Ryzen Zen3 system build including follow up.

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timmmay

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#279776 8-Nov-2020 09:09

Update

Ryzen 5600X system is built, new fans installed, thread is now just reporting anything interesting with the system.

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I've decided to go with the Ryzen 5600X for my new build - my last PC lasted a decade and expect this one too. I'd appreciate thoughts on the components as I don't follow this stuff. My i7 2600K is plenty fast enough, but ports and parts are physically wearing out, and things like fans will fail at some point. Cost isn't my major drive, but I want good value. This PC is probably overkill, but gives me a good platform if I decide to expand.

It's a home PC that's usually lightly used, but I do all kinds of random things with it at various times. Here's what I use it for, in order of frequency:

Standard web browser / email
Occasional light development - occasionally building docker containers, some python
Video editing with Premier Elements (no GPU support) about 6 times a year
Handbrake transcoding about 6 times a year
File server for the house - Kodi mainly
Work laptop sits on top as I work from home, so no top fans

My priorities are:

Reliable
Quiet
Reliable
Fast enough
Reliable

Components notes:

I've gone with Gigabyte motherboard / GPU as that brand has been reliable in my current build
GPU is basic as nothing I do benefits from GPU rendering
I've chosen 4000MHz RAM as it's meant to be the sweet spot for the Zen3, but not sure if that's best
I've gone with B550 chipset as it seems the best value and does everything I want. USB 3.2 gen 2 is something I'd like. X570 to be more for enthusiasts, the only advantage for me is it has 6 SATA ports which might be quite helpful but isn't necessary. Second choice board, third choice board.
Fractal Design R5 case seems to be quiet and reliable. I wanted R6 but that doesn't seem to be in NZ.
I'm going to buy everything from PBTech as I want them to do the physical install. I just don't have the spare time to do it myself.
Going with Samsung pro M2 SSD. I'll add my own disks - another SATA SSD and three spinning disks. The M2 SSD only has to do OS and programs, 128GB is actually plenty of space. I might go up to 512GB and partition and to replace my existing SSDs but they work fine so not much point.

Questions

Question: R5 case has a fan controller build into the case and basic fans. I'd much rather have the motherboard change fan speeds to keep the system cool. Can anyone recommend a more modern case that comes with PWM fans, or is cheaper and doesn't include fans? No top fans, I put my work laptop on top.
If I'm starting with a Zen3 CPU how do I get the BIOS flashed? My understanding is this is required for the Zen3 CPU to work.
How do the components look generally? Any compatibility / size issues?
Which RAM should I get? 4000MHZ RAM with more latency or 3600MHz RAM with less latency? I've read the 4000MHz is best for Zen3, but I guess not if it's budget and crippled.

Updated PC link (PC Parts Picker)

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#2599798 8-Nov-2020 09:45

You've got two different sets of RAM on there. I wonder whether the 3600 RAM you've put there might actually be faster given the lower latency.

Design R5 is a pretty old case but is pretty reliable if quiet is your main priority - I don't think you have to worry too much about cooling for the case given no proper graphics card.

Motherboard seems fine - if it doesn't have the required bios, I think some places can do that for you, and some shops have done it already - e.g. https://www.pbtech.co.nz/news/1927/AMD-Ryzen-5600X-5800X-5900X--5950X-at-PB-Tech

To control fan speed you generally need 4 pin PWM fans. You can somewhat control 3 pin fans by varying voltage but it's not as effective

timmmay

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#2599806 8-Nov-2020 10:00

Thanks @Tzoi. I've removed the slower RAM - happy to get recommendations on the best RAM, I understand it generally but not quite well enough to do the trade-offs. I don't want to pay massive amounts for tiny improvements, I'm not doing supercomputing here but I don't want to cripple a fast system with slow RAM.

What case would you get instead? I just want a black, professional looking case with no window, suitable for putting work laptop on top, and quiet. I guess a case that comes with PWM fans would be better, rather than paying for the basic one they include then having to replace them.

Updated parts link here.

Tzoi

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#2599814 8-Nov-2020 10:29

Most new cases have a window nowadays so there probably isn't much choice haha

rb99

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#2599818 8-Nov-2020 10:44

I went with a Fractal R5. I think its good stuff. I wanted something quiet (which it is) with lots of space for half a dozen (or more) HDDs plus two Bluray players. And has space for two SSDs round the back. I just leave the case fans as they are and let the mobo control the cpu cooler.

Do you need a 980 Pro when you can get a 970 Evo Plus with twice the space for about the same price (I think).

You can't move you're existing operating system (if its fairly recent) to the new PC ?

This is my effort, which I can't be bothered registering so I can save it. Adds up yo $2134 plus shipping = $2178. I'm sure its overkill but I quite like playing around with this kind of stuff...

Edit - hope its actually legible...

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bfginger

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#2599833 8-Nov-2020 11:00

AMD is expected to move to DDR5, 5nm and AM5 socket next year meaning you'd be buying this at the end of a long generation with little further upgrade potential. Your current CPU is not slow. Personally I'd wait for Zen 4.

timmmay

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#2599867 8-Nov-2020 11:42

Thanks all. I could live with a window. It's beside my desk anyway. Just don't want any stupid flashing or colored lights. I need a tool not a toy.

I tend to go for the pro range of SSD as they use more reliable memory cells, SLC or MLC instead of TLC or MLC. I don't need that much storage space in the SSD, and I don't mind paying for quality.

@rb99 are you going 570 for the extra sata ports? Any other reason? I thought about it for a while but couldn't see a good reason to pay $100+ more for me.

@bfginger that is always something better around the corner. I waited 6 months for Zen 3 and I have a computer which has some thoughts starting to wear out so I need to update soon. Computers aren't upgraded that much anymore anyway, The CPU and motherboard should be fine for years, I may just add RAM or a video card later if I find a need.

I have read that 4,000MHz RAM is not stable and that 3600 is a better bet right now. Anyone have a recommendation for make / model of ram?

https://www.pcgamer.com/au/amd-zen-3-infinity-fabric-lottery/

https://premiumbuilds.com/ram/best-ram-for-ryzen-zen-3-5600x-5800x-5900x-5950x/

I'd like to order soon while stock is available, today or by Tuesday at the latest. Global supply chain not working great right now. But if I can't get the Ryzen I will just get the Intel 10500, not that bothered. Kitchen rising mostly because it's faster single core and should last me years.

shrub

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#2599873 8-Nov-2020 11:55

I'd wait for DDR5 to be mainstream and pick up someone's 3600/3700x on a X370/B450 just as a stop gap

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timmmay

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#2599882 8-Nov-2020 12:04

shrub:
I'd wait for DDR5 to be mainstream and pick up someone's 3600/3700x on a X370/B450 just as a stop gap

There's always something better around the corner. I waited for Zen 3, if I follow the advice online I could be waiting 2 years for Zen 4 and DDR5 to be released and then reach its full potential. I will just buy the best combination of price / performance available when I need to buy.

My computer might last another month or another 2 years, but I want to avoid catastrophic failure and being without a computer for some time while I organize a new one, and it is getting on towards a decade old.

rb99

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#2599884 8-Nov-2020 12:07

Not very logical thoughts from someone who has built (as in me personally stick together) a grand total of one PC -

I use Emby to play my media and seem to have acquired quite a bit of it, hence I have quite a few HDDs and use up most, if not all, the sata ports, of which I have eight. So I find having extra storage connectors quite useful. Also, don't think B550s existed when I was looking last year. So, basically if your hoping to keep a new PC I would overdo things s bit now, just in case, as to me X570 is a bit more future proof. OTOH people might say they all come with active cooling and who knows how long that'll last, and if you don't need x570, as you say, why pay for it.

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

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timmmay

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#2599895 8-Nov-2020 13:05

Thanks rb. I don't know what an Emby is. I've built 3 or 4 computers over the years, but they tend to be widely spaced and a lot of stuff changes - I'm moving up about 8 generations of hardware. A few builds back there wasn't even a really secure way to attach heatsinks to CPUs securely, they used these weird rubber mounts, but that problem was solved more than a decade ago.

I've been waiting at least six months for Zen3 to become available. Core of the current computer is working but sound has failed (using USB sound), some physical USB ports have failed (using a USB add-in card), and my PSU and many fans are 8 - 10 years old. I replaced motherboard / RAM about 5 years ago. It might last another 5 years, it might blow up tomorrow, it's more about increasing risk over time and part availability that I'm doing it now.

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#2599896 8-Nov-2020 13:14

Emby is a rival to Plex (or Kodi). Will play your media from your PC or NAS to TVs and laptops and phones all over the house and to people in other parts of the country (or the planet).

Also seem to average a new PC every 5 or 6 years, usually when something starts getting a bit iffy. Can't really afford to get the latest and greatest whenever I feel the urge, thought the new(ish) PC I'm typing this on is pretty decent.

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

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#2599987 8-Nov-2020 16:30

I think its Black Friday next weekend. Might be worth keeping an eye on.

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

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timmmay

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#2599999 8-Nov-2020 16:41

That's a good call thanks RB, there might be some discounts from PB and from Newegg / Amazon. US shipping is pretty slow right now, I ordered something from Amazon with expedited shipping and it might take a month to get here. DHL / FedEx / etc are still ok generally.

I've updated the link to the parts list above. Basically it's

Ryzen 5600X
Gigabyte B550 AORUS ELITE ATX AM4 Motherboard
Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 2 GB Video Card
G.Skill Ripjaw 16GB of DDR4-4000 (recommended as optimal by AMD) CAS 17 - which will have to come in from the USA, unless I chose slower RAM. Apparently it's something to do with clock sync that 4000MHz is best.
Samsung 980 pro M.2 SSD 250GB
Fractal Design R5 case - apparently dated but solid
Cooler Master gold 550W PSU
Noctua F12 PWM 54.97 CFM 120 mm Fan x 2

Since the RAM has to come from the USA I guess I'll be assembling myself. When you only assemble yourself every 10 years it takes ages to do - the better part of a day by the time you do it, work out you did parts wrong, undo and redo sometimes multiple times. When you have kids a day to do that kind of thing means late nights / time off work. Then there's the software install. Oh well. Buying something readymade is attractive, PB has one premade brand but I didn't like the look of it, it'll be a while before there's much available.

ratsun81

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#2600005 8-Nov-2020 16:56

The build is solid, below is what i would do differently.

As far as memory goes with multiple ryzen builds behind me i would ensure that the ram i purchase is on the motherboards QVL list. DDR4-3600 will work well and has been verified. So far the new gen of ryzen hasnt had much in the way of memory testing published so its hard to say what the actual benefits are of going to 4000 speed ram.

For the amount of HDD's you have the old fractal case is overkill. The phanteks p400a would work well and it in general has better airflow, it needs to be specced with an extra hdd cage to accomodate your HDD.

That gpu is overpriced for how bad it is. A card like this will at least keep some semblance of longevity, more RAM and that much better performance.... https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/VGASAP9554/Sapphire-Pulse-Radeon-RX550-4G-GDDR5-Graphics-Card

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timmmay

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#2600015 8-Nov-2020 17:10

Thanks @ratsun81 that's really handy. I couldn't find a QVL for the B550 motherboard, I might try a different board or asking Gigabyte. Maybe they haven't done testing yet? For the 5000 series DDR4- 4000 is recommended.

Thanks for the GPU recommendation, looks only slightly more expensive and worthwhile if it's better.

The Phanteks isn't great for a key need - I sit my work laptop on it 24/7 so I need it solid. Also easier not to have to get more bays. Fractal seems like a better option for me, but thanks for the suggestion.

Given there's no memory QVL for Ryzen 5000 yet it's a bit of a gamble, especially having to order memory from overseas. That's making me a bit nervous. There's no point dropping down to a lower Ryzen, it would use different speed RAM. To be cautious I might either wait a couple of months until the CPU / RAM combinations are a bit more proven, or just go with the Intel 10x00 series which isn't as good but is good enough, cheaper with no GPU, and a safe bet. Will ponder that, and interested in opinions.

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