• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

$700 Best-Value Gaming PC Build Guide (Jun 2020)

crazyeyesreaper

Not a Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 25, 2009
Messages
9,816 (1.71/day)
Location
04578
System Name Old reliable
Processor Intel 8700K @ 4.8 GHz
Motherboard MSI Z370 Gaming Pro Carbon AC
Cooling Custom Water
Memory 32 GB Crucial Ballistix 3666 MHz
Video Card(s) MSI RTX 3080 10GB Suprim X
Storage 3x SSDs 2x HDDs
Display(s) ASUS VG27AQL1A x2 2560x1440 8bit IPS
Case Thermaltake Core P3 TG
Audio Device(s) Samson Meteor Mic / Generic 2.1 / KRK KNS 6400 headset
Power Supply Zalman EBT-1000
Mouse Mionix NAOS 7000
Keyboard Mionix
Do you recommend buying off amazon?
Many people already pay for Amazon prime so it tends to be for ease of use however you can always price check other sites or use pcpartpicker to quick check the majority of retailers.
 
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
14,112 (3.82/day)
Location
Sunshine Coast
System Name H7 Flow 2024
Processor AMD 5800X3D
Motherboard Asus X570 Tough Gaming
Cooling Custom liquid
Memory 32 GB DDR4
Video Card(s) Intel ARC A750
Storage Crucial P5 Plus 2TB.
Display(s) AOC 24" Freesync 1m.s. 75Hz
Mouse Lenovo
Keyboard Eweadn Mechanical
Software W11 Pro 64 bit
Return policy must be considered too.
 

crazyeyesreaper

Not a Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 25, 2009
Messages
9,816 (1.71/day)
Location
04578
System Name Old reliable
Processor Intel 8700K @ 4.8 GHz
Motherboard MSI Z370 Gaming Pro Carbon AC
Cooling Custom Water
Memory 32 GB Crucial Ballistix 3666 MHz
Video Card(s) MSI RTX 3080 10GB Suprim X
Storage 3x SSDs 2x HDDs
Display(s) ASUS VG27AQL1A x2 2560x1440 8bit IPS
Case Thermaltake Core P3 TG
Audio Device(s) Samson Meteor Mic / Generic 2.1 / KRK KNS 6400 headset
Power Supply Zalman EBT-1000
Mouse Mionix NAOS 7000
Keyboard Mionix
Return policy must be considered too.
Good point and Amazon does make returns a lot easier than some etailers / retailers
 
Joined
Apr 10, 2020
Messages
504 (0.30/day)
ASRock Fatal1ty B450 Gaming K4 <---> ASRock B450M Pro 4 (+9€)
480GB Crucial BX500 <---> Crucial P1 1 TB M.2 NVMe SSD (-65€)
Sapphire Radeon RX 5600 XT Pulse <---> Palit GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER 6 GB Gaming Pro OC (+51€)

This way you get near guaranteed 4.2Ghz CPU overclock and 20% higher GPU performance, obvious minus is 1/2 the storage capacity.
 
Joined
Apr 19, 2011
Messages
2,198 (0.44/day)
Location
So. Cal.
What gives the title is in "$" USD.
So when you convert the 744€ that system is $838.79 USD. Please fix the title to indicate "800€"

The Palit GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER 6 GB Gaming Pro OC for 237€ or $273.85 USD...
 
Joined
Jun 2, 2017
Messages
9,192 (3.36/day)
System Name Best AMD Computer
Processor AMD 7900X3D
Motherboard Asus X670E E Strix
Cooling In Win SR36
Memory GSKILL DDR5 32GB 5200 30
Video Card(s) Sapphire Pulse 7900XT (Watercooled)
Storage Corsair MP 700, Seagate 530 2Tb, Adata SX8200 2TBx2, Kingston 2 TBx2, Micron 8 TB, WD AN 1500
Display(s) GIGABYTE FV43U
Case Corsair 7000D Airflow
Audio Device(s) Corsair Void Pro, Logitch Z523 5.1
Power Supply Deepcool 1000M
Mouse Logitech g7 gaming mouse
Keyboard Logitech G510
Software Windows 11 Pro 64 Steam. GOG, Uplay, Origin
Benchmark Scores Firestrike: 46183 Time Spy: 25121
I am going to be selfish but I would have paid the extra for the 3300X (it even feels faster than the 2600) . I have that CPU and I currently enjoy it more than my TR4 build. You could mitigate the cost with some Adata or Gskill Ram.

I am going to be selfish but I would have paid the extra for the 3300X (it even feels faster than the 2600) . I have that CPU and I currently enjoy it more than my TR4 build. You could mitigate the cost with some Adata or Gskill Ram.
 
Joined
Sep 10, 2016
Messages
821 (0.27/day)
Location
Riverwood, Skyrim
System Name Storm Wrought | Blackwood (HTPC)
Processor AMD Ryzen 9 5900x @stock | i7 2600k
Motherboard Gigabyte X570 Aorus Pro WIFI m-ITX | Some POS gigabyte board
Cooling Deepcool AK620, BQ shadow wings 3 High Spd, stock 180mm |BQ Shadow rock LP + 4x120mm Noctua redux
Memory G.Skill Ripjaws V 2x32GB 4000MHz | 2x4GB 2000MHz @1866
Video Card(s) Powercolor RX 6800XT Red Dragon | PNY a2000 6GB
Storage SX8200 Pro 1TB, 1TB KC3000, 850EVO 500GB, 2+8TB Seagate, LG Blu-ray | 120GB Sandisk SSD, 4TB WD red
Display(s) Samsung UJ590UDE 32" UHD monitor | LG CS 55" OLED
Case Silverstone TJ08B-E | Custom built wooden case (Aus native timbers)
Audio Device(s) Onboard, Sennheiser HD 599 cans / Logitech z163's | Edifier S2000 MKIII via toslink
Power Supply Corsair HX 750 | Corsair SF 450
Mouse Microsoft Pro Intellimouse| Some logitech one
Keyboard GMMK w/ Zelio V2 62g (78g for spacebar) tactile switches & Glorious black keycaps| Some logitech one
VR HMD HTC Vive
Software Win 10 Edu | Ubuntu 22.04
Benchmark Scores Look in the various benchmark threads
I'm going to say that the RAM is a poor choice as Ryzen has a lot of problems with the corsair LPX sticks, I've been there with a first gen Ryzen system and some 3200MHz that could never run at the rated speeds without some instability
 

Space Lynx

Astronaut
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
17,288 (4.68/day)
Location
Kepler-186f
Processor 7800X3D -25 all core ($196)
Motherboard B650 Steel Legend ($179)
Cooling Frost Commander 140 ($42)
Memory 32gb ddr5 (2x16) cl 30 6000 ($80)
Video Card(s) Merc 310 7900 XT @3100 core $(705)
Display(s) Agon 27" QD-OLED Glossy 240hz 1440p ($399)
Case NZXT H710 (Red/Black) ($60)
any g.skill is 99% safe bet with ryzen 3000 in my experience ymmv
 

crazyeyesreaper

Not a Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 25, 2009
Messages
9,816 (1.71/day)
Location
04578
System Name Old reliable
Processor Intel 8700K @ 4.8 GHz
Motherboard MSI Z370 Gaming Pro Carbon AC
Cooling Custom Water
Memory 32 GB Crucial Ballistix 3666 MHz
Video Card(s) MSI RTX 3080 10GB Suprim X
Storage 3x SSDs 2x HDDs
Display(s) ASUS VG27AQL1A x2 2560x1440 8bit IPS
Case Thermaltake Core P3 TG
Audio Device(s) Samson Meteor Mic / Generic 2.1 / KRK KNS 6400 headset
Power Supply Zalman EBT-1000
Mouse Mionix NAOS 7000
Keyboard Mionix
What gives the title is in "$" USD.
So when you convert the 744€ that system is $838.79 USD. Please fix the title to indicate "800€"

The Palit GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER 6 GB Gaming Pro OC for 237€ or $273.85 USD...
Thats because your converting it directly you do realize that the majority of 1660 SUPER cards are priced the same in USD. The Palit model isn't available stateside currently but no one said you had to buy that model of the card. It was one option available among many.

Rough PCpartpicker selection: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/977pwh $749

Prices have climbed due to shortage and scalping. Especially on Power Supplies. Where a $45-50 unit that can be had on sale in the 30-40 range is currently in the $70-80 range. This issue extends to others. But yeah similar system similar cost. Right now in Europe there is more stock and better selection. So sorry to say you may be right in terms of conversion of currency. But conversion and actual costs are different. Thus $1 pre-tax = 1€ w/VAT give or take.

I'm going to say that the RAM is a poor choice as Ryzen has a lot of problems with the corsair LPX sticks, I've been there with a first gen Ryzen system and some 3200MHz that could never run at the rated speeds without some instability

I have built 3 Ryzen systems for customers with Corsair LPX memory, none had any issues operating at 3000 to 3200 MHz depending on the kit. That said, I wasn't able to get any extra out of them they couldn't be pushed any further than what was advertised. So Ill agree not the best option if your planning to OC memory but my experience has been wildly different as well as I had no issues with them working out of box at advertised speeds.
 
Last edited:

ppn

Joined
Aug 18, 2015
Messages
1,231 (0.36/day)
Unfortunately having radiators on the VRM is not very reassuring. If anything it could mean that the power phases are less efficient.

10400F / H410 m.2 236 euro
1600 / B450M 205 euro

Not worth saving 30 euro with the ryzen. 10400f is 20% faster and less stuttery. H410 could support the upcoming Rocket lake.
 

crazyeyesreaper

Not a Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 25, 2009
Messages
9,816 (1.71/day)
Location
04578
System Name Old reliable
Processor Intel 8700K @ 4.8 GHz
Motherboard MSI Z370 Gaming Pro Carbon AC
Cooling Custom Water
Memory 32 GB Crucial Ballistix 3666 MHz
Video Card(s) MSI RTX 3080 10GB Suprim X
Storage 3x SSDs 2x HDDs
Display(s) ASUS VG27AQL1A x2 2560x1440 8bit IPS
Case Thermaltake Core P3 TG
Audio Device(s) Samson Meteor Mic / Generic 2.1 / KRK KNS 6400 headset
Power Supply Zalman EBT-1000
Mouse Mionix NAOS 7000
Keyboard Mionix
Unfortunately having radiators on the VRM is not very reassuring. If anything it could mean that the power phases are less efficient.

10400F / H410 m.2 236 euro
1600 / B450M 205 euro

Not worth saving 30 euro with the ryzen. 10400f is 20% faster and less stuttery. H410 could support the upcoming Rocket lake.
H410 is limited
Only 2x DIMM slots
Unless you pay a similar price many of the affordable options have no M.2 slot majority that do offer an M.2 slot only offer 1. The B450M Pro 4 offers 2x M.2 slots and 4x DIMM slots.

Limited upgrade path. The B450M will support Ryzen 4000 series. H410 well we will have to see Intel likes to force mobo upgrades.

Ryzen 1600 AF if you get lucky Silicon lottery wise you may be able to push up to 4200 MHz considering its a Ryzen 2600 by a different name and the 2600X boosts to 4.2 GHz this is a decent possibility something the 10400F doesnt have at those clock speeds performance difference wouldn't be noticeable to the average user. So you give up storage / I/O options for a small benefit in regards to performance that due to the GPU selected you would never actually see. Example In something like Assassin's Creed Odyssey where the Intel chip wins by more than 10% its getting 95+ FPS vs the AMD chip at stock getting 85 or so FPS. A 1660 Super only gets 50 or SO FPS when using the same settings. Meaning your GPU limited not CPU limited.

If your going to go with a comparable 10400 system with the same capabilities you can afford a Ryzen 3600 and when looking at the entire work load its +/- 5% with a still better upgrade path moving forwards do to their outselling Intel in the DIY market in the etail space. Meaning getting a cheaper higher core count CPU will be a bit easier than the Intel options which tend to retain a price premium.

Going with a 3600 based build would work out to around 840 bucks. The 10400(F) based build with equal capabilities comes to $840. So its a wash and both are equal.

Still the 10400 is a valid option but not at $700-750 while getting the same level of I/O, memory, and storage options vs a 1600 AF.

Then there is the H410 supporting Rocket-Lake argument, we know for a fact AMD will support Ryzen 4000 on B450, Intel side, who knows they tend to like to force motherboard upgrades so I find it unlikely. If it is a drop in upgrade its likely more a refresh than a new design more often than not. AMD has also managed to increase clock speeds on their current 3000 lineup if the next gen CPUs hold the same clocks and gain again in IPC its possible a user on B450 can opt for a an upgrade path that doesn't require a possible mobo swap and gets more cores for there dollar and equal or better performance while Intel continues to fight their node issues. There is also the possibility of the used market and considering AMD is selling more CPUs in the DIY market means acquiring a cheaper used Ryzen processor down the road is an easier task.

That said, again 10400 is a valid option. I just can't see using the cheapest possible motherboard to make it fit the scenario. Even if Rocket-lake does support H410, would you opt to put a power hungry 8 or 10 core CPU that can suck down 250-300-watts at stock under heavy load on an H410 board? Or take the more power efficient AMD option down the road in say a 3900X or equivalent that peaks at 145-watts give or take? Realistically speaking that B450M board will have an easier time with a stock 3900X or any other AMD cpu than that H410 will with Intel's current lineup. So looking at longevity and upgrade path. I opted for the safer upgrade route.

All of this is taken into account within reason. Obviously can't make everyone happy but I am glad to see some good discussion come from it :toast:
 
Last edited:
Joined
Sep 16, 2014
Messages
290 (0.08/day)
@crazyeyesreaper Recommending a EVGA BT is a very bad idea. This PSU uses a double forward primary which doesn't like the modern fast switching components at all. It also has group regulations which also is a bad idea in a modern PC, voltage regulation will be very bad. That's why you should change it to a stable PSU, one based on LLC resonant converter design with DC-DC is a much better choice.

Also like @Nuckles56 already said, that Corsair memory is a bad idea. Corsair uses different memory chips from different manufacturers under the same name. The only way you can know which one you have is when you already have it because the SKU is exactly the same. Only the package will show you the revision you just bought. The problem is that some work perfect and others work bad, but you can't know which one you will get. So get something from a different brand which will always work.
 

Frick

Fishfaced Nincompoop
Joined
Feb 27, 2006
Messages
19,589 (2.86/day)
Location
Piteå
System Name White DJ in Detroit
Processor Ryzen 5 5600
Motherboard Asrock B450M-HDV
Cooling Be Quiet! Pure Rock 2
Memory 2 x 16GB Kingston Fury 3400mhz
Video Card(s) XFX 6950XT Speedster MERC 319
Storage Kingston A400 240GB | WD Black SN750 2TB |WD Blue 1TB x 2 | Toshiba P300 2TB | Seagate Expansion 8TB
Display(s) Samsung U32J590U 4K + BenQ GL2450HT 1080p
Case Fractal Design Define R4
Audio Device(s) Plantronics 5220, Nektar SE61 keyboard
Power Supply Corsair RM850x v3
Mouse Logitech G602
Keyboard Cherry MX Board 1.0 TKL Brown
Software Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores Rimworld 4K ready!
The screw driver needs a gritty reboot.
 

crazyeyesreaper

Not a Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 25, 2009
Messages
9,816 (1.71/day)
Location
04578
System Name Old reliable
Processor Intel 8700K @ 4.8 GHz
Motherboard MSI Z370 Gaming Pro Carbon AC
Cooling Custom Water
Memory 32 GB Crucial Ballistix 3666 MHz
Video Card(s) MSI RTX 3080 10GB Suprim X
Storage 3x SSDs 2x HDDs
Display(s) ASUS VG27AQL1A x2 2560x1440 8bit IPS
Case Thermaltake Core P3 TG
Audio Device(s) Samson Meteor Mic / Generic 2.1 / KRK KNS 6400 headset
Power Supply Zalman EBT-1000
Mouse Mionix NAOS 7000
Keyboard Mionix
@crazyeyesreaper Recommending a EVGA BT is a very bad idea. This PSU uses a double forward primary which doesn't like the modern fast switching components at all. It also has group regulations which also is a bad idea in a modern PC, voltage regulation will be very bad. That's why you should change it to a stable PSU, one based on LLC resonant converter design with DC-DC is a much better choice.

Also like @Nuckles56 already said, that Corsair memory is a bad idea. Corsair uses different memory chips from different manufacturers under the same name. The only way you can know which one you have is when you already have it because the SKU is exactly the same. Only the package will show you the revision you just bought. The problem is that some work perfect and others work bad, but you can't know which one you will get. So get something from a different brand which will always work.
Unit does just fine according to our resident PSU reviewer https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/evga-450-bt-value-psu,5605-12.html
Is it the ideal greatest ever no. In a system like this will it work just fine. Yes.

Looking at it state side, your looking at $70+ for a 2015 Corsair CXM 450w unit right now. Most decent entry level PSUs that were $30-60 a few months ago are pushing $70-80+ now. Conisder the linked review above when that PSU launched it was around $25 on a regular basis.

That said the EVGA BT 450W survived 40'C testing has WORKING protection mechanisms and can deliver its rated power. Prices and availability have on the other hand already changed since I wrote this article on the weekend.

At this point I just want COVID crisis to end so prices and availability go back to normal and consumer choice isn't as limited.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Sep 17, 2014
Messages
22,479 (6.03/day)
Location
The Washing Machine
System Name Tiny the White Yeti
Processor 7800X3D
Motherboard MSI MAG Mortar b650m wifi
Cooling CPU: Thermalright Peerless Assassin / Case: Phanteks T30-120 x3
Memory 32GB Corsair Vengeance 30CL6000
Video Card(s) ASRock RX7900XT Phantom Gaming
Storage Lexar NM790 4TB + Samsung 850 EVO 1TB + Samsung 980 1TB + Crucial BX100 250GB
Display(s) Gigabyte G34QWC (3440x1440)
Case Lian Li A3 mATX White
Audio Device(s) Harman Kardon AVR137 + 2.1
Power Supply EVGA Supernova G2 750W
Mouse Steelseries Aerox 5
Keyboard Lenovo Thinkpad Trackpoint II
VR HMD HD 420 - Green Edition ;)
Software W11 IoT Enterprise LTSC
Benchmark Scores Over 9000
Looks solid AF! :rolleyes:

I built pretty similar systems this year, two of them, both Ryzen 5 3600, 1660 Super. No complaints, stellar perf, cost effective.
 
Joined
Sep 16, 2014
Messages
290 (0.08/day)
Unit does just fine according to our resident PSU reviewer https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/evga-450-bt-value-psu,5605-12.html
Is it the ideal greatest ever no. In a system like this will it work just fine. Yes.

That said the EVGA BT 450W survived 40'C testing has WORKING protection mechanisms and can deliver its rated power. Prices and availability have on the other hand already changed since I wrote this article on the weekend.
I know the review. The question is did you understand the review and understand my post? Because it looks like you didn't really understand both. If you did understand my post, then could you explain why you're using a PSU with double forward primary and group regulated secondary? And why this isn't a problem?

Looking at it state side, your looking at $70+ for a 2015 Corsair CXM 450w unit right now. Most decent entry level PSUs that were $30-60 a few months ago are pushing $70-80+ now.
That's not true:
Corsair CX450 (one PEG connector, but enough for a GTX 1660 Super). LLC resonant + SR + DC-DC.

Cooler Master MWE Bronze V2 450W. LLC resonant converter + SR + DC-DC.

be quiet! Pure Power 10 400W. Active Clamp Reset Forward + DC+DC

Or a Segotep GP600P 500W for people from Eastern Europe. This one also uses LLC resonant + SR + DC-DC.

These are three good and stable choices for a PC like this.
 
Last edited:

crazyeyesreaper

Not a Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 25, 2009
Messages
9,816 (1.71/day)
Location
04578
System Name Old reliable
Processor Intel 8700K @ 4.8 GHz
Motherboard MSI Z370 Gaming Pro Carbon AC
Cooling Custom Water
Memory 32 GB Crucial Ballistix 3666 MHz
Video Card(s) MSI RTX 3080 10GB Suprim X
Storage 3x SSDs 2x HDDs
Display(s) ASUS VG27AQL1A x2 2560x1440 8bit IPS
Case Thermaltake Core P3 TG
Audio Device(s) Samson Meteor Mic / Generic 2.1 / KRK KNS 6400 headset
Power Supply Zalman EBT-1000
Mouse Mionix NAOS 7000
Keyboard Mionix
I know the review. The question is did you understand the review and understand my post? Because it looks like you didn't really understand both.


That's not true:
Corsair CX450 (one PEG connector, but enough for a GTX 1660 Super). LLC resonant + SR + DC-DC.

Cooler Master MWE Bronze V2 450W. LLC resonant converter + SR + DC-DC.

be quiet! Pure Power 10 400W. Active Clamp Reset Forward + DC+DC

These are three good and stable choices for a PC like this.
Yup and with the CX 450 there is two different OEMs making the unit with both providing different performance levels and efficiency levels. You get a good one yay get the alternate not so much yay. Also not as much upgrade path with the limited PCIe connector issue.

The MWE Bronze V2 is a decent option I missed since it lacks any real review coverage.

The Pure Power 10 though feels a bit under powered for potential upgrades but then so is the BT 450 in that regard. However, its also a 10+ year old platform that was reused and updated for the Pure Power 11 lineup. so.... there is that to keep in mind.

Id prefer to have a 550-watt unit in this build since the system would be around 50% load for max efficiency. Ill take another look through whats available. If something good pops up ill add it to the article.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Sep 16, 2014
Messages
290 (0.08/day)
Yup and with the CX 450 there is two different OEMs making the unit with both providing different performance levels and efficiency levels. You get a good one yay get the alternate not so much yay. Also not as much upgrade path with the limited PCIe connector issue.
There is indeed a small difference between both, but both are much much better than this EVGA BT. And upgrade path? This EVGA BT isn't even ready for your current system. Let alone a even more modern PC.
The MWE Bronze V2 is a decent option I missed since it lacks any real review coverage.
Aris tested it through Cybenetics. If you prefer an upgrade path with this low budget, then this is the one. It's an ATX 2.52 power supply with support for modern standby. The Corsair, be quiet! and Segotep are ATX 2.4 PSU's and the EVGA is only ATX 2.32. Doesn't even has support for the current sleep states of a PC.
The Pure Power 10 though feels a bit under powered for potential upgrades but then so is the BT 450 in that regard.
The great thing about this one is the really good fan and really silent operation.
Id prefer to have a 550-watt unit in this build since the system would be around 50% load for max efficiency.
Ah the good old myth from 50% load for max efficiency. Didn't know people still believed that crap. Anyhow this PC has a power consumption of only 200/225W DC under load, so even for people who still believe this myth it's perfect.

Ill take another look through whats available.
They are all available, just not for everyone in every store. That's why it makes sense to recommend more than one.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Aug 9, 2019
Messages
1,695 (0.87/day)
Processor 7800X3D 2x16GB CO
Motherboard Asrock B650m HDV
Cooling Peerless Assassin SE
Memory 2x16GB DR A-die@6000c30 tuned
Video Card(s) Asus 4070 dual OC 2610@915mv
Storage WD blue 1TB nvme
Display(s) Lenovo G24-10 144Hz
Case Corsair D4000 Airflow
Power Supply EVGA GQ 650W
Software Windows 10 home 64
Benchmark Scores Superposition 8k 5267 Aida64 58.5ns
Mostly agree with the build, but Crucial ballustix 3000cl15 is a much better choice. Even on a budget MB with 2400G which has a worse IMC than 1600AF I could run it at 3533cl16 from dram calc without problems with a dGPU (iGPU was another case). Ballistix 3000/3200 is cheap and garantied Micron rev E which is far better than the Hynix AFR you often find in Corsair vengeance 3000 that often tops out around 3333-3466 with slow subs.
 

crazyeyesreaper

Not a Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 25, 2009
Messages
9,816 (1.71/day)
Location
04578
System Name Old reliable
Processor Intel 8700K @ 4.8 GHz
Motherboard MSI Z370 Gaming Pro Carbon AC
Cooling Custom Water
Memory 32 GB Crucial Ballistix 3666 MHz
Video Card(s) MSI RTX 3080 10GB Suprim X
Storage 3x SSDs 2x HDDs
Display(s) ASUS VG27AQL1A x2 2560x1440 8bit IPS
Case Thermaltake Core P3 TG
Audio Device(s) Samson Meteor Mic / Generic 2.1 / KRK KNS 6400 headset
Power Supply Zalman EBT-1000
Mouse Mionix NAOS 7000
Keyboard Mionix
There is indeed a small difference between both, but both are much much better than this EVGA BT. And upgrade path? This EVGA BT isn't even ready for your current system. Let alone a even more modern PC.

Aris tested it through Cybenetics. If you prefer an upgrade path with this low budget, then this is the one. It's an ATX 2.52 power supply with support for modern standby. The Corsair, be quiet! and Segotep are ATX 2.4 PSU's and the EVGA is only ATX 2.32. Doesn't even has support for the current sleep states of a PC.
The great thing about this one is the really good fan and really silent operation.

Ah the good old myth from 50% load for max efficiency. Didn't know people still believed that crap. Anyhow this PC has a power consumption of only 200/225W DC under load, so even for people who still believe this myth it's perfect.


They are all available, just not for everyone in every store. That's why it makes sense to recommend more than one.
Looking at be quiet Pure Power 11 lineup more widely available same base platform.

Mostly agree with the build, but Crucial ballustix 3000cl15 is a much better choice. Even on a budget MB with 2400G which has a worse IMC than 1600AF I could run it at 3533cl16 from dram calc without problems with a dGPU (iGPU was another case). Ballistix 3000/3200 is cheap and garantied Micron rev E which is far better than the Hynix AFR you often find in Corsair vengeance 3000 that often tops out around 3333-3466 with slow subs.
Do you really think it matters that much? On a budget build. Again ive got multiple vengeance kits in use they all work just fine. Not fantastic but to be blunt If i take every recommendation in this thread that budget PC wouldn't be a budget system for long. Its literally going to have 0 impact on any typical gaming tests etc. PSU? sure i can see arguing for better there. same with mobo. CPU even, but the memory as long as it runs at its rated speed does its job and the gains are minimal. I think people in this thread forget its not a system any of us would likely build. However someone that has no idea where to start. Can use it as a blueprint to build there own.

But I digress no matter what choice is made there is a position to argue against it. Thats what comes with proper consumer choice. Then again I am also thinking of this from the number of systems I fix that others built where the memory they bought was expensive and it was running at 2133 MHz or back in the days of DDR3 at 1066 lol.
 
Joined
Sep 16, 2014
Messages
290 (0.08/day)
Looking at be quiet Pure Power 11 lineup more widely available same base platform.
be quiet! Pure Power 11 series is only available in Europe, it has never been (really) available on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. be quiet!'s biggest market is still Germany. Corsair and Cooler Master are world wide available.
Do you really think it matters that much? On a budget build. Again ive got multiple vengeance kits in use they all work just fine.
It all depends on the one you got. Like I said Corsair uses different revisions with the same name and SKU with different memory chips from different brands. Some work perfect, some won't.
 

crazyeyesreaper

Not a Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 25, 2009
Messages
9,816 (1.71/day)
Location
04578
System Name Old reliable
Processor Intel 8700K @ 4.8 GHz
Motherboard MSI Z370 Gaming Pro Carbon AC
Cooling Custom Water
Memory 32 GB Crucial Ballistix 3666 MHz
Video Card(s) MSI RTX 3080 10GB Suprim X
Storage 3x SSDs 2x HDDs
Display(s) ASUS VG27AQL1A x2 2560x1440 8bit IPS
Case Thermaltake Core P3 TG
Audio Device(s) Samson Meteor Mic / Generic 2.1 / KRK KNS 6400 headset
Power Supply Zalman EBT-1000
Mouse Mionix NAOS 7000
Keyboard Mionix
be quiet! Pure Power 11 series is only available in Europe, it has never been (really) available on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. be quiet!'s biggest market is still Germany. Corsair and Cooler Master are world wide available.

It all depends on the one you got. Like I said Corsair uses different revisions with the same name and SKU with different memory chips from different brands. Some work perfect, some won't.
Swapped to the Pure Power 11, the Pure Power 10 is essentially the same. article is edited to reflect that, Also changed out the memory now to see if people just hate on Team Group now.

(for ryzen systems as noted above I have used the Vegeance sticks 3 times.) in Intel systems i just chuck it in and never had an issue then again i dont look to push memory to the breaking point either which is likely why I have had better luck. If i want to OC memory i just buy what I actually want or is required for that purpose.
 
Joined
Aug 9, 2019
Messages
1,695 (0.87/day)
Processor 7800X3D 2x16GB CO
Motherboard Asrock B650m HDV
Cooling Peerless Assassin SE
Memory 2x16GB DR A-die@6000c30 tuned
Video Card(s) Asus 4070 dual OC 2610@915mv
Storage WD blue 1TB nvme
Display(s) Lenovo G24-10 144Hz
Case Corsair D4000 Airflow
Power Supply EVGA GQ 650W
Software Windows 10 home 64
Benchmark Scores Superposition 8k 5267 Aida64 58.5ns
Looking at be quiet Pure Power 11 lineup more widely available same base platform.


Do you really think it matters that much? On a budget build. Again ive got multiple vengeance kits in use they all work just fine. Not fantastic but to be blunt If i take every recommendation in this thread that budget PC wouldn't be a budget system for long. Its literally going to have 0 impact on any typical gaming tests etc. PSU? sure i can see arguing for better there. same with mobo. CPU even, but the memory as long as it runs at its rated speed does its job and the gains are minimal. I think people in this thread forget its not a system any of us would likely build. However someone that has no idea where to start. Can use it as a blueprint to build there own.

But I digress no matter what choice is made there is a position to argue against it. Thats what comes with proper consumer choice. Then again I am also thinking of this from the number of systems I fix that others built where the memory they bought was expensive and it was running at 2133 MHz or back in the days of DDR3 at 1066 lol.
If user plan on enabling "XMP" and do nothing else then no, thing is, system you recommend can be upgraded to a cheap used 3700X or a 4000 down the line and then ram would be a bottleneck. Also in all non-gpubottlenecked scenarios it will matter. When testing with the bugdetsystem I build I tried a AFR-kit and compared with the Ballistix I had to run it quite a bit slower. For instance getting the iGPU to work stable in games max I could do with AFR was 2933cl16 (dram calc safe), but with Ballistix I could use 3200cl14 fast preset which often improve performance in games byt 10-20%. Point is that the kit you recommend cost about the same as 3000cl15 ballistix. When both run on "XMP" they perform similar, when unlocking the potential the Ballistix kit is much faster so you have same or potentially much better performance for about same price :) As for powersupply I used the 450 BT and it works really well. I also put it in another budgetsystem I build with i5 8400\RX 480 and it works very well there too so I can recommend that.

EDIT:
https://geizhals.eu/crucial-ballistix-schwarz-dimm-kit-16gb-bl2k8g30c15u4b-a2222468.html 5 euros more for ballistix 3000. On my ryzen 3600 it runs 3733cl15 without issues (dram calc). The AFR-kit maxed out at 3333cl16 (dram on my system). I use a 5700XT and when not GPU-bound that gives me 10-15% better peformance. In the SOTTR-test my CPU-fps went from 145 til 161. For 5 euros I think that potential is worth it. Also the kit has no problems running over 4000MHz and I have tested several kits, but due to uncoupled IF I stick with 3733 which is as fast as my IMC allows me with linked IF. On ryzen 4000 we might see changes to the IF and the ramkit can run far higher, but I bet the AFR will be stuck at around 3333-3466 like it is now.
 
Last edited:

crazyeyesreaper

Not a Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 25, 2009
Messages
9,816 (1.71/day)
Location
04578
System Name Old reliable
Processor Intel 8700K @ 4.8 GHz
Motherboard MSI Z370 Gaming Pro Carbon AC
Cooling Custom Water
Memory 32 GB Crucial Ballistix 3666 MHz
Video Card(s) MSI RTX 3080 10GB Suprim X
Storage 3x SSDs 2x HDDs
Display(s) ASUS VG27AQL1A x2 2560x1440 8bit IPS
Case Thermaltake Core P3 TG
Audio Device(s) Samson Meteor Mic / Generic 2.1 / KRK KNS 6400 headset
Power Supply Zalman EBT-1000
Mouse Mionix NAOS 7000
Keyboard Mionix
If user plan on enabling "XMP" and do nothing else then no, thing is, system you recommend can be upgraded to a cheap used 3700X or a 4000 down the line and then ram would be a bottleneck. Also in all non-gpubottlenecked scenarios it will matter. When testing with the bugdetsystem I build I tried a AFR-kit and compared with the Ballistix I had to run it quite a bit slower. For instance getting the iGPU to work stable in games max I could do with AFR was 2933cl16 (dram calc safe), but with Ballistix I could use 3200cl14 fast preset which often improve performance in games byt 10-20%. Point is that the kit you recommend cost about the same as 3000cl15 ballistix. When both run on "XMP" they perform similar, when unlocking the potential the Ballistix kit is much faster so you have same or potentially much better performance for about same price :) As for powersupply I used the 450 BT and it works really well. I also put it in another budgetsystem I build with i5 8400\RX 480 and it works very well there too so I can recommend that.

EDIT:
https://geizhals.eu/crucial-ballistix-schwarz-dimm-kit-16gb-bl2k8g30c15u4b-a2222468.html 5 euros more for ballistix 3000. On my ryzen 3600 it runs 3733cl15 without issues (dram calc). The AFR-kit maxed out at 3333cl16 (dram on my system). I use a 5700XT and when not GPU-bound that gives me 10-15% better peformance. In the SOTTR-test my CPU-fps went from 145 til 161. For 5 euros I think that potential is worth it. Also the kit has no problems running over 4000MHz and I have tested several kits, but due to uncoupled IF I stick with 3733 which is as fast as my IMC allows me with linked IF. On ryzen 4000 we might see changes to the IF and the ramkit can run far higher, but I bet the AFR will be stuck at around 3333-3466 like it is now.
Well i have 3x Crucial Ballistics kits sitting here rated at 3466 Mhz and guess what? they cant even run XMP stable tested on 2x 8700K systems / 9900k system and a Ryzen 3600 just for shits and giggles. Every vendor has good or bad and many times its luck of the draw. 2x 8GB kits x2 and 1x 32 GB (4 x 8 GB) and they all exhibit the same behavior. No voltage changes, timing changes has made them stable at 3466. But they will do 3200 just fine. So I will just leave it at that.

Edit: at first i figured it was just the IMC on my personal CPU was weak but haven't had any luck with the sticks in ANY system thus far beyond 3200 MHz. So my experience tells me that while they may work great for others (including Black Haru who has reviewed them here at TPU) my luck hasn't been nearly as good.

That said the Team Group kit linked above is the same as Black Haru reviewed and he managed 3733 MHz at 16-18-18-38.

But again at this point we are splitting hairs. Realistically look at the person who needs a blueprint to get started from ie this article do you really honestly think those just getting their feet wet with no real idea to start are gonna be messing with system memory? Some people enjoy it the rest just want to have a system that works and to play there games.

With a 5700 XT being over 40% faster than a 1660 Super yeah i can see memory tinkering being a worthwhile option but even then the majority of users aren't going to push things that far. When they do they typically wind up on forums like TPU asking why the 2666 MHz kit they were recommending isnt stable at 3200 CL w.e that they saw elsewhere. Something to keep in mind.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Sep 16, 2014
Messages
290 (0.08/day)
Swapped to the Pure Power 11, the Pure Power 10 is essentially the same.
True, but you won't find a Pure Power 10 anywhere anymore, it's EOL for more then 1,5 year.
article is edited to reflect that
Great, maybe also at the maximum power consumption of the PC and/or components so that people won't think that they need a higher wattage PSU. Otherwise they just gonna buy something like a EVGA BT 600W or other double forward PSU with group regulations.

Also changed out the memory now to see if people just hate on Team Group now.
I don't know which memory chips they use for this kit? Did you checked this?
(for ryzen systems as noted above I have used the Vegeance sticks 3 times.) in Intel systems i just chuck it in and never had an issue then again i dont look to push memory to the breaking point either which is likely why I have had better luck. If i want to OC memory i just buy what I actually want or is required for that purpose.
The problem isn't overclocking, it's with XMP profiles on 3000MT/s and 3200MT/s with Corsair Vengeance.
 
Top