Looking for an ATX mobo/CPU/RAM combo to work with existing GFX card

[Brotham]

My computer finally died yesterday (it won't POST - code 88).

It was over 10 years old and was driven fairly hard so can't really complain.

The PSU, GFX card and everything else are fine (multimeter tested PSU, GFX fans spin up, also tested mobo with another PSU), so I'm just looking for mobo/CPU/RAM.

I would reuse the RAM but it's DDR3 so ...

The old mobo is a Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5: https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-EX58-UD5-rev-10

Current CPU is an Intel i7 but don't care whether the new one is AMD or Intel.
It would be nice if I could reuse my Noctua cooler and fan though, but that will only be possible if I stick with Intel.

PSU is 700W OCZ so has plenty of power, although it's likely due to be replaced.

GFX card is Gigabyte GV-N660OC-2GD which I have to reuse as it has 2 DVI ports which are needed for a dual monitor set up: https://www.gigabyte.com/Graphics-Card/GV-N660OC-2GD#ov
It only uses a single PCIE slot but is double width and requires 2 expansion openings.
That is a must.

Other than that I just have a Toshiba SSD (for the OS), 2 SATA drives, and an optical drive.

Usage is web, spreadsheets, word, some graphics/image stuff (PSP X), and development (PHP, HTML, CSS, etc.) on localhost.

No gaming, videos/streaming, or mining.

Current RAM is 16GB and it's more than enough.

Not looking to break the bank so something mediocre will do as long as it has a single PCIE which can take a dual width card, 16GB RAM, at least 3 SATA ports, and an IDE port.
I only use the IDE for the DVD when installing Windows so I could likely ditch that and create a boot flash drive.

Location is US.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Why_Me]

Hopefully someone comes in here and recommends one of those Ryzen cpu's for this down below .. because I have no idea when it comes to AMD.

https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?storeName=AMD-Motherboards&pageTitle=AMD+Motherboards&N=100007625 601352805 600009016 <---B550 boards although I also see the newer X570 boards recommended.

https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?N=100007625 601334781 <--- X570 boards

https://www.newegg.com/ballistix-16gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820164173 <--- 3600MHz CL16 is what I see recommended for AMD builds.


And if you don't mind waiting a month for Intel's new Rocket Lake line of cpu's ...

A B560 board in the $150 range ... I'll use these ones for an example but more of these B560 boards from all board manufactures are showing up on websites every few days now.

https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B560 Steel Legend/index.asp
ASRock B560 Steel Legend

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B560-TORPEDO
MSI MAG B560 TORPEDO

https://www.gigabyte.com/us/Motherboard/B560-AORUS-PRO-AX-rev-10#kf
GIGABYTE B560 AORUS PRO AX (rev. 1.0)

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/PRIME-B560-PLUS/
ASUS PRIME B560-PLUS

https://www.tomshardware.com/news/i...e-date-specifications-performance-all-we-know <--- 11th gen cpu's.

https://www.newegg.com/intel-core-i7-10700f-core-i7-10th-gen/p/N82E16819118131 <--- this is the current 10th gen (comet lake) and I would expect the new Rocket Lake version of that cpu (i7-11700F) to run right around $300.

Corsair, Crucial or G.Skill 3200MHz CL16 ftw.

https://www.newegg.com/ballistix-16gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820164176
Crucial Ballistix 3200 MHz DDR4 DRAM Desktop Memory Kit 16GB (8GBx2) $76.99

 

[Toothless]

If you want to keep on DDR3. I have a couple matx ASUS boards that are super basic and could part with one. Best chip would be a 4790k though it would come with a G3220. PM if you're interested.

 

[Brotham]

Thanks @Toothless but I think it's probably time I upgraded some stuff.

I've just purchased a new Corsair PSU and I'm probably going to bin the 2 SATA drives for a new 2TB SSD.

I may even ditch the current SSD I have for the OS and go for an onboard.

Sigh ... it's always the same when it comes to replacing new parts.
You think you're going to hang on to most of it and just replace the broken bit(s), but you end up replacing almost all of it.

And if you don't mind waiting a month for Intel's new Rocket Lake line of cpu's ...

Unfortunately I can't wait that long.

Any other time and it wouldn't have been an issue but due to COVID, the wife is working from home full time so has the spare office and PC, and my daughter is full time home schooling so has the laptop.

I'm curretly making do with a 5 year old phone and tablet.

 

[Toothless]

Look at the 3xxx Ryzen series, like the quads with SMT or 3600 non-X. Fantastic performers and won't break the bank.

Could go with Intel and a 10400f which I think is $25 off on Newegg today or something.

 

[oxrufiioxo]

Amd based

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/FtbJ9G

Intel based

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/FPrnhg

Pros and cons to both.....

Both are probably slightly overkill for what you do but they are good starting points for something that could last you a long time for your use case both afaik come with a stock cooler that should also be sufficient for your use case.

I tried to even out the hardware in both as much as possible but there are cheaper options for both platforms as far as motherboards and ram but they come with their cons as well.

Look into B450 Tomahawk on the amd side and B460 that supports 2933 ddr4 on the Intel side if just trying to save the most money possible and pair them with 3000 ddr4 on the Intel side and 3200 on the amd side.

Intel Core i5-10400F Review - Six Cores with HT for Under $200

Intel's new Core i5-10400F offers a large performance jump over the previous generation Core i5-9400F because of its six-core/twelve-thread design. In this Core i5-10400F review we also test the feasibility of overclocking through BCLK, or by relaxing the PL1 and PL2 Turbo Limits.

www.techpowerup.com

 

[Brotham]

So far I've purchased the following:

- Corsair CX 550 M - only a few $ more than the non modular version - my old PSU is likely on its last legs - it's been over 10 years
- Samsung 860 EVO 1TB SSD - to replace the old 7200 HDD I was using - I will repurpose it as a backup
- Crucial Ballistix 3600 DDR4 2x8GB - in white, they were $5 cheaper and available now - arrghh no, the white is horrible
- Corsair Vengeance 3LPX 3600 DDR4 2 x 8GB - $10 more but it's available in Amazon - returns are easier - hmm, not convinced
- probably the Crucial Ballistix in black but it's out of stock at Amazon for 2 weeks

Now I just need a mobo and CPU.

 

[Toothless]

G.skill has some good deals on ram and usually works well with Ryzen. Could be an alternative.

 

[Brotham]

Just bought an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 so now it's just mobo.

 

[SL2]

GFX card is Gigabyte GV-N660OC-2GD which I have to reuse as it has 2 DVI ports which are needed for a dual monitor set up: https://www.gigabyte.com/Graphics-Card/GV-N660OC-2GD#ov
It only uses a single PCIE slot but is double width and requires 2 expansion openings.
That is a must.

Sorry if I'm being obvious here, but HDMI and Displayport are both compatible with DVI. I'm not telling you to upgrade graphics, just that an upgrade would be no issue here.

The card you describe is the most common variant on the market. Edit: Card size.

 

[oxrufiioxo]

For motherboard it really just comes down to what you want to spend but in the budget ish range these would be my picks really just comes down to the features you need otherwise these boards can handle any cpu that fits in the socket with ease. I tried to include something worthwhile from every vendor at a similar price point.

MSI B550-A PRO AM4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Newegg.com

Buy MSI PRO B550-A PRO AM4 AMD B550 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

MSI PRO PRO B550-VC AM4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Newegg.com

Buy MSI PRO PRO B550-VC AM4 AMD B550 SATA 6Gb/s ATX AMD Motherboard with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

GIGABYTE B550M AORUS PRO-P AM4 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Newegg.com

Buy GIGABYTE B550M AORUS PRO-P AM4 AMD B550 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

GIGABYTE B550 AORUS ELITE V2 AM4 AMD B550 ATX Motherboard with Dual M.2, SATA 6Gb/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2.5 GbE LAN, PCIe 4.0 - Newegg.com

Buy GIGABYTE B550 AORUS ELITE V2 AM4 AMD B550 ATX Motherboard with Dual M.2, SATA 6Gb/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2.5 GbE LAN, PCIe 4.0 with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

ASUS TUF GAMING B550M-PLUS AM4 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Newegg.com

Buy ASUS TUF GAMING B550M-PLUS AMD AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) Micro ATX Gaming Motherboard (PCIe 4.0, 2.5Gb LAN, BIOS FlashBack, HDMI 2.1, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Addressable Gen 2 RGB Header and AURA Sync) with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

ASUS TUF GAMING B550-PLUS (WI-FI) AM4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Newegg.com

Buy ASUS TUF GAMING B550-PLUS (WI-FI) AM4 AMD B550 SATA 6Gb/s ATX AMD Motherboard with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

ASRock B550M STEEL LEGEND Micro ATX Motherboard - Newegg.com

Buy ASRock B550M STEEL LEGEND AM4 AMD B550 SATA 6Gb/s Micro ATX AMD Motherboard with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

Video going over thermal performance for most of these.

The only B450 board I would recommend although it isn't much cheaper than the B550 ones and is technically quite a bit worse.

MSI PRO B450M PRO-M2 MAX AM4 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Newegg.com

Buy MSI PRO B450M PRO-M2 MAX AM4 AMD B450 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

 

[Toothless]

I would avoid the Steel Legend line from AsRock. Seen way too many issues from it. The MSI Tomahawk and ASUS boards are pretty solid.

 

[oxrufiioxo]

I would avoid the Steel Legend line from AsRock. Seen way too many issues from it. The MSI Tomahawk and ASUS boards are pretty solid.

Honestly didn't want to include it but was trying not to exclude their boards like I almost always do

 

[Toothless]

Honestly didn't want to include it but was trying not to exclude their boards like I almost always do

Their x-70 boards are nice, just too pricy. The Pro4(?) is a decent board, I think.

 

[oxrufiioxo]

Their x-70 boards are nice, just too pricy. The Pro4(?) is a decent board, I think.

The pro 4 at least with the b550 line is much worse than the steel legend although with the b450 line I believe the reverse is true..... My issue with asrock lately is you can almost always get a better board in a similar price category.

 

[stinger608]

For motherboard it really just comes down to what you want to spend but in the budget ish range these would be my picks really just comes down to the features you need and what you want to spend otherwise these boards can handle any cpu that fits in the socket with ease. I tried to include something worthwhile from every vendor at a similar price point.

Good selection of B550 motherboards.

As @oxrufiioxo linked;
I'll most likely have a Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite up for sale in the next couple of days.

GIGABYTE B550 AORUS ELITE V2 AM4 AMD B550 ATX Motherboard with Dual M.2, SATA 6Gb/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2.5 GbE LAN, PCIe 4.0 - Newegg.com

Buy GIGABYTE B550 AORUS ELITE V2 AM4 AMD B550 ATX Motherboard with Dual M.2, SATA 6Gb/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2.5 GbE LAN, PCIe 4.0 with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

It's virtually new other than testing for a review. Comes in the retail package with all the accessories.

I'm thinking that I'll let it go for $130 shipped and insured to US only addresses.

If that is something you would be interested in, shoot me a PM prior to me listing it on the for sale forum.

 

[Brotham]

Sorry if I'm being obvious here, but HDMI and Displayport are both compatible with DVI. I'm not telling you to upgrade graphics, just that an upgrade would be no issue here.

The card you describe is the most common variant on the market.

I know but I really don't want to drop more cash on a new GFX card when this one works perfectly well, and due to my set up, I've already had to purchase extra long DVI cables and route them through the desk, etc.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone, most likely going to look at the 550's.

I'm thinking that I'll let it go for $130 shipped and insured to US only addresses.

If that is something you would be interested in, shoot me a PM prior to me listing it on the for sale forum.

I may be in touch, but it's hard to resist the shiny ...

I'm undecided on whether I want/need wi-fi and BT but this seems like a decent-ish price?

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/gigabyte-b550-aorus-pro-ac-am4-usb-3-1-amd-motherboard-with-wifi-black/6420397.p?skuId=6420397

 

[oxrufiioxo]

I'm undecided on whether I want/need wi-fi and BT but this seems like a decent-ish price?

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/gigabyte-b550-aorus-pro-ac-am4-usb-3-1-amd-motherboard-with-wifi-black/6420397.p?skuId=6420397

At that price range I would lean towards this it has better wifi and and slightly better vrm thermals.

Amazon.com: MSI MPG B550 GAMING EDGE WIFI Gaming Motherboard (AMD AM4, DDR4, PCIe 4.0, SATA 6Gb/s, M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2, AX Wi-Fi 6, HDMI/DP, ATX, AMD Ryzen 5000 Series processors): Computers & Accessories

Buy MSI MPG B550 GAMING EDGE WIFI Gaming Motherboard (AMD AM4, DDR4, PCIe 4.0, SATA 6Gb/s, M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2, AX Wi-Fi 6, HDMI/DP, ATX, AMD Ryzen 5000 Series processors): Motherboards - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Both boards are pretty good and you can't go wrong with either but if wifi was a factor I would want an AX solution.

if you're comfortable spending that on a board and don't end up needing wifi this would be my sub 200 choice

Amazon.com: ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming AMD AM4 Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 & 3rd Gen Ryzen ATX Gaming Motherboard (PCIe 4.0, 2.5Gb LAN, BIOS Flashback, HDMI 2.1, Addressable Gen 2 RGB Header and Aura Sync): Electronics

Buy ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming AMD AM4 Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 & 3rd Gen Ryzen ATX Gaming Motherboard (PCIe 4.0, 2.5Gb LAN, BIOS Flashback, HDMI 2.1, Addressable Gen 2 RGB Header and Aura Sync): Motherboards - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Brotham]

Good to know, thanks.

There are so many variants - trying to compare them is not fun on a small tablet screen.

I did see that the GB Elite AX had better wifi and BT than the Pro AC, but the AC seemed to be ahead on the slots and ports.

I did have that MSI open in another tab already but didn't really want the LED/gaming stuff.



P.S. what's with the old VB smiles ... this is XF 2.2 ;-)

 

[oxrufiioxo]

Good to know, thanks.

There are so many variants - trying to compare them is not fun on a small tablet screen.

I did see that the GB Elite AX had better wifi and BT than the Pro AC, but the AC seemed to be ahead on the slots and ports.

I did have that MSI open in another tab already but didn't really want the LED/gaming stuff.



P.S. what's with the old VB smiles ... this is XF 2.2 ;-)

I agree the aesthetics these days on some boards is unfortunate I just ignore them on more budget ish boards and try to recommend what's the best in general at the same time the majority of these boards are really good so a lot of it is just splitting hairs.... I tend to stick with MSI/Asus/Gigabyte with AMD all have been really good to me although my direct experience is with the much higher end stuff.

I would probably actually go with this over the PRO as its comes with AX wifi if sticking with gigabyte there is a v2 of the pro as well but it isn't currently available from what I can find

https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Digital-PCIe4-0-Realtek-Motherboard/dp/B08KGVH7YC

@Brotham I see what you are saying though after looking at both boards closely other than wifi the pro is def better....... Kinda confused as to why the AX version of it isn't available.

 

[Brotham]

Almost there ...

So far I've got:

PSU - Corsair CX 550 M
SSD - Samsung 860 EVO 1TB
CPU - AMD Ryzen 5 3600
RAM - Crucial Ballistix DDR4 3600

Running total is $506 so once I add the MOBO I'm about $200 over where I wanted to be, but most of that is the SSD which I didn't *really* need.

Not sure whether I need a cooler or not - I'll monitor temps for a few days.

I'm reusing my Coolermaster case and fans, Dell monitors, Gigabyte GFX card, Samsung 250GB SSD (OS), and Barracuda HDDs (backup).

Hopefully I can get the MOBO ordered today and by next week should be up and running again.

Thanks again to everyone for their input.

Edit: The auto merge function for subsequent posts is horrible. New post below.

Done!

Went with the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite AX V2.

From Amazon so I can return it unopened if I find something better in the next day or two ...


Edit: Another update


Okay, I admit it.

I caved and bought one of these for the OS to replace the old 250 EVO.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BN4NJ2J/