[SOLVED] R5 3600 compact new build for gaming

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mana1111

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Jul 25, 2016
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Hey guys, I'm Building a new PC for gaming and general use. am having a dilema of two basic builds.

Must have: Dual Monitors (Split screens) for multitasking, Mini ITX build, Quiet, As compact as can be, Future upgradable, O.C friendly.
Better but not a must: USB-C (Video output), Built WIFI, Dual SSDs (One for constant backup), VR ready for future use, 4K friendly for future use.
Budget: Flexible

First build (Intel based)

CPU: Intel Core i5-9600K Desktop Processor 6 Cores up to 4.6 GHz Turbo Unlocked LGA1151 300 Series 95W
MB: ASUS ROG LGA1151 (300 Series) DDR4 DP HDMI M.2 Mini-ITX Motherboard (Strix B360-I Gaming)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 DRAM 2666MHz (PC4 21300) C16 Desktop Memory Kit - Black (CMK16GX4M2A2666C16)
GPU: ALREADY GOT: ASUS STRIX GeForce GTX 970 Overclocked 4 GB DDR5 256-bit DisplayPort HDMI 2.0 DVI-I Graphics Card
I plan to upgrade in a year or two to something like GTX 2080
CPU Fan: Noctua NH-L12S 70mm Low-Profile CPU Cooler with Quiet 120mm PWM Fan
PSU: EVGA Supernova 650 GM, 80 Plus Gold 650W, Fully Modular, ECO Mode with DBB Fan, 7 Year Warranty, Includes Power ON Self Tester, SFX Form Factor, Power Supply 123-GM-0650-Y1
Case: NZXT H200i - Mini-ITX PC Gaming Case - RGB Lighting and Fan Control - CAM-Powered Smart Device - Tempered Glass Panel - Enhanced Cable Management System – Water-Cooling Ready - Black/Blue
SSD: Crucial MX500 1TB 3D NAND SATA M.2 Type 2280SS Internal SSD - CT1000MX500SSD4 X 2

The other build is based on AMD as followed:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X 6-core, 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor with Wraith Spire Cooler
MB: MSI Performance Gaming AMD Ryzen 1st and 2nd Gen AM4 M.2 USB 3 DDR4 HDMI Display Port Mini-ITX Motherboard (B450I Gaming Plus AC)

Even though I really wanna try an AMD build for the first time the reason I tend to go for the intel build is the fact that the MSI board probabely won't be compatible with the 3600 out of the box and since I don't have any AMD previous CPU I could not updrage the bios version (This board can not get upgraded using an USB flash drive).

There you go guys, I am really open minded so any suggesions and advices would be appreciated to get the best build for the cash.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Solution
That makes sense :)
Yes I can get Cooler Master RR-212S-20PC-R1 Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition CPU Air Cooler and for a nice price. I was just worried it would over take space on my board compared to the Antec Mercury RGB 240 Cooler which is also more quiet and can be placed on the front pannel to forget about, its price is double though. I'm finding it hard to decide which one is really the best for moderate OC regarding price/benefit.
With third gen Ryzen there's isn't really any overclocking head room and with a non X varient the processor won't be binned in such a way where it will be able to achieve overclocks worth the time and effort in doing so (because they most likely wont be achievable). That being said, my recommendation is to install the Antec AIO and enable Precision Boost Overdrive 2, as that will automatically be able to push that CPU to it's limit and I doubt you'll be able to overclock much higher than that. The Antec Mercury RGB 240 would look great in that case so i'd totally understand you choosing that AIO over the 212 black edition after market cooler.
 

mana1111

Honorable
Jul 25, 2016
96
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With third gen Ryzen there's isn't really any overclocking head room and with a non X varient the processor won't be binned in such a way where it will be able to achieve overclocks worth the time and effort in doing so (because they most likely wont be achievable). That being said, my recommendation is to install the Antec AIO and enable Precision Boost Overdrive 2, as that will automatically be able to push that CPU to it's limit and I doubt you'll be able to overclock much higher than that. The Antec Mercury RGB 240 would look great in that case so i'd totally understand you choosing that AIO over the 212 black edition after market cooler.

Thanks again for your inputs. This will be my build for the coming 5 years or so so I'd like to overclock it later on. I was not planning on heavely overclock it but to which clock could I easily get with the 3600? would you reccomend me to get the 3600x instead?
 
Thanks again for your inputs. This will be my build for the coming 5 years or so so I'd like to overclock it later on. I was not planning on heavely overclock it but to which clock could I easily get with the 3600? would you reccomend me to get the 3600x instead?
No, I do not recommend the 3600x over the 3600 because there isn't much overclocking headroom with any of them and there isn't enough performance difference between the x variant to justify the increase in cost. That's just how they were built/designed. If I were to purchase a third gen Ryzen and I might get the 3950x, i'd make sure good cooling was taken into consideration, enable PBO2 and call it a day.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7NzNi1xX_4&t=249s
 

mana1111

Honorable
Jul 25, 2016
96
2
10,545
No, I do not recommend the 3600x over the 3600 because there isn't much overclocking headroom with any of them and there isn't enough performance difference between the x variant to justify the increase in cost. That's just how they were built/designed. If I were to purchase a third gen Ryzen and I might get the 3950x, i'd make sure good cooling was taken into consideration, enable PBO2 and call it a day.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7NzNi1xX_4&t=249s

Yes sir I see that either of them won't have a lot of room for manual overclock. However based on some articles the 3600 can reach 4.0-4.2. So if I get you right I should go with the 3600 even though the 3600x will hit better with precision boost?
 

mana1111

Honorable
Jul 25, 2016
96
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That's your call to make. I already told you what I think.

Alright so based on that here is my final build

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $199.00 @ Amazon
CPU Cooler | Antec Mercury 240 RGB 73.31 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler |-
Motherboard | MSI B450M GAMING PLUS Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard | $84.99 @ Amazon
Memory | Kingston HyperX Fury 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory | $85.24 @ Amazon
Storage | Samsung 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive | $77.89 @ OutletPC (Already got)
Storage | Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $94.89 @ OutletPC
Storage | Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive | $42.95 @ Amazon (Already got)
Video Card | Asus GeForce GTX 970 4 GB Video Card |- (Already got)
Case | NZXT H400i MicroATX Mini Tower Case |-
Power Supply | Antec High Current Gamer Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | $92.99 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $677.95
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-03 13:08 EDT-0400 |

So unlessI there are any more comments I will get all components in a week and hopefully build it next sunday-monday. Will update the results :)
 
Alright so based on that here is my final build

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $199.00 @ Amazon
CPU Cooler | Antec Mercury 240 RGB 73.31 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler |-
Motherboard | MSI B450M GAMING PLUS Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard | $84.99 @ Amazon
Memory | Kingston HyperX Fury 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory | $85.24 @ Amazon
Storage | Samsung 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive | $77.89 @ OutletPC (Already got)
Storage | Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $94.89 @ OutletPC
Storage | Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive | $42.95 @ Amazon (Already got)
Video Card | Asus GeForce GTX 970 4 GB Video Card |- (Already got)
Case | NZXT H400i MicroATX Mini Tower Case |-
Power Supply | Antec High Current Gamer Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | $92.99 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $677.95
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-03 13:08 EDT-0400 |

So unlessI there are any more comments I will get all components in a week and hopefully build it next sunday-monday. Will update the results :)
The cas latency is extremely high on that memory kit. My recommendation would be cas latency 14, those kits may cost significantly more. If that is too expensive, at least try to get a cas latency 16 kit. Is the 1tb HHD necessary?

This G.Skill kit is faster and costs less. Hopefully that kit is available where you live:

PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($199.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Antec Mercury 240 RGB 73.31 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Motherboard: MSI B450M GAMING PLUS Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($77.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($77.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($94.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($42.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4 GB Video Card
Case: NZXT H400i MicroATX Mini Tower Case
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($92.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $670.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-03 13:46 EDT-0400
 
Last edited:
Solution

mana1111

Honorable
Jul 25, 2016
96
2
10,545
The cas latency is extremely high on that memory kit. My recommendation would be cas latency 14, those kits may cost significantly more. If that is too expensive, at least try to get a cas latency 16 kit. Is the 1tb HHD necessary?

This G.Skill kit is faster and costs less. Hopefully that kit is available where you live:

PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($199.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Antec Mercury 240 RGB 73.31 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Motherboard: MSI B450M GAMING PLUS Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($77.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($77.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($94.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($42.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4 GB Video Card
Case: NZXT H400i MicroATX Mini Tower Case
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($92.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $670.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-03 13:46 EDT-0400

I already got the HHD from my previous build and want to use it as a backup for my M2 1TB drive. should I avoid that?

That's the best I could get:
https://www.corsair.com/eu/en/Categ...Hz-C16-Memory-Kit---Red/p/CMK16GX4M2B3200C16R
It is however $40 more in price is that really worth it?

The other option is this but onthe expenses of frequency:
https://www.amazon.com/TEAMGROUP-T-...e-bin:10656894011&rnid=2057428011&s=pc&sr=1-8

Anything else is either not accecable or overprices.
 

mana1111

Honorable
Jul 25, 2016
96
2
10,545
The corsair lpx is an excellent kit. Just wondering about the HDD, no problems there.

Well then there we go with my final build:

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor | $199.00 @ Amazon
CPU Cooler | Antec Mercury 240 RGB 73.31 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler |-
Motherboard | MSI B450M GAMING PLUS Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard | $84.99 @ Amazon
Memory | Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory | $84.89 @ OutletPC
Storage | Samsung 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive | $77.89 @ OutletPC (Already got)
Storage | Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $94.89 @ OutletPC
Storage | Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive | $42.95 @ Amazon (Already got)
Video Card | Asus GeForce GTX 970 4 GB Video Card |- (Already got)

Case | NZXT H400i MicroATX Mini Tower Case |-
Power Supply | Antec High Current Gamer Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | $92.99 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $677.60
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-03 14:24 EDT-0400 |

Thanks a lot for all the help, if there are any other comments plz let me know. If not that's what I go for and will update once my build is completed with hopefully zero to non troubles ^^