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Advice for a sub $500 dollar workstation

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14 minutes ago, ddbtkd456 said:

Nothing fancy just wireless things would be nice. 1 terabyte hard drive soul be plenty.

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/QK9Xkd
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/QK9Xkd/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($94.59 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-AB350N-Gaming WIFI (rev. 1.0) Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard  ($109.89 @ SuperBiiz) 
Memory: Patriot - Viper 4 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($85.98 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($42.99 @ OutletPC) 
Case: Cooler Master - Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($38.07 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Keyboard: Logitech - Wireless Combo MK270 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($19.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $441.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-05-27 08:47 EDT-0400

 

Different cheaper mobo, which should have the correct bios revision by defoult (sill has wifi)

 

1TB HDD

Fully modular PSU (cheaper than last build)

Removed mechanical keyboard for mouse and keyboard combo

Basically this is for my father and he doesn't really use anything heavy on it, no gaming, just uses it for photos, emails, research, Microsoft office and that's about it. Currently he has a 10 year old desktop that still has DDR2 in it and it takes about 100+ seconds to load, and just normal things just weigh the processor down. I was wondering what kind of build to do for this, budget is $500 dollars, monitor is already bought with speaker system, and I currently have an SSD on order (Crucial 500gb from amazon) that we can use as well. I do need a wireless mouse and keyboard included in the budget tho. Thanks in advance. This is what I was thinking.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($96.00 @ Amazon)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver - 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste  ($6.25 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI - X470 GAMING PLUS ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot - Viper Elite 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($44.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill - Stryker M ATX Mid Tower Case  ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA - 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($19.95 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Cooler Master - SickleFlow (Red) 69.7 CFM  120mm Fan  ($8.34 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Cooler Master - SickleFlow (Red) 69.7 CFM  120mm Fan  ($8.34 @ Amazon)
Total: $492.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-05-27 08:35 EDT-0400

If you've previously won the build off please pm me so we can get something worked out.

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Does he want mechanical keyboard?

Does he want wireless mouse?

Does he need mass storage?

Do you consider getting a used build?

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an SSD for a boot drive and a core 2 quad will probably be good enough for just those tasks, but if you really don't want to then a ryzen 3 rig will work just fine. which country?

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Heatsink: Gelid Phantom Black GPU: Palit RTX 3060 Ti Dual RAM: Corsair DDR4 2x8GB 3000Mhz mobo: Asus X570-P case: Fractal Design Define C PSU: Superflower Leadex Gold 650W

 

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($94.59 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME A320M-K Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot - Signature Line 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($78.99 @ Amazon)
Case: DIYPC - DIY-F2-W MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($34.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - CX (2017) 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech - Wireless Combo MK270 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $328.53
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-05-27 05:57 EDT-0400

 

That should be plenty for years to come.

Make sure to quote or tag me (@JoostinOnline) or I won't see your response!

PSU Tier List  |  The Real Reason Delidding Improves Temperatures"2K" does not mean 2560×1440 

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13 minutes ago, GoldenLag said:

Does he want mechanical keyboard?

Does he want wireless mouse?

Does he need mass storage?

Do you consider getting a used build?

Nothing fancy just wireless things would be nice. 1 terabyte hard drive soul be plenty.

If you've previously won the build off please pm me so we can get something worked out.

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($94.59 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: MSI - B350M PRO-VD PLUS Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($49.99 @ B&H) 
Memory: Crucial - Sport LT 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory  ($81.86 @ Amazon) 
Case: Rosewill - SRM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($19.99 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($34.99 @ Newegg) 
Keyboard: Logitech - Wireless Combo MK270 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($19.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $301.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-05-27 08:26 EDT-0400

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Heatsink: Gelid Phantom Black GPU: Palit RTX 3060 Ti Dual RAM: Corsair DDR4 2x8GB 3000Mhz mobo: Asus X570-P case: Fractal Design Define C PSU: Superflower Leadex Gold 650W

 

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PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/4KmRKB
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/4KmRKB/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($94.59 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-AB350N-Gaming WIFI (rev. 1.0) Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard  ($109.89 @ SuperBiiz) 
Memory: Patriot - Viper 4 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($85.98 @ Newegg) 
Case: Cooler Master - Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($38.07 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.99 @ Newegg) 
Keyboard: Logitech - K840  Wired Standard Keyboard  ($59.99 @ Amazon) 
Mouse: Logitech - M100 Wired Optical Mouse  ($5.29 @ Target) 
Total: $463.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-05-27 08:41 EDT-0400

 

With mechanical keybord from logitech.

Also mobo with wifi.

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8 minutes ago, JoostinOnline said:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($94.59 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME A320M-K Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot - Signature Line 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($78.99 @ Amazon)
Case: DIYPC - DIY-F2-W MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($34.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - CX (2017) 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech - Wireless Combo MK270 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $328.53
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-05-27 05:57 EDT-0400

 

That should be plenty for years to come.

 I like this but is it hard to update the bios for ryzen?

If you've previously won the build off please pm me so we can get something worked out.

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3 minutes ago, GoldenLag said:

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/4KmRKB
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/4KmRKB/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($94.59 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-AB350N-Gaming WIFI (rev. 1.0) Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard  ($109.89 @ SuperBiiz) 
Memory: Patriot - Viper 4 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($85.98 @ Newegg) 
Case: Cooler Master - Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($38.07 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.99 @ Newegg) 
Keyboard: Logitech - K840  Wired Standard Keyboard  ($59.99 @ Amazon) 
Mouse: Logitech - M100 Wired Optical Mouse  ($5.29 @ Target) 
Total: $463.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-05-27 08:41 EDT-0400

 

With mechanical keybord from logitech.

Also mobo with wifi.

Is it hard to flash a bios tho?

If you've previously won the build off please pm me so we can get something worked out.

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13 minutes ago, ddbtkd456 said:

Nothing fancy just wireless things would be nice. 1 terabyte hard drive soul be plenty.

Given his use case, even a 500GB SSD seemed way more than enough. Add a WD Blue 1TB 7200rpm drive to the build I linked if you want though.

 

9 minutes ago, ddbtkd456 said:

 I like this but is it hard to update the bios for ryzen?

That model is supposed to support it by default, but if it doesn't you can take it to a tech shop and they'll do it for you cheap.

 

@GoldenLag That's super overkill bro. The power supply, motherboard, and keyboard are complete wastes.

Make sure to quote or tag me (@JoostinOnline) or I won't see your response!

PSU Tier List  |  The Real Reason Delidding Improves Temperatures"2K" does not mean 2560×1440 

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14 minutes ago, ddbtkd456 said:

Nothing fancy just wireless things would be nice. 1 terabyte hard drive soul be plenty.

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/QK9Xkd
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/QK9Xkd/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($94.59 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-AB350N-Gaming WIFI (rev. 1.0) Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard  ($109.89 @ SuperBiiz) 
Memory: Patriot - Viper 4 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($85.98 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($42.99 @ OutletPC) 
Case: Cooler Master - Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($38.07 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Keyboard: Logitech - Wireless Combo MK270 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($19.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $441.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-05-27 08:47 EDT-0400

 

Different cheaper mobo, which should have the correct bios revision by defoult (sill has wifi)

 

1TB HDD

Fully modular PSU (cheaper than last build)

Removed mechanical keyboard for mouse and keyboard combo

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4 minutes ago, ddbtkd456 said:

Is it hard to flash a bios tho?

It is really easy, just make sure you have the right BIOS file for your board, put it on a clean USB with nothing else and boot into BIOS and use the update utility in it. Some BIOSs even have a utility that can just update itself if it is connected to the internet with an ethernet cable with a single click of a button. You have to have a supported CPU though, so if you buy an old board that has an old BIOS version on it that only supports Ryzen 1000 series then it won't boot until you update it and to update it you need an old CPU temporarily to just update, then it will work properly with the new Ryzen 2000 series CPUs. Unfortunately there is no way to tell if you will be shipped a board that has already been updated. AMD can supply you with a "Boot Kit" that you can use to update your board as well, otherwise you can just take it to a shop and they can do it for you or you can borrow a Ryzen 1000 series CPU and so the update.

Workstation:

Intel Core i7 6700K | AMD Radeon R9 390X | 16 GB RAM

Mobile Workstation:

MacBook Pro 15" (2017) | Intel Core i7 7820HQ | AMD Radeon Pro 560 | 16 GB RAM

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5 minutes ago, JoostinOnline said:

 

@GoldenLag That's super overkill bro. The power supply, motherboard, and keyboard are complete wastes.

Updated with cheaper still good quality PSU thats is fully modular for the ITX case.

Mechanicaø keyboard removed as per request.

Dual channel memmory for Ryzen. (Though i am aware it limits ram upgrades later on)

Mobo updated to different with wifi (had the ASUS previously for no-CPU-BIOS updates. 

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5 minutes ago, GoldenLag said:

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/QK9Xkd
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/QK9Xkd/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($94.59 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-AB350N-Gaming WIFI (rev. 1.0) Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard  ($109.89 @ SuperBiiz) 
Memory: Patriot - Viper 4 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($85.98 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($42.99 @ OutletPC) 
Case: Cooler Master - Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($38.07 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Keyboard: Logitech - Wireless Combo MK270 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($19.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $441.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-05-27 08:47 EDT-0400

 

Different cheaper mobo, which should have the correct bios revision by defoult (sill has wifi)

 

1TB HDD

Fully modular PSU (cheaper than last build)

Removed mechanical keyboard for mouse and keyboard combo

That's actually fine for the ram if we decide to upgrade it I will just use 2 sticks at 8gb a piece. Haha. I doubt it will come to that. Thank you for your help.

If you've previously won the build off please pm me so we can get something worked out.

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16 minutes ago, GoldenLag said:

Updated with cheaper still good quality PSU thats is fully modular for the ITX case.

Mechanicaø keyboard removed as per request.

Dual channel memmory for Ryzen. (Though i am aware it limits ram upgrades later on)

Mobo updated to different with wifi (had the ASUS previously for no-CPU-BIOS updates. 

He's not gaming, he doesn't need dual channel or high frequency.  A WiFi motherboard also is a waste of money, as is the fancy high wattage modular power supply.  You keep trying to build a gaming computer without a graphics card.

13 minutes ago, ddbtkd456 said:

That's actually fine for the ram if we decide to upgrade it I will just use 2 sticks at 8gb a piece. Haha. I doubt it will come to that. Thank you for your help.


Or you can get 1 8GB stick now, and get a second one later if you want to upgrade.

Make sure to quote or tag me (@JoostinOnline) or I won't see your response!

PSU Tier List  |  The Real Reason Delidding Improves Temperatures"2K" does not mean 2560×1440 

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53 minutes ago, JoostinOnline said:

Or you can get 1 8GB stick now, and get a second one later if you want to upgrade.

agreed.

53 minutes ago, JoostinOnline said:

He's not gaming, he doesn't need dual channel or high frequency.  A WiFi motherboard also is a waste of money, as is the fancy high wattage modular power supply.  You keep trying to build a gaming computer without a graphics card.

the extra cost to up in frequency is so small you might aswell get high frequency.

Wifi on the motherboard makes the machine more flexible which is why i included it. 

 

i dont like cheaping out on the PSU. and the small size of this build and the quality of seasonic PSUs lead me to get a fully modular 80+ bronze. (though i initiall picked out the 650 watt GOLD since it had the same cost as the 550 watt Gold)

 

 if i was making a gaming machine there would be change in the board to a mobo that is better for OC and not to mention aftermarket cooling with an ATX case.

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6 minutes ago, GoldenLag said:

agreed.

the extra cost to up in frequency is so small you might aswell get high frequency.

Wifi on the motherboard makes the machine more flexible which is why i included it. 

 

i dont like cheaping out on the PSU. and the small size of this build and the quality of seasonic PSUs lead me to get a fully modular 80+ bronze. (though i initiall picked out the 650 watt GOLD since it had the same cost as the 550 watt Gold)

 

 if i was making a gaming machine there would be change in the board to a mobo that is better for OC and not to mention aftermarket cooling with an ATX case.

He's already got wired access, but money could be saved by getting a WiFi card. Seasonic power supplies aren't all that great anymore, and getting a less expensive one isn't "cheaping out". In fact, getting such a high wattage one is probably going to up his electric bill (a very tiny amount though) because of how efficiency works. High frequency RAM won't make any difference AT ALL for his use case. You're just telling him to throw away over $100.

 

@ddbtkd456 It's your choice, but I hope you will base your decision on what's more reasonable rather than what's more expensive.

Make sure to quote or tag me (@JoostinOnline) or I won't see your response!

PSU Tier List  |  The Real Reason Delidding Improves Temperatures"2K" does not mean 2560×1440 

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3 hours ago, JoostinOnline said:

He's already got wired access, but money could be saved by getting a WiFi card. Seasonic power supplies aren't all that great anymore, and getting a less expensive one isn't "cheaping out". In fact, getting such a high wattage one is probably going to up his electric bill (a very tiny amount though) because of how efficiency works. High frequency RAM won't make any difference AT ALL for his use case. You're just telling him to throw away over $100.

 

@ddbtkd456 It's your choice, but I hope you will base your decision on what's more reasonable rather than what's more expensive.

the difference between 2400mhz ram and 3000 mhz ram is 10$. i mean its 10$ saved, so yeah im not exactly going for lowest cost (nor probably value tbh). 2133mhz is the same cost as 2400mhz.

 

if he has allready got wired, grab the cheaper board you recommended. 

 

i was also unaware he didnt need wifi, so i included it in the build. i must have missed it when he said he didnt want it, srry.

 

the difference in wattage would equate to maybe 1-3% in efficiency after i had a look at it.  so i guess there is some there. but at 5$ extra i would rather have a fully modular PSU than a non-modular one. it is a ITX build after all

Edited by GoldenLag
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