Which should I go with?

[arnet]

I haven't built a computer in about a decade (built around a Intel Core 2 Quad 9550, which is still running strong...kind of) and I am trying to decide between a $600 or a $1200 build. I did some research and looked at quite a few builds, and am leaning towards the 5 build as I do not think I will come close to needing anything like the 7 build, but as I stated earlier, it's been a while and I am looking for tweaks to either build and recommendations about which route I should take. The goal is to build a computer that is going to be able to run pretty ok for the next 3-8 years.

-Approximate Purchase Date: This week.
-Budget Range: $600 or $1200
-System Usage from Most to Least Important:Streaming, web surfing, light gaming (steam dungeon scrollers, EQ, maybe some WoW), Microsoft Office work.
-Are you buying a monitor: No
-Parts to Upgrade: All
-Do you need to buy OS: Yes
-Preferred Website(s) for Parts: None
-Location: Virginia, US
-Parts Preferences: None
-Overclocking: Potentially, in the future
-SLI or Crossfire: No
-Your Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050
-Additional Comments: Need WiFi.
-And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Other computers are old.
-Include a list of any parts you have already selected with descriptively labeled links for parts: See below!
____________________________________________________________________________

$600 Build (https://pcpartpicker.com/list/n8Cstg)

-AMD - Ryzen 5 2400G 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor
-Gigabyte - GA-AB350N-Gaming WIFI (rev. 1.0) Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard
-Corsair - Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3200 Memory
-Samsung - 860 Evo 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
-Cooler Master - Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case
-EVGA - 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
-Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit

$1200 Build (https://pcpartpicker.com/list/xmjPQZ)

-AMD - Ryzen 7 2700X 3.7GHz 8-Core Processor
-Gigabyte - X470 AORUS GAMING 5 WIFI ATX AM4 Motherboard
-Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory
-Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
-Sapphire - Radeon RX 580 8GB PULSE Video Card
-Cooler Master - MasterBox MB600L ATX Mid Tower Case
-EVGA - 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply
-Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit

Thanks in advance for your feedback. I know it may seem like a odd scenario, but, it's how my brain works.

 

[why_wolf]

For the usage you described the $600 build sounds more appropriate for you.

 

[jeremyj_83]

I agree with Why_Wolf. The $600 build you can always throw a graphics card into later if you need more GPU power. I would change one thing about it and that would be to use a B450 board instead of the B350 board. With the 450 you will have a better chance of getting the full bandwidth out of your 3200MHz RAM and you don't have to worry about the board being Ryzen 2000 compatible since they are that way out of the box.

 

[logainofhades]

Build 1 has a junk PSU, and build 2 should have an Nvidia GPU, should you want to play WoW. The PSU in it isn't horrible, but not that great either. 850 evo is overpriced. With the new Nvidia card announcement, now is kinda a lousy time to buy.

 

[arnet]

Thank you for the feedback, I am going with the now $700 build (https://pcpartpicker.com/list/9DCpzY). I made the following changes:
-Gigabyte - B450 AORUS PRO WIFI motherboard (based on the 450 chipset recommendation)
-G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory (more RAM is always better...especially w/o a video card)
-Cooler Master - MasterBox MB600L ATX Mid Tower Case (new MB type = different case)
-Corsair - Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (I hope this one is ok)

Buying tonight, if there are any more recommendations, I am all ears.

 

[logainofhades]

Change the PSU to a Corsair CX550m. The 500w you chose isn't very good either.

 

[jeremyj_83]

I would make 2 more changes. First go with the WD Blue 500GB SSD, it will save you $13 and the performance is very close to the EVO. Use the extra money on the Seasonic Focus Gold either 450W or 550W powersupply.

The build would look like this: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/2Rkcgw