[Help] Build for graphic design (corel, autocad, etc)

[Cholax]

I am building this for my gf's mother on a tight budget.

She is going to mostly use corel draw and autocad.

Some light photoshop usage (removing backgrounds, basic stuff).

 

Her current build:

Intel i3 4130

RAM 4GB

HDD.

Dedicated GPU: ??? I am not sure there is a dedicated GPU, they say there is but there are no drivers and the PC is definetely not detecting it. But i didnt open the PC yet.

 

We were looking for a Ryzen 3400G (less cores, better iGPU) or i5 9400 (more cores, worse iGPU). I dont know which is better for this kind of usage. The i5 9400 is 70us more expensive.

 

According to her she sometimes uses 7GB files on Corel Draw so i was looking at 16GB RAM (minimum 12GB) with upgradability in mind (so 2x8GB).

No shit she had problems with Corel Draw on her 4GB RAM PC.

 

SSD: Crucial BX500 or Kingston A400.

HDD: Got to check.

Motherboard: Cheap. Depends on CPU and availability.

PSU: I have to check decent PSU's in the local shop.

 

I think her budget is too tight for a dedicated graphics card. But i am prioritizing SSD and more RAM over GPU.

I am not sure if those programs would benefit more from higher core count or better iGPU.

Maybe i am missing something here. I appreciate advices.

 

 

Not from USA. I have to deal with the crappy local market.

[amdorintel]

8 minutes ago, Cholax said:

Not from USA. I have to deal with the crappy local market.

which is where?

[Streetguru]

7 minutes ago, Cholax said:

 

Well 4 cores 8 threads is going to be about the same as having 6 cores 6 threads.

Most likely just get the 3400G, or a 2400G if it's cheaper, performance isn't very different.

 

Going to want 3200mhz CL16 RAM if possible, faster the better.

 

and a B450 Board with VRM heatsinks on both VRMs.

 

Just make sure the SSD has a DRAM Cache if possible.

 

and get a PSU that isn't a firehazzard.

[TheBean]

get the ryzen one. make sure you get FAST ram as well as good capacity. the ryzen integrated gpu requires fast memory to be good. get about 3000mhz memory

[amdorintel]

3600 ram is the sweetest spot, dont want to go much lower then that

[Streetguru]

1 minute ago, amdorintel said:

3600 ram is the sweetest spot, dont want to go much lower then that

For Ryzen 3000/Zen 2 yes

The 3400G is only Zen+ or Ryzen 2000, so 3200mhz is about it's maximum.

[amdorintel]

yes but upgrading later on to a better cpu is the good way to look at it

and the price difference isnt much at all

[Cholax]

49 minutes ago, Streetguru said:

Well 4 cores 8 threads is going to be about the same as having 6 cores 6 threads.

Most likely just get the 3400G, or a 2400G if it's cheaper, performance isn't very different.

 

Going to want 3200mhz CL16 RAM if possible, faster the better.

 

and a B450 Board with VRM heatsinks on both VRMs.

 

Just make sure the SSD has a DRAM Cache if possible.

 

and get a PSU that isn't a firehazzard.

Performance being similar isnt like best case scenario for 4c, 8t?

[Cholax]

41 minutes ago, amdorintel said:

yes but upgrading later on to a better cpu is the good way to look at it

and the price difference isnt much at all

I dont think they will upgrade anytime soon.

I would, they wouldnt.

[Streetguru]

7 minutes ago, Cholax said:

Performance being similar isnt like best case scenario for 4c, 8t?

The APU has like way faster graphics for GPU acceleration, and at least the option to upgrade is there for the future on AM4.

[Cholax]

1 minute ago, Streetguru said:

The APU has like way faster graphics for GPU acceleration, and at least the option to upgrade is there for the future on AM4.

I really think they are not planning on upgrading the CPU anytime soon. She has been using the same PC for 6 years.

Today she said she wanted a PC she could use for 10 years. I crushed her fantasy, telling her that wouldnt happen.

 

But if they dont buy a dedicated GPU now, they might buy it in the future if she ends up needing it.

 

That is why i asked how important is the iGPU/GPU for those software packages. The way i see it if they go for the i5 they will have 6 cores which is decent future proof for them.

And they can get a dedicated GPU if they realize they need it.

 

The Ryzen 3400G has a considerable better iGPU, no doubt. If you wont buy a dedicated graphics and you need a GPU then that is the way to go. But do they need it? They wont be gaming, nor 3D rendering.

The 4 cores are scarying me a bit. They might try to squish this rig for 5+ years and i dont know how many years will 4 cores be able to stand.

 

And if they end up buying a dedicated GPU, then the i5 9400 would've been a better option because faster cores and more cores. Damn if there would be a 2600G i would go for that one.

 

I mean, they wont upgrade the CPU in the next 5 years and the AM4 upgradability wont be relevant then.

 

I do care about the AM4 upgradability because i know i will upgrade my CPU in the next year or second year, but i am pretty sure they wont.

 

 

 

[Streetguru]

38 minutes ago, Cholax said:

 

There's no major difference for CPU performance, having 4 cores 8 threads, vs 6 cores 6 threads. The Ryzen CPU may also be faster because it will always be at 4ghz or a bit higher, while the intel CPU's base clock is pretty low.

Also Ryzen's stock cooler is better, not that it matters much.

AM4 will still matter even in 5 years, since you can just drop in a Ryzen 4000 8 core on the cheap.