I'm considering upgrading to a new PC, but I know effectively nothing about computers and I've always just bought prebuilt desktops. Plan is basically to use it only for poker/solvers and I'm borrowing heavily from a recent thread's recommendations.

All prices are in Cdn $, from Canada Computers

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X ($679.99)
Motherboard: MSI MPG X570 ($199.99)
Memory: G. Skill Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2x16) DDR 3200MHz
Storage: WD Blue 500GB SSD ($69.99)
Case: Cooler Master TD500 Mesh ARGB ($139.99)
Power Supply: EVGA 850 B5, 80 Plus Bronze 850W ($139.99)
Cooler: BE QUIET! Dark Rock Pro 4 ($134.99)
Video Card: Gefroce GT 1030 ($119.99)

Total: $1,669.92 + tax

My main questions are:
1. Is that a reasonable build?
2. Do I even need a video card if I don't plan on playing games?
3. Are there any other things I need to buy to put it together? Or can/should I just pay someone to put it together?

Thanks in advance!

yep looks reasonable
would get a better ssd for the os
build it yourself, easy, satisfying and you'l know how to fix the hardware part when it comes to it

def agree with ssd, hdd is painfully slow to go back to.

would solvers not benefit from more ram?

is 850w really necessary for psu? seems like a lot for basically no gfx card. bronze will also be the least efficient. i would think a good 600w would be fine, and altho its only a couple dollars up front, it would cost less over time as well

with that cpu, yes you will need a gfx card of some sort. i guess its cryptos fault again but prices look crazy atm for anything better than that 1030..

Thanks for the replies! I think I'll start with 32gb ram and upgrade if necessary (there will be 2 empty slots so can just buy and plug in right?)

Changes:
Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 500GB SSD (+$60)
Power supply: EVGA 600 GD, 80+ Gold (-$20)

Couple extra questions:
1. Do I need to buy Windows 10? (Some reading suggests maybe not? Can use without a product key or buy a cheap product key online somehow?)
2. Do the parts come with everything I need to install them?

Too late to edit but thought of another question:
3. Do I need to buy fan(s)?

#1, this link looks pretty good at covering it. best option is to upgrade if you have an old computer you arent using with w7/8, not sure if you can just use that product key on another computer, or if the upgrade is locked into one comp.. not activating is an annoyance and tbh i wouldnt want to bother with it (i had a w7 unactivated for a while)

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews...heap,5717.html

#2, everything should be included, IIRC, its been a while. the motherboard usually has all the cables you'd need, likewise with psu. i dont think theres anything you wouldn't have at home. maybe zip ties depending on how you plan on doing cable management

#3 not usually. case specs should say what ones it has, the gfx card has a fan, the cpu cooler is obv a fan. extras are only for more flow and i really dont think they are ever needed.

Awesome, thanks for the help

sure!

and big +1 to doing it yourself. its much easier than people think, should only take an hour, if that, and you'll feel better about it afterwards. just a puzzle with expensive pieces

You need a video card because the 3900x does not have built in video. Only the AMD APU parts have a GPU on package and those cap out at 8 cores in the 4xxxG parts and 4 cores in the 2xxxG and 3xxxG series.
You don't need a high end video card, just something with the correct count and types of outputs you want (2x DisplayPort, etc) and probably around 4GB of VRAM if you're running multiple or high res displays.

You can run Windows 10 w/o activating/paying for it. That's what I do.

yep, W10 is essentially free these days, you get all the updates and everything works the same. you get a watermark in the bottom right corner of the wallpaper and it won't let you change accent colors and themes and stuff like that but there are workarounds.
if not, an OEM key is 10-20$. google and you shall find.

if it's your first time building a pc, it prob takes you 2-3h. there are plenty of instructional vids on youtube, I can link some if you want. very low chance you damage anything if a bit careful.

for gpu, RX550 and GT1030 are still available at MSRP these days, grab one of those. should be able to find one for 90-100 USD.

for the ssd, get the cheapest you can find from tier B here https://linustechtips.com/topic/1092033-ssd-tier-list/

that case you picked has 3 included front intake fans, you will need at least 1 exhaust fan at the back, preferably a 2nd exhaust right above the cpu, but not necessary. btw you can save 50 USD on a cheaper mesh case, as these are essentially the same, apart from looks and the occasional quality of life feature, and put that money towards a modular power supply. having one of those will help you more if building first time, lots of cables can get a bit overwhelming.

also that mobo doesn't have onboard wifi and BT, one of these will do the job https://www.amazon.ca/WISE-TIGER-300...1484452&sr=8-6

Ok, last couple changes (hopefully)

Case: DEEPCOOL MATREXX 55 MESH Mid-Tower Case Tempered Glass Side Panel and meshed Front Panel with PSU Shroud
Fans: 2x BE QUIET! PURE WINGS 2 PWM, 140mm BL040 Case Fan
Power Supply: Corsair TX Series TX550M 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified Semi-Modular

New total: $1726.90

you picked 2x 140mm fans, that size might work for the top exhaust, but the rear ones are 120mm max. better get two 120s
only 1 thing to add, think about if you want to have a proper gpu installed sometime in the future, it's wise to plan ahead in regards to the psu. 550W is perfectly fine for this configuration but you'l have to get a different one if you get a powerful gpu

spending twice as much money on a cpu cooler as your hard disk is very weird.

that case looks to have a rear fan already? i thought most come with pretty decent airflow already.

550w is gonna be enough for most current mid tier cards. 1660 would be fine, even seems the low end for a 2070. if you wanna "future proof", a bigger one wouldn't hurt, but if you never end up using it, itll be a waste the whole time. i would think that 600w you picked earlier would be better, or a 650w if you think you need it.

in the end, either way its a few dollars and some heat, so not a huge concern to overkill the psu watts, just food for thought.


modular helps, but i never found it necessary, you'll just have extra cables to tuck away. i also think that unless you're really using the load, as long as the psu has the connectors itll be fine.

Good catch on the fans, fixed that.

I cannot overstate how little I knew going into this Think I fixed that in the changes though!

From what I can tell from the product specs, the pictures show a fan but it's not included.

I can't imagine needing to upgrade the graphics card, most of the games I like are from the 90s (exception being sc2 which I haven't played in years) so I guess I'll stick with the 550 and save a bit of electricity.

It seems the price gap between 3200 and 3600 MHz ram is narrowing and the price jump is now between 3600-4000.

I've only briefly read over this but I think if your putting this much money into a build go for a M.2 nvme SSD over your standard SSD's not sure if anyone has suggested that.

You are correct, only $15 more to go for 3600 MHz so made that change.

In one of the updates I switched to a Samsung 980 Pro over the random cheap one I'd originally chosen

Current build (all prices CDN $):
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X ($679.99)
Motherboard: MSI MPG X570 ($199.99)
Memory: G. Skill Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2x16) DDR4 3600MHz ($199.99)
Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 500GB M.2 NVMe PCIe4.0 SSD ($199.99)
Case: Deepcool Matrexx 55 Mesh Mid-Tower ($59.99)
Power Supply: Corsair TX550M 80 PLUS Gold ($99.99)
Cooler: BE QUIET! Dark Rock Pro 4 ($134.99)
Video Card: Gefroce GT 1030 ($119.99)
Fans: 2x Be Quiet Pure Wings 120mm Case Fan (2 x $14.99)

Total Price: $1,724.90 (+tax)

Planning to place the order within a couple days, any last minute advice appreciated!

Looks decent to me,

The only thing I suggest and I'm only suggesting it because it bugged me and I recently upgraded my stuff and I'm a lot happier with it is the case.

I had a cheapy case before, Some cooler master one. It does the job, but one thing that did bug me is that it was pretty loud when the fans were being worked, (I only had stock case fans), and some half decent CPU air cooler. If this something that isn't going to bug you then probably not worth it,

I got this https://www.fractal-design.com/produ...efine-7/white/

I got the non glass version. Case is really designed well, It does cost a bit but for me it's worth it. Here is a review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qETBuMK4YI

boom shakalaka

stevepa,

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X comes with a cooler included. Buying an extra, high-end, cooler for the CPU is really only needed if you plan on doing high-end overclocking (which I suspect you're not).

You could simply just save the $135, or use that extra money to upgrade your SSD hard disk to 1 terrabyte.

I'd be OK with this comment if the PC were for gaming, which doesn't stress the CPU that much. But if you're going to run solvers for hours/days, I'd feel better with a third party cooler.

The Wraith prism you can sell for 30$ or so. Maybe in the US for more, dunno. I got my Wraith Prism for 10€ +shipping

ye I'd go for aftermarket cooler with the R9 and keep stock on R7
same coolers in the box but the R9 is just a bit too hot for it. works when running at stock speeds but I still think it's a bit noisy. can run auto overclock on aftermarket cooling and get an extra 10-15% out of your cpu while keeping noise down. seeing as you're going with a mesh case and your gpu barely makes any noise (can even get fanless, passively cooled GT1030) you can shoot for a near silent system out of a well ventilated case, which is win win obv. idk what the fans on that deepcool case are like, but the added bequiet ones are silent