New build sense check

jim5000

jim5000

jim5000

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24 Mar 2006
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UK
After many long years with my trusty old PC build, I'm looking to do a full replacement (apart from the case). I've currently got an Phenon II X4 3.4GHz cpu, 12GB DDR2 memory, Nvidia GTX 950 graphics card.

While that spec is laughably old, to be honest, paired with SSD drives it has been more than tolerable for the almost 10+ years I have had it. I'm only moving on now because the CPU doesn't have the instructions for many modern games, such as Red Dead Redemption 2 (which I bought at Christmas but can't get to load) and the newer Battlefield games. For WoW, Civ6, various indie games and general desktop use the performance has been fine but is starting to show it's age and it is frustrating that I can't play lots of newer games as the CPU is below minimum specification.

I've priced up the following, and would like any suggestions where it might be over specced or mismatched? Looking for a fairly future proof build where i can swap out the CPU in 3-4 years time if needed, and play most new games at a fairly high graphics level, at 1080p.

Any suggestions for what I could do differently? I've been AMD for 20 years due to costs, but would consider an Intel build if the price\performance and longevity is comparible....

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £748.05 (includes shipping: £11.10)​
​
 
Maximum budget is probably around £800. I have to factor in a new 1080p monitor as well when i find the right one.

I assumed all PSUs sold by OCUK would be high quality enough that the brand didn't matter?
 
I wouldn't say that's true at all, PSU's come at different levels of quality and there's factors such as warranty to take into account. While OCUK stock a lot of good components, there are items that are less than stellar.

Regardless, here's a better selection of parts for the same money:

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £746.95 (includes shipping: £0.00)
​

1. Unless you need specific features from X570 the B450 MAX will be ample. The X570 Gaming X is one of the weaker Gigabyte boards to be honest, I'd take any of the MSI B450 Max boards over it.
2. Better RAM, much lower latency even at stock values and I suspect it'll be highly tweakable if you want to push it to 3600.
3. Much better PSU.
4. 5700XT vs a 5700.

I would consider trying to get a decent 1440P monitor for this build over 1080p if you've yet to buy one.
 
Thanks, thats just what I was looking for.

My main thought with the X570 motherboard was future proofing. I've had my current board for around 10 years (Gigabyte GA-MA-770-UD3) and I've been able to keep it going with CPU upgrades and BIOS flashes. I was thinking that I might be in a similar boat in the future so buying the latest motherboard chipset might buy me a couple of years in the future, and also to unlock the PCI4 with the graphics card.

But your build looks like it has better gfx, RAM, and PSU so is probably worth going with. I'll have a look at the 1440p monitors if this setup could drive one at decent graphics levels. The resolution can always be dropped down to 1080p in future when more graphically intense games come out?
 
jim5000 said:
My main thought with the X570 motherboard was future proofing. I've had my current board for around 10 years (Gigabyte GA-MA-770-UD3) and I've been able to keep it going with CPU upgrades and BIOS flashes. I was thinking that I might be in a similar boat in the future so buying the latest motherboard chipset might buy me a couple of years in the future, and also to unlock the PCI4 with the graphics card.
Click to expand...
x570 isn't really needed for most users
(a bit rich coming from someone that owns x570 but meh :P)
 
Gray2233 said:
2. Better RAM, much lower latency even at stock values and I suspect it'll be highly tweakable if you want to push it to 3600.
Click to expand...
the dark pros used to be unscreened b-die but not really sure now. could be any random chip.
dunno if i would necessarily recommend it over a 3200c16 for the same price
 
tamzzy said:
the dark pros used to be unscreened b-die but not really sure now. could be any random chip.
dunno if i would necessarily recommend it over a 3200c16 for the same price
Click to expand...

Huh. Thought it was still b-die, it's sort of suggested given the 'sale price' that's currently listed.

If not I'd just spend another couple of quid and grab:

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £82.99 (includes shipping: £0.00)
​
 
Slighty over 800 but includes a monitor. The ryzen 5 1600 is a placeholder for the 1600AF variant which is essentially a slightly lower clocker r5 2600 and can be snagged for around 85 quid, then drop in what will be a cheap 8 core in a year or two.

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £842.14 (includes shipping: £13.20)​
​
 
Quartz said:
DDR4-3600 is a few quid extra and well worth getting. The 5700 XT is another £75 and should also be considered.

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £468.48 (includes shipping: £10.50)
​
Click to expand...

I expect the Crucial E-Die will clock better than the TG stuff, although the OP would need to fiddle with it himself rather than just setting XMP.

If spending the extra over the Powercolor Dual Fan on a 5700XT you might as well spend the extra fiver over the Gaming OC and get the Gigabyte Aorus:

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £379.99 (includes shipping: £0.00)
​

Better all round card and a years extra warranty.

Probably one of the best 5700XT's on the market tbh.
 
Gray2233 said:


1. Unless you need specific features from X570 the B450 MAX will be ample. The X570 Gaming X is one of the weaker Gigabyte boards to be honest, I'd take any of the MSI B450 Max boards over it.
Click to expand...
VRM of that B450-A not-so-Pro is step down from Tomahawk with worser components and small heatsinks.
And while lackluster in X570 terms VRM of that Gaming X is still step ahead MSI B450 level.
It's basically Gigabyte's B450 VRM with 150% increase to current capacity. (10 phases instead of 4)
 
EsaT said:
VRM of that B450-A not-so-Pro is step down from Tomahawk with worser components and small heatsinks.
And while lackluster in X570 terms VRM of that Gaming X is still step ahead MSI B450 level.
It's basically Gigabyte's B450 VRM with 150% increase to current capacity. (10 phases instead of 4)
Click to expand...

I'm going off the following:

https://imgur.com/PDP1479

Which suggests that it'll be fine.

I'd not spend the extra on the Gigabyte X570 Gaming X personally, you might as well save £50-80 and go for a MAX board. The VRM's might be marginally better, but certainly not enough to be worth the cost, and honestly I'd rather avoid a chipset fan on my motherboard. Regardless, it's really worth spending another £30 on an Elite if X570 is a must.
 
Last edited:
EsaT said:
VRM of that B450-A not-so-Pro is step down from Tomahawk with worser components and small heatsinks.
Click to expand...
Gray2233 said:
Which suggests that it'll be fine.
Click to expand...
b450-a pro has the same vrm components as the tomahawk. the difference is heatsink mass - tomahawk has more

as long as there is semi-decent airflow, b450-a pro shouldnt be too much of an issue
heat output from vrm = same, heat dissipation should be about the same as long as there is some airflow across the heatsink
the only difference is the heat capacity (ie smaller heatsink = lower)
 
Thanks for all the great feedback, just deciding whether to go with the 450 boad or the X570 and then I'll fit the rest around the great comments on RAM and graphics cards in the thread :0-)
 
tamzzy said:
no brainer. b450
Click to expand...
As above - the AMD mantra to motherboard manufacturers to make the x570 boards 'more premium/expensive' has backfired for the home builder's in the know (especially as no appearance of B550s). For a pure gaming/office machine there is zero point in spending extra for the x570 other than: pure interest in the technology, s***s and kicks, or a very limited audience in wow factor (but even that is tainted with the mandatory ugly fan).

I would put part of the saved £50 towards the MAX board, crucial e-die and pocket the rest.
 
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