7 upvotes, 4 direct replies (showing 4)
View submission: Simple Questions - December 03, 2020
Yo! I'm getting all the bits for my boyfriends sons first build, I'm not very gaming PC savvy, so I was going to use PCpartpicker.com for the most of it.
So far I ordered an AMD Ryzen 3 3100 w/ wraith stealth cooler 4 / 8 65W AM4 18MB 3900 MHZ (all of which means nothing to me), and a Cooler Master MasterBox MB311L ARGB MicroATX Mid Tower Case.
For the motherboard, I was reading something about a possible BIOS update for the 3100, any recommendations on one that might not need an update?
Am I doing ok? Is it safe to pretty much use the pcpartpicker.com entry level AMD build guide as well as their compatibility recommendations?
I may have had a mild panic attack when I discovered that the case doesn't have a port for an optical disc reader...
Comment by Anchor_Drop at 03/12/2020 at 22:49 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
You’re looking for a motherboard that will say something like “AM4 3000 ready”. CPU is 3100 hence the 3000 - sounds like you’re new to PC building so don’t update the BIOS, just get the right board (: life will be better
Okay CPU cooler is good
Like other said 3600 is a “better” processor and def worth the upgrade (don’t worry about 3600x just get the 3600 - you will not notice a difference)
What graphics card are you getting? For an entry level build I’d recommend the 1660 or 1660 Ti - or if you have time to wait the new 3060s will be coming out soon if they are in price range
Get 16GB RAM. 3600MHz is the magic number for speed/price these days
Don’t forget the power supply. Again based on a 3100 CPU (or 3600/x) paired with a 1660/1600 Ti (or 3060) graphics card get a 600-650 watt 80+ gold (could save money and go for bronze. The difference is how efficient they are are. Lower efficiency means more heat. I also tend to go overboard with power supplies b/c they are more efficient at lower loaded (remember heat is to electronics what rust is to cars - won’t kill anything overnight but when playing the long game it matters)
Comment by BrewingHeavyWeather at 03/12/2020 at 15:19 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
For the motherboard, I was reading something about a possible BIOS update for the 3100, any recommendations on one that might not need an update?
Not a problem. That was an issue like a year and a half ago. Any new B450 will be fine (or A320, but...why?).
I may have had a mild panic attack when I discovered that the case doesn't have a port for an optical disc reader...
Most people don't use them, anymore, and a lot of us that still do have gone external, especially since new notebooks lack room for them, too.
Comment by MrRom92 at 03/12/2020 at 14:30 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Cases with optical drive bays seem to be a complete rarity these days. I picked the Be Quiet! Dark Base Pro 900 MK.2 for my build, which has 2 optical drive bays... haven’t actually received it yet, should be arriving tomorrow but from everything I’ve seen online, it seems like a really nice, well built case with a lot of flexibility to make of it exactly what you need.
As someone who needs drive bays, I didn’t really find anything else even worth considering.
Comment by MattLogi at 03/12/2020 at 14:13 UTC
4 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Wohhh now, pump the breaks lol. You haven't done anything "wrong" per say so don't fret buttt there is a lot to consider here. PC Part picker is great for making sure the components are compatible. But just think of it like a car, you little Toyota might be compatible with a V8 lol doesn't mean you want the V8.
I would recommend /r/buildmeapc/ to get the right help. The processor is not great and I would aim for a 3600x if you can fit in the budget. The RAM (I assume that's 8GB of 3900MHz Ram is overkill on speed. For the 3000 series AMD CPU you want 3200MHz so it will be a lot cheaper. 8GB is also a little low but not the end of the world. You are going with a mico case and motherboard...which is fine but usually you get more features on a normal ATX motherboard and Midtower ATX case. You also still need a Graphics Card and a Power Supply. get 80+ Bronze at the minimum for your PSU. Unfortunately now is really tough to buy since stock is really low after BlackFirday/Cyber Monday/COVID
Optical drives are pretty much dead :) (but I think you were just joking around a little).
You are definitely taking the right steps to post here though!