Requesting Assistance on a new build

[wha2les]

Budget (including currency): 1500-2000 USD but no firm budget

Country: USA

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Games include Cities Skylines (with lots of modding), Planet Coaster and Planet Zoo (with mods), Total War games (with mods). Other programs include Adobe Creative suites like Photo shop and Premier to work on projects.

Other details (existing parts lists, whether any peripherals are needed, what you're upgrading from, when you're going to buy, what resolution and refresh rate you want to play at, etc):

This is my current build: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/rLCjFG. 

I started having some issues when I started to upgrade my GPU to the 5700 xt. Not sure if it is the GPU or if it was Motherboard when I was trying to put it in. I do intend to send GPU to Power Color as a warranty though, but if that doesn't fix it, I don't really want to spend 200+ dollars on a used motherboard to fix my current system when I have been thinking for awhile on whether I want to upgrade it.

I am thinking of building this next year ( but buy parts as I find them until then).

For the CPU: I'm thinking of AMD Ryzen. But I am not sure if the Ryzen 7 or Ryzen 9 would be a better fit. What is the difference between the two? (Probably will go for the 4000 series when it is out next year or 3000xt series).
 

For the GPU: Assuming that my GPU is fine with no problems, I don't see any issues with moving it to the new system. I can use the intel graphics on my old system to do browsing and move data over as needed (or use my old R9 280x with degarded fan bearings on my old system as needed).
 

CPU Cooler: not doing water cooling... so probably one of those nautia coolers?
 

Memory: Obviously DDR4 with the right speed to take advantage of Ryzen (it is my understanding that Ryzen care a little more than intel?). probably 32 GB to 64 GB (I tend to have a lot of tabs open on chrome, and plus Discord and game/ Adobe, it would be nice to not worry about memory too much. Aesthetics like RGB and fancy design is not necessary at all.
 

For Storage: Obviously SSD for windows, gaming, and Adobe? and HDD for Documents, photos, videos, etc. One question regarding SSD, is it better to get 1 smaller SSD for Windows and 1 larger SSD for gaming (due to price and function)? Or just get one large SSD storage for both windows and gaming? Regarding HDD, which brand is preferable between Segate and WD? What size is recommended for price/ storage ratio for HDD? I'm thinking at least 2 TB.
 

Case: Since I am doing air cooling instead of water cooling, case air flow is quite important. I currently have a full tower, which I enjoy the size of, but I'm okay to consider Mid Tower (with concerns being space to put all my drives and things and space to move my clumsy and inexperienced fingers while building or upgrading). RGB lighting isn't something that I would buy a case just for it (my only RGB light is GPU right now). However, if the case meets all my other needs, but also have RGB lighting, it wouldn't be a deal breaker either. I am interested in the IO (like possibly having USB C on the IO, and USB A ports. Along with headphone jack and microphone ( as I might start doing podcasting soon). I will still want optical drive, but I'll get one external that I can share between my various devices.

 

PSU: Modular reliable PSU with room to account for future upgrade without changing PSU. Is it worth going from 80+bronze to 80+ Gold?

 

I have 2 Monitors ( 1080p and 1440P). I do have a wired keyboard, and wireless mouse. I also have speakers.

 

I apologize for the long post and detail. I appreciate your help.

 

  

 

[zeusthemoose]

What issue do you have with the gpu?

Is the 1500-2000 including the gpu you already have?

[wha2les]

Just now, zeusthemoose said:

What issue do you have with the gpu?

Is the 1500-2000 including the gpu you already have?

My old GPU that I bought used in 2015 started to have fan bearing issues. 

Rather than fixing it, I decided to buy a new one. 

After I bought the new one, I have been having this issue where the screen randomly goes blank. TLDR: Screen randomly goes blank. I tried to resolve  the issue by getting a new card from Amazon (via replacement), use DDU to ensure drivers are correct, Changed PCI slots, and still have the issue. I do not know if it is the motherboard, or GPU. I have reached out to the manufacturer, but I need to wait until I can get my old GPU in before I send my GPU to them for diagnostics. If that doesn't fix it, I'll have to either live with it until i get my new build or buy a used mobo from ebay.

The 1500-2000 budget would be without GPU (unless I can't work with the supplier to fix/ get a new one).

 

[zeusthemoose]

8 minutes ago, wha2les said:

The 1500-2000 budget would be without GPU (unless I can't work with the supplier to fix/ get a new one).

If they can’t fix it, I would try to get a refund for it. Assuming you paid 400 for it, your budget would be 1900 to 2400 and in a couple of months, that could get you a very could system with hopefully the 3700x replacement and the 2080 replacement.

[wha2les]

2 minutes ago, zeusthemoose said:

If they can’t fix it, I would try to get a refund for it. Assuming you paid 400 for it, your budget would be 1900 to 2400 and in a couple of months, that could get you a very could system with hopefully the 3700x replacement and the 2080 replacement.

3700x replacement?

[zeusthemoose]

3 minutes ago, wha2les said:

3700x replacement?

The replacement for the ryzen 7 3700x cpu. It will most likely be the 4700x.

[wha2les]

2 minutes ago, zeusthemoose said:

The replacement for the ryzen 7 3700x cpu. It will most likely be the 4700x.

I see. 

Can you help clarify the difference between the Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9?

[zeusthemoose]

18 minutes ago, wha2les said:

Can you help clarify the difference between the Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9?

Ryzen 7 is the 3rd tier of ryzen CPUs. They all have 8 cores and 16 threads. There are 3 models (3700x, 3800x, and 3800xt) each with different clock speeds.

Ryzen 9 is the tier above Ryzen 7. It is the highest series of consumer CPUs from amd. They have either 12 cores and 24 threads or 16 cores and 32 threads. There are also 3 models (3900x, 3900xt, and 3950x) each with different clock speeds.

 

Basically, ryzen 9 is better than ryzen 7 but more expensive.

[Letgomyleghoe.]

4 minutes ago, zeusthemoose said:

is the highest series of consumer CPUs from amd.

Threadripper joined the chat.

[zeusthemoose]

3 minutes ago, Gundar said:

Threadripper joined the chat.

Is threadripper considered a consumer cpu? I always thought it was for only for professional usage and thus not considered a consumer cpu.

[Letgomyleghoe.]

4 minutes ago, zeusthemoose said:

Is threadripper considered a consumer cpu? I always thought it was for only for professional usage and thus not considered a consumer cpu.

I consider a consumer cpu something you can go on amazon and buy directly from amazon.

[zeusthemoose]

1 minute ago, Gundar said:

I consider a consumer cpu something you can go on amazon and buy directly from amazon.

I guess, but you can also buy epyc cpus from amd on amazon and those are definitely not consumer cpus.

[Letgomyleghoe.]

Just now, zeusthemoose said:

I guess, but you can also buy epyc cpus from amd on amazon and those are definitely not consumer cpus.

Not directly sold by amazon I think.

[zeusthemoose]

1 minute ago, Gundar said:

Not directly sold by amazon I think.

Not directly by amazon but by amd on amazon. Its the same for threadripper.

[wha2les]

36 minutes ago, zeusthemoose said:

Ryzen 7 is the 3rd tier of ryzen CPUs. They all have 8 cores and 16 threads. There are 3 models (3700x, 3800x, and 3800xt) each with different clock speeds.

Ryzen 9 is the tier above Ryzen 7. It is the highest series of consumer CPUs from amd. They have either 12 cores and 24 threads or 16 cores and 32 threads. There are also 3 models (3900x, 3900xt, and 3950x) each with different clock speeds.

 

Basically, ryzen 9 is better than ryzen 7 but more expensive.

So if I am going to start a project where I am photo editing, video editing, and podcasting/editing, do I need to go for Ryzen 9? or would Ryzen 7 be sufficient?

 

[zeusthemoose]

2 minutes ago, wha2les said:

So if I am going to start a project where I am photo editing, video editing, and podcasting/editing, do I need to go for Ryzen 9? or would Ryzen 7 be sufficient?

It really depends on what you are editing. Ryzen 7 will be more than enough for 4K or even 6k but if for some reason you are working with raw 8k or very high frame footage, than a ryzen 9 might be better.

[wha2les]

21 hours ago, zeusthemoose said:

It really depends on what you are editing. Ryzen 7 will be more than enough for 4K or even 6k but if for some reason you are working with raw 8k or very high frame footage, than a ryzen 9 might be better.

I see.

What about this part of my post about cases? I can't decide between full and mid atx tower:

Case: Since I am doing air cooling instead of water cooling, case air flow is quite important. I currently have a full tower, which I enjoy the size of, but I'm okay to consider Mid Tower (with concerns being space to put all my drives and things and space to move my clumsy and inexperienced fingers while building or upgrading). RGB lighting isn't something that I would buy a case just for it (my only RGB light is GPU right now). However, if the case meets all my other needs, but also have RGB lighting, it wouldn't be a deal breaker either. I am interested in the IO (like possibly having USB C on the IO, and USB A ports. Along with headphone jack and microphone ( as I might start doing podcasting soon). I will still want optical drive, but I'll get one external that I can share between my various devices.

 

[zeusthemoose]

4 minutes ago, wha2les said:

What about this part of my post about cases? I can't decide between full and mid atx tower

Full tower has better airflow, so if you are good with the size, I would get that. 

Have you heard of the Fractal Design Focus G case? It should fit all your needs. It has 2 5.25" drive bays for an optical drive, audio in and out, and 2 usb on the front io. It also has great airflow. If you decide that you want smaller than a full tower, it comes in a smaller size (im unsure if its mid tower or smaller).