I recommend you wait for Ryzen 3 because either Intel will lower its i3 price lineup even further or Ryzen 3 will be the good value. I recommend you change your GPU for RX 580 for better performance and same price. I recommend you lower your GPU for GTX 1050Ti or RX 570 since your processor will get bottlenecked with your current configuration, and GPU is one of the PC part that change drastically annually, so save for another upgrade like SSD. My RIG specs priced $315 https://pcpartpicker.com/list/MstRbj G4560 with stock cooler Asrock H110M HIS iCooler RX 460 2 GB 8 GB of RAM 120 GB of SSD 250 GB of HDD (which I salvaged and clean format from my 6 years PC) My main game: Battlefield 4 High-Ultra setting @900p getting more than 60 fps except when there is lots of small particle (dust, etc) around 57 fps. CS:GO Max settings, more than 140 FPS. Sins of a Solar Empire, High setting, which is hard to measure, and this game is RTS, which is CPU bound, the worst frame is when you zoom in when in an intense war, you will get 30 fps. HERE IS MY RECOMMENDATION This is the cheapest part i can find for your specs in PCPartPicker it cost $472 https://pcpartpicker.com/list/brMrf8 i believe 16 GB of RAM for your processor configuration is overkill, you could go for 1x8 GB and save some money for other upgrade like SSD which really affect your overall PC performance. RX 480 4 GB is not recommended, as GPU is one of the PC parts which upgrade annually with significant change every years, I recommend you downgrade for GTX 1050Ti or RX570 if you want to use i3-7100 or push even further for GTX 1050 or RX 560 if you go for intel G4560. If your budget is fixed around $472 I recommend you go for i5-7400 or Ryzen 5 (or maybe wait for Ryzen 3) 1400 with GTX 1050Ti or RX570, for more balance performance since you didn't mention your games, is it FPS-action (which is more GPU friendly) or RPG-style (which is more hard for GPU). Processor is one of PC parts which has longer life span, even sometimes outlive your motherboard, so investing decent Processor at start is better for me. My own rules for building first-time poor-man PC: 1. Processor first, it is controlling literally everything, good processor mean good overall experiences. 2. GPU, it impacts your gaming experiences greatly, match it for your need, GPU is changing annually. 3. Always stick with 1 stick 8 GB RAM, 4 GB will limit or even not playing current PC games, and you spare more slots for future upgrade. The most easy part to upgrade in PC, just Plug and Play. 4. HDD 500 GB, I believe you cannot but lots of ORIGINAL games if your max budget is like mine, the game itself is as expensive as most of your parts. 500 GB is lots and can store up to 8 AAA games which is around 50 GB right now. Great game will last for a year or so for you to play, you have time to save some money for HDD upgrade which is just plug and play. 5. Case and PSU, do not seek for that sleek smooth tempered glass if you plan to put it under beside your feet, you won't watch it. Buy the case which at least have 3 Fan placements, 2 for in 1 for out for optimal air flow. 6. SSD is optional, but one of the most important part for today PC, it increase your user experience, it's not all about gaming, with SSD you will get almost instant response after you turn on your PC, and almost immediately open your browser when you click it. That little thing that i want. Okay for my background why i chose these parts. Now here is my recommendation for both Intel and Ryzen platform. You can lower your price if you go for GTX 1050Ti or RX 570 (which i more prefer for this price range). Here is my recommendation cost $498 for Intel https://pcpartpicker.com/list/T4pMd6 i5 7400 (still more core is better) B250 RX 580 4GB (Just buy 580 for better performance with same price) 1x8GB of RAM (With gaming and browsing or watching movie/Youtube, 8 GB is more than enough, just save some money for upgrade later) Here is my recommendation, cost $503 for Ryzen only change the processor and motherboard https://pcpartpicker.com/list/TQy3kT Ryzen 5 1400 (overclock for free boost and free decent cooler) << Personally i will wait for Ryzen 3 because 4C/4T is the best sweet spot for now B350 (The only major difference with X370 is SLI/Crossfire support) RX 580 4GB 1x8GB of RAM Here is the advantage and disadvantage i found in internet for both Intel and AMD: Intel's i3 Advantage: + More speed, which is USEFUL for GAMING + Best technology inside for NOW + Support Intel Octane (which I believe the dope version of SSD Cache, buy SSD instead, see LTT Youtube for the difference) Intel's i3 Disadvantage: - Less cores, which impact multi-tasking - Less cores, which make its life cycle will short (I predict in 2 years or less you will change it first because more game will support higher cores) - Intel's famous for change its socket for newer version of CPU, makes its motherboard obsolete for next gen processor, or in short no further support for next gen processor, you must be satisfied with i7-7700K maximum, for now. Ryzen 5's Advantage: + More cores, which is USEFUL for MULTI-PURPOSE + More cores, which make its life cycle longer (I predict you will change it in 3 years or so, and the main reason you change will be old support protocol like newer version of USB, Thunderbolt, PCI, etc.) + AMD's famous for its very long technology cycle expect your AM4 motherboard will be last for at least 3 years so you can upgrade for next newer version of Ryzen in the future. Ryzen 5's Disadvantage: - NOT a GAMING Processor (Which is obvious for its low frequency, higher count processor) - NOT the LATEST technology implemented - Low implementation, so there are few products out there that support its higher count processor. |
