Quick check over spec for a new build

[Icaris]

Been out the PC building game for a long time. (CPU: Core 2 Quad Q6600, RAM: 4GB DDR2, AMD Radeon HD 6800 + Winamp )

Having to upgrade due to Windows support ending in Octorber. Currently use it for backing up photos to external drive but would like to do a bit of adobe creative suite work (photoshop, premiere) on the new build, instead of using the works. No gaming, have a console for that.

I have case, ATX Antec Sonata III, monitor, speakers, m&k etc.

My question: Is the CPU with onboard GPU fine? Does the list of components look all correct, or am I missing anything?

Thanks for any feedback.

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x Seagate 8TB Barracuda HDD 5400RPM 256MB Cache Internal Hard Drive (ST8000DM004) (SKU: HD-39Z-SE) = £149.99
• 1 x WD Black SN850X 1TB SSD M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen4 Solid State Drive (WDS100T2X0E) (SKU: HD-590-WD) = £84.95
• 1 x AMD Ryzen 5 8500G Six Core 3.5GHz (Socket AM5) APU with Radeon 740M Graphics (SKU: PRO-AMD-01798) = £128.98
• 1 x be quiet Pure Rock 3 PRO Black CPU Cooler - 120mm (SKU: COO-BEQ-04690) = £41.99
• 1 x be quiet! SYSTEM POWER 10 650W 80 Plus Bronze Power Supply (SKU: CA-14V-BQ) = £54.95
• 1 x Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (3.5g) (SKU: AC-000-AC) = £7.99
• 1 x Asus Prime B650-Plus WIFI (Socket AM5) DDR5 ATX Motherboard (SKU: MOT-ASU-04537) = £139.99
• 1 x Corsair Vengeance EXPO/XMP 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-48000C36 6000MHz Dual Channel Kit (SKU: MEM-CRS-00996) = £74.99

Total: £683.83 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

 

[tamzzy]

1 - don't need to waste money on the AS5, the cpu cooler already comes with a tube of paste

2 - i would also get the thermalright as it's cheaper and performs on-par with the PR3: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ther...0-se-argb-cpu-cooler-120mm-coo-tlr-02724.html
also has ARGB which you don't have to plug in if you don't want the lighty lights, i wouldn't get the non-argb version as this hurts the resale value in future (and it's no cheaper to buy)
this cooler also comes with a tube of paste, so (1) still applies

3 - also, you'd probably not see much use for a bleeding-edge ssd, i would either:
a) save money and get a mid-range 1tb gen4 drive: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/team...pcie-4.0-solid-state-drive-sto-tmg-03128.html
or b) get a 2tb drive if you could do with the storage space: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/team...pcie-4.0-solid-state-drive-sto-tmg-03129.html

4 - i would also opt for a B850 motherboard
a) i wouldn't reuse that sonata 3 case tbh, but if you do, then: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/giga...t-am5-ddr5-atx-motherboard-mot-gig-03859.html
if it were me, i would sell the current system as is for a few quid to recoup whatever i could. if you break it into parts, you may not be able to recoup much (idk, not checked FB or ebay, so do your own research)
or b) if you did get a new case, you could also downsize the case and mobo:
mobo: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asro...-am5-ddr5-matx-motherboard-mot-asr-05290.html
rgb bling-bling case: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/aerocool-dryft-mini-v2-micro-atx-case-cas-aer-00607.html
non-rgb case: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/kolink-citadel-mesh-micro-atx-case-black-ca-051-kk.html

 

[Tetras]

My question: Is the CPU with onboard GPU fine?

I like the 8500G, it is a good low power CPU for a desktop build. But, it is important to be aware that this is not a "full-fat" CPU, since it uses Zen "c cores" and has some limitations on the PCI-E connectivity that cut the main PCI-E to just 4 lanes.

TPU have a review, if you haven't seen it:

AMD Ryzen 5 8500G Review - Zen 4 + Zen 4c Tested

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is a highly affordable Socket AM5 processor. It features the Phoenix 2 core, which combines the Zen 4 and Zen 4c architecture, for improved energy efficiency. In our review we test gaming performance with both integrated graphics and a discrete graphics card.

www.techpowerup.com

 

[tamzzy]

I like the 8500G, it is a good low power CPU for a desktop build. But, it is important to be aware that this is not a "full-fat" CPU, since it uses Zen "c cores" and has some limitations on the PCI-E connectivity that cut the main PCI-E to just 4 lanes.

well remembered!

might be worth getting the 7600 (non-x) if absolutely no gaming required

 

[Icaris]

Thanks for the feedback, Tetras

I've switched out to the suggested B850 motherboard and also took onboard the tips on SSD, when with a mid range SSD and the cheaper cpu cooler.

Cheers for the link on the CPU review.

@tamzzy Your suggestion on the "7600 (non-x)" does this still have the integrated graphics? (have you got a link on the main page for this item?)

 

[tamzzy]

Your suggestion on the "7600 (non-x)" does this still have the integrated graphics? (have you got a link on the main page for this item?)

yes the 7600 has integrated graphics
ocuk link: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/amd-...hz-socket-am5-processor-retail-cp-3dw-am.html
personal recommendation: would not get at ocuk, would get the 7600X from elsewhere, for ~£53 cheaper than what ocuk are asking for the 7600! (a quick google would tell you where)
the 7600X has integrated graphics too

 

[Tetras]

I believe the integrated graphics on the 8500G is roughly twice as powerful as the 7600/7600X, since it has double the CUs, but neither of them are really intended for gaming. It is also (since the CPU is mobile-derived) lower power and more efficient, but the cost is that the 7600/7600X is a significantly faster CPU. Since you've been using a Q6600 all this time, I expect either CPU will feel super fast.

 

[Icaris]

Magic, thanks very much for your help guys.

 

[tamzzy]

Magic, thanks very much for your help guys.

did you find the 7600X then?

 

[Icaris]

Yeah, I see the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X going for £146.

 

[tamzzy]

excellent

 

[tamzzy]

also, if you want to save some dosh, there's no reason you can't use this mobo in your current sonata 3
it's an matx board which will fit inside an atx case, you just might need to move some of the motherboard standoffs around

mobo: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asro...-am5-ddr5-matx-motherboard-mot-asr-05290.html

 

[Tetras]

What does your monitor use, by the way? Most boards no longer have DVI or VGA ports. It isn't a big issue, since you can get adapters, but will add to the cost.

 

[Icaris]

I think I'll just use the current case, going by the dimension of some of the micro ATX cases, there's not much in it. Plus size isn't an issue, as it just hangs out the way, under the desk.

I use an cheap 24" HDMI monitor, which the current Radeon HD 6800 can output too, so all fine there. And another 4k, 32". 144Hz for console gaming.

 

[Tetras]

And another 4k, 32". 144Hz for console gaming.

FYI: make sure the board you buy doesn't nerf the motherboard ports, some of them do and you'll be stuck at 60 Hz (or less ). Display port is usually safer with that.

 

[tamzzy]

FYI: make sure the board you buy doesn't nerf the motherboard ports, some of them do and you'll be stuck at 60 Hz (or less ). Display port is usually safer with that.

@Icaris your 4k screen will need to have a display port as both boards i specced only have 1 hdmi port, so if you are already using the hdmi port for your 24 inch, you won't be able to connect the larger screen if it does not have a display port (or buy an adapter)

the gigabyte board i specced will do:
hdmi: 4k 60hz
dp: 4k 144hz

asrock board i specced above:
hdmi and dp: 4k 120hz

 

[Icaris]

It's ok, the desktop probably won't ever be connected to the bigger monitor and even if it was, it won't be for gaming, so 4k, 60Hz is fine.