AMD Future Proofing

[BSula99]

Hello all,

 

So I really don't like Intel and nVidias business practices very much and would like to use AMD GPU and CPU for my next build. I understand they are releasing a new CPU and GPU which I will upgrade to, but I need this rig functional by December for work and school. Thus, I want to design a build that will allow for an easy upgrade with lots of room to grow over the next 6 years or so before restarting from scratch. I would like to spend the majority of the money on the build at this time on things which aren't likely to need any further upgrade, such as case and power supply (note, my immediate need for power and future power needs will be very different, I have been eyeballing the Corsair AX1600i as my preference), keyboard and mouse, and RAM (16GB now, another 16GB later, DDR4 @3200 and CAS 14), and possibly storage (can't go wrong with 7200RPM HDD or SSHD). Will entirely redo MOBO/CPU/GPU and probably display when the new stuff drops in 2019, along with more RAM and adding more storage as the need arises. For now a 1080p gaming setup will suffice (think RX 580). Build form factor will need to be able to accomadate an ATX or E-ATX in the end. Budget for now is around $2250 USD, including peripherals.All suggested build guides will be greatly appreciated. 

[ZeusXI]

3 minutes ago, BSula99 said:

Hello all,

 

So I really don't like Intel and nVidias business practices very much and would like to use AMD GPU and CPU for my next build. I understand they are releasing a new CPU and GPU which I will upgrade to, but I need this rig functional by December for work and school. Thus, I want to design a build that will allow for an easy upgrade with lots of room to grow over the next 6 years or so before restarting from scratch. I would like to spend the majority of the money on the build at this time on things which aren't likely to need any further upgrade, such as case and power supply (note, my immediate need for power and future power needs will be very different, I have been eyeballing the Corsair AX1600i as my preference), keyboard and mouse, and RAM (16GB now, another 16GB later, DDR4 @3200 and CAS 14), and possibly storage (can't go wrong with 7200RPM HDD or SSHD). Will entirely redo MOBO/CPU/GPU and probably display when the new stuff drops in 2019, along with more RAM and adding more storage as the need arises. For now a 1080p gaming setup will suffice (think RX 580). Build form factor will need to be able to accomadate an ATX or E-ATX in the end. Budget for now is around $2250 USD, including peripherals.All suggested build guides will be greatly appreciated. 

what games will you be playing? and also will you be editing/streaming as well, or doing something like adobe workshop? or is this just straight for gaming?

[DocSwag]

Use case?

5 minutes ago, BSula99 said:

So I really don't like Intel and nVidias business practices very much and would like to use AMD GPU and CPU for my next build.

It's not exactly like AMD would be doing better if they were in the lead. Hence I usually recommend whatever is best for you, as the consumer. Ultimately if you refuse to use Intel and Nvidia though I can't convince you.

[Fasauceome]

Future proof is impossible, unless you can see the future.

AMD has some shady practices under their belt, like underhandedly changing the marketing and reading material on Vega Frontier Edition to advertise it for mining, or nerfing the RX 560 without changing the name or telling anyone. Trust me, you're better off not picking sides and just getting whatever's best.

 

That being said, let's talk requirements:

The AX1600i would be best suited for extreme cases, not sure what your use cases would be to require such power, but maybe you'd be better off with a 1200i or 1000i.

The only thing I can think of that would last upgrade cycles for 6 years would be threadripper (and ryzen of course, but you want HIGH end), since AMD announced support through 2020.

Your storage is gonna need an NVMe drive with HDDs as mass storage. For your applications, you shouldn't put up with the slowness of a mechanical drive for regular use.

RX 580 is fine, and easy to grab from the used market if you prefer to save (although with your budget, I'd say you could spare the coin for a new one).

 

Did I miss anything?

[BSula99]

14 minutes ago, ZeusXI said:

what games will you be playing? and also will you be editing/streaming as well, or doing something like adobe workshop? or is this just straight for gaming?

It will be computational work mainly (for physics and CAD, some editing). AAA titles. 

[DocSwag]

1 minute ago, BSula99 said:

It will be computational work mainly (for physics and CAD, some editing). AAA titles. 

Honestly an 8700k would probably be a fair bit better. Which specific apps are you using?

[BSula99]

17 minutes ago, DocSwag said:

Use case?

It's not exactly like AMD would be doing better if they were in the lead. Hence I usually recommend whatever is best for you, as the consumer. Ultimately if you refuse to use Intel and Nvidia though I can't convince you.

That is true. But I like giving the underdog a chance, and AMD is typically better for actual work. Plus helping give Intel some competition is better for everyone, and when they release their own GPU, I think AMD will grow while Nvidia loses some of their market share.

[Fasauceome]

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/xRPWKB

this might do it for you. Loads of upgradeability (not sure why PCPartPicker doesn't have wraithripper prices yet, they can be bought)

[BSula99]

1 minute ago, DocSwag said:

Honestly an 8700k would probably be a fair bit better. Which specific apps are you using?

Not looking for a high end CPU right now (no threadripper or ryzen 2700x needed for the moment), but will be looking to get the top of what AMD has for its release next year.

[Fasauceome]

2 minutes ago, BSula99 said:

Not looking for a high end CPU right now (no threadripper or ryzen 2700x needed for the moment), but will be looking to get the top of what AMD has for its release next year.

How can you fill out a $2000+ budget then?

 

edit: here's a good build for that i guess

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/RNhNBb

[BSula99]

16 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

Future proof is impossible, unless you can see the future.

AMD has some shady practices under their belt, like underhandedly changing the marketing and reading material on Vega Frontier Edition to advertise it for mining, or nerfing the RX 560 without changing the name or telling anyone. Trust me, you're better off not picking sides and just getting whatever's best.

 

That being said, let's talk requirements:

The AX1600i would be best suited for extreme cases, not sure what your use cases would be to require such power, but maybe you'd be better off with a 1200i or 1000i.

The only thing I can think of that would last upgrade cycles for 6 years would be threadripper (and ryzen of course, but you want HIGH end), since AMD announced support through 2020.

Your storage is gonna need an NVMe drive with HDDs as mass storage. For your applications, you shouldn't put up with the slowness of a mechanical drive for regular use.

RX 580 is fine, and easy to grab from the used market if you prefer to save (although with your budget, I'd say you could spare the coin for a new one).

 

Did I miss anything?

AX1600i is primarily cause its oddly cheaper than some of the lower and older ones, plus it gives a lot of headroom. No, power bill is not a concern. RX 580 I figure will hold me over till the next gen of GPUs come next year from AMD. Not worried so much about cost as ability to minimize losses when upgrading and maximize efficiency. 

[ZeusXI]

1 minute ago, BSula99 said:

Not looking for a high end CPU right now (no threadripper or ryzen 2700x needed for the moment), but will be looking to get the top of what AMD has for its release next year.

i have a ryzen 1600, gtx 1070 in my build, cost me less than $1500 USD. over 2k budget you might as well go all out now rather than spend more money later. doesnt make sense to spend 2k now for mediocre parts, just to spend more money on higher end parts

[BSula99]

2 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

How can you fill out a $2000+ budget then?

Don't need to fill it out. It is just available if needed for some reason. Anything not used now will be added to the budget for upgrading next year.

[BSula99]

Just now, ZeusXI said:

i have a ryzen 1600, gtx 1070 in my build, cost me less than $1500 USD. over 2k budget you might as well go all out now rather than spend more money later. doesnt make sense to spend 2k now for mediocre parts, just to spend more money on higher end parts

Vega 64 isn't competitive enough for the gaming I want long term (1440p, 144hz) so I'd rather wait, plus the size is changing on CPUs, and by extension, MOBO. Want to jump on that curve when it happens. Don't need to fill out the 2k budget. It is just available as needed. Anything not used now will be added to the upgrade budget for next year. Trying to minimize losses and maximize efficiency.

[Fasauceome]

1 minute ago, BSula99 said:

AX1600i is primarily cause its oddly cheaper than some of the lower and older ones, plus it gives a lot of headroom. No, power bill is not a concern. RX 580 I figure will hold me over till the next gen of GPUs come next year from AMD. Not worried so much about cost as ability to minimize losses when upgrading and maximize efficiency. 

Your power supply's rated wattage has nothing to do with how much your system will actually draw. You wouldn't want to draw so little from a super high rated PSU, the delivery isn't as reliable. A system that could actually draw that much power is gonna be out of budget, and new technology keeps getting more efficient, drawing less power for the same task. Longevity is better with an appropriate PSU.

[Fasauceome]

Just now, BSula99 said:

Vega 64 isn't competitive enough for the gaming I want long term

Maybe some GTX cards would be more appropriate then? No use in holding on to our biases.

[BSula99]

Just now, fasauceome said:

Your power supply's rated wattage has nothing to do with how much your system will actually draw. You wouldn't want to draw so little from a super high rated PSU, the delivery isn't as reliable. A system that could actually draw that much power is gonna be out of budget, and new technology keeps getting more efficient, drawing less power for the same task. Longevity is better with an appropriate PSU.

Fair enough. I just know AMD is historically a power hungry beast, and want to have enough to cover myself down the road, especially if Crossfire becomes viable again. What PSU and wattage would you suggest?

[BSula99]

Just now, fasauceome said:

Maybe some GTX cards would be more appropriate then? No use in holding on to our biases.

RTX 2080TI would be able to hack it for sure. Also NVlink with 2080s is an option. True enough, don't want biases to be responsible for poor judgement. Still would like to stick with AMD long run for CPU just cause they're better for work.

[BSula99]

3 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

Maybe some GTX cards would be more appropriate then? No use in holding on to our biases.

If going for high end GPU and display, budget could increase towards the $4000 dollar mark (again, don't need to fill it, but its available). That would of course require a better CPU to not bottleneck the system, and possibly go with 32GB RAM right off the bat. 1080TIs in SLI is an option if they drop in price, as is 2080s using NVlink, tho I think a single RTX 2080 TI may be best option. Looking to hit at least 144hz at 1440p, preferably 60-144hz in 4k. 

[Guest]

you cant future proof much, probably just case, storage and psu?

 

ddr5 ram is coming, which also means new mobos and cpu

gpus will probably jump a lot if AMD manages to catch up with their 7nm cards, which also means you might choose wrong monitor (gsync/freesync)