This device supports HDMI 2.0 and later versions.
This device supports HDMI 2.0 and later versions.
To stay within a limited budget, I chose a Ryzen 5 3400G and planned to add a GPU later. I intended to use a 144Hz monitor like the Asus VG248QE for around 75Hz until I acquired a GPU. Would that be feasible? I also noticed the VG248QE supports HDMI 1.4, but I couldn’t find details about the motherboard’s HDMI version.
Planning a budget build with a 3400g and a MSI Tomahawk isn’t ideal. Opt for the Ryzen 1600 AF for $85 instead of its retail price of $150, as the latest 1600 model uses the same 12nm process but offers two more cores. Purchase a decent budget B450 board such as the Gigabyte B450m DS3H for just $73 versus $112 for the Tomahawk. This leaves you with an extra $104 to invest in a graphics card now rather than later. At this price point, you can choose a RX 570, RX 480, or RX 580 from the used market, all delivering solid performance without breaking the bank. Don’t stress over buying a cheap motherboard—most B450 boards support up to 8 cores and 16 threads with normal overclocking. The Tomahawk is better, but it’s not worth the $30 premium on a tight budget.
That motherboard could work too. It seems tough finding anything even in the used market or importing from eBay. A 2600 or 1600 would be about the same quality if the price is reasonable. It's really difficult to suggest a quad-core processor in 2020 when a 3400G is available for a similar cost. I don’t know your country, but in some regions Intel might be more reliable just because they’re easier to source there.