99 @ B&H
Memory | G.Skill Ripjaws V 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory | $85.99 @ Newegg
Storage | Crucial P1 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $109.99 @ B&H
Video Card | Gigabyte Radeon RX 5600 XT 6 GB GAMING OC Video Card | $259.99 @ Newegg
Case | Thermaltake Core G21 Tempered Glass Edition ATX Mid Tower Case | $64.98 @ Newegg
Power Supply | SeaSonic FOCUS 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply | $89.99 @ B&H
Case Fan | ARCTIC ACFAN00119A 56.3 CFM 120 mm Fan | $8.99 @ Amazon
Case Fan | ARCTIC ACFAN00119A 56.3 CFM 120 mm Fan | $8.99 @ Amazon
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $948.90
| Mail-in rebates | -$40.00
| Total | $908.90
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-04-21 01:31 EDT-0400 |
 
Solution
Apr 14, 2020
9
0
10
Thanks for the reply.

How does the Gaming Plus MAX compare to the TOMAHAWK and the A PRO MAX?

Also, I'm thinking about waiting for the MSI RX 5700 EVOKE OC to go on sale again at NewEgg. I've been told that's a fairly frequent sale and I'd be able to pick it up for ~$270. Just a few bucks more than the 5600 XT for a decent upgrade. And I could always flash it with the 5700 XT BIOS. Have heard that's not the best card though unfortunately. What do you think?

Any reason you recommend the G21 over the H510?
 
Thanks for the reply.

How does the Gaming Plus MAX compare to the TOMAHAWK and the A PRO MAX?

Also, I'm thinking about waiting for the MSI RX 5700 EVOKE OC to go on sale again at NewEgg. I've been told that's a fairly frequent sale and I'd be able to pick it up for ~$270. Just a few bucks more than the 5600 XT for a decent upgrade. And I could always flash it with the 5700 XT BIOS. Have heard that's not the best card though unfortunately. What do you think?

Any reason you recommend the G21 over the H510?
The boards are pretty identical to each other. I see the Type C port being the only point of concern, otherwise there isnt much to loose. You can always buy an adapter for Type C if required though. What the comparison doesnt show is the power cycle and thermal design, which might go a bit in favor of the Tomahawk. But that aint gonna be an issue unless you are pushing extreme clocks...
https://www.msi.com/comparison/motherboard/?unique=id1564682811291&compare_list=["QjQ1MC1HQU1JTkctUExVUy1NQVg=","QjQ1MC1UT01BSEFXSy1NQVg="]


As for the card, I dont have any personal experience with that card, but I dont see any negative reviews on the product page...
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/pk...b-evoke-oc-video-card-radeon-rx-5700-evoke-oc
A better card is always going to give you better performance. Another thing you should take note is, with a better CPU and/or GPU, you will get more longevity out of your build.

I have built in both of those cases at some point or the other. The G21 is better on airflow which should help to keep thermals in check.
 

Phaaze88

Titan
Ambassador
About that Msi Evoke card:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pj4F8qUBEw


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE_i9wn7hgk


Now, they have addressed this issue, but it's not like Msi went and recalled all the half-assed cards. They're still out there on shelves and in warehouses, so you're at the mercy of whoever fills your order.

BUT- while both of those videos address the XT model, the non-XT one has the same glaring issue, although not as bad, due to the lower power draw/limits set by the vbios.
Flash it to an XT, and BAM!, same temp issues as the XT model.