Budget 31-40k Need help selecting a CPU, Motherboard, RAM, SSD and PSU.

ch@ts

Skilled
Questions
  1. What is your budget?
    • 30K - can extend if it makes sense. + ~5k for M2 SSD + ~5-9k for a PSU
  2. What is your existing hardware configuration (component name - component brand and model)
    • CPU - AMD FX8350
    • Motherboard - Gigabyte 970a DS3P
    • GPU - Nvidia 1030
    • RAM - 8GB Corsair XMS DDR3 + 8GB Hynix RAM(low voltage) - The RAM's do not work well together, probably because they run on different voltages
    • Monitor - Lenovo 2k + Dell 1680*1050
    • PSU - Corsair VX450
    • 3 SSD's - 2*500GB, 1*180GB
    • 1 DVD-RW
    • 1 500GB HDD
  3. Which hardware will you be keeping (component name - component brand and model)
    • Monitors
    • GPU - for now. May upgrade to something low in power like a 4060 later. Will keep the old system, as it's working fine.
    • I have a low profile
  4. Which hardware component are you looking to buy (component name). If you have already decided on a configuration then please mention the (component brand and model) as well, this will help us in fine tuning your requirement.
    • CPU - Intel Core I5 12400F / Ryzen 5600G/5700G/8600G
    • Motherboard - any budget motherboard - preferably under Rs.6000 and Micro ATX - Most motherboards seem to come with only 4 SATA slots, but that's all I'll need as I'll keep 1 SSD in the older system, but more would be preferable.
    • 32GB or 64GB RAM - will probably not upgrade later.
    • 500GB to 1TB M2 SSD thats compatible with the system.
    • PSU - want something that's quiet, and will last 10 years like my current Corsair. ATX 3 compliant, and able to handle my current system plus a GPU like the 4070. Corsair RM750e is for 9k, but would prefer to spend much less.
  5. Is this going to be your final configuration or you would be adding/upgrading a component in near future. If yes then please mention when and which component
    • May upgrade the GPU to a 4060 if I decide to run local LLM's or if I enjoy making games in Unreal Engine.
  6. Where will you buy this hardware? (Online/City/TE Dealer)
    • Pune
    • Open to online purchase
  7. What is your intended use for this PC/hardware
    • Occasional Gaming
    • Browsing
    • Coding - occasional
    • Making a movie - one of my life goals, not sure if I'll ever get round to it.
    • Making a game in Unreal Engine - one of my life goals, not sure if I'll ever get round to it.
    • Playing with local LLM's - will probably experiment for a couple of weeks, and then forget about it.
    • Compiling Android for my older devices - will only do this a few times
  8. Do you have any brand preference or dislike? Please name them and the reason for your preference/dislike.
    • No.
  9. If you will be playing games then which type of games will you be playing?
    • Strategy - Civilization 5
    • RPG's - Borderlands, Witcher, NeverWinter Nights, Jade Empire
    • FPS's - so far been playing older ones, like Half Life, Doom3, No One Lives Forever 1 & 2, will play more modern ones if/when I get a more powerful GPU, or if the APU is good enough.
  10. What is your preferred monitor resolution for gaming and normal usage
    1. Gaming - 2560x1440
    2. Desktop - 2560x1440 + 1680x1050
  11. Are you looking to overclock?
    • No
  12. Which operating system do you intend to use with this configuration?
    • Linux - Debian




I want to keep this system for at least 5 years. My current Motherboard is at least 8 years old, CPU is 5+, PSU is 8+. I think it's fast enough for my use, but I need more RAM (since I can only use 8GB at a time because my RAM sticks aren't compatible with each other), and it doesn't make sense to buy more RAM for such an old system.
My current motherboard is a Gigabyte Ultradurable M/b, and has given me no problems. My previous MSI and Asus motherboards were more temperamental, but they all lasted well beyond their warranty period.

I'm looking at value for money, which is why I'm okay with going for a DDR4 system, but if the price difference between that and a DDR5 one isn't much, then I'd prefer a DDR5 one.
If prices are expected to come down in a few months, I'm okay with waiting. I think 32 GB RAM should be enough for me, but if I get a good deal on a 64GB kit, I'll go for that.

I want stability above all, and compatibility with Debian stable. I also want a quiet, low power system. I have a slim case that I want to use, which doesn't have space for a tower cooler. I have another case that can only accomodate a tower cooler with a 92mm fan. But I think the stock cooler would do a better job of cooling the motherboard VRMs than a tower cooler, so I'd like to stick to that.

I don't think the
Intel Core I5 12400F has the issues the newer Intels seem to have, and I think it's faster than the Ryzens on my list. But the Ryzen APUs are all more powerful than the 1030gt that I have. And, all the CPU's are at least twice as fast as what I currently have, so they're all good enough for me.
Please help me choose a system that has no compatibility issues, is value for money, and will last long.

Also 1 monitor has only HDMi ports and the other needs a Dvi or VGA port. My current 1030GT supports both, so I can keep that if necessary, but if the motherboard has both those ports onboard that would be preferable.
 
So, currently I'm leaning towards the following config.

GIGABYTE AMD B450M DS3H V2 Ultra Durable ATX Motherboard Socket AM4 DDR4 @ 6082

AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT @10,340 - the performance is almost the same as the 5600g and 5600GT, and it costs almost 2k less.

Kingston Fury Beast 16GB 3200MHz DDR4 CL16 x2 @3199 each

Which works out to ~ Rs.22822, minus any card discounts. That's about 30% (Rs.13000) less than the 8600G AM5 system, but with probably only a 15% CPU performance loss (correct me if I'm wrong).

I'm not sure how good the motherboard is, and if Gigabyte has good customer service and still makes good boards.
An alternative is the MSI B450M PRO-VDH MAX @ 6200 - but since it'll come from a different dealer, I won't be able to test the components for any DoA's till I get it.
Which is a safer buy? Are they any good?

Also, the RAM sticks aren't a matched pair - will that cause a problem?

And do B450 boards support NVME drives with the processor I've chosen? I think they do, but I'm not sure.


Also - will PrimeABGB or any other online shop price match / offer additional discounts if I call them? And are they better with DoA's than Amazon? I'll be paying about 2k (almost a 512GB M2 drives worth) more on PrimeABGB because of the current discounts on Amazon.

There's also a B550 board for about 8k. MSI PRO B550M-P GEN3 AMD B550. Will I gain anything buy buying that instead of a B450 board?

Also - will B450 boards support the Ryzen 5500/5600 out of the box? They will with a BIOs update, but I don't have an older processor to use for the update.
 
Last edited: