Question I am looking for input on my 1st time pc, I was building with a budget of $900 or less for the tower and OS

Feb 4, 2009
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Here is my part list,
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/nQLVF8
And here is my monitor(excluded from budget),
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-3..._BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&loc=1&ref=212&skuId=6375331 And I am using an old keyboard and mouse for the time being.
Does this look good?
If not, What should I change?

My two cents
If you can swing the extra for a 3700x or 5600 it would be a worthwhile upgrade. 2k series Ryzens are good but not great. If you stay with the 2600 make sure the memory is supported.
You can find windows 10 cheaper than $110 if you shop around a bit.
Lastly I would go 32GB ram if budget permits because we are at the end of 16GB being the standard. I am assuming there will be gaming involved with this build.
I love my seasonic power supply, great choice, I love my phantex case. Yours looks like a good choice, my 1660ti which is basically a 1660 super is a good card. Your card at with that monitor may equal medium to medium high settings on that monitor but to me that’s good enough.
The Wifi card looks decent but I don’t know much about them, I go wired as much as possible. I am cursed regarding WiFi cards or USB adapters. I have had at least five fail over the years. I have given up on them. This is just bad luck on my end so don’t let it freak you out.
 

MalVeauX

Senior member
Dec 19, 2008
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Heya,

I would argue for a 3000 series Ryzen at least at this point, like the 3600x.

You can get Win 10 Home on Ebay for $30. I just bought another license on there, a system builder OEM key with a disc, and it activates with no trouble at all. I use the Win 10 download tool from microsoft and get the latest install onto a USB drive. Install Win 10 fresh. Once installed, activate with your OEM key. It will work without any extra fuss. Saves you a bundle that can then translate into a better long term CPU (3600x).


Add more RAM later as you can to get into 32Gb. But not needed up front.
1660 Super is a great choice in this range, but not for $330~340, that's over-priced.

Look into a 1660Ti for significantly less, like this:


Or, if you want to spend $340, move to a RTX 2060 instead:


Very best,
 

Campy

Senior member
Jun 25, 2010
785
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PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($219.99 @ B&H)
Motherboard: MSI B450M BAZOOKA MAX WIFI Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($93.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory ($74.91 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Blue SN550 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon RX 5700 XT 8 GB MECH OC Video Card ($349.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Eclipse P400A ATX Mid Tower Case ($76.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA GD (2019) 500 W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $939.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-11-22 23:16 EST-0500


Here are my choices, albeit over budget. A little bit better on almost everything and a lot better graphics card at much better value than the one you had. I second the suggestion of getting a cheap Win10 license, you can find them for around 10-15 bucks quite easily.
 

Steltek

Diamond Member
Mar 29, 2001
3,042
753
136
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($219.99 @ B&H)
Motherboard: MSI B450M BAZOOKA MAX WIFI Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($93.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory ($74.91 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Blue SN550 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon RX 5700 XT 8 GB MECH OC Video Card ($349.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Eclipse P400A ATX Mid Tower Case ($76.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA GD (2019) 500 W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $939.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-11-22 23:16 EST-0500


Here are my choices, albeit over budget. A little bit better on almost everything and a lot better graphics card at much better value than the one you had. I second the suggestion of getting a cheap Win10 license, you can find them for around 10-15 bucks quite easily.

CPU is out of stock at B&H and has been for a while (PcPartPicker's stock check has been off for this). Unless you have access to a Microcenter (some of them apparently still have some stock), next best thing I've found still in stock is an R5-3600X at B&H for $249.99 or an R5-3600XT at $249.99 from Antonline.com. Bestbuy also has the R7-3700X on Black Friday special and still in stock at $279.99 if the budget can be extended a little.
 
Feb 4, 2009
34,581
15,795
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CPU is out of stock at B&H and has been for a while (PcPartPicker's stock check has been off for this). Unless you have access to a Microcenter (some of them apparently still have some stock), next best thing I've found still in stock is an R5-3600X at B&H for $249.99 or an R5-3600XT at $249.99 from Antonline.com. Bestbuy also has the R7-3700X on Black Friday special and still in stock at $279.99 if the budget can be extended a little.

Related to this and this is my opinion only.
I don’t think the 5700XT brings $100 worth of value vs the 1660 Super. I’m no longer a video card expert but I believe these have an over heating problem then they throttle to a lower speed.
I’m not sure of OP gaming expectations, just saying the $100 saved could be applied elsewhere. Personally I think a 1660 Super should be good enough for medium to medium high game settings at 2k. Don’t expect ultra settings and don’t expect Uber high FPS scores.
 

Campy

Senior member
Jun 25, 2010
785
171
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CPU is out of stock at B&H and has been for a while
Weird. It went into the list fine last night so perhaps they had stock very temporarily. I haven't really been keeping track of stock in the US so I thought it was no issue.

I don’t think the 5700XT brings $100 worth of value vs the 1660 Super.

The 5700XT rivals the 2070 and even the 2070 Super in many instances, which is quite a few notches above the 1660 Super/Ti. OP has a 1660 Super for $323 in his list, meaning the 5700XT is 27 dollars more. The cheapest 1660 Super/Ti on PCPartpicker right now that is in stock costs $280, and from my perspective there is no contest in value between a 1660 super for $280 and a 5700XT for $350, especially considering the OP has a 165Hz 1440p monitor. He's gonna need all the GPU grunt he can get.

All these cards will probably look stupid in a few months anyway when the new low-mid range RDNA2 and Ampere cards launch, but that doesn't help OP if he's buying now.
 
Feb 4, 2009
34,581
15,795
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Weird. It went into the list fine last night so perhaps they had stock very temporarily. I haven't really been keeping track of stock in the US so I thought it was no issue.



The 5700XT rivals the 2070 and even the 2070 Super in many instances, which is quite a few notches above the 1660 Super/Ti. OP has a 1660 Super for $323 in his list, meaning the 5700XT is 27 dollars more. The cheapest 1660 Super/Ti on PCPartpicker right now that is in stock costs $280, and from my perspective there is no contest in value between a 1660 super for $280 and a 5700XT for $350, especially considering the OP has a 165Hz 1440p monitor. He's gonna need all the GPU grunt he can get.

All these cards will probably look stupid in a few months anyway when the new low-mid range RDNA2 and Ampere cards launch, but that doesn't help OP if he's buying now.
I was running with the $100(ish) price difference but appears I was wrong and I agree the your last part
 
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