Computer Build Advice

Lsnickerz on 09/09/2021 - 16:19
Last edited 09/09/2021 - 16:28 by 1 other user

Planning to build my home desktop machine after a gap of about 10-12 years - appreciate any advice the experts can offer:

Apart from general usage, I intend to play Dota 2 occasionally. I have seen the newer processors can support Dota 2 at a decent fps so ideally, I wouldn't want to spend money for a separate GPU

Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5700G (spending $150 AUD extra for the better graphic chip on this one)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4
RAM: Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16
CPU Cooler: Coler Master Hyper 212
PSU: MSI 650W 80+ Gold Fully modular ATX
Storage: Western Digital WD Blue SN550 NVMe SSD - 1TB
Case: Cooler Master N300 ATX Mid Tower Case

I have read the newer AMD processors require a BIOS upgrade for the B550 chipset, but I believe for TOMAHAWK mobo you can upgrade the BIOS without a CPU / RAM

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  Pelicannn on 09/09/2021 - 16:22

  +1

  What sort of budget are you looking at?

  Perhaps there isn't going to be that much saved doing it yourself (unless part of the reason is you want to do it yourself) and just buying a pre-build from BPC/Techfast/Etc.

  I'd say what you have is a $1,350 build at absolute minimum prices unless you are finding exceptional deals here and there, then you will probably still cop shipping charges here and there. If that's the case, these two for a little more might actually be worth the dedicated GPU and 2 years build warranty that comes with it.

  Option1 10400F/3060 - $1599
  Option2 10700KF/3060Ti - $1899

  Certainly this from Techfast with a 1650 coming in at $1,500 if you up the RAM to 16gb and SSD to a 1TB NVMe will blow the 5700G out of the water.

  Option 3. There really would be no comparison between integrated and a dedicated gpu even from a base model 1650.

  • 

    snickerz on 09/09/2021 - 16:51

    Thank you for the feedback.

    All the options you have provided are great and got me thinking for a few minutes. But my priority is not a gaming system for now. I can always add a base GFX card later on (like I said i only play Dota 2 so don't need the latest and greatest gfx card)

    Apart from the GFX option, all the other parts seem to be a downgrade if I go with the pre-built system (except the GFX)

    Please correct me if I am wrong… appreciate the suggestions!

    • 

      Pelicannn on 09/09/2021 - 16:59

      +1

      Downgrade is probably the wrong word to use. Looking at the cheaper of the two with either a 10400F or the 3500X, when we are talking every day tasks, you won't notice a difference, in word processing, in internet browsing, watching YT or netflix etc. Boot times will be largely down to using a snappy SSD and arguably even NVMe will not improve that in any noticeable way to you.

      When it comes to playing DOTA, there will be 2/5ths of FA between the CPU's (well i'd compare 10400/3500 vs 5700G since no iGPU on the 3500X), but as I said even a basic 1650 will be 2-3 times better frame rates and graphical performance than the iGPU of the 5700G.

      The way I look at it, better to have and not need, than need and not have. If you need to add on a GPU later, it will cost more, purely down to the fact these companies have purchasing power and bundle a lot of their stuff to make small margins on bulk builds.

      • 

        snickerz on 09/09/2021 - 17:17

        Okay so how about this…. instead of the Ryzen 7 5700G… i use a Ryzen 5 5500 (saving of 150$) and buy a graphics card instead

        The do-able option I see if Radeon RX 5600 XT for 429$ @ Centercom

        • 

          Pelicannn on 09/09/2021 - 17:21

          @snickerz:

          Radeon RX 5600 XT for 429$ @ Centercom

          Unfortunately that might be an option in normal times, but you will probably find they are all sold out for now.

          You'll have to drop down a few tiers and this is one of the reasons why a pre-build is sometimes smarter these days because they're getting bulk access to some specific cards.

          GTX1050Ti - Old but… still better than integrated by a mile.
          GTX1650 - about 20% faster than a 1050Ti

          • 

            snickerz on 09/09/2021 - 17:29

            @Pelicannn: You are right … any advice for a similar graphic card in the same price range?

            The only one I see available is the Nvidia 1030 for 140$ but its an ancient card….

            Anything in the 300-400 range?

            • 

              Pelicannn on 09/09/2021 - 17:31

              @snickerz: Probably the 1050ti, or consider second hand and you might save a little bit. Again, the 1050ti is old, but it will blow the 5700G iGPU out of the water.

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        Void on 14/09/2021 - 08:53

        The 3500X sucks for 1080p, it is only good for 1440p gaming otherwise it'll hold any GPU better than a 1660 Super back. I've tried everything with it: disabling HPET, all core overclock, memory overclocking. Nothing works, 6 threads just isn't enough.

    • 

      ChristopherJack on 10/09/2021 - 09:54

      In terms of general computing, CPU & SSD are frankly the only things you'll notice, sometimes the GPU depending on the kind of program you're running. No need to splurge on RAM, MoBo, casing, cooling, PSU, etc- the money saved from that, from a gamers perspective, is usually better spent on a better GPU.

      From a non-gamers perspective, loading times are usually the most common burden, in which case a half-decent SSD for the OS & most common programs will do the trick, a modern i5 or Ryzen 5 will breeze through just about anything.

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  DarthAntz on 09/09/2021 - 16:37

  I've got that mobo, and yes you can upgrade the bios without a cpu plugged in. Find the video on youtube. But I think that was only a problem at release, and may not be like that now.

  With the current climate, and as toshjammi above suggests, a pre-built is probably the best way.

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  Jai on 09/09/2021 - 17:02

  +1

  Consider this case. My absolute favourite design of any case, ever.

  I study computer science and my main hobby is programming so my life pretty much revolves around computers lol. My update schedule however is quite similar to yours (8-9 years between builds) and because of this, I like to go balls to the wall. Have a look at this list for my favourite parts (note, the majority of parts won't be available until mid-late 2022. The RAM is especially useless, only a placeholder until DDR5 stuff becomes more available). The price is extreme and I don't plan on spending that much if I can help it but the parts are a good reference (e.g. Noctua <>x25 have the best static/airflow balance of any case/cooler fans, SeaSonic PSUs are renowned for quality and endurance, etc etc.).

  • 

    snickerz on 09/09/2021 - 17:08

    Thanks for sharing. The case is a bit on the higher side and one of my requirements is to be able to use up to 4 x 3.5" SATA HDDs, which is available in very few casings.

    Good luck with the build though… seems very expensive at the moment

    • 

      Jai on 09/09/2021 - 17:19

      Ahh right, yeah that's a difficult requirement. None of the cases I've been looking at can fit that many 3.5" drives, sorry.

      Yeah, don't plan on building until the new Zen architecture comes out (so late 2022) and by then hopefully the chip shortage has sorted itself out and prices drop.

    • 

      snickerz on 09/09/2021 - 17:22

      I see Centercom has a combo AMD 5600x with MSI B550 but its only available for pre-order

      Any advise on a cheaper gfx card?

    • 

      Caped Baldy on 09/09/2021 - 18:19

      I've got the NR400 without ODD. I've got three drives in and they're at 38C, 42C and 42C. I think one has hit close to 50C before that was a while ago and I do have three P12 intake fans.

      There is an option for the NR400 with ODD that has support for 4 3.5" drives and possibly another if you convert the 5.25" bay.
      https://www.pccasegear.com/products/50395/cooler-master-mast…

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  snickerz on 13/09/2021 - 18:46

  Thank you, everyone, for your advice… I went ahead with the below configuration:

  Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
  Motherboard: MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4
  RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4 3600 Mhz C18 Desktop RAM
  CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition
  PSU: Corsair CV Series CV550 550W 80 plus bronze certified PSU
  Storage: Western Digital WD Blue SN550 NVMe SSD - 1TB
  Case: Cooler Master NR600 Tempered Glass Mid Tower Case

  it didn't feel smooth for gaming so I purchased a Radeon RX 570 v2 GFX card from the marketplace and that is sufficient to play Dota 2 on Ultra Settings @ 3440 x 1440 @ 144 Hz