Question Upgrading PC / New PC wanted

[Aegis91]

Hi everyone,

I figure my computer is pretty old now. Here is the build: https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/ftvZvK
I also put in a Cryorig H7 cooler.

I am looking for a PC that is $500 or under Canadian. This will be for gaming and data science work eventually.

Is there a substantial upgrade that comes to mind? I am hesitate to build my own given my lack of experience.

Thanks,
Aegis

I found this template in my general research


Approximate Purchase Date: Anytime; within the next couple of weeks

Budget Range: $500 Canadian (after rebates or before)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Are you buying a monitor: No


Parts to Upgrade: See current build link above

Do you need to buy OS: Yes
Please note that if you're using an OEM license of Windows, you will need a new one when buying a new motherboard.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Does not matter.

Location: Ottawa, Canada

Parts Preferences: Doesn't matter; most optimal

Overclocking: Probably not.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1 GHz Quad-Core Processor | $99.88 @ Mike's Computer Shop
Motherboard | ASRock - B450M-HDV R4.0 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard | $64.51 @ Vuugo
Memory | Team - Dark 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory | $82.99 @ Newegg Canada
Storage | Kingston - A400 240 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive | $34.04 @ Amazon Canada
Video Card | Gigabyte - Radeon RX 570 4 GB Gaming 4G Video Card | $179.99 @ Amazon Canada
Case | Rosewill - SCM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case | $17.99 @ Newegg Canada
Power Supply | Corsair - CX (2017) 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply | $54.99 @ Canada Computers
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $574.39
| Mail-in rebates | -$40.00
| Total | $534.39
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-06-18 18:45 EDT-0400 |
This is a big improvement. If you want a nicer case you would have to spend more.
This setup comes with a 240GB SSD, however you could reuse your old HDD if you want more storage on top of the ssd.

 

[logainofhades]

You can reuse your case, and storage, to save money. Might want to look at the used market, for GPU.

 

[Aegis91]

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1 GHz Quad-Core Processor | $99.88 @ Mike's Computer Shop
Motherboard | ASRock - B450M-HDV R4.0 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard | $64.51 @ Vuugo
Memory | Team - Dark 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory | $82.99 @ Newegg Canada
Storage | Kingston - A400 240 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive | $34.04 @ Amazon Canada
Video Card | Gigabyte - Radeon RX 570 4 GB Gaming 4G Video Card | $179.99 @ Amazon Canada
Case | Rosewill - SCM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case | $17.99 @ Newegg Canada
Power Supply | Corsair - CX (2017) 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply | $54.99 @ Canada Computers
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $574.39
| Mail-in rebates | -$40.00
| Total | $534.39
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-06-18 18:45 EDT-0400 |
This is a big improvement. If you want a nicer case you would have to spend more.
This setup comes with a 240GB SSD, however you could reuse your old HDD if you want more storage on top of the ssd.

Thanks for the build. What about cooling?

I don't really care about the look, just so things are optimal. If I were to increase my price to $600, what would you change? Upgrade the processor to AMD Ryzen 5 1600?

You can reuse your case, and storage, to save money. Might want to look at the used market, for GPU.

Yeah, I know. But I was planning on giving this PC to a friend of mine because they don't have anything .

 

[NightHawkRMX]

He ryzen 5 1600 is a great upgrade. That would be my upgrade. Maybe a better case aswell.

 

[Aegis91]

He ryzen 5 1600 is a great upgrade. That would be my upgrade. Maybe a better case aswell.

What would you recommend for cooling?

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Stock cooler shoud do. The 1200 has a wraith stealth and the 1600 spire cooler. Pretty good coolers.
That case probably has little airflow, so getting another case with better aiflow and more fans would help.

 

[Aegis91]

Ok thank you very much.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Not really. I would suggest overclocking the cpu if thermals are good enough. Ryzen is capable of overclocking out of the box since they come with pretty good coolers.

 

[Aegis91]

Are there any new parts coming out in the next couple weeks that would lower the price of some better parts than the ones listed above?

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Ryzen 3000 series cpus cost a good bit more than the 1600 and start at 2000 for the 3600.

 

[Aegis91]

I just realized that I would have to buy an operating system for this new machine Windows 10 costs $128!

I was also toying with the idea of just spending an extra $30 to get the Ryzen 5 2600 for ~7% improvement. And also get a case with better airflow which I am really concerned about going with the mini.

Damn, $500.00 is hard. Shame Ubuntu isn't the best for games haha.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Some people aren't gonna be happy with this tho.
https://www.scdkey.com/microsoft-wi...KYiFXKR4uiPJIOBNvSWUiknaUt8WegWxoCOrQQAvD_BwE
I bought this for $14 and it has been working perfectly activated for a while.


Now, something we all will agree on. You can use windows for free with a watermark.

 

[Aegis91]

Some people aren't gonna be happy with this tho.
https://www.scdkey.com/microsoft-wi...KYiFXKR4uiPJIOBNvSWUiknaUt8WegWxoCOrQQAvD_BwE
I bought this for $14 and it has been working perfectly activated for a while.


Now, something we all will agree on. You can use windows for free with a watermark.

I am not sure what you mean by a watermark.

For the case you suggested, how good is the airflow? If I wanted to put up to $20.00 more for a case that has better air flow, what would you suggest?

 

[Tinibigz_1992]

Some people aren't gonna be happy with this tho.
https://www.scdkey.com/microsoft-wi...KYiFXKR4uiPJIOBNvSWUiknaUt8WegWxoCOrQQAvD_BwE
I bought this for $14 and it has been working perfectly activated for a while.


Now, something we all will agree on. You can use windows for free with a watermark.

Hello,

That price of 16 dollars is actually valid? I am confused how it's so cheap on that website.

Thank you

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Yes, It is legal. They claim they are bulk OEM keys sold off cheap. My key worked flawlessly and saved me a ton. Keep in mind there is always a chance it won't work properly and I wouldn't count much on support.
Read here. https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/get-windows-10-free-or-cheap,5717.html
They do have limits where windows will go unactivated if you try to use the key on 2 different computers.

 

[Tinibigz_1992]

Hello,

Thank you for the info, and you saved me some money and thank you for the link.

Once you buy it you just download the .ios file to a usb?

Thank you

 

[NightHawkRMX]

No. You have to use a program like Rufus to image the ISO to a USB to install windows.

I think the 2600 is a bit of improvement over the 1600. If you can afford it is a good step up.

 

[Tinibigz_1992]

No. You have to use a program like Rufus to image the ISO to a USB to install windows.

I think the 2600 is a bit of improvement over the 1600. If you can afford it is a good step up.

That would be new to me, I am guessing it's not to hard but I will check that out.

Thank you for all the help.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

You can just download the Image Creation tool directly from Microsoft to turn your USB stick into a windows installation drive.

When you boot into the drive on your target pc the installer will ask for a key. You can imput the key there.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Also for the OP. The case I suggest probably has pretty poor airflow. I'm not sure, but I would buy a better case if possible. Coolermaster has some decent Matx cases.

 

[Aegis91]

No. You have to use a program like Rufus to image the ISO to a USB to install windows.

I think the 2600 is a bit of improvement over the 1600. If you can afford it is a good step up.

Thanks.

I updated your build suggestion based on our discussion. What are your thoughts on the case?
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/ZxzR29

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Looks like a good build.

The Corsair SPEC-05 is a pretty good case for the money. It only comes with one fan, however, the front is mesh and promotes airflow. There also is venting and room for fans on the top and rear. With PSU exhausting air and front fan intaking air, cooling should be ok.

 

[Bearmann]

Since you are already over budget, whats twenty more dollars? It's a much nicer MB and worth the difference. Tossed in a refurbished/30 day warranty GPU to consider.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor (Newegg Promo $203.69)
Motherboard: ASRock - Fatal1ty B450 GAMING K4 ATX AM4 Motherboard (Newegg Promo $94.99)
Memory: Team - Dark 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Kingston - A400 240 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($33.95 @ Amazon Canada)
Video Card: MSI - Radeon RX 580 4 GB ARMOR OC Video Card (Newegg Refurbished $174.98)
Case: Corsair - SPEC-05 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: Corsair - CX (2017) 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $695.58

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-06-20 12:16 EDT-0400

https://www.newegg.ca/msi-radeon-rx-580-rx-580-armor-4g-oc/p/N82E16814137273?Item=N82E16814137273

Newegg CPU Promo CEMCPVET22

https://www.newegg.ca/asrock-fatal1...1419-Index-_-AMDMotherboards-_-13157840-S2A4C

 

[Aegis91]

Since you are already over budget, whats twenty more dollars? It's a much nicer MB and worth the difference. Tossed in a refurbished/30 day warranty GPU to consider.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor (Newegg Promo $203.69)
Motherboard: ASRock - Fatal1ty B450 GAMING K4 ATX AM4 Motherboard (Newegg Promo $94.99)
Memory: Team - Dark 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Kingston - A400 240 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($33.95 @ Amazon Canada)
Video Card: MSI - Radeon RX 580 4 GB ARMOR OC Video Card (Newegg Refurbished $174.98)
Case: Corsair - SPEC-05 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: Corsair - CX (2017) 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $695.58

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-06-20 12:16 EDT-0400

https://www.newegg.ca/msi-radeon-rx-580-rx-580-armor-4g-oc/p/N82E16814137273?Item=N82E16814137273

Newegg CPU Promo CEMCPVET22

https://www.newegg.ca/asrock-fatal1...1419-Index-_-AMDMotherboards-_-13157840-S2A4C

What is better about this motherboard than the other one?