First Build

[AmpNRG]

Hi guys,

 

I recently got 2 980TIs from a friend who was upgrading and was able to put one in my current ‘gaming’ PC. It’s pretty old but with the gpu upgrade it’s running most games on medium graphics just fine. I know the 980ti is on it’s way out of popularity but it seems like it’s enough for mobas and some FPS games for a casual player. 
 

I would like to use the second 980ti (msi 6gb) and build a second PC for my roommate. I have a 100gb sata SSD, 10gb of ram 1600 (MHz?), and a 600w power supply but I need a motherboard and cpu. Is there a mobo/cpu combo I can I get for under $200 that could run something like apex legends on medium graphics? The ram is 4 sticks so it would need 4 slots. 

We will upgrade the ram later and I have a mech drive I can use for extra storage. 
 

Is this possible? Does it make sense to build around this card? The What additional info do you need from me. 
 

Thanks in advance!

[dizmo]

The 980Ti is more than sufficient, especially if you're playing at 1080p. I'm still using a 980, at 2560x1080.

You didn't list what CPU you have, so motherboard selection help is impossible.

 

[AmpNRG]

I said I need a cpu and mobo so that’s why I didn’t list it 

[AmpNRG]

1 hour ago, dizmo said:

The 980Ti is more than sufficient, especially if you're playing at 1080p. I'm still using a 980, at 2560x1080.

You didn't list what CPU you have, so motherboard selection help is impossible.

 

Didn’t reply to this correctly but I don’t have a cpu. I need a cpu and motherboard

[boggy77]

1600af is $85 on amazon.com and is basically a 2600.

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (14nm) 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor	$85.00
Motherboard	MSI B450M PRO-VDH MAX Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard	$79.99 @ B&H
Memory	G.Skill Aegis 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory	$64.99 @ Newegg
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$229.98
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-02-02 16:34 EST-0500

 

[AmpNRG]

8 hours ago, boggy77 said:

1600af is $85 on amazon.com and is basically a 2600.

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (14nm) 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor	$85.00
Motherboard	MSI B450M PRO-VDH MAX Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard	$79.99 @ B&H
Memory	G.Skill Aegis 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory	$64.99 @ Newegg
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$229.98
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-02-02 16:34 EST-0500

 

Are these CPU’s sold out? There are some that aren’t listed w prime shipping for $108 and all the other cards have prime. Newegg has some for $95 and some for $105 but I don’t think either of those options are the “af” version of the 1600. Looking around the af version is a 12 nm cpu if I’m reading things correctly. Basically I’m confused and can’t seem to find the card everyone is talking about. 

[cheez63]

You really need a case, motherboard and cpu, correct?   The cheapest way would be to find and old Optiplex 7010 mid tower and put all your other parts in there. You could probably do that with an i7 third gen for $100 if you got lucky, and definitely with a i5.  Either would hit your performance marks with the 980.  

 

For even better performance, if you have access to a microcenter, you should be able to stay really close to $200 with a Ryzen 1600, 2600, or maybe even a 2600x with a B450 motherboard, and then have a minimal amount left for the cheapest case off amazon. 

 

**edit** Sorry I overlooked wanting to use the DDR3 ram. The cheapest combo currently at Microcenter with a Ryzen 2600x, motherboard and 8gb ram is going to be closer to $220 with no case after tax. You could save almost $20 more dripping back to a A320 motherboard instead of the b450, but I don't think that is $20 well saved.

[cheez63]

Oh sorry, I missed that you need DDR3 support. My optiplex suggestion will still fly with that, or you could also look at something like this: https://shopucw.com/collections/motherboard-kit/products/asus-p8z68-v-lx-with-i7-2600

 

$139 for an i7-2600. It is old, but still packs a punch, and leaves you with a little to buy a cheap case.  It also includes 8gb ram, so you can add your two best other sticks and have probably 16gb total. The price here isn't great, you should be able to find that class of motherboard and CPU cheaper if you shop around on eBay or something, but it's ok.  Should be a nice machine for what you are wanting. 

 

Even for more money, the Ryzen is a much better bang for your buck, if you want to spend the money.

[boggy77]

4 hours ago, AmpNRG said:

Looking around the af version is a 12 nm cpu if I’m reading things correctly.

yeah that should be the one. but indeed it seems to be sold out. get the 2600 instead, if you can't find that one.