Question VST hardware: mATX Motherboard, Onboard graphics, RAM and CPU

[ThiaJay]

Hello, I've got a problem as the motherboard I was going to use doesn't boot despite trying many different fixes. My only conclusion is that it's a faulty onboard graphics chip.

My plan was to use the following hardware to run a VST for eDrums with Superior Drummer 3:

Asus M3A78-CM Motherboard with a
Phenom II X6 1090T CPU,
4X2GB 8GB DDR2 PC2-8500U 1066MHz 240Pin DIMM RAM with a Samsung 860 EVO 1TB SATA 2.5" Internal SSD

I'm faced with a dilemma now as I would like multiple USB 3 ports and need to decide whether I get an identical motherboard, upgrade the motherboard to the best spec that the CPU will fit in (potentially having to get more RAM that is compatible) or upgrade everything (in which case I don't know what to go for). Whichever way we go, I need onboard graphics and a PCI slot.

I don't want to spend loads/more than absolutely necessary. I thought having a six core CPU would be good but have read Intel can do better with less cores and there are less latency/buffer problems with Intel CPUs.

I'm trying to build a system that will operate on Windows 10 64 bit and be running continuously (do want it to be economical in terms of power usage but then be up to the demands when pushed).

Can anyone please share their thoughts?

 

[ThiaJay]

I'm scrapping my old hardware (except my CiT S012B Slim Micro ATX/ITX Case for 300W Power Supply Unit with Built In Card Reader, M-Audio Audiophile 192 AP192K High-Definition PCI Audio Card W Cables (to be connected using 2.6 FT PCI-E Express X1 to Dual PCI Riser Extend Adapter Card With USB 3.0 Cable) and
Samsung HDD for backups.

I plan to use an ITX board with built in WiFi, Bluetooth and multiple USB 3.0 ports. Likely an ASRock B450 Gaming ITX/ac AM4 M-ITX HDMI/DP DDR4.

I could do with some feedback on the best CPU and RAM 2x8GB DDR4 combination for low latency and buffering. Also, I wanted to go with the AMD AM4 3400G with built in graphics but understand this really restricts performance compared to other Ryzen CPUs, so could do with advice on that and half size GPUs (cheap but reliable with a DP and able to display Windows 10 and anything else including streaming HD content in 1080p, preferably with passive cooling).

My budget is around £350.00.

N.B. I'll be getting an m.2 Samsung Evo Plus 970 1TB drive at some point ASAP.