Today I decided to upgrade the operating system of my wife's computer. I checked the website of Asus. There are no drivers available for her motherboard beyond Vista. I now know that it is time for a new computer. I would like to use her present case. I have two concerns however. The 80mm fans, and the USB 2.0 on the front. I am emotionally tied to the case. In my opinion it is a beauty. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112100

Any opinions will be appreciated.

I don't see the 80mm fans or the possible limitation of USB2 on the front ports as huge issues.

It's very likely that the front USB ports will work just fine. I'm not sure what if any physical or electrical difference there might be for USB2 vs. USB3 on front panel connections other than maybe the number of twists per inch in the wires.

As for the fans, unless you are planning on having a high wattage CPU or more than one HDD I don't see there being a problem keeping the case cool. Most of the high power video cards already exhaust out the back of the case.

My Lian Li stays, irregardless of what goes in it. It's a keeper like your wifes.

I decided to go with the CPU Ryzen 3 1200 and 8 GIG of memory. Do you think that is enough memory? I want to try to keep the price down.

8GB RAM is enough for what I do with a computer, but we don't know what your wife does on the computer. 8GB is certainly plenty for web surfing and email.

I looked at the specs for the Ryzen 3 1200, it's only 65W so the 80mm fans should be fine.

Eight gigs of ram is plenty but after using 32 gigs of ram in my last build I would recommend using as much as you can conveniently afford. It doesn't have to be the fastest ram either but it does make a noticeable subtle difference. My machine is listed as minimum specs for processor and video card for Destiny 2 and it is absolutely stunning on the screen and game play. The ram must have been the difference because minimum specs is usually very poor.

Quote:

QUOTE:
Eight gigs of ram is plenty but after using 32 gigs of ram in my last build I would recommend using as much as you can conveniently afford. It doesn't have to be the fastest ram either but it does make a noticeable subtle difference. My machine is listed as minimum specs for processor and video card for Destiny 2 and it is absolutely stunning on the screen and game play. The ram must have been the difference because minimum specs is usually very poor.

Since no games will be played on the computer, I think that 8 gigs will suffice. I am also going for a solid state drive.

Just trying to convey that more ram really makes a difference in the way applications run and the overall performance. Game machines can = high end business machines and are generally a good cut above.

I am still deciding which components to buy. Since I haven't built a computer for many years, I am still researching. If I go Intel instead of AMD, I wont have to buy a separate video card. My wife will only use the computer for web surfing and writing email. There is no utility in building a super fast one.

The selection of a video card is holding me up.The Motherboard that I selected had a 3.0 X 16 slot. I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars for a graphics card.

I just got done assembling an Intel system a month ago. Graphics card prices were one of the reasons I went with Intel (i5-8400). Of course had I known about the security stuff I would have waited. I plan on adding one later, I don't game but I keep a few on for when family comes over. If I spend anything on one it will be an ok one (likely geforce 1060). Had I went with Ryzen I'd have probably gotten a cheaper one to start, like a 1050 2GB, they were around $100 then.

I also only put in 8 gigs of RAM for now too. I got two cheap 120gb HP SSDs during the holidays, I have them set up for RAID 0, but I ordered a Samsung 960 NVME and will use the drives in other things, since the NVME is much faster.

My old case was loud, tired of it, I got a Fractal Silent matx. ASRock z370m pro4, and Patriot Viper 3000 RAM.

Got most things during holiday sales. Newegg, Google Express for Fry's, Amazon.

I want a cheap video card that will get me started. What if I use one with an interface of 2.0 X 16 instead of 3.0 x 16? Would I have any problem with Windows 10?

That should work just fine, they are compatible both ways actually.

FYI, the built in Intel is "ok" even with ~some light gaming (I know not your use), so pretty much anything daily use, it works just fine, if you'd choose that option and attempt waiting on video card prices to come back down (of course Bitcoins etc. would have to settle down/crash more first). I have a Playstation currently for company, but I've been picking up some sales on more modern games. Cheaper, and no more buying systems and new games every time, they will work with whatever computer I have. It's "handy" to have something that the kids like to keep them occupied, and modern.

I like what I have, but there wasn't much reason I didn't go with Ryzen. One to go AMD would have been upgradability since they said they will use the same slot a few years, but I've never upgraded CPUs in my builds, I usually keep them 7 or so years, by then I like to do more than the cpu.

Also, integrated graphics should be coming soon with AMD.
http://www.techradar.com/news/amd-ryzen-2nd-generation-processors-will-allow-budget-gaming-without-a-dedicated-graphics-card

https://hothardware.com/news/retail-boxed-amd-raven-ridge-ryzen-cpus-integrated-vega-gpus-leak

Edit: I see you said you decided on Ryzen above, they are good chips. Motherboards are cheaper too, so with a cheaper graphics card, price difference shouldn't be that much.

Quote:

QUOTE:
That should work just fine, they are compatible both ways actually.

FYI, the built in Intel is "ok" even with ~some light gaming (I know not your use), so pretty much anything daily use, it works just fine, if you'd choose that option and attempt waiting on video card prices to come back down (of course Bitcoins etc. would have to settle down/crash more first). I have a Playstation currently for company, but I've been picking up some sales on more modern games. Cheaper, and no more buying systems and new games every time, they will work with whatever computer I have. It's "handy" to have something that the kids like to keep them occupied, and modern.

I like what I have, but there wasn't much reason I didn't go with Ryzen. One to go AMD would have been upgradability since they said they will use the same slot a few years, but I've never upgraded CPUs in my builds, I usually keep them 7 or so years, by then I like to do more than the cpu.

Also, integrated graphics should be coming soon with AMD.
http://www.techradar.com/news/amd-ryzen-2nd-generation-processors-will-allow-budget-gaming-without-a-dedicated-graphics-card

https://hothardware.com/news/retail-boxed-amd-raven-ridge-ryzen-cpus-integrated-vega-gpus-leak

Edit: I see you said you decided on Ryzen above, they are good chips. Motherboards are cheaper too, so with a cheaper graphics card, price difference shouldn't be that much.

Thanks for the informative reply. I read that the Ryzen with the integrated graphics will be coming out on February 14. I may consider waiting for it. I also decided to buy a new case rather than to use the existing one. This way I will have a backup computer. If I would use the present ones, the parts would never stay intact.

Forgot to say, of course the graphics card will work in the better slot, but as you know, I'd check for a Win 10 driver for sure first. I'd probably wait for those chips if I was building today too. Nice to have a backup if the graphics card quits, or if you simply don't need one.

If the motherboard you choose has an M.2 slot, I'd suggest you at least look at an NVME m.2 drive. They are higher than a regular SSD, but some are MUCH faster. Some of the cheaper ones aren't much faster though. They just plug into the mobo and use one screw, no cables. I got mine today, less than 10 minutes to install Windows. After the bios screen goes away, I can barely count "3"ish before the full desktop is up and usable. I've got about 50 gigs of photos and videos, I can freewheel my logitech mouse (disable the wheel clicker, it freewheels for scrolling very quickly), flip through with the Windows photo app, the previews display instantly. You don't need the speed probably (neither did I...), but if you haven't built in a while, something to look at. I primarily use Linux but haven't gotten to that yet. I am going to be scanning in more old printed photos, and editing some as I get some time (1000s), I like Photoshop Elements for that, so Windows is getting set up first (I could have imaged the drive, but like new installs).

Don't know what you're looking at for cases, they often have the cheaper ones with rebates on Newegg. I spent a bit more, but the build quality on these Fractal Silent is pretty good. The little ITX one is sometimes around $50. I wanted 4 ram slots, didn't have that with an ITX, and a bit bigger is nicer to work with anyway. They don't have places for CD drives though, I rarely need one, have another computer I can copy to iso with if needed, or I'll get a $10 usb one.

I am thinking of getting this case. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153
The M.2 drive would be nice but possibly overkill. My computer started out 12 years ago. The motherboard, the memory,power supply and video card have been replaced. The CPU, memory and video card were purchased for about $10 each on Ebay. The system runs well on Ubuntu 16.04 64.
I can hardly believe it that both my wife's computer and mine have the original hard drives.

I have used a Roswell case for years. They are not as refined as some but well laid out and they work. The rails for the DVD's can be a little fiddly but once you snap them on properly they work well. You can't beat the price. I did eventually replace all the fans with nice quiet Noctua fans. They cost more than the case but at the time I was building the best AMD gaming system I could afford.

My old one is an Antec, it has blue lights like that https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066 . Got tired of the fans and general loudness (could have replaced, but like you, it's a spare computer now), don't care for the lights (one way or the other, don't hate them either), it was on sale when I got it. I waited for an MATX Fractal to go on sale, I was stuck on them for some reason, it has sound dampening material on the side. Of course it was the one with the window, it was $20 cheaper than the one without at the time, so I got it, because I didn't want to spend as much as I did anyway. I had been waiting a couple months for one to go on sale, got tired of waiting ( https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352065&cm_re=fractal_silent_matx-_-11-352-065-_-Product ) It is very quiet, would be quieter with the regular panel on the side though.... Loudest thing is the Intel fan, but I can set the fan to about 40%, then you can barely hear it. CPU idles below 30 C, I tested some games, did some scans, photos/video, highest I've seen is 45 C so far.

I used an old 2TB hard drive from the old build for storage. Also, I did cheap out on the power supply, it is a 400w Antec Neo Eco I got cheap and had been laying around unused (I tested it for quite a while before use, it was new, just ...old). It should be enough even with a graphics card I'd choose. I did spend some money on this build though. Newegg had buy $100 get $10 through Groupon, so I got a couple of those. Also, Ebates had high cash back a couple places.

One thing with the drive, the one I got is sometimes on Google Express. It's out of stock sometimes so it doesn't display, and stock varies by zip code. It's through Fry's. And if you haven't used Google E before, 20% off for first time up to $20. https://express.google.com/product/8637638234672005030_5821909300542685024_6136318 If not a drive they might have something else, but a lot of their prices are jacked up. I got the ram there on the first order. 8 Gigs was $90, then 20% coupon plus I had a $20 off $50 through Amex card, so the ram was actually "cheap". 250GB budget ssd is cheaper, quality one is higher, and then this would be more of course. The SSDs I got were 120GB HP, 5 yr warranty, less than $40. Worked fine with raid for 240GB total.

Saw this sale on an M.2 drive. I didn't check if this a good drive, never looked it up anywhere other than a summary that some people say it gets warm (which they are tolerant of), but I've gotten Adata RAM before with no issues. Faster than a regular SSD, not ~that different in price of this size regular SSD. Not as fast as the more expensive ones of course. Coupon on the page at the time I write this, makes it $78.
https://www.rakuten.com/shop/adata/product/ASX6000NP-256GT-C/

Just for info.

Quote:

QUOTE:
Saw this sale on an M.2 drive. I didn't check if this a good drive, never looked it up anywhere other than a summary that some people say it gets warm (which they are tolerant of), but I've gotten Adata RAM before with no issues. Faster than a regular SSD, not ~that different in price of this size regular SSD. Not as fast as the more expensive ones of course. Coupon on the page at the time I write this, makes it $78.
https://www.rakuten.com/shop/adata/product/ASX6000NP-256GT-C/

Just for info.

This is the motherboard that I am planning to buy. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157761

Since it has an M.2 slot, I think that I would be better off buying an M.2 drive. Thanks for the input. I think that that Ryzen Raven will be coming out February 12.

I am still waiting for the release of Ryzen 3 with graphics. I plan to limit the memory purchase to 8 GIGs. Would I be better off with one eight gig module or two 4 gig modules?

If you use two, you could do dual channel (just google dual vs single channel performance). That's what I did, still have two free slots for another matched set. Otherwise if you only get a single, and later on you'd want upgrade, you'd want to buy an identical chip (at least it would be best).

Amazon had the processor in stock. It was out of stock before I could order. It is supposed to sell for $99. Newegg has on backorder for about $130. I think it is better if I wait until things quiet down.

While waiting, I am researching storage. If I go for SATA 3 interface, would I be better of with the M.2 interface?

Also, I see memory is expensive. I can use some recommendations. I want to keep it at 8 Gigs.

Thanks

Unless you're doing intensive things, the difference in drive speeds isn't going to be that noticeable in typical use. I do notice a bit of difference between the raid setup I had and the new drive now doing certain things (noticeable thing was displaying multiple photo thumbnails), but by no means was the raid setup slow. I just had uses for those drives or I would have left it alone. An m.2 is faster, on paper especially, if you don't mind the price difference. But if you see a deal you like that isn't one, I'm sure you'd be satisfied.

I like the ram I got. Ryzen seems pickier, but I was going to try the same ram I got if I had gotten that. I see that Patriot Viper 2666 is on sale a few places now. 20% off your first order here though, plus tax. https://express.google.com/product/10506699406431752183_8087245093249027839_6136318 From Fry's (reputable store) but fulfilled by Google basically. Free returns if there's an issue.

I can't say 100% that it will work with your Mobo (again, Ryzen is picky) because I didn't research, but on Amazon their bought together suggestions show it with Ryzen chips. Unless you plan on overclocking, it's fast enough.

Ryzen from what I'm reading likes 3200 Samsung b die ram the best. This is just one place that is discussing it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/62vp2g/clearing_up_any_samsung_bdie_confusion_eg_on/

I can't say 100% that it will work with your Mobo (again, Ryzen is picky) because I didn't research, but on Amazon their bought together suggestions show it with Ryzen chips. Unless you plan on overclocking, it's fast enough.

I was looking at Fry's site. For the first order they give 20 percent off. Perhaps I will order some more components from them. Over the weekend I will spend more time on their site.

Google Express is ok to order through. Like I said before though, some of their prices are higher, so you just have to watch it. And they have a cap on the value of the discount (I think it's $30 max for this first coupon?). They don't let you combine multiple promo codes. After you are a customer they sometimes have 20% off again, but capped at $20 total. And they had a promo with Amex cards (if you have one, I have "all" cards in case of sales).

It would of course be "better" to get faster ram (especially if you'd ever want to upgrade the processor at some point) and the type mentioned in the other post. But, if you aren't overclocking, and not gaming, etc., it doesn't matter ~that much as long as your motherboard etc. get along with what you get. What I mentioned is what I saw on sale without researching much. I know it is ok, it "should" work, but if you check into it there might be something better available or that works better with this new cpu.

550 watts is enough for a fair amount. You can go to https://pcpartpicker.com/list/ and put in your components for an estimate of use. The power supply I put in is 400 watts, like I said I had it sitting around, should be ok up to a Geforce 1060 (if and when I get one).

The Motherboard will probably need a BIOS update because of the Ryzen cpu with APU. I wont be able to do it without the previous cpu. I would like to have a plan in place before I begin.

Thanks again to all for your patience in this matter.

Good grief, I didn't see that (didn't research since I'm "done"). But I see this. https://www.pcworld.com/article/3256290/computers/confirmed-amd-will-loan-chips-to-help-with-motherboard-updates-for-ryzen-apus.html

Quote:

QUOTE:
Good grief, I didn't see that (didn't research since I'm "done"). But I see this. https://www.pcworld.com/article/3256290/computers/confirmed-amd-will-loan-chips-to-help-with-motherboard-updates-for-ryzen-apus.html

Thanks for the link.Maybe you can figure out whether this board will give me problems. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157761

Since we have two working computers, this is not an emergency.

http://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7713&title=ab350-pro4-with-ryzen-3-2200g-wont-post

Looks like it will be a hassle, but free if the other works. They knew it was coming you'd think they'd build in a basic compatibility mode for such things to at least update Bios. Bios update is easy at least.

Support for the 2200g was added in Bios update around Jan. 26, not likely the board will have it already. Unless they happened to do a refresh.

Quote:

QUOTE:
http://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7713&title=ab350-pro4-with-ryzen-3-2200g-wont-post

Looks like it will be a hassle, but free if the other works. They knew it was coming you'd think they'd build in a basic compatibility mode for such things to at least update Bios. Bios update is easy at least.

Support for the 2200g was added in Bios update around Jan. 26, not likely the board will have it already. Unless they happened to do a refresh.

What would you do in this situation?

If you hadn't already ordered the motherboard, I'd say wait a while if you're not comfortable with the process, but it would take time to get updated motherboards out. Otherwise, it isn't that big of deal, -if- you're comfortable swapping processors (me, takes maybe 5 minutes, they look basically like the last AMD I put together, I like Intel's setup better with the pins in the socket not on the processor, less likely to bend, not that it's likely to bend any though). It looks like you need to have both the motherboard and new processor in hand. ASRock themselves might help according to what I read, but if they don't, AMD sends out a chip to temporarily boot and update the bios, and then you send it back when done. Doesn't cost anything, I guess they don't ask for a credit card even. Newegg might exchange it for an updated one too. Bios update is described on the page, but don't get the one for Windows, get the other one, extract the file, copy to the base of a usb drive not in any folder, boot into the bios and update section.

https://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-articles/Pages/2Gen-Ryzen-AM4-System-Bootup.aspx

Sorry about this, like I was thinking, they should have had a failsafe/compatibility mode, don't think it would have been difficult to figure out something to make it a bit easier. I didn't see it mentioned in the couple articles I read about the processors either. I know the process is annoying, but I'd think any of the companies involved are reputable, and will take care of you. The chip you chose does look very good, had it been out when I ordered, it would have been a consideration for sure.

Edit: Had this ~issue been going on, I would have ordered anyway.

Quote:

QUOTE:
If you hadn't already ordered the motherboard, I'd say wait a while if you're not comfortable with the process, but it would take time to get updated motherboards out. Otherwise, it isn't that big of deal, -if- you're comfortable swapping processors (me, takes maybe 5 minutes, they look basically like the last AMD I put together, I like Intel's setup better with the pins in the socket not on the processor, less likely to bend, not that it's likely to bend any though). It looks like you need to have both the motherboard and new processor in hand. ASRock themselves might help according to what I read, but if they don't, AMD sends out a chip to temporarily boot and update the bios, and then you send it back when done. Doesn't cost anything, I guess they don't ask for a credit card even. Newegg might exchange it for an updated one too. Bios update is described on the page, but don't get the one for Windows, get the other one, extract the file, copy to the base of a usb drive not in any folder, boot into the bios and update section.

https://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-articles/Pages/2Gen-Ryzen-AM4-System-Bootup.aspx

Sorry about this, like I was thinking, they should have had a failsafe/compatibility mode, don't think it would have been difficult to figure out something to make it a bit easier. I didn't see it mentioned in the couple articles I read about the processors either. I know the process is annoying, but I'd think any of the companies involved are reputable, and will take care of you. The chip you chose does look very good, had it been out when I ordered, it would have been a consideration for sure.

Edit: Had this ~issue been going on, I would have ordered anyway.

Thanks so much for your kind and informative reply. I am not deterred by the technical challenge. I just don't want the complication of having to call AMD, (unknown time waiting on the phone)sending it back, etc. As I mentioned, this is not an emergency, and I now think about what I want to do.

An email or chat with Newegg (whichever they do, haven't had to contact them in years) might get them to ship out an updated mobo for free (or little cost) over the purchase price.

I don't know about emailing or contacting AMD, I didn't read it that close, you might not need to speak to anyone (maybe it says on the forums by now). They apparently ship fast because people already have them in hand, and the chips haven't been out that long. If the boot kit comes with the RMA already setup, it might include the shipping label to send back already (or you print it). I haven't had many returns with online places, but any I have had, completely automatic without speaking to anyone, then you can just hand the package to UPS/Fedex/USPS (I'm 30 miles from a dropoff, so I typically order something else and have them pick up anything I need to ship when they deliver something else, otherwise they charge $15 to do a pickup only here, not USPS of course...). The only thing I do different is take a video of the return packaging and labeling process, just in case. Same thing I do with mail in rebates.... In the case of this I would also video the working system and chip removal, pins after removal, etc. Or pictures. Doesn't add much time to the process.

Getting an updated board in the first place without the messing around would of course be the best and easiest option.

Up to you. I will say you will like the new system. My old one was fairly fast, i3 with an SSD, but this one is MUCH faster, most things come up almost instantly, just nice to mess with. Doubt there's much noticeable difference in daily use with the i5 and what you're getting.

I think that Newegg's latest shipment will support Ryzen 3 with graphics. I am not sure however. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157761

Yes it says it supports Ravenridge apus which those are the 2200 2400 so you should be good to go.

I have decided on the following for my build. Any feedback will be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your patience.


https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817997037

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820173151

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438014

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231886


https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113481

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=1W8-006A-00003

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157761

I just placed the order with Newegg. Hopefully I wont have any major problems.