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Tips on build a somewhat gaming rig at max +/- 8000 NOK (~900 USD)
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Duck Hunt-Pr0 Dec 16, 2019
Having not built a pc in years, i've become out of touch with what's good hardware these days. I'm not entirely sure where even to begin, since i don't even know the today's usual requirements for modern linux games.

I'd like to build myself a somewhat decent Linux gaming PC that's a bit lenient in regards to future upgrading. ..e.g Not having to replace basically everything, just because suddenly i can't get parts for that motherboard, in the near future.

My max budget is ~900 USD (though cheaper would be better)
  • I've got peripherals, audio and storage media already
  • I don't care how the box looks on the outside let alone the inside. So any blinken-lights, cable colors and stuff is something i don't care about.
  • I'd prefer it to not sound like a jet engine in any way, so any (small) howling fans are a no-no. So aftermarket coolers is considered.
  • I'm happy with my present screen, so '4K' abilities can suck my n***.


Any tips towards builds on that budget is appreciated

Last edited by Duck Hunt-Pr0 on 16 December 2019 at 1:59 pm UTC
illuminati_lennart_systemd Dec 16, 2019
Cheap but future proof means that you should have good base, I mean parts that will persist between upgrades like mainboard, case etc. Few months earlier (June) I was in same position like you.

QuoteI don't care how the box looks on the outside let alone the inside. So any blinken-lights, cable colors and stuff is something i don't care about.

It's cool to have it imo, case is not as that boring then.

QuoteI'd prefer it to not sound like a jet engine in any way, so any (small) howling fans are a no-no. So aftermarket coolers is considered.

You have two options:
  • Silenced cases -> bigger temps inside case, imo not worth it

  • Better cooling solution for each part -> costs more (watercooling etc.)



QuoteI'm happy with my present screen, so '4K' abilities can suck my n***.

Good, saved a bit of money.

As for build imo there is nothing fancy here:
Ryzen 2600/x/2700/3600/3700 - very good price/performance ratio
RX 570/580, nVidia super 1650/gtx 1660 +/- ti -> same. If you want better perf look for rx 5700/rtx 2060 +/- super. (MY OPINION) Imo current stronger navi's and rtx's are not worth it's money, I would wait until ray-tracing in low/mid end gpu's will deliver at least 60 fps on high/very high settings.
MSI Max motherboards based on B450 chipset -> good capacitors etc. easier to plug in better cpu ie. ryzen 3700/3800/3900
16 GB of RAM - 3000/3200MHz+ -> same. Ryzen's in general likes fast RAM.
Good case -> for example NZXT H500, you have to make some research here, maybe others can recommend something
Decent PSU -> you don't need big one, 450w/500w should be much more than enough. Aim for gold certificate for example beQuiet pure power 500w and similar in this price. Bronze certificate would be also ok.
(Optional but recommended) Screen with FreeSync and with DisplayPort to use it under linux.
(Optional but recommended) SSD drive's for games and separate for system. Games on SATA based SSD 480+ GB that should be enough for a moment and won't ruin budget. Operating system on at least 128GB+/256GB.
(Optional) Better cpu cooling -> my stock cpu cooler for 2600x is loudest part in case...

Last edited by illuminati_lennart_systemd on 16 December 2019 at 7:24 pm UTC
Duck Hunt-Pr0 Dec 17, 2019
@illuminati_lennart_systemd et.al

I've usually only shop at either Komplett or Dustin Home for hardware (though I prefer Dustin Home, since, at least in the past, Komplett proved itself to go a bit on the overprized side for components.)

I've gathered links to the (currently in stock) viable options from those in case you'd care to have a look-see. Though norwegian language, i trust the listings won't be too hard to read.

(AMD) CPU'S:

https://tinyurl.com/amd-cpus-at-dustin (max price set to ~278 USD)

https://tinyurl.com/amd-cpus-at-komplett

AM4 ATX/ATX+ Motherboards:

https://tinyurl.com/am4-ATX-motherboards-at-dustin (sorted by sold amounts)

https://tinyurl.com/am4-ATX-motherboards-komplett

(Post under construction lol..Will add available options for GPU etc. in an hour or so when i get back home.)

Spoiler, click me

Quoting: illuminati_lennart_systemdCheap but future proof means that you should have good base, I mean parts that will persist between upgrades like mainboard, case etc. Few months earlier (June) I was in same position like you.

QuoteI don't care how the box looks on the outside let alone the inside. So any blinken-lights, cable colors and stuff is something i don't care about.

It's cool to have it imo, case is not as that boring then.

QuoteI'd prefer it to not sound like a jet engine in any way, so any (small) howling fans are a no-no. So aftermarket coolers is considered.

You have two options:
  • Silenced cases -> bigger temps inside case, imo not worth it

  • Better cooling solution for each part -> costs more (watercooling etc.)



QuoteI'm happy with my present screen, so '4K' abilities can suck my n***.

Good, saved a bit of money.

As for build imo there is nothing fancy here:
Ryzen 2600/x/2700/3600/3700 - very good price/performance ratio
RX 570/580, nVidia super 1650/gtx 1660 +/- ti -> same. If you want better perf look for rx 5700/rtx 2060 +/- super. (MY OPINION) Imo current stronger navi's and rtx's are not worth it's money, I would wait until ray-tracing in low/mid end gpu's will deliver at least 60 fps on high/very high settings.
MSI Max motherboards based on B450 chipset -> good capacitors etc. easier to plug in better cpu ie. ryzen 3700/3800/3900
16 GB of RAM - 3000/3200MHz+ -> same. Ryzen's in general likes fast RAM.
Good case -> for example NZXT H500, you have to make some research here, maybe others can recommend something
Decent PSU -> you don't need big one, 450w/500w should be much more than enough. Aim for gold certificate for example beQuiet pure power 500w and similar in this price. Bronze certificate would be also ok.
(Optional but recommended) Screen with FreeSync and with DisplayPort to use it under linux.
(Optional but recommended) SSD drive's for games and separate for system. Games on SATA based SSD 480+ GB that should be enough for a moment and won't ruin budget. Operating system on at least 128GB+/256GB.
(Optional) Better cpu cooling -> my stock cpu cooler for 2600x is loudest part in case...

Last edited by Duck Hunt-Pr0 on 17 December 2019 at 2:15 pm UTC
illuminati_lennart_systemd Dec 17, 2019
Maybe this can help you:
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-pc-build-guide/
https://pcmasterrace.org/builds
https://pcpartpicker.com/builds/

If this will be pure gaming rig, you may consider picking Intel 9400f cpu but I don't recommend it.

About links ... hmmm
Mainboards
Komplett - MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX (1190kr)
Dustin
  • MSI B450-A PRO MAX (1069kr) - if you want to save every penny then it's best option

  • MSI B450 GAMING PLUS MAX (1149kr) (only diff betwen this and previous is colour...)

  • MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX (1194 kr) - best one from this shop



CPU's
Dustin
  • Ryzen 5 2600X (1 629 kr) - absolute minimum novadays

  • Ryzen 7 2700 (1 790 kr) - if you need rather multi core perf (+2 cores) than single core

  • Ryzen 7 2700X (1 999 kr) - hungry for power

  • Ryzen 5 3600 (2 303 kr) - best perf but pricey


Komplett
  • Ryzen 5 2600X (1 849 kr)

  • Ryzen 5 3600 (2 290 kr) - imo it's the best option from this shop

  • Ryzen 7 2700X (2 290 kr) - meh



Look's like dustin shop will be better. I'd pick MSI B450-A Pro Max and Ryzen 2600x (money saving)/3600 (power).

Last edited by illuminati_lennart_systemd on 17 December 2019 at 8:59 pm UTC
Duck Hunt-Pr0 Dec 21, 2019
Albeit it's being breaking my budget by quite a bit (I found current budget was perhaps a bit too much of a between mid-range and too-close-to-higher-end)

Based on the tips, and having had a bit of gandering around, I've come to some viable option:

CPU:
https://www.dustinhome.no/product/5011072010/ryzen-7-2700x-w-prism

Motherboard (though will surely be taking a closer look at the ones mentioned above):
https://www.dustinhome.no/product/5011140484/x570-a-pro-s-am4-atx (pcie 3.0 , while graphics card is 4.0..but it's backwards compatible, and pcie 4.0 boards seem steep in price ATM)

Spoiler, click me
Quoting: illuminati_lennart_systemdMaybe this can help you:
Dustin
  • MSI B450-A PRO MAX (1069kr) - if you want to save every penny then it's best option

  • MSI B450 GAMING PLUS MAX (1149kr) (only diff betwen this and previous is colour...)

  • MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX (1194 kr) - best one from this shop



GPU (likely the radeon-rx-5700-8gb one as aim):
https://www.dustinhome.no/product/5011141966/radeon-rx-5700-8gb

https://www.dustinhome.no/product/5011122266/geforce-gtx-1660-ti-rog-strix-gaming-6gb (this might be quieter should the radeon one be too loud?)
https://www.dustinhome.no/product/5011145050/pulse-rx5700-8g-oc (contender to the gforce in regards to noise)

Box (cheap, and discrete, with ample (silent) fan placements?):
https://www.dustinhome.no/product/5011155411/pure-base-500-solid

PSU (could likely skimp down a bit on this one):
https://www.dustinhome.no/product/5011008611/bq-semi-modular

RAM (preliminary, i'll be able to upgrade that in speed and amount at a later point in time without too much cost and hazzle. But, perhaps i aught to go with lesser amount and greater speed to begin with?)
https://www.dustinhome.no/product/5011081260/vengeance-lpx

Any thoughts are appreciated! :beer:

Last edited by Duck Hunt-Pr0 on 21 December 2019 at 9:06 pm UTC
illuminati_lennart_systemd Dec 21, 2019
CPU - is ok but I would take 3600. Multi core perf is very similar to 2700, but has faster single core perf that more matters in games (not everything is multi-threaded here). At least that was case for 2600x vs 1700.

Motherboard - X570 based are quite expensive, probably more future proof than b450 based. We don't know if AMD would want to create new cpu socket like am4+ or something. They said something about supporting am4 until end of 2020(?). Imo MSI MAX B450 based are also good and cheaper.

GPU - blower (single tiny fan) based navis are loud and hot. Look for something with better cooling. Others are ok.
nGreedia counter for RX 5700 is probably rtx 2060 super/2070.

Box - Previous model pure base 600 was not that good for more powerful setup's but maybe this one is ok. review pure base 600. In my opinion there are better options in similar price.
Edit: pure base 500 is decent case but as I said there are better choices in this price range.

PSU - I would target something with 80+ gold. If you have to save something then it look's ok. 750W is toooooo much btw.

RAM - ok.

I can also suggest getting cheaper build and save money for later upgrades.

Last edited by illuminati_lennart_systemd on 21 December 2019 at 10:36 pm UTC
tuubi Dec 21, 2019
Quoting: Duck Hunt-Pr0https://www.dustinhome.no/product/5011145050/pulse-rx5700-8g-oc (contender to the gforce in regards to noise)
I bought the Sapphire Pulse RX5700 XT a while back and I can vouch for the cooler. It's very quiet even under heavy load. Not that any of my games really push it that much at 1080p.

Quoting: illuminati_lennart_systemdnGreedia counter for RX 5700 is probably rtx 2060 super/2070.
The 2060 Super is a fair comparison (and similarly priced). I really like my Navi though, so that's what I'd pick.
Xpander Dec 22, 2019
If its mainly for Gaming, then surely just put the most of your money into the GPU.

Get a cheaper Ryzen 2600 or 2600X, depending how they are priced and go all out for the GPU, ofc 16GB RAM also.
Though for future proofing you might want Ryzen 3600 or maybe 2700X (more cores) if you can squeeze that in.

If possible at least 5700XT or GTX 2070 or if you are fine with used cards you can maybe find a GTX 1080 quite cheap these days, though for future proofing newer GPUs are better probably.


edit:
Also never cheap out on the PSU. it doesnt have to have huge ammount of wattage, 600W is probably enough, but take something thats 80+ silver or gold rated at least

Last edited by Xpander on 22 December 2019 at 10:51 am UTC
Duck Hunt-Pr0 Jan 25, 2020
Took a while, since not only had i apparently set a spending amount for myself. way back in the day, deep inside the dark cavernous menus of my bank without remembering it or ability to find it without contacting the bank's support :P (after a mutually frustrating email exchange to-and-from dustin..turned out the the issue, after 3 weeks, was PEBKAC after all lol)

But for anyone interested, here's what i ended up ordering (minus unimportant tidbits):

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 2700X W Prism 3.7GHz (could up to ~4.2 with gooder cooling?)
VGA: Sapphire Pulse Rx5700 8G Oc (chosen over alternatives for it's low noise)
MB: MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX (no way were i'm going to order mb with a proprietary fan-on-chipset..)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB 3466MHz DDR4 (rel. easy and affordable to ramp up in future)
PSU: Corsair RM Series RM850 850watt 80 PLUS Gold (cheapest 'gold' rated plausible watts, for my use)
BOX: Phanteks Enthoo Pro (black,no window) (cheap, discreet, as i prefer my computers. Boxfans in partslist)

CSV Parts list with dustin part# etc. Just in case some other Norwegian comes along figuring they'd like to slap together a similar pc (add HID thingys as needed):
Spoiler, click me
Antall;Benevnelse;Artikkelnr.;Prod. art. nr. ;Priser ekskl. mva
1;AMD Ryzen 7 2700X W Prism;5011072010;YD270XBGAFBOX;1 573 kr
1;Sapphire Pulse Rx5700 8G Oc;5011145050;11294-01-20G;3 165 kr
1;Corsair Vengeance LPX;5011081260;CMK16GX4M2Z3466C16;1 501 kr
1;MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX;5011146650;B450 TOMAHAWK MAX;955 kr
1;Corsair RM Series RM850;5011138264;CP-9020196-EU;959 kr
1;Phanteks Enthoo Pro;5010900426;PH-ES614PC_BK;719 kr
4;Fractal Design Venturi Series kabinettvifte;5010851429;FD-FAN-VENT-HF12-BK;92 kr
1;Seagate BarraCuda;5010970340;ST1000DM010;362 kr

Blew the initial budget a bit to hell though ... But i don't mind instant noodles all that much

Thanks to everyone for all the tips!
#Linux4Life

Last edited by Duck Hunt-Pr0 on 26 January 2020 at 3:17 am UTC
Duck Hunt-Pr0 Jan 26, 2020
Quoting: XpanderIf its mainly for Gaming
In my case, it's not. That is to say, games are usually by far the most resource heavy stuff in my acres.. I like a bit of threads here and there, some Blender rendering is def. nice. And if it benefits gaming and graphics, the better for it. Though 'triple A gaming' is 100% NOT me. (evident by my steam account) :D

Last edited by Duck Hunt-Pr0 on 26 January 2020 at 2:36 am UTC
Valck Jan 26, 2020
The only thing I find out of place is the PSU; 850W seems a bit over the top.

I have roughly the same system (bit more RAM, few more HDDs), only with a 450W power supply, and even that draws no more than at most 250W from the wall socket (~90 during day-to-day, non-gaming use), and that is including the 27" LCD.
From what I've read, the 5700 cards draw about the same power under load as my RX580, and significantly less while idle. CPU may need a bit more than my 3700, but not that much more.

Probably nothing to be overly concerned about, but PSUs are usually most efficient when they are under about 50-75% of rated load, and fall off on either side of that.

Last edited by Valck on 26 January 2020 at 6:55 am UTC
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