[SOLVED] Possible build - Review/Sanity Check

[md_rick_o]

I'm looking to build my son a mid range Gaming computer. He plays mostly Warframe, Eve Online, and games like Starcraft. But i want it to be upgradable. Can you review the build as i have it? I was trying to stay around $600 but just can't seem to accept some of the options that would take.

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/dbtMJ8

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($149.99)
Motherboard: MSI B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Best Buy)
Memory: Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($56.99)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1660 6 GB XC ULTRA GAMING Video Card ($229.99)
Case: DIYPC Ranger-R8 ATX Mid Tower Case ($32.98 @ Newegg Business)
Power Supply: EVGA 500 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Best Buy)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.89 @ Amazon)
Total: $744.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-09 08:58 EDT-0400

 

[Hellfire13]

Same performance but cheaper...

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $145.89 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | MSI B450 Gaming Plus ATX AM4 Motherboard | $93.05 @ Newegg Business
Memory | G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory | $69.99 @ Newegg
Storage | ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $72.99 @ Amazon
Video Card | MSI Radeon RX 590 8 GB ARMOR Video Card | $179.99 @ Newegg
Case | Cooler Master MasterBox Lite 5 ATX Mid Tower Case | $39.99 @ Newegg
Power Supply | Corsair TXM Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply | $74.99 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $716.89
| Mail-in rebates | -$40.00
| Total | $676.89
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-09 09:19 EDT-0400 |

 

[LordVile]

Same performance but cheaper...

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $145.89 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | MSI B450 Gaming Plus ATX AM4 Motherboard | $93.05 @ Newegg Business
Memory | G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory | $69.99 @ Newegg
Storage | ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $72.99 @ Amazon
Video Card | MSI Radeon RX 590 8 GB ARMOR Video Card | $179.99 @ Newegg
Case | Cooler Master MasterBox Lite 5 ATX Mid Tower Case | $39.99 @ Newegg
Power Supply | Corsair TXM Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply | $74.99 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $716.89
| Mail-in rebates | -$40.00
| Total | $676.89
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-09 09:19 EDT-0400 |

That motherboard isn’t as good and I dint think a 590 is better than a 1660. If anything I’d suggest a Vega 56 because they’re available for under $250 now

 

[Hellfire13]

That motherboard isn’t as good and I dint think a 590 is better than a 1660. If anything I’d suggest a Vega 56 because they’re available for under $250 now

Using the board myself in a build without any issues. It has good OC support with adequate features including flash bios option.
As for the 1660, its same as 590...
https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-1660-vs-AMD-RX-590/4038vs4033

 

[md_rick_o]

Same performance but cheaper...

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $145.89 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | MSI B450 Gaming Plus ATX AM4 Motherboard | $93.05 @ Newegg Business
Memory | G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory | $69.99 @ Newegg
Storage | ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $72.99 @ Amazon
Video Card | MSI Radeon RX 590 8 GB ARMOR Video Card | $179.99 @ Newegg
Case | Cooler Master MasterBox Lite 5 ATX Mid Tower Case | $39.99 @ Newegg
Power Supply | Corsair TXM Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply | $74.99 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $716.89
| Mail-in rebates | -$40.00
| Total | $676.89
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-09 09:19 EDT-0400 |

I had that MB selected but don't like the note: "The motherboard M.2 slot #1 shares bandwidth with SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports. "

 

[LordVile]

Using the board myself in a build without any issues. It has good OC support with adequate features including flash bios option.
As for the 1660, its same as 590...
https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-1660-vs-AMD-RX-590/4038vs4033

You can’t use GPU bench... you need to find a real benchmarking run. From actual benchmarks a stick 1660 runs slightly faster than an AIB 590. When you overclock the 1660 moderately you get a reliable 10% better performance. Plus you get thinks like game works and shadow play which is better than AMDs solution.

But it’s not as good as the tomahawk. Personally for upgradability I’d go with an X570 board

 

[md_rick_o]

You can’t use GPU bench... you need to find a real benchmarking run. From actual benchmarks a stick 1660 runs slightly faster than an AIB 590. When you overclock the 1660 moderately you get a reliable 10% better performance. Plus you get thinks like game works and shadow play which is better than AMDs solution.

But it’s not as good as the tomahawk. Personally for upgradability I’d go with an X570 board

2 things,
what is the statement "But it’s not as good as the tomahawk" addressing. You were talking about the GPU and then this statement followed by the upgradability and recommendation an x570 MB.

I had tried to get in around $600 and this is already well over that. Is the Tomahawk not worth considering for upgrade consideration?

 

[TCA_ChinChin]

I'll be honest, for these games specifically, i would suggest Intel, as Starcraft and Warframe performance quite a lot better on Intel processors than AMD ones due to game optimization. However, the current builds are still very good if you want to just buy the current one suggested by Hellfire13.

 

[Hellfire13]

You can’t use GPU bench... you need to find a real benchmarking run. From actual benchmarks a stick 1660 runs slightly faster than an AIB 590. When you overclock the 1660 moderately you get a reliable 10% better performance. Plus you get thinks like game works and shadow play which is better than AMDs solution.

But it’s not as good as the tomahawk. Personally for upgradability I’d go with an X570 board

When you talk about overclocking the GPU, it goes both ways. You cant possibly overclock the 1660 and compare it with 590 stock. When overclocked the delta parameter will remain around the same range. The only disadvantage is the 590 runs a bit hotter, and thats why a robust good quality PSU has been included in the build which is well above the max requirement. But the price to performance ratio is way overboard. Barring a few FPS here or there, they are pretty close to each other. These should make it more clear...
https://www.pcmag.com/compare/367099/nvidia-geforce-gtx-1660-vs-amd-radeon-rx-590-which-mainstr

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHzi946OzHs


As for the motherboard, the Tomahawk is more popular, does not mean the Gaming Plus is bad.

I had that MB selected but don't like the note: "The motherboard M.2 slot #1 shares bandwidth with SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports. "

That is consistent with most boards, but that should not be a problem as you have more than enough SATA ports for the lifetime of this build.

 

[LordVile]

2 things,
what is the statement "But it’s not as good as the tomahawk" addressing. You were talking about the GPU and then this statement followed by the upgradability and recommendation an x570 MB.

I had tried to get in around $600 and this is already well over that. Is the Tomahawk not worth considering for upgrade consideration?

If you’re trying to get in lower you should look at the used market for GPUs and such you can get a 580 8GB for around 100-130 here on eBay and it’s not far behind the 590.

 

[LordVile]

When you talk about overclocking the GPU, it goes both ways. You cant possibly overclock the 1660 and compare it with 590 stock. When overclocked the delta parameter will remain around the same range. The only disadvantage is the 590 runs a bit hotter, and thats why a robust good quality PSU has been included in the build which is well above the max requirement. But the price to performance ratio is way overboard. Barring a few FPS here or there, they are pretty close to each other. These should make it more clear...
https://www.pcmag.com/compare/367099/nvidia-geforce-gtx-1660-vs-amd-radeon-rx-590-which-mainstr

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHzi946OzHs


As for the motherboard, the Tomahawk is more popular, does not mean the Gaming Plus is bad.


That is consistent with most boards, but that should not be a problem as you have more than enough SATA ports for the lifetime of this build.

The 590 was an AIB card which is pre overclocked and the 1660 was a very mild overclock on a FE card. It’s hotter, more power hungry and doesn’t perform as well.
If I was going for a 590 i’d Just buy a 580 used for like at least 50 off the price.

Well it’s built better, would need to look at the boards properly to confirm but I’m guessing it has a thicker PCB, better head sinks on the VRMS and more phases. Along with the M.2 drives both running on PCIE rather than SATA.

 

[LordVile]

My suggestion would be this:


PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mFMjP3

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($133.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B450 Steel Legend ATX AM4 Motherboard ($107.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($77.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($86.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: MSI Radeon RX 580 8 GB ARMOR OC Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT H500 ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Best Buy)
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 650 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($78.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $714.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-09 11:37 EDT-0400

you can save money buy looking for a second hand 580 8GB

You really should look at cases though the NZXT cases have great cable management

 

[md_rick_o]

As for the motherboard, the Tomahawk is more popular, does not mean the Gaming Plus is bad.


That is consistent with most boards, but that should not be a problem as you have more than enough SATA ports for the lifetime of this build.

Thanks, i hadn't seen that.

 

[md_rick_o]

Ok all, i should have said my son is multiple states away so the aspect of used does not appeal to me at all. I would be willing to chance used stuff on my own or nearby systems but not for him.

 

[Hellfire13]

My suggestion would be this:


PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mFMjP3

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($133.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B450 Steel Legend ATX AM4 Motherboard ($107.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($77.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($86.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: MSI Radeon RX 580 8 GB ARMOR OC Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT H500 ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Best Buy)
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 650 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($78.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $714.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-09 11:37 EDT-0400

you can save money buy looking for a second hand 580 8GB

You really should look at cases though the NZXT cases have great cable management

I wont go for a ASrock board for Ryzen as the MSI boards have far better BIOS and patch updates. I would have chosen a MAX board but they are not yet listed in PCPP...
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/msi-300-400-series-max-motherboards-amd-ryzen-3000,40015.html

 

[velocityg4]

Ok all, i should have said my son is multiple states away so the aspect of used does not appeal to me at all. I would be willing to chance used stuff on my own or nearby systems but not for him.

Are you going to be shipping him the completed build? If so you may want to consider a GPU brace. To support the rear of the card during shipping.

 

[LordVile]

I wont go for a ASrock board for Ryzen as the MSI boards have far better BIOS and patch updates. I would have chosen a MAX board but they are not yet listed in PCPP...
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/msi-300-400-series-max-motherboards-amd-ryzen-3000,40015.html

Not really much point in a Max board as it won’t have official support from AMD for 4th gen most likely.

I liked my asrock board bios when I had it. On gigabyte now.

 

[Hellfire13]

Not really much point in a Max board as it won’t have official support from AMD for 4th gen most likely.

I liked my asrock board bios when I had it. On gigabyte now.

That is not confirmed. Now we are going into speculations.

 

[LordVile]

That is not confirmed. Now we are going into speculations.

Going by AMDs official slides. It’s up to manufactured to support it after 2 gens

 

[Hellfire13]

Going by AMDs official slides. It’s up to manufactured to support it after 2 gens

AMD said during Ryzen launch that their platform support will remain consistent throughout upto 2020 and the board partners are following that principle. Hence you see stuff like the MAX version of older boards with revamped BIOS chips, etc.
This is clearly a waste of time now. I think the OP has enough information and diligence to make an informed decision.
I am done with this.

 

[LordVile]

AMD said during Ryzen launch that their platform support will remain consistent throughout upto 2020 and the board partners are following that principle. Hence you see stuff like the MAX version of older boards with revamped BIOS chips, etc.
This is clearly a waste of time now. I think the OP has enough information and diligence to make an informed decision.
I am done with this.

 

[md_rick_o]

Are you going to be shipping him the completed build? If so you may want to consider a GPU brace. To support the rear of the card during shipping.

Yes i'm shipping it. I hadn't heard of a GPU brace before. Of course this is the first build i'll have done to ship anywhere. THANK YOU.