Being all the crazy sales period, I got myself one of the below when it was 15% off.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ryzen-7-2700-RTX-2080-8GB-480GB-…
TL;DR
The above build; need advice/ recommendations on:
1. Mobo
2. RAM
3. Fan
4. Other possible upgrades
— long chatter post version :-)
Last PC build was back in 2011 on a dual bridged 280 GTX, since been on mostly laptops and iPad for convenience. Currently on a Lenovo T440s with 12gb ram, using mainly for productivity and the occasional AutoCAD.
Am recently booked on FO4 (PS4) so decided to venture onto FO76. Installed the game on the laptop and the lag was significant; stuck on the player face customisation part, mouse was moving at stuttering lagging pace.
Thought it was the internet speed (am on Optus Cable running at 25mbps consistently with very poor upload speeds) so moved over to VF HFC in hope of starting the game. The slight bump on VF HFC didn't do much, even when the display setting is set at low graphics level.
Now back to the main topic. Need advice and recommendations on improving the above specs. Desired outcome is a PC with reasonable future proof years (3-4 yrs); mainly to be used on occasional gaming, AutoCAD use, photo editing and then some video editing/ rendering.
Purchased without any research but comfortable seeing the chatter here on the graphics card and getting the highest Ryzen specs the seller had.
Possible pathways to the upgrades:
A. I can have the vendor assemble the rig and I slowly upgrade my way in the next few months, OR
B. Have all the parts come in and I assemble on my own.
Option A (imo) is great if I'm worried the parts are DOA. Other than that, I don't see myself sending the assembled PC back to S.A for repairs as the freight cost is likely to be un-economical. The other point is if I decides to upgrade parts like the mobo on a later stage, I have to spend more time fiddling around with firmwares and drivers on the HDD and getting it to work with the new mobo and the drivers that it comes with (or otherwise reinstalling everything from ground again). Also not sure about the thermal paste and if I need to scrape the old one or how to essentially transfer the chip to the new mobo without mishaps.
Option B sounds like a more feasible path (imo) though I'm no computer technician. Am struggling with understanding which part goes with what. Example if I were to get a Noctua AM4 fan, without seeing the actual case I wouldn't be sure if it would fit. Or if I am getting the correct mobo to support the 2000 series Ryzen chip with the correct/ suitable RAM that could squeeze some more benefits for the money that's already put in. Obviously there is also the time pressure to purchase (after knowing what I need to purchase; being the correct parts) when RAM prices are high or when purchase decision is driven by need and not want would mean I will be paying a premium.
Things I am considering upgrading:
Read that the A320 mobo does not support OC and it's a basic entry mobo. Am thinking of X470; probably ASUS Prime. I don't run VMs But the price difference between mid X370 and entry X470 doesn't differ much and I don't have to worry about gen 1 mobo compatibility to the 2000s Ryzen.
RAM - Incline to get 32gb dual (2x16).
HDD - I think the system came with 480 SSD but I purchased a SS Evo 860 1TB to replace anyways. Space is mainly for program installations and temp file storage as I Have NAS and its mirrored on the cloud as backup.
Fan - looking at this (https://www.newegg.com/global/au-en/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAADY5BC1607&Description=Noctua%20NH-D15&cm_re=Noctua_NH-D15--9SIAADY5BC1607--Product) but not sure if the case will fit. Oh well. Also what type of thermal paste should I be looking at?
What are your advice, thoughts and recommendations on the above? I probably missed out on a few crucial parts but am guessing the above is a good starting point.
Hey buddy!
As many others have stated in other TechFast posts, the items are bare bones to achieve said price, that being said its a great deal.
I'd upgrade the Ram to 16gb and change the power supply to a better rated one. 750W is fine but you have a beastly and expensive graphics card in there which you certainly don't want being run by an El Cheapo power supply.
The alternative to all that is to see exactly what brands come when they ship it to you as they state "Occasionally: Crucial, other TechFast-approved brands" in the brand mentioned on the components. Then that way you can upgrade those few components if they are rubbish and sell the ones that are garbo.