Cheapish ITX build for 1080p

Telecaster · 4 Oct 2020 at 12:23

I've been out of the loop for a while, I have an ITX case that will take a full sized GPU and I fancy putting together a cheap gaming rig for 1080p, not fussed about mega FPS just a solid 60 is fine.

What would be the best used VFM GPU for this? last card I had was a 1070.

Like wise what would be the best VFM board and CPU?

Budget isn't set in stone as it depends on what I can get- I.E. if another £50 makes a big difference then I will spend it etc.

I also could do with a decent 140mm AIO if they're still a thing?

Sparx · 4 Oct 2020 at 12:40

For the core build, I'd go with something like the below... GPU wise, do you still have the 1070? Could use that if not really fussed. If you don't, then have a look for used 5700 XT (£250-300 region) or 2070 Super (also £300 region).

FYI the 3600 can be had £40 cheaper elsewhere, RAM is £5 cheaper at same place and the mobo is in stock there for £6 less too (no stock on OcUK). So it'd be about £420 total + GPU cost if you need something else.

Do you have PSU/NVMe drive or is that all needed too?

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core 4.2GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail= £218.99
1 x Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX (AMD AM4) B550 Mini-ITX Motherboard= £179.99
1 x Corsair Vengeance LPX Black 16GB (2x8GB) 3600 MHz AMD Ryzen Tuned DDR4 Memory Dual Kit= £74.99

Total: £473.97 (includes shipping: £0.00)

Telecaster · 4 Oct 2020 at 13:53

Probably a bit much that, it will only be for casual stuff nothing serious. I think I have an M.2 drive somewhere, if I can find it. I certainly have a couple of SSDs kicking around. No I don't have a GPU, still got a 500w platinum PSU though.

Thinking about it, it will probably all be better off used looking at the prices of new stuff. Any idea where the VFM is on the used market? especially CPU wise as there seems to be tons of generations come and gone since I bought anything.

mickyflinn · 4 Oct 2020 at 14:09

MSI AMD Ryzen B450I GAMING can be had for £100 and 3200mhz teamgroup £60

Sparx · 4 Oct 2020 at 23:24

Well not specifying a budget other than ‘cheapish’ and you’ll spend +£50 where needed, keeps the definition very loose...

To me, that’s a fairly cheap budget build. Clearly you have a different interpretation, so a budget would help

Going used I’d still suggest looking out for a 3600... best value for money imo. Though Zen 3 is due release later this month, so that’ll help you on the used market very soon.

adam98150 · 5 Oct 2020 at 00:34

You can get a used Ryzen 3600 for 150 give or take. Alternatively you could go even cheaper and get a 3300x (just seen a used one go for 130, appear to be in demand at the minute and no retailers have stock). There's even the 3100 for sub £100 new (I think). As for the board, just bought an Asrock A520M-ITX new for £100 delivered, supports 3rd and the upcoming 4th gen Ryzen cpus so you'll be somewhat future proofed as well.

Telecaster · 5 Oct 2020 at 09:59

adam98150 said:
You can get a used Ryzen 3600 for 150 give or take. Alternatively you could go even cheaper and get a 3300x (just seen a used one go for 130, appear to be in demand at the minute and no retailers have stock). There's even the 3100 for sub £100 new (I think). As for the board, just bought an Asrock A520M-ITX new for £100 delivered, supports 3rd and the upcoming 4th gen Ryzen cpus so you'll be somewhat future proofed as well.

Cool, I'll keep an eye out.

What's the sweet spot GPU for 1080p?

adam98150 · 5 Oct 2020 at 14:37

How'd your 1070 do with 1080p@60fps? You'd think at that resolution you wouldn't need anything too extreme

Telecaster · 5 Oct 2020 at 14:43

I've no idea to be honest, I'd guess it would have been just the ticket. What do they fetch these days?

adam98150 · 5 Oct 2020 at 15:08

Quick look on past posts in for sale section, looking around 150ish? But yeah I'd say a decent 1xxx series gpu (1070+) would be more than capable for most titles, and you'd save a few bob

Telecaster · 5 Oct 2020 at 15:11

adam98150 said:
Quick look on past posts in for sale section, looking around 150ish? But yeah I'd say a decent 1xxx series gpu (1070+) would be more than capable for most titles, and you'd save a few bob

I've just found a 6700 I'd forgotten about, would it be worth using that if I could find a board for it?

adam98150 · 5 Oct 2020 at 15:17

Honestly I don't see why not, I'm still using a 6600k (paired with a 1060) and it's still very capable I find. Would save you shelling out for new cpu / more expensive mobo etc

Telecaster · 5 Oct 2020 at 15:35

So I have a CPU, case, PSU, an M.2 and a few SSDs. So just a board, RAM and GPU I need. Is RAM speed important with an older CPU like this? I can remember back in the day it not making much difference, I don't know if that is still the case?

adam98150 · 5 Oct 2020 at 15:44

Could be wrong but I think the 6th gen intels limit ram speeds to 2133mhz. So whatever you get you won't be able to surpass that number far as I'm aware (also I don't know much about latency, timings etc which would probably contribute to the overall speed). I've read the lpx vengeance ram is a good budget option, can be picked up for as little as £60/16gb new.