[SOLVED] Need help to upgrade my friend's rig

Ley

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May 1, 2016
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He's on a tight budget (around 300€), and living in France. He doesn't mind if his new components are second hand.

His current build is
  • i5 3570 (dead, stock cooler's dead too)
  • GTX 970 (he'd like to keep it)
  • 8GB RAM DDR3
  • ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP mobo
and a new PSU and case he bought very recently.
What could be improved under 300€, while keeping the GPU? Is it possible to get a new mobo, CPU and RAM for that budget?

Edit: he will be playing Minecraft, GTA V maybe, Fortnite, and some other games that worked fine with a 970.

Thank you!
 
Solution
Yes, keeping that GPU is a good idea for now. I'm also assuming that he already has a case, case fans, windows, and storage (although if he doesn't have an SSD, he should really consider at least buying a 240Gb SSD to install windows on it and make everything run smoother).

I know it's a little over budget but this would be ideal:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor (€156.22 @ Amazon France)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B450 AORUS ELITE ATX AM4 Motherboard (€102.59 @ Amazon France)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory (€69.95 @ Amazon France)
Total: €328.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available...
Yes, keeping that GPU is a good idea for now. I'm also assuming that he already has a case, case fans, windows, and storage (although if he doesn't have an SSD, he should really consider at least buying a 240Gb SSD to install windows on it and make everything run smoother).

I know it's a little over budget but this would be ideal:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor (€156.22 @ Amazon France)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B450 AORUS ELITE ATX AM4 Motherboard (€102.59 @ Amazon France)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory (€69.95 @ Amazon France)
Total: €328.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-12-14 17:18 CET+0100


If he really can't stretch the extra 30Euros, he can just opt for the Ryzen 5 2600
 
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Solution

Ley

Honorable
May 1, 2016
179
11
10,595
Yes, keeping that GPU is a good idea for now. I'm also assuming that he already has a case, case fans, windows, and storage (although if he doesn't have an SSD, he should really consider at least buying a 240Gb SSD to install windows on it and make everything run smoother).

I know it's a little over budget but this would be ideal:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor (€156.22 @ Amazon France)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B450 AORUS ELITE ATX AM4 Motherboard (€102.59 @ Amazon France)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory (€69.95 @ Amazon France)
Total: €328.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-12-14 17:18 CET+0100


If he really can't stretch the extra 30Euros, he can just opt for the Ryzen 5 2600

He does have a case and some case fans. Getting an SSD isn't a priority right now, so we'll stick to these 3 items!
Thank you!
 

Ley

Honorable
May 1, 2016
179
11
10,595
Yes, keeping that GPU is a good idea for now. I'm also assuming that he already has a case, case fans, windows, and storage (although if he doesn't have an SSD, he should really consider at least buying a 240Gb SSD to install windows on it and make everything run smoother).

I know it's a little over budget but this would be ideal:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor (€156.22 @ Amazon France)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B450 AORUS ELITE ATX AM4 Motherboard (€102.59 @ Amazon France)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory (€69.95 @ Amazon France)
Total: €328.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-12-14 17:18 CET+0100


If he really can't stretch the extra 30Euros, he can just opt for the Ryzen 5 2600

Could we maybe get a R3 3200G instead? Delivery's faster and it's a bit cheaper.
 
AMD Ryzen 2600X 132 €
ASUS PRIME B450M-A 90 €
https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B07F6YQV4J
Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 (2x8GB) 65 €
https://www.amazon.fr/Corsair-Vengeance-3000MHz-Mémoire-Performance/dp/B0134EW7G8
He's on a tight budget (around 300€), and living in France. He doesn't mind if his new components are second hand.

His current build is
  • i5 3570 (dead, stock cooler's dead too)
  • GTX 970 (he'd like to keep it)
  • 8GB RAM DDR3
  • ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP mobo
and a new PSU and case he bought very recently.
What could be improved under 300€, while keeping the GPU? Is it possible to get a new mobo, CPU and RAM for that budget?

Edit: he will be playing Minecraft, GTA V maybe, Fortnite, and some other games that worked fine with a 970.

Thank you!
AMD Ryzen 2600X 146 €
ASUS PRIME B450M-A 90 €
https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B07F6YQV4J
Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 (2x8GB) 65 €
https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0134EW7G8

Total 298 €
 
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Could we maybe get a R3 3200G instead? Delivery's faster and it's a bit cheaper.

The R3 2200G is a Quad-Core CPU with 4 Threads. The Ryzen 5 2600(X) is a 6-Core with 12 Threads. In my opinion, something like this will be more beneficial in the long-term.

For shipping speed, you may also want to check la FNAC, et sur CDiscount (even LDLC, Boulanger can TopAchat can surprise you sometimes). Also, remember that Amazon UK, Spain and Germany are still good options as well.
 
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Ley

Honorable
May 1, 2016
179
11
10,595
The R3 2200G is a Quad-Core CPU with 4 Threads. The Ryzen 5 2600(X) are 6-Core and 12 Threads. In my opinion, something like this will be more beneficial in the long-term.

For shipping speed, you may also want to check la FNAC, et sur CDiscount (even LDLC, Boulanger can TopAchat can surprise you sometimes). Also, remember that Amazon UK, Spain and Germany are still good options as well.

Thanks for your comment. I know about TopAchat, my very first PC was built with their Config'o'matic, and that's where I buy my GPUs :)
I'll stick to the 2600X then!
 
AMD Ryzen 2600X 132 €
ASUS PRIME B450M-A 90 €
https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B07F6YQV4J
Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 (2x8GB) 65 €
https://www.amazon.fr/Corsair-Vengeance-3000MHz-Mémoire-Performance/dp/B0134EW7G8

AMD Ryzen 2600X 146 €
ASUS PRIME B450M-A 90 €
https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B07F6YQV4J
Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 (2x8GB) 65 €
https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0134EW7G8

Total 298 €

If you are planning to overclock, I wouldn't recommend this motherboard. The one I suggested is already borderline acceptable in terms of VRM. I would recommend this cheaper board if he is only planing on overclocking a little bit. However, the CPU will still run smoothly so a good option as well.
 
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Ley

Honorable
May 1, 2016
179
11
10,595
If you are planning to overclock, I wouldn't recommend this motherboard. The one I suggested is already borderline acceptable in terms of VRM. I would recommend this cheaper board if he is only planing on overclocking a little bit. However, the CPU will still run smoothly so a good option as well.

I'm getting the B450 Aorus anyway, and I really don't think he will OC.