Back into building after 6 years, help me replace my dead PC?

[nedney]

Per this thread, I have decided to build a replacement for my dead PC.

I have a new 550W PSU, an old-ass but still functional Dell LCD monitor, and the SSD and HDD pictured below from my old rig. What I need are motherboard, CPU, RAM, videocard, and case (prefer SFF).

I would love to be able to be able to stay under $800 but I could drift up to $1000 if I delay buying the GPU.

I plan to use it to do general office tasks and light browsing, along with playing some games played at reasonably good settings (Cyberpunk 2077 seems appealing - been out of the PCG world for a while so who knows what else).

Here's the rub (more info in the link): I want to keep Windows 7, but I understand that's unreasonable. I think I can still upgrade to Windows 10 but I believe I have to be able to load the computer in 7 in order to do that. So hopefully the parts recommended will permit me to do that, or some kind person here will share a method to help with it.

I have no interest in overclocking, don't really care about AMD vs Intel or whatever, and I look for value wherever possible.

I look forward to your questions, assistance, and recommendations. Thanks!

 

[Flayed]

I don't think that modern computer hardware is compatible with Windows 7. You can pick up a win 10 key for cheap here:
https://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/promo-urcdkey-summer-sale-w10-pro-for-11,1.html

Also I just noticed the price on that SSD $99 for 128 GB is crazy expensive, you can get 1 TB for $120 ish

 

[nedney]

Also I just noticed the price on that SSD $99 for 128 GB is crazy expensive,

Hah well yes, that was the 2013 price. I could (and may) buy a larger replacement, but I want to be able to save all my files on the old drives. Should I buy a new SSD anyway and install W10 on that, then plug in the old drives to get the files? Or do you think I could install it on a new partition on the old SSD?

 

[Flayed]

Yes buy an m2 SSD such as a ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro or similar and install windows on it.

 

[Flayed]

[PCPartPicker Part List](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/2BdMq4)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/9nm323/amd-ryzen-5-3600-36-thz-6-core-processor-100-100000031box) | $198.90 @ OutletPC
**Motherboard** | [MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS ATX AM4 Motherboard](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/q4...plus-atx-am4-motherboard-mpg-x570-gaming-plus) | $159.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/gL...gb-2-x-8-gb-ddr4-3200-memory-bls2k8g4d32aesbk) | $74.99 @ Adorama
**Storage** | [Western Digital Blue 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Dg...lue-1tb-m2-2280-solid-state-drive-wds100t2b0b) | $114.89 @ OutletPC
**Video Card** | [XFX Radeon RX 5700 8 GB Video Card](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/xsYQzy/xfx-radeon-rx-5700-8-gb-video-card-rx-57xl8mfg6) | $349.99 @ Amazon
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $918.76
| Mail-in rebates | -$20.00
| **Total** | **$898.76**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](https://pcpartpicker.com) 2019-07-23 10:04 EDT-0400 |

 

[DAPUNISHER]

[PCPartPicker Part List](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/2BdMq4)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/9nm323/amd-ryzen-5-3600-36-thz-6-core-processor-100-100000031box) | $198.90 @ OutletPC
**Motherboard** | [MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS ATX AM4 Motherboard](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/q4...plus-atx-am4-motherboard-mpg-x570-gaming-plus) | $159.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/gL...gb-2-x-8-gb-ddr4-3200-memory-bls2k8g4d32aesbk) | $74.99 @ Adorama
**Storage** | [Western Digital Blue 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Dg...lue-1tb-m2-2280-solid-state-drive-wds100t2b0b) | $114.89 @ OutletPC
**Video Card** | [XFX Radeon RX 5700 8 GB Video Card](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/xsYQzy/xfx-radeon-rx-5700-8-gb-video-card-rx-57xl8mfg6) | $349.99 @ Amazon
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $918.76
| Mail-in rebates | -$20.00
| **Total** | **$898.76**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](https://pcpartpicker.com) 2019-07-23 10:04 EDT-0400 |

That is a lot of PC for $900.

If someone is browsing this and thinking about building or upgrading, do it now. It is one of the best times in ages to be a PC DIYer and these prices are unlikely to remain this low. Tariffs, supply, mining, price fixing, something always drives prices back up. Do it and do not look back, or you will probably end up kicking yourself for failing to.

 

[nedney]

[PCPartPicker Part List](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/2BdMq4)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/9nm323/amd-ryzen-5-3600-36-thz-6-core-processor-100-100000031box) | $198.90 @ OutletPC
**Motherboard** | [MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS ATX AM4 Motherboard](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/q4...plus-atx-am4-motherboard-mpg-x570-gaming-plus) | $159.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/gL...gb-2-x-8-gb-ddr4-3200-memory-bls2k8g4d32aesbk) | $74.99 @ Adorama
**Storage** | [Western Digital Blue 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Dg...lue-1tb-m2-2280-solid-state-drive-wds100t2b0b) | $114.89 @ OutletPC
**Video Card** | [XFX Radeon RX 5700 8 GB Video Card](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/xsYQzy/xfx-radeon-rx-5700-8-gb-video-card-rx-57xl8mfg6) | $349.99 @ Amazon
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $918.76
| Mail-in rebates | -$20.00
| **Total** | **$898.76**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](https://pcpartpicker.com) 2019-07-23 10:04 EDT-0400 |

This is great, thanks a ton! I've half a mind to pull the trigger now on everything you've listed minus the GPU, then grab that in the coming weeks/months. Any SFF case recommendations out there?

 

[Flayed]

The motherboard is an ATX sized board so would need a suitable case. Case recommendations are hard as it comes down to personal taste. I like the Fractal Design cases though.

Also I'm not sure you are aware that the Ryzen 3600 doesn't have an integrated GPU so if you buy the parts without a discrete GPU the system won't boot.

 

[nedney]

The motherboard is an ATX sized board so would need a suitable case. Case recommendations are hard as it comes down to personal taste. I like the Fractal Design cases though.

Also I'm not sure you are aware that the Ryzen 3600 doesn't have an integrated GPU so if you buy the parts without a discrete GPU the system won't boot.

I was not aware of that, thanks for cluing me in.

 

[Flayed]

You could buy the RYZEN 5 3400G QUAD CORE 4.2GHZ (SOCKET AM4) APU WITH RX VEGA 11 GRAPHICS instead of the 3600

 

[VirtualLarry]

You could buy the RYZEN 5 3400G QUAD CORE 4.2GHZ (SOCKET AM4) APU WITH RX VEGA 11 GRAPHICS instead of the 3600

Nah, man, get the 3600. The 3600 is 7nm, the 3400G is 12nm.

 

[nedney]

Nah, man, get the 3600. The 3600 is 7nm, the 3400G is 12nm.

So wait until I'm ready to get the lot? Any non-Ryzen options worth considering? If SFF can be achieved, I would be glad for that.

 

[Flayed]

SFF is possible but it's more expensive and a little more difficult to do. Intel chips have an integrated GPU in them (for the most part) but Intel is a dirty word around most tech forums these days lol

 

[Flayed]

Here's a quick SFF build:
[PCPartPicker Part List](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/BsvhRJ)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/9nm323/amd-ryzen-5-3600-36-thz-6-core-processor-100-100000031box) | $199.00 @ B&H
**CPU Cooler** | [Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 33.84 CFM CPU Cooler](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/DZfhP6/noctua-nh-l9a-am4-338-cfm-cpu-cooler-nh-l9a-am4) | $39.90 @ Amazon
**Motherboard** | [Gigabyte X570 I AORUS PRO WIFI Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/NQ...ini-itx-am4-motherboard-x570-i-aorus-pro-wifi) | $219.99 @ SuperBiiz
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/MYH48d/corsair-memory-cmk16gx4m2b3000c15) | $72.90 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Crucial P1 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/pxKcCJ/crucial-p1-1tb-m2-2280-solid-state-drive-ct1000p1ssd8) | $99.95 @ Newegg
**Video Card** | [Sapphire Radeon RX 5700 8 GB Video Card](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/78drxr/sapphire-radeon-rx-5700-8-gb-video-card-21294-01-40g) | $329.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Fractal Design Node 202 HTPC Case](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/GsZ2FT/fractal-design-case-fdcanode202bk) | $69.99 @ Amazon
**Power Supply** | [SeaSonic FOCUS SGX 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular SFX Power Supply](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/mP...ied-fully-modular-sfx-power-supply-ssr-650sgx) | $127.99 @ SuperBiiz
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| **Total** | **$1159.71**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](https://pcpartpicker.com) 2019-07-24 16:34 EDT-0400 |

 

[Flayed]

Here's an Intel build so you can build it without the graphics card:
[PCPartPicker Part List](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/zgDTXP)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-9400 2.9 GHz 6-Core Processor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/V4RzK8/intel-core-i5-9400-29-ghz-6-core-processor-bx80684i59400) | $189.39 @ OutletPC
**CPU Cooler** | [Noctua NH-L9i 33.84 CFM CPU Cooler](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/xxphP6/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhl9i) | $39.95 @ Amazon
**Motherboard** | [Asus ROG STRIX B360-I GAMING Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/44...i-itx-lga1151-motherboard-strix-b360-i-gaming) | $123.99 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/MYH48d/corsair-memory-cmk16gx4m2b3000c15) | $72.90 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Crucial P1 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/pxKcCJ/crucial-p1-1tb-m2-2280-solid-state-drive-ct1000p1ssd8) | $99.95 @ Newegg
**Video Card** | [Zotac GeForce RTX 2060 6 GB GAMING Video Card](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/rMhKHx/zotac-geforce-rtx-2060-6-gb-gaming-video-card-zt-t20600f-10m) | $329.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Fractal Design Node 202 HTPC Case](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/GsZ2FT/fractal-design-case-fdcanode202bk) | $69.99 @ Amazon
**Power Supply** | [EVGA SuperNOVA GM 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular SFX Power Supply](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Fq...fully-modular-sfx-power-supply-123-gm-0650-y1) | $99.99 @ SuperBiiz
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| **Total** | **$1026.15**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](https://pcpartpicker.com) 2019-07-24 19:11 EDT-0400 |

 

[nedney]

Would I be able to plug an SATA optical drive into these? Parkpicker seems to say that none of the ones it has listed are compatible. I want to have one so I can watch my DVDs.

 

[bbhaag]

Would I be able to plug an SATA optical drive into these? Parkpicker seems to say that none of the ones it has listed are compatible. I want to have one so I can watch my DVDs.

It should. As long as you have an open SATA port on your mainboard and an open bay in your case I don't see why it wouldn't.

 

[Flayed]

Would I be able to plug an SATA optical drive into these? Parkpicker seems to say that none of the ones it has listed are compatible. I want to have one so I can watch my DVDs.

I think it's because of the case the node 202 only has 2x 2.5" bays. You can get an external DVD drive though.

 

[nedney]

I think it's because of the case the node 202 only has 2x 2.5" bays. You can get an external DVD drive though.

Ahh got it, so I'd have to have an SFF with an optical drive bay?

 

[bbhaag]

Ahh got it, so I'd have to have an SFF with an optical drive bay?

Yes.

 

[nedney]

So I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on this build: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/XdcbNQ and I have two questions. First, is there anything there that jumps out as a bad choice for whatever reason? And second, since the only OS I own is the aforepictured copy of Windows 7, how would I go about using one of these keys:

I don't think that modern computer hardware is compatible with Windows 7. You can pick up a win 10 key for cheap here:
https://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/promo-urcdkey-summer-sale-w10-pro-for-11,1.html

...to install Windows 10 on a new machine? Wouldn't I need a hard copy to install directly since I wouldn't have anything to boot it up on? Sorry if this is a dumb question, and thanks for all your help.

 

[aigomorla]

...to install Windows 10 on a new machine? Wouldn't I need a hard copy to install directly since I wouldn't have anything to boot it up on? Sorry if this is a dumb question, and thanks for all your help.

Personally i would probably get if off ebay instead.
There is a rule that passed in EU making the resale of Keys Legal, so you will find a lot of OEM keys on ebay for fairly cheap and that are sort of on the gray line and not straight up illegal into copyright.

The only problem tho is like a OEM key, its has limited activations on the SAME PC, unlike retail which can be activated almost an unlimited amount of times on a single PC.

But to answer your question, when you purchase a key off ebay, most of the time the seller will give you a link to an ISO image, which you can mount the image on a USB Flash using Rufus, Yumi, or my personal favorite, WinToBootic, then just set your PC to boot from flash.

So yes you would need a PC to download and mount the image onto.

 

[Flayed]

So I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on this build: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/XdcbNQ and I have two questions. First, is there anything there that jumps out as a bad choice for whatever reason? And second, since the only OS I own is the aforepictured copy of Windows 7, how would I go about using one of these keys:



...to install Windows 10 on a new machine? Wouldn't I need a hard copy to install directly since I wouldn't have anything to boot it up on? Sorry if this is a dumb question, and thanks for all your help.

No you don't need a hard copy. You need a USB stick (not Sandisk as they don't seem to work) and you create a bootable image on it to install Windows.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

 

[nedney]

So yes you would need a PC to download and mount the image onto.

Gotcha. So I should be able to do this from a Surface 4 using WinToBootic, right?

And I'm assuming you haven't seen anything to egregious in my parts list? Thanks again!

 

[aigomorla]

Yes, you need another PC to do it.

And using the link Flayed gave is probably the safest route.
Also doesn't require WintoBootic.
That is after you have purchased your key.