[SOLVED] Suggestions / Recommendations for PC Upgrade with existing components

[VrushankD]

Hi ,

My current build is now quite old especially the motherboard which is mostly dying out. I had purchased my build around 2012. Post the same, I had upgraded my GPU as the old one stopped working.

As my GPU, PSU and HDD are currently in working condition, I plan to re-use them with my new to-be-replaced components.

Below is the list of components that I already have (highlighted in blue) and the new components I am planning to buy. I have created this list using the compatibility filter on PCPartPicker.

I am outlining my usage and considerations below. Please suggest if I should change anything or any components would cause problems.

Usage: My desktop is not used just by me but also by my other family members. Major usage is for gaming and programming which I do mostly. I mostly play RPGs and RTS games. I intend to stay with atleast the CPU and Motherboard for atleast 5-6 years.

Budget: I do not have a specific budget but I would look for something within reason.

Purchase portal: I may not necessarily buy everything from Amazon. I would also get quotes from my local dealer.

Link to build on PCPartPicker

Considerations:

• CPU: I chose the 3400G over the 3600 as I need the system to be running in case my GPU is out for repair. Although my brother does have a laptop which can be used for basic stuff (if I do not use integrated graphics) but the 3600 costs 3000 extra with +2 cores and +200 Mhz. Does this extra clock speed result in any noticeable difference considering my usage?
• Motherboard: I chose the B450 over the x470 as the only difference I understand is better I/O connectivity in the latter? I only have one external storage which I only use for the occasional backups. Apart from this, there are no additional external components in use. RGB support for below motherboard is by chance but I am OK without it as well.
• SSD: I would partition the SSD only for the OS and game installations. All other data would reside on my HDD. 250GB would thus be sufficient.
• Memory: I intend to go for a 2x8GB DDR4. Assuming the above CPU, I am capped to 2933 Mhz. Need help with choosing this as most reviews I read state that the advertised clock speed is never attained with AMD CPUs.
• PC Case: I have an old Circle PC Case (ATX Mid Tower). Will this one suffice with the above components or should I buy a new one? I do not fancy any lighting or transparent glass. I am also restricted by space (current compartment has the dimensions - 48cm H x 26.5cm W x 45cm D).

Component	Model	Amazon.in Price	Comments
PSU	Corsair VS 550
GPU	Sapphire Radeon R9 270x Vapor-X 2GB OC Edition
Storage (HDD)	Hitachi Deskstar 500 GB 3.5" 7200RPM
Monitor	BenQ RL2240HE 21.5" 1980x1080 60Hz
CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 3.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor	₹ 12,975.00	Supports max DDR4 2933 Mhz
Motherboard	GIGABYTE B450 AORUS Elite	₹ 8,930.00
Storage (SSD)	Samsung 860 EVO 250GB SATA M.2 (2280)	₹ 4,299.00
Memory	(Need suggestions)
PC Case	(Need suggestions)
Total		₹ 26,204.00

 

[tennis2]

That motherboard isn't GUARANTEED to support Ryzen 3000 out of the box without a BIOS flash needing a Ryzen 1000 or 2000 CPU first. MSI's "Max" series board are guaranteed to support Ryzen 3000 without a BIOS flash, otherwise these boards can be flashed without a CPU even installed.

Your current PSU isn't fantastic. Not sure how old it is either. I threw in a relatively inexpensive new PSU choice.

Saying your budget is "within reason" doesn't help us. Within reason to you may be ₹35,000, and to someone else it may be ₹80,000.

In lieu of any hard budget, I selected the Antec P6 as the cheapest passable case that fits your size requirements.

You're not capped at 2933MHz RAM. 3000-3600MHz is best.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 3.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor (₹12975.00 @ Amazon India)
Motherboard: MSI B450M PRO-VDH MAX Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard (₹7049.00 @ Amazon India)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory (₹7899.00 @ Amazon India)
Storage: Crucial P1 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive (₹5794.00 @ Amazon India)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 500 GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2 GB Vapor-X Video Card
Case: Antec P6 MicroATX Mid Tower Case (₹3632.00 @ Amazon India)
Power Supply: Antec Earthwatts Gold Pro 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply (₹6838.00 @ Amazon India)
Case Fan: Corsair AF140 LED (2018) White 2-Pack 62 CFM 140 mm Fans (₹2148.00 @ Amazon India)
Monitor: BenQ RL2240HE 21.5" 1920x1080 60 Hz Monitor
Total: ₹46335.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-03-10 19:35 IST+0530

 

[VrushankD]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have a question regarding the clock speed of the RAM that you mentioned.

You're not capped at 2933MHz RAM.

The product page of the CPU states that the max system memory is 2933 MHz. Does this not limit the choice for the clock speed for the RAM?

That motherboard isn't GUARANTEED to support Ryzen 3000 out of the box without a BIOS flash .

Yes, I will check if the dealer ships with an updated BIOS. Else go for the MSI.

Another question, is the P.O.S.T diagnostics LED which indicates which components have successfully started, a feature of the case or the motherboard? If suppose the case doesn't support it out of the box, can it be installed as a separate component?

 

[tennis2]

Anything above the stated max system memory speed is considered "overclocking". But it's the easiest and most common overclocking done on PCs. You also don't HAVE to do it, even if you buy a faster rated kit. In fact the system will initially run the sticks at the stated max memory speed. You have to manually go into the BIOS settings and enable the RAM to run at the faster speed.