New System Build Recommendations

profdlp · 14 Dec 2019

My current system was built in January 2012. It has served me well but I am considering an upgrade. I have built many systems (I used to upgrade annually, if not sooner) but am obviously way out of practice. For my current system I went with Intel as back then AMD was not exactly having their best run. As a longtime AMD fan I am leaning heavily toward their Ryzen processors which seem to have caught up and perhaps passed Intel.

Current System Specs:

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO GEN3
Intel Core i7-2600K @ 3.4 GHz
16 GB RAM (4 x 4 GB)
Samsung SSD 860 EVO 500GB
Seagate ST4000DM000-1F2168 4 TB (2)
Radeon RX 570

I intend to re-use the hard drives and graphic card. What I need is a new MB, CPU and RAM. I am not a big gamer but I do like high performance for overall use. I can't really justify top of the line but would be happier at the high end than with a purely budget build. I would like to stay in the $500-700 range for the three parts I need. I could probably not justify spending an extra 50% dollar-wise for an extra 20% performance.

I also have a Win 7 Pro license available which I intend to use. Anyone see any issues with activating that at this point?

Please - recommend me some good stuff!

iko22 · 15 Dec 2019

Hello profdlp,

You will have trouble installing windows 7 on Ryzen / USB 3 motherboards, without extra preparation. There are people on this Forum who have succeeded, who know how to do it.
Some Ryzens have built-in GPUs. You may want to avoid these, should you be supplying your own graphics card. There again, you may not mind the cost difference. 6-cores are good, but for day-to-day use, quad core may be equally satisfactory.
ASUS Prime motherboard is quite a popular choice, for those not wanting all the bells and whistles.
The last time I looked, AMD were only configuring DDR4 dual-channel memory, not quad channel memory. Worth obtaining 8GB or 16GB RAM.

SIW2 · 15 Dec 2019

Avoid the amd cpus with built in graphics ( they end in G ). Amd cpu without built in graphics work fine.

New System Build Recommendations-ryzen3700x.png

profdlp · 17 Dec 2019

iko22 said:

Hello profdlp,

You will have trouble installing windows 7 on Ryzen / USB 3 motherboards, without extra preparation...

What all is involved? (In brief, I will look for a tutorial if and when it comes time to do it.)

SIW2 said:

Avoid the amd cpus with built in graphics ( they end in G ). Amd cpu without built in graphics work fine.

Thanks - I will definitely keep that in mind.

Would I be better off going with Intel? I was a big AMD fanboy back in the day and only reluctantly went to the dark side during the long AMD dry spell when they were getting their butt whooped. I was happy to read all the good reviews of their comeback with Ryzen, but am not wedded to the idea.

I am looking at something like the Ryzen 7 3700X at the moment.

I appreciate the feedback. :)