Review Build
Review Build
My friend is assembling his initial computer and I’m offering an external viewpoint on the selected components:
https://pcpartpicker.com/user/ThatSourMe...ved/mqWwzy
He has a limited budget of $747 (including the monitor). Are there any overlooked incompatibilities or potential issues? He's primarily focused on gaming, and he’s chosen an Intel i3 processor over Ryzen 3 due to cost considerations and slightly improved gaming performance. The motherboard supports 9th generation processors out-of-the-box. A concern is that the motherboard has a maximum RAM speed of 2666MHz, although it also supports faster speeds, with a minimal performance difference expected. He’s also unsure about the Wi-Fi adapter, as built-in Wi-Fi wasn't available at this price point. Any suggestions for reducing costs or alternative component recommendations? Additionally, how straightforward is it to construct a system like this, particularly for someone undertaking their first build? Finally, he wants to know if the i3’s stock cooler comes with thermal paste pre-applied.
CPU:
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor
($167.00 @ Newegg)
Motherboard:
Gigabyte B450M DS3H Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard
($72.99 @ Best Buy)
Memory:
Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage:
Crucial P1 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive
($59.95 @ B&H)
Video Card:
ASRock Radeon RX 570 4 GB Phantom Gaming D Video Card
($124.99 @ Newegg)
Case:
Aerocool Aero One Mini Eclipse MicroATX Mini Tower Case
($51.54 @ Amazon)
Power Supply:
...
A dual-core processor will be very limiting for gaming so the 9100 isn’t a good choice, plus it has no upgrade path.
As for assembling it’s fairly simple to do and there are many guides available.
That represents a substantial improvement with a $10 increase in cost. I will certainly inquire about your Ryzen build once I finally complete one…
And I can confirm that building is remarkably simple; I was quite apprehensive about potentially making errors when I assembled my “first” PC two weeks ago (more like relocating components from a prebuilt to a superior case), but nothing went wrong, and now I possess the system of my dreams. Consult the manual carefully, proceed with caution, and don’t hesitate to seek assistance here if you encounter difficulties.
Certainly, I’m seeing a pattern where careful consideration upfront minimizes potential issues down the line – these small oversights often lead to avoidable complications.
The system configuration involving an R5 3600 and RX 570 4GB is predicted to experience significant bottlenecks, with the RX 570 ideally pairing with an i3 9100f. The monitor lacks FreeSync capabilities, and investing in a 24" curved monitor with integrated speakers is recommended. A friend’s perspective indicates limited upgrade plans within the next 3-4 years regarding processor upgrades. The chosen case is a mini-tower model that is more affordable but compromises on airflow and space, potentially leading to excessive dust accumulation due to imbalanced ventilation.
If he/you prefer Intel then go Cometlake as the CPU's are hyperthreaded.
Yes the monitor is Freesync and built in speakers. It may not have a curve (pointless on a small monitor) and be slightly smaller but having Freesync does help with any FPS dips and screen tearing which will bring a better gaming experience.
The case is mesh on the top, hotter air will exhaust from the case without added fans but it does allow for them if needed.
If you want Intel then get something like this when the i3-10100 is available.
The motherboard shipment includes a more recent BIOS compatible with the 3600 processor. The necessary BIOS version is F40. Alternatively, an MSI B450 MAX board could be obtained, though stock levels are presently limited. A wait may also be considered until the i3 Cometlake product becomes accessible.
I’ve exchanged it for an Asus PRIME B450M-A/CSM Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard. Despite utilizing shared bandwidth with the SATA ports, limiting future storage expansion, the financial resources have increased sufficiently, and he is unable to allocate further funds. However, should you possess a more affordable alternative that functions correctly, please proceed.