advice for new build, non gaming AM4 PC

[JimKiler]

I have a cousin i need to buy parts for this weekend and i quoted them for this build:


PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Ftxd3b

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($199.00 @ B&H)
• Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX B450-F GAMING ATX AM4 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Amazon)
• Memory: G.Skill Trident Z RGB 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($104.89 @ OutletPC)
• Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($94.99 @ Adorama)
• Video Card: MSI Radeon RX 570 8 GB ARMOR OC Video Card ($134.99 @ Newegg)
• Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($65.99 @ Newegg)
• Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Gold 450 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($64.90 @ Amazon)
• Case Fan: Cooler Master MasterFan Lite 120 32 CFM 120 mm Fan ($7.99 @ Newegg)
• Case Fan: Cooler Master MasterFan Lite 120 32 CFM 120 mm Fan ($7.99 @ Newegg)

Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-07-25 22:30 EDT-0400


But here are my cousin's requirements:

Just surfing web, storing photos, checking emails, recording tax records, some stored music

So those parts i picked are probably overkill. Should i just do a Ryzen 3400G? Is that adequate enough and going to be good in 10 years? I built my brother in law an old AMD Athlon II X4 back in the day but now it is slow even with an SSD and discrete graphics added later. Or should i go with a AMD 2600 and then i don't have to mess with the BIOS needing to be upgraded. Further the mobo i picked has a lot of bad reviews on newegg as of late (perhaps the Ryzen 3 firmware is not mature yet). My coworker has this mobo with a Ryzen 2700 and no complaints besides RAM compatibility but he did not use the QVL list initially. Should i get integrated graphics or discrete and Ryzen 2000 series? If you have not noticed i am an AMD fanboy but have not had a chance to build a Ryzen system myself so i am nervous about RAM compatibility but i know even Intel has issues.

Budget was under $1K but i feel like i should get it cheaper based on their needs.

 

[Flayed]

A 3400G seems like a better fit for the use case. No need for a discrete gaming card for a non gaming pc. Having said that why not just get him a laptop?

 

[Flayed]

A SFF build would be better:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-9400 2.9 GHz 6-Core Processor ($189.49 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 33.84 CFM CPU Cooler ($39.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX B360-I GAMING Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($123.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($70.28 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Inland Premium 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate BarraCuda 4 TB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($117.18 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Node 202 HTPC Case w/450 W Power Supply ($113.99 @ Newegg Business)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM 60.1 CFM 120 mm Fan ($29.90 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM 60.1 CFM 120 mm Fan ($29.90 @ Amazon)
Total: $819.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-07-26 05:47 EDT-0400

 

[VirtualLarry]

I think that the original build looks great, actually. I have my 3600 in a STRIX B450-F, but I would possibly suggest getting the GSkill Trident RGB 3600 ("fotr AMD") 16GB kit of DDR4 that Newegg has for 114.99.

Oh, and a 450W PSU is not enough, get a 650W minimum, for a 3600 and an Rx 580. Some of my Ryzen desktop rigs draw 450W at the wall at full load, you'll want some headroom on the PSU.

 

[JimKiler]

A 3400G seems like a better fit for the use case. No need for a discrete gaming card for a non gaming pc. Having said that why not just get him a laptop?

That is why i am secong guessing my choice in parts, but would the integrated graphics hold up over the long haul? Maybe it does not matter since i could always add discrete graphics down the road.

A SFF build would be better:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-9400 2.9 GHz 6-Core Processor ($189.49 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 33.84 CFM CPU Cooler ($39.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX B360-I GAMING Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($123.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($70.28 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Inland Premium 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate BarraCuda 4 TB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($117.18 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Node 202 HTPC Case w/450 W Power Supply ($113.99 @ Newegg Business)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM 60.1 CFM 120 mm Fan ($29.90 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM 60.1 CFM 120 mm Fan ($29.90 @ Amazon)
Total: $819.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-07-26 05:47 EDT-0400

I asked and they said do the normal size, i could just get a SFF and i am sure they would like it.

I think that the original build looks great, actually. I have my 3600 in a STRIX B450-F, but I would possibly suggest getting the GSkill Trident RGB 3600 ("fotr AMD") 16GB kit of DDR4 that Newegg has for 114.99.

Oh, and a 450W PSU is not enough, get a 650W minimum, for a 3600 and an Rx 580. Some of my Ryxzen desktop rigs drsaw 450W at the wall at full load, you'll want some headroom on the PSU.

I honestly was not looking too closely at RAM yet, wanted to get the mobo solidified first then check the QVL list.

About the PSU if they are not doing heavy tasks do you still think the 450 watt PSU is too weak? PC Part Picker says my wattage is enough, but it does seem low. Maybe i can find a 550 watt, it seemed to be all 650 and above, but my gaming rig only has a 650 so i am sure they can get by with less than 650 watts. I was trying to avoid a 80+ bronze since gold is better but i am probably being too picky.


Thanks for the replies everyone and any other advice is welcomed.

 

[Flayed]

I think 450W is only good for a system without a graphics card. Even an RX 570 can be made to use 200W if overclocked running stress tests.

 

[VirtualLarry]

https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-32gb...72319-Latest-_-DesktopMemory-_-20232752-S1A4B

This is not the kit I was talking about, but it seems like decent value. It's a 32GB 3200 kit of GSkill RGB, for $155 or so.

 

[Torn Mind]

Buy a CPU with integrated graphics. No reason to deal with the risk of dying GPUs for a non-gamer. Commit budget to peripherals so he can do those routine things faster. Commit budget to data backup hardware like enterprise grade hard drives so his heart doesn't break because data recovery off an SSD is much more expensive than hard drive recovery..

I wouldn't spend more than 50 dollars on a PSU with the described use case either.