Help! What CPU, MB, & RAM would you buy for $500 - $550(MAX) ?

[ministrix]

Hi all!

It's been six years since I built a new PC, and it's time to upgrade my daughter's gaming PC. We usually went AMD through the years. I'm a little unfamiliar with what's current. What would you buy/recommend based on the following info:


Budget: $500 - $550(maximum) for CPU, MB, & RAM
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Games / Settings Desired: Ultra settings, Modern AAA 3D games
Any other intensive software or special things you do (Frequent video encoding, 3D modeling, etc): No
Country: USA
Parts that can be reused: RX480 4GB video card (will upgrade this in a month or so) Corsair Air 540 case, Corsair 750 watt power supply, various Samsung SSD's, Corsair K70 Rapidfire keyboard, Logitech G600 MMO Mouse, Corsair Void Pro headset
Do you need an OS? No
Do you need peripherals (e.g. monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, etc)? No (The monitor is old, but I'll replace at a later date)


Thanks SO MUCH in advance for any input, guidance, links, etc you can help me with!!!

[Bryntrollian]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus - Prime X470-Pro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($161.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($109.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $471.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-19 20:55 EST-0500


Alternatively, if you go the route of 1080 144hz / 240hz

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-9600K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor ($259.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! - Dark Rock 4 CPU Cooler ($68.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI - Z390-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $558.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-18 19:43 EST-0500

[ministrix]

Thanks very much for the recommendations. This was very helpful. The only part I don't think I'm interested in is the Gigabyte - B450M DS3H Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard. I'll likely get the ASUS Prime X470 to fill out that AMD build. It seems better suited for the Corsair Air 540.

[sil3ntearth]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-9600K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor ($261.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ B&H)
Motherboard: Asus - TUF B360M-PLUS GAMING Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($92.67 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $469.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-19 17:47 EST-0500

Also, check out this review on NVMe performance on X470 vs. Z370. There is a difference. It' something I didn't even think about until recently.

https://www.techspot.com/review/1646...0-vs-amd-x470/

[ministrix]

Thanks!

I'm still leaning AMD, although these Intel builds look nice. What AMD MB would you recommend for under $200 to go with the AMD - Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor?

[Bryntrollian]

Thanks!

I'm still leaning AMD, although these Intel builds look nice. What AMD MB would you recommend for under $200 to go with the AMD - Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor?

The Asus Prime x470 Pro is a great choice, actually.

[ministrix]

Thanks both of you for your invaluable input. My daughter is going to be very happy. They're on their way!

After NYS tax, the AMD - Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz, Asus Prime x470 Pro, and Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 totaled $518.00 USD on Amazon.com

[Wermys]

If you have a microcenter near you, they usually have good deals on cpu/motherboard combos. Like 1700x for 150 bucks new and pair witha 75 dollar motheboard and 90 dollars for 2 16 gb sticks.

Cpu+MB
https://www.microcenter.com/product/...erboard-bundle $184.98

Ram
https://www.microcenter.com/product/...top-memory-kit 89.99

The B350 should be upgradeable to run the next Ryzen release. And the 1700x is a good processor it won't clock as high as the 2600x but gives you more cores and the cost difference is pretty significant and the performance difference is about 10% with it being better multi threaded because of more cores. This should a good setup for her that is relatively inexpensive given your budget.


Eh guess this is too late just read you already ordered. Hope she enjoys it.