A few CPU pins on my mobo broke so I'm going to purchase a new CPU, mobo, and RAM.

My budget is around $400 total.

Here's what I'm currently leaning towards:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 1600
Mobo: Asus STRIX B-350-F Gaming ATX AM4
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 1x8GB DDR4-2400

So questions:

1) Any thoughts on the choices? The Ryzen 5 1600 seems perfect for my budget and uses, but I'm much less sure about the mobo and RAM. I basically went on PCPartPicker and just picked the most popular one in my price range.

2) I'm thinking of getting a new case for the upgrades. I was looking at the NZXT S340. My current case is a CoolerMaster HAF 932, which makes me question getting a case that is more or less a downgrade from a semi-high end case. But I really don't like the way the HAF looks and it's giant and the fans are loud and there's a few cosmetic broken parts, and I don't have any intention on running a crazy build with multiple GPUs, and likely will never overclock.



the rest of my parts in case that's relevant:

some 850w Corsair PSU
Radeon HD5870 (due for an upgrade but don't have the budget atm)
some 64GB SSD with a 500GB HDD


Thanks so much in advance.

the case is more personal preference tbh can't really offer any advice there. just don't spend too much on it

you could pick up a cooler, and a i7 2600k w/ mobo off ebay for around $200 total and use your old ram instead and probably have similar gaming performance. however, that's going the used route and i don't know if you are a frugal person, but it is an option


with that said, the r5 1600 is a beast for its price:perf and and u will be very happy. everything looks good on my end, ryzen does like faster ram (preferably 2666 and above), but i don't know if that ram speed will matter with your gfx card ^^.

In any event, yes it looks good!

This post was edited by JohnMiller92 on Oct 31 2017 04:42pm

Do not get a 1x stick for ryzen. Better off with 2x4

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/NysVyf

Your next upgrade is probably a 1050ti, can always get a super good one if you want tho.

This post was edited by Penguins0690 on Oct 31 2017 04:50pm

Thanks for the advice, I will definitely be upgrading my GPU in the next year so looking to somewhat prepare for that, probably a 1060 or 1070.



I will eventually be getting a second 8gb stick so I'm just starting with this, unless I should go 4x4?

nah, 2x8 is fine

if u plan to get the other 8gb stick, make sure same exact one

This post was edited by JohnMiller92 on Oct 31 2017 05:57pm

Yup that's why I'm making sure to get the one I should now

Thanks for your advice, any input from anyone else is appreciated as well.

Go with the parts I picked, not the ones you picked.
Don't listen to John Miller, he's a troll.

You can update case later. What I posted fits in your $400 budget.

This post was edited by Penguins0690 on Oct 31 2017 10:11pm

I might go with the mobo you suggested though I may want to get cheaper RAM. Mobo looks great though. I will possibly get a pcie SSD in the future, I'm fine to run a pcie GPU along with a pcie SSD on that board?

Also I read the LAN and audio quality differ on the two boards, will that be noticeable?

This post was edited by Voyaging on Oct 31 2017 10:59pm

Everything a computer does...goes through the RAM. Always get a 2x set. By the time you decide or can afford to get another stick...it may be out of stock permanently, way overpriced, or no longer even manufactured.
Also the IC chips on the RAM sticks vary over time, depending on market pressures.

Always get a 2x set, for a dual channel board.

As for the case...I would look seriously at the Fractal Design R5. <--- Good solid cases.

Damn, that mobo price just went from 55 to like 75. Will keep an eye on it.