Question Wait for the new Ryzen CPUs for a budget build, or buy now?

[Shyatic]

So I'm basically looking at the entry level Ryzen processors to put together a PC for my son (whose is on the fritz). He plays Fortnite mostly -- and I'm happy to spend a few bucks on a dedicated graphics card as well but would like to keep it relatively inexpensive if I can ($300ish -- don't need a case, or monitor -- I have a 1080p 24" for him at least).

Appreciate any thoughts on this, and any suggested builds etc.

Thanks!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Well, it's really hard to beat the Ryzen R5 1600 CPU for bang-for-buck, for $120 (Newegg) or $80 (Microcenter B&M),and then a $60-80 B450 motherboard, and then an RX 570 card (fairly cheap on ebay, like $80-90, or $120-140 new at Newegg). Also need some RAM, can get 16GB of DDR4-2666 for like $60 new at Newegg.

Look in the Hot Deals forum, there's some 50th Anniv. AMD combos to be had, there's one with an R5 1600 and a mobo for $140. RAM would be $60, so a slightly-used RX 570 4GB off of ebay would be $90+ship, maybe.

Yeah, you could do that for $300, I think.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails?ItemList=Combo.3914805

https://www.newegg.com/oloy-16gb-28...52819-Latest-_-DesktopMemory-_-20821034-S2A3C

https://www.ebay.com/itm/XFX-AMD-Ra...-Express-3-0-Graphics-Card-Black/113761278462

(Not vouching for or associated with the ebay seller, only using that as an example. The XFX models are good, and have a dual-BIOS.)

Edit: Here's some cheaper RAM, as of today:
https://www.newegg.com/oloy-16gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820821053?Item=N82E16820821053

 

[Shyatic]

But is the 1600 worth buying now, or do you think the low end Ryzen that AMD is releasing next month ($99 I saw for the lower end CPU) worth the wait? I do agree though -- prices are pretty damn cheap.

Any issues with single sticks of RAM? I am building 2 PCs for my kids, and figure 8GB shoudl be fine if I get a 16GB kit I can just give half each.

 

[UsandThem]

What $99 AMD processor is being released? The cheapest one I saw was $199
https://www.anandtech.com/show/1440...-cores-for-499-up-to-46-ghz-pcie-40-coming-77

 

[Shyatic]

You're right -- bad info from Slickdeals.

 

[Shyatic]

So do I need to install RAM in pairs or can I go with a single stick? Kids don't need more than 8GB is my guess for Fortnite

 

[UsandThem]

So do I need to install RAM in pairs or can I go with a single stick? Kids don't need more than 8GB is my guess for Fortnite

Better to do it in pairs so it can run in dual channel mode.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Better to do it in pairs so it can run in dual channel mode.

I agree, to a point, but I also think that getting 2x4GB is pointless totally, so if you want 8GB, get ONE stick, and then drop in another in a few months. Modern gaming PCs really could use 16GB of RAM, even browser boxes if you leave them running overnight, I've noticed, tend to allocate more than 8GB of VM.
You can get individual sticks of DDR4-2400 (OLOY brand) for $29.99 @ Newegg, or a 16GB kit of DDR4-3000 (OLOY again) for $72.99. Sometimes some Team Group memory, which I've found is generally mostly fine, but compatibility with some AM4 boards is less than "big name" (GSKIll, Corsair) RAM at higher clocks, and can be found for $70 for a 2x8GB kit of DDR4 at higher clock speeds as well.

Edit: I missed your comment, OP, about buying a 16GB kit of DDR4, and splitting it up into two 8GB sticks, for two identical rigs. That's fine.

 

[chhowell]

Its only a ~month to wait for zen2 reviews, might as well wait imo