Help with new gaming rig

[Starbuck1975]

It’s been a while since I’ve done this. I used to build new systems about every three years, but my current system is 7 years old, and was working fine were it not for a recent crash that I just can’t seem to resolve.

I am due for an upgrade and there are some great deals going now.

I currently have:
AsRock Z68 PRO3
x5-2500k
Mushkin Enhanced 2x4GB

I am salvaging:
eVGA Gold+ 850W G3
eVGA GTX1050
A few Samsung SATA HDDs
A Samsung EVO SATA SSD

I just got the new PSU and GPU as part of the troubleshooting on my existing system.

I am using a Dell P2414H monitor that I am happy with.

I game with headphones and also use my computer as an effects pedal board for my electric guitar.

So I basically need a new MOBO, RAM and CPU.

This is a home computer I use for MS office, light photo editing, light video editing and gaming. I am usually a year or two behind the latest games.

As of late I’ve been playing Fallout 4, Dishonored 2, Deus Ex Mankind Divided and Fortnite. All of these games worked fine on my old system with settings at a reasonable level of eye candy.

I don’t overclock. I don’t need LED lights. I prefer stable mid-range builds with quality components.

I usually just read a few build guides and read reviews, but the options are all over the place.

I was thinking of just going with this build from PC Gamer:

Intel Core i3-8100
MSI Z370-A Pro
G.Skill Ripjaws 2x8GB DDR4 2400

Priced at $434

I am partial to AMD and am also worried this build might be too incremental and already outdated. I also think I might be able to get a better setup at the same price point with rebates and deals going on.

Thoughts?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Honestly, if you have the budget for it, skip the i3-8100, which is only 4C/4T, and limited to 3.6Ghz (no turbo, I don't think).

I just build an i3-8100 rig last night, as a matter of fact, and I could turn it into a semi-decent gaming rig by throwing in the GTX 1050 3GB card I have on my desk here, but it was mostly built as a web-browsing sort of box.

For a "true" gaming rig, especially if you're getting a Z370 mobo, then do it right, and get an i5-8600K, the Z370, and some DDR4-3200 RAM at the least.

That, or step down the mobo to a B360, if you're set on the i3-8100 and DDR4-2400 because of budget.

 

[whm1974]

In your case I would get a B450 board, Ryzen 5 2600 CPU, and 2x8GB DDR4-3000 memory. That should give you much better overall performance then what you have now. Later when budget allows, upgrade the 1050 to a better dGPU.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Honestly, if you have the budget for it, skip the i3-8100, which is only 4C/4T, and limited to 3.6Ghz (no turbo, I don't think).

I just build an i3-8100 rig last night, as a matter of fact, and I could turn it into a semi-decent gaming rig by throwing in the GTX 1050 3GB card I have on my desk here, but it was mostly built as a web-browsing sort of box.

For a "true" gaming rig, especially if you're getting a Z370 mobo, then do it right, and get an i5-8600K, the Z370, and some DDR4-3200 RAM at the least.

That, or step down the mobo to a B360, if you're set on the i3-8100 and DDR4-2400 because of budget.

Not really set on anything, and appreciate you explaining the best combo of processor to chipset.

I will price out an i5-8600k and better RAM this evening. What do you think about the MSI Z370 I mentioned? I’ve only ever owned Abit and ASRock boards, but this MSI board seems to scratch my minimalist itch and, while not a top seller, seems to have strong reviews.

 

[Starbuck1975]

In your case I would get a B450 board, Ryzen 5 2600 CPU, and 2x8GB DDR4-3000 memory. That should give you much better overall performance then what you have now. Later when budget allows, upgrade the 1050 to a better dGPU.

Thank you for the AMD alternative. Any B450 board you are partial to?

 

[whm1974]

Thank you for the AMD alternative. Any B450 board you are partial to?

ASRock... Maybe MSI?

 

[Starbuck1975]

In your case I would get a B450 board, Ryzen 5 2600 CPU, and 2x8GB DDR4-3000 memory. That should give you much better overall performance then what you have now. Later when budget allows, upgrade the 1050 to a better dGPU.

Did a little reading on B450 boards and priced the following:

Ryzen 5 2600
MSI B450 Carbon Gaming Pro
G.Skill Ripjaws 2x8GB DDR4-3000
Comes to just over $400

Also priced an Intel setup:
Core i5-8600k
Gigabyte Z370P
G.Skill Ripjaws 2x8GB DDR4-3200
Comes to just under $500

Since neither build has rebates or components marked down, I may shop around a little.

I like both builds. What are the pros and cons of the AMD over the Intel one?

 

[whm1974]

i believe that the 8600 doesn't come with a HSF so you will to have buy an aftermarket one. The 2600 come with a fairly decent one.

 

[Starbuck1975]

i believe that the 8600 doesn't come with a HSF so you will to have buy an aftermarket one. The 2600 come with a fairly decent one.

Quick follow-up question. I’ve been reading a ton of reviews on the MSI B450 Carbon Pro gaming MOBO, and it comes highly recommended, so I am locking onto it.

In a few of these articles, they recommend the 2600x instead of the 2600. Not sure I understand the difference between the 2600 and 2600x. Thought?

 

[AnnoyedGrunt]

The X series has a slightly higher clock speed. Not sure how much a different it makes in practice, although in benchmarks they seem to be a bit better.

I just did a build with a 2700X and an Asrock B450 Mini-ITX motherboard.

I liked the mini-ITX form factor because it didn't have a bunch of stiff I was never going to use, and it seemed to have high quality components for the price.

I have intel ethernet, intel built-in wifi and bluetooth, the realtek 1220 sound chip, a USB 3.1 A and C port, plus the usual other stuff.

The main thing you give up with ITX motherboards is RAM (only two slots) and VRM capacity (due to minimal room on the motherboard). Still, the board is ~$100 and gives you basically everything you'd need for a decent build.

I like the AM4 platform because I feel it will be around for a while, and if AMD is able to improve single threaded performance/clockspeeds with their next gen chips, it would likely be a relatively easy upgrade path.

Intel does do better in the single threaded stuff, but like supporting AMD while they have a competitive solution, and the AMD chips are a great value, which makes it pretty easy at this time.

-AG

 

[Starbuck1975]

The X series has a slightly higher clock speed. Not sure how much a different it makes in practice, although in benchmarks they seem to be a bit better.

I just did a build with a 2700X and an Asrock B450 Mini-ITX motherboard.

I liked the mini-ITX form factor because it didn't have a bunch of stiff I was never going to use, and it seemed to have high quality components for the price.

I have intel ethernet, intel built-in wifi and bluetooth, the realtek 1220 sound chip, a USB 3.1 A and C port, plus the usual other stuff.

The main thing you give up with ITX motherboards is RAM (only two slots) and VRM capacity (due to minimal room on the motherboard). Still, the board is ~$100 and gives you basically everything you'd need for a decent build.

I like the AM4 platform because I feel it will be around for a while, and if AMD is able to improve single threaded performance/clockspeeds with their next gen chips, it would likely be a relatively easy upgrade path.

Intel does do better in the single threaded stuff, but like supporting AMD while they have a competitive solution, and the AMD chips are a great value, which makes it pretty easy at this time.

-AG

Thank you! I decided I don’t need the “x” version.

I am partial to ATX boards. The build I have queued up now is:

MSI B450 Gaming Pro Carbon - Very well reviewed and seems to have everything I could need or want. I am also still considering the Tomahawk since the Pro Carbon is perpetually sold out.

G. Skill Ripjaws 2x8GB DDR3000

Ryzen 5 2600