Small pc build advice

[koolpc]

Want to build a small pc with AMD CPU with onboard gpu. Decent ram. SSD.

No dedicated GPU.

Will only play occasional game at low setting.

No idea on spec. Help?

Got OS and a 27" TFT with freesync

 

[an0nym0us]

The RAM in the below build spec is rather pricey, so I'd suggest looking for something like the Ballistix Sport LT 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 BLS2K8G4D32AESBK which can be found for quite a bit cheaper.

The Ryzen 3 2200G comes with the Wraith Stealth cooler in the box, but you'll have to remove the shroud on the Wraith Stealth fan (doesn't affect cooling) in order to fit it in the In-Win Chopin case.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

• 1 x AMD Ryzen 3 2200G VEGA Graphics AM4 CPU w/ Wraith Stealth Cooler £79.99
  
• 1 x Gigabyte B450-I AORUS PRO WIFI (Socket AM4) Mini-ITX Motherboard £115.99
  
• 1 x Team Group Vulcan T-Force 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-25600C16 3200MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black/Grey £89.99
  
• 1 x In-Win BQ696 Chopin Mini-ITX Case - Silver £86.99
• 1 x WD Blue 3D NAND 500GB 2.5" SATA 6Gbps Solid State Drive (WDS500G2B0A) £53.99

Total: £416.95 (includes shipping: £0.00)

 

[an0nym0us]

There are also the Ryzen 2400G, 3200G and 3400G APUs as other options if you want slightly better performance (more threads and/or higher clocks). Note that the 3200G and 3400G will require the motherboard's BIOS to be updated before either APU can be used.

Note that the 3400G comes with the Wraith Spire cooler, which will not fit in the In-Win Chopin case.

 

[an0nym0us]

You can also consider the following:
ASRock DeskMini A300 (uses SODIMM RAM and can't overclock CPU/iGPU)
HP EliteDesk 705 35W G4 Desktop Mini PC (pre-built)

Some discussions and photos in the thread below:
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/asrock-a300-deskmini.18849607/

 

[koolpc]

A300 looks very interesting.

 

[an0nym0us]

A300 looks very interesting.

The DeskMini A300 was quite tempting for me too.

For the DeskMini A300, the restrictions I've noticed are:

1. SODIMM RAM.
2. Can't overclock CPU/iGPU.
3. M.2 slots on paper look like they only support NVMe SSDs (not SATA ones). But there are two SATA ports for 2.5" SATA SSD anyway.

 

[koolpc]

The DeskMini A300 was quite tempting for me too.

For the DeskMini A300, the restrictions I've noticed are:

1. SODIMM RAM.
2. Can't overclock CPU/iGPU.
3. M.2 slots on paper look like they only support NVMe SSDs (not SATA ones). But there are two SATA ports for 2.5" SATA SSD anyway.

SODIMM is no issue for me what so ever.
A300 is not really for overclockers
SATA 2.5 is good enough for me too.

 

[an0nym0us]

SODIMM is no issue for me what so ever.
A300 is not really for overclockers
SATA 2.5 is good enough for me too.

Sounds all good.

The other thing would be that the 3200G and 3400G would require a motherboard BIOS update with an older gen Ryzen.

Also the 3400G's Wraith Spire cooler won't fit in the A300.

So if going for the DeskMini A300, I think the 2200G or 2400G are the better (simpler/cheaper) choices.

 

[koolpc]

2400G is what i was looking at

 

[an0nym0us]

2400G is what i was looking at

Then the stock Wraith Stealth cooler will fit, just need to remove the fan shroud.

 

[koolpc]

Will also price up individual itx components and case too.

 

[koolpc]

You cant build a bare basic pc for the same price as the A300 can you? I only ask as it would be nice to have a slightly bigger case to take advantage of a full ITX motherboard.

 

[koolpc]

Which one guys:

AMD Ryzen 5 2400G VEGA Graphics AM4 CPU w/ Wraith Stealth Cooler
AMD B450 I AORUS PRO ac WIFI Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard
Corsair 16GB Vengeance LPX DDR4 2400MHz RAM/Memory Kit 2x 8GB
Intel 660p 512GB M.2 PCIe QLC 3D Performance NVMe SSD/Solid State Drive
EVGA GM 550 Watt 80+ Gold SFX PSU/Power Supply fully modular

(I already have an ITX case and 27" Freesync monitor, keyboard, mouse and OS.)

£427

Or:

AMD Ryzen 5 2400G VEGA Graphics AM4 CPU w/ Wraith Stealth Cooler
Asrock A300 case
Intel 660p 512GB M.2 PCIe QLC 3D Performance NVMe SSD/Solid State Drive
Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR4 SODIMM 2400MHz Laptop Memory 2x8GB
ASRock USB 2.0 Header to 2 x USB 2.0 Cable for DeskMini Series Chassi
ASRock Wifi Kit for The Deskmini Mini-Stx Chassis X Antennas

£425

 

[an0nym0us]

In my opinion, if you're going for a Ryzen APU it's because you want a small case like the In-Win Chopin or smaller (e.g. DeskMini A300, etc). If you're going for a bigger case than that (e.g. SFX PSU, room for dedicated GPU) then R5 3600 or R5 2600 are going to give you far better performance.

Therefore, out of your above choices, I'd choose the DeskMini A300 option.

 

[koolpc]

Ok, thanks for your reply.

 

[koolpc]

I not at all fussy about buying a dedicated gpu in the future. Yes, i will game but, low settings etc.

Only reason i mentioned the non A300 setup is due to better cooling, dedicated PSU and more ports on mobo / backplate.

 

[ExoMale]

You will want either the 2400g or the 3400g version if you going to go the APU only route and at least 3000mhz ram, if you get an M.2 hard drive then you can get away with even smaller cases than probably looking at.

 

[koolpc]

2400g would be fine for me

 

[koolpc]

In my opinion, if you're going for a Ryzen APU it's because you want a small case like the In-Win Chopin or smaller (e.g. DeskMini A300, etc). If you're going for a bigger case than that (e.g. SFX PSU, room for dedicated GPU) then R5 3600 or R5 2600 are going to give you far better performance.

Therefore, out of your above choices, I'd choose the DeskMini A300 option.

I guess there are a few issues with the A300.

Not many connections on mobo back plate. Sodimm. No place for dedicated GPU if decided i wanted one in the future. Limited as to what CPU cooler i can use.

Maybe i should go with spec 1?

 

[tamzzy]

if you already have a metis, might as well go with spec 1