AdviceAMD PC Build/Upgrade
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AdviceAMD PC Build/UpgradePosted:

Thoblerone
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Hi!

I'm looking to build a new PC or upgrade my current one this fall, and I'm currently trying to look at these costs as if I were doing it today. It's been a while since I was fairly invested in this stuff, so now I only have a slight knowledge of what's good or bad of the stuff available. I made this build by using the bigger Swedish retailers and what they had to offer.

My current case is a bit broken (it was used when I got it), some screws are butchered, some modular covers are missing and the metal is very slightly broken. It's a square-shaped case, at least the volume of a mid-tower. It has a Radeon r7 360 and an Intel i5-6600K.

It does fine for most games I play, but never on the highest graphics. Most notably, it can chug a bit in Transport Fever 2, one of my favourite games to play. I'm also planning to pick up Watch Dogs Legion and Cyberpunk 2077 when they come out.

Due to the state of the case, I am thinking of replacing it and almost building a new PC. If so, I totally want a mini-tower, they're super-cute, and feel like a nice size. I've decided for the Fractal Design Define Nano S. I feel really nervous about water-cooling, so a normal fan is the way to go for me. I'd also like a quiet PC, if possible.

From my old PC I'm planning to take (at least for now) my two DDR4-RAM, my power supply (Corsair something, it's plenty, don't worry) and my 4TB SSHD.

If I do build a completely new (ish) PC, I want to stick with AMD. My plan would be to buy these components:

Fractal Design Define Nano S Black
ASUS ROG STRIX B450-I GAMING
Sapphire RX 5600 XT Pulse 6GB
AMD Ryzen 7 - 3700X 3.6GHz

These round out to about 10 000SEK, which I'd say is my absolute maximum budget, lower would be amazing, but I do want a substantial upgrade from my current CPU and GPU.

My reasoning for these picks is what I can buy from Elgiganten or Netonnet (2 big retailers) either close to me or online. I then made sure they should be compatible with each other, and I think they are (main concern is GPU and motherboard/case). I also used versus.com for a general comparison with my current hardware and comparable in price nvidia and Intel.

Therefore I assume this isn't the best possible blend of hardware, and that's why I'd love for you to help me by looking at it. Also, a few final questions:

I assume I need more fans than the case provides, what should I look for? I'm think BeQuiet for quiet fans?

Is the provided CPU cooler good, or should I look at buying one too?

I also need thermal paste, but am I missing anything else?

Grateful for any help!
#2. Posted:
21
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Thoblerone wrote I'm looking to build a new PC or upgrade my current one this fall, and I'm currently trying to look at these costs as if I were doing it today.

I wouldn't do that. You have no idea what prices are going to be like in 6 months. Also it's guaranteed that new components will have released by then anyway. Just set yourself a budget, save the money, and then upgrade to whatever makes sense with your budget when you're ready to buy.

Thoblerone wrote I am thinking of replacing it and almost building a new PC. If so, I totally want a mini-tower, they're super-cute, and feel like a nice size. I've decided for the Fractal Design Define Nano S.

If you're not struggling for space, I would possibly reconsider. Mini-ITX limits upgradability and can be a headache to build in such a tight space. There are some great MicroATX cases and motherboards though.
If you are struggling for space, or just want mITX and don't care about the limitations, then yeah something like the Define Nano is a good choice.



Thoblerone wrote From my old PC I'm planning to take (at least for now) my two DDR4-RAM

Could you be more specific? 2x8GB? What speed, CAS latency, etc? As much info as possible.

Thoblerone wrote my power supply (Corsair something, it's plenty, don't worry)

Wattage is irrelevant if the quality isn't there, and Corsair made plenty of low quality PSU's. Could you tell us the make, model, and wattage please.

Thoblerone wrote and my 4TB SSHD.

100% buy a real SSD then.



Thoblerone wrote I assume I need more fans than the case provides, what should I look for? I'm think BeQuiet for quiet fans?
The Define Nano S comes with 2 fans, that's probably enough tbh. More/better cooling never hurts though. If you're buying case fans, then yeah, Be Quiet! are good- I like their Pure Wings 2, great fans for the price. Their SilentWings 3's are great too, just a little on the pricy side.

Thoblerone wrote Is the provided CPU cooler good, or should I look at buying one too?

The included cooler with Ryzen CPU's is perfectly adequate. An aftermarket air cooler wouldn't be a bad idea, but you can always upgrade that at a later date if you want. Basically, I'd be putting the money towards CPU/Mobo + GPU before cooler/fans.

Thoblerone wrote I also need thermal paste, but am I missing anything else?

You don't really need thermal paste, it's just usually handy to have some spare. I don't remember the last time I saw any cooler come without pre-applied paste or a little tube of paste. AMD stock coolers definitely come with pre-applied paste.



So, what I would do, just start with a GPU upgrade. Your R7 360 is absolutely holding you back more than anything else. Your 6600k is still perfectly adequate, but something like a Ryzen 5 3600 would be a reasonable upgrade when the time comes.

Then, save up again for CPU upgrade, do motherboard and case at the same time.

Also definitely add a proper SSD whenever possible. Then last, you can start focusing on cooling and aesthetics maybe(LED's, custom cables.extensions, etc).
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Thoblerone
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I wouldn't do that. You have no idea what prices are going to be like in 6 months. Also it's guaranteed that new components will have released by then anyway. Just set yourself a budget, save the money, and then upgrade to whatever makes sense with your budget when you're ready to buy.


Yeah, I totally get that! My reasoning for trying this now is more of just trying to get a bit back into computer components, and at least learning a bit about what's out there since all the models are confusing me.

If you're not struggling for space, I would possibly reconsider. Mini-ITX limits upgradability and can be a headache to build in such a tight space. There are some great MicroATX cases and motherboards though.


How much of a headache and lack of upgradability is it, and how much bigger is MicroATX in comparison? I really, really like the size of it, but I would like for it to last longer than this PC probably will before changing case.

Could you be more specific? 2x8GB? What speed, CAS latency, etc? As much info as possible.


Oh sorry, my bad! It's 2x8GB.. I honestly don't know the other stuff right now, and like you said, a lot can happen in 6 months, so I'll skip finding that (and PSU) out for now, unless you say otherwise of course.

Wattage is irrelevant if the quality isn't there, and Corsair made plenty of low quality PSU's. Could you tell us the make, model, and wattage please.

Ok, good to know, thanks! Like before, I'll remember to check this before I upgrade, thank you!

100% buy a real SSD then.

Where on the priority scale is this? I'm perfectly happy with my current speed, and SSD's are expensive. I'll totally buy one when the time (and money) comes, and I'll probably be blown away by the speed, but what I don't know doesn't hurt me

So, what I would do, just start with a GPU upgrade. Your R7 360 is absolutely holding you back more than anything else


Oh, that's a great tip! I'll be honest, I assumed my GPU and CPU would be at about the same level. New game plan then! New GPU, then save up for another upgrade phase, upgrade case, motherboard, CPU, wait again, etc. Would you reccomend sticking to the GPU in my original post and upgrading the rest quicker, or going full out with the best out there and saving up longer for the rest?

Then last, you can start focusing on cooling and aesthetics maybe(LED's, custom cables.extensions, etc).


I've honestly never even thought of aestetics. That sounds like fun!

Thanks for all the tips! This is exactly why I made the post, now I feel like I have a much better overview on this computer upgrade.

Cheers!
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21 hit the nail on the head so theres not much I can offer

What I can say is your i5 isn't a bad CPU by any means and unless you're planning on high refresh rate gaming (above 60 fps) I would re-evaluate your position. A build is more than a case and whats inside. Good peripherals (monitor with a nice panel) or accessories (good quality mouse/keyboard or headset) will absolutely improve your overall enjoyment when using your PC day to day. 100 fps displayed by a $80 60hz 120nit TN monitor and a bargain bin mouse and keyboard combo doesn't exactly inspire joy trust me I've been there.

As for the "mini-tower" look in my experience they are really cool to look at but a bitch to work on and upgrade. Everything you buy needs to be compatible. SFF cpu cooler, single slot GPU etc.

Really at the end of the day theres a lot to consider and in 6 months you might have something completely different in mind.
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Thoblerone
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Good peripherals (monitor with a nice panel) or accessories (good quality mouse/keyboard or headset) will absolutely improve your overall enjoyment when using your PC day to day


Yeah, I'm on the same track. I have a good monitor and I'm planning on upgrading my keyboard, mouse and headset before my PC due to me at the moment using the cheapest decent options due to a burglary in my apartment a few years back.

I also reconsidered my decision like you said, thanks to 21. My plan is to start with a new GPU (maybe as early as August), and then continue thinking of a new CPU, motherboard and case. I'm still very set on the Nano, but like you said I might have something completely different in mind in 6 months (or longer).
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