Description

UPDATE: Finally got my new memory kit and installed it right away. Asus DOCP profile got it to run with 2933 MHz at C16 latency. Also added an image with the new memory.

I've been running on an Intel i3-6100 / B150 combo for a few years now and actively looking for a CPU upgrade, since the i3 was bottle-necking many of the newer games i tried (Mass Effect Andromeda for example). Good thing that I waited for the Ryzen launch, since I found the perfect deal in the Ryzen 5 1600. 6 cores with SMT with a reasonable price tag - what more can you ask for a decent gaming machine?

When online shop Alternate dropped their 25 year anniversary one-day-only sale, I said to hell with the waiting and finally ordered. I initially wanted to get a simple B350 board, but since the Asus PRIME X370 was on sale and also shipped with a free Steam code for Prey, I picked the more expensive alternative. The memory you see in the rig, is actually the 8 GB HyperX from my previous system, because unfortunately there are some shipping problems with the Corsair LPX memory and I'm still waiting on that. I will update the build once I finally have it.

For the graphics card, I decided to keep my GTX 970 from my old build and wait for AMDs Vega line-up. I am hoping to get something close to the GTX 1080 but for a more affordable price :-).

So far I am loving the new system and its looks. Its performance is stellar and the CPU usage in most games is somewhere around 20 - 30 % at 60 fps with my GTX 970 (where the i3 was at 100% most of the time). The RGB LED effect on the mainboard also looks very nice, especially when it's dark.

For the future I'm playing with the thought of adding some sleeved cables (I'm thinking black/blue) and maybe an LED strip. But that will have to wait for now until AMD unveils Vega.

Part Reviews

CPU

AMD Ryzen 5 1600 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor

Absolutely great value! 6 cores with SMT for just over 220 € and the included Wraith Spire cooler is actually pretty decent (fairly quiet and keeps the CPU cool enough for my taste). I was considering buying an aftermarket cooler or even an all-in-one water cooler, but honestly I'm just fine with the stock one for now. Also I don't plan on overclocking as long as the CPU is good for 60 fps.

Motherboard

Asus PRIME X370-PRO ATX AM4 Motherboard

All around great board with very nice looking LED effect (configurable via ASUS AURA tool). The color scheme is a matter of taste I guess, but as long as you don't use flashy red parts you should be fine with it. BIOS also looks and works very well. The only complaint I have, is that there are only 2 chassis fan headers. The other 2 are for water pump and all-in-one liquid cooler and hooked up to those, fans will run at full speed all the time (no control options in the BIOS). Hence my be quiet Pure Wings is running a bit loudly for now, but I already ordered a Y-splitter cable to connect both front fans to one chassis fan header.

Memory

Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory

Decent memory with a sleek black look. Performs as expected and runs with 2933 MHz C16 on Asus DOCP profile.

Storage

Samsung 960 EVO 250 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive

My first M.2 drive and I'm very pleased with it. Very fast and 2 less cables to worry about for cable management :-P

Video Card

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4 GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card

The Windforce 3X runs very quiet and cool and has been a overall good performer for the last couple of years. No complaints here, but I'm anxious to see AMDs Vega line-up.

Case

Corsair 400C ATX Mid Tower Case

This case is gorgeous in my opinion. I generally love Corsairs design and my previous build also was housed in a Corsair case (SPEC-03 red). I actually wanted to get the white version of this case, but since this one was on sale I went with it. On the plus side, I now don't need to stick to black/white components. The side window is the number 1 feature here and an awesome way to display your components. Also the opening mechanism is very solid and sturdy, so no worries here. Building inside this case was fairly easy and straightforward, although you have to fumble a bit with the PSU cover to route the cables through there.

Power Supply

Corsair RMx 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply

Very quiet and sturdy PSU with fully modular cables.

Case Fan

be quiet! Pure Wings 2 140 61.2 CFM 140 mm Fan

A decent and cheap fan that runs very quiet at around 60 - 80 % rpm. At 100% though you will notice it.

Comments

  • 31 months ago
  • 3 points

Keeping gtx 970 is a good idea. Nice build may you serve you well

  • 31 months ago
  • 2 points

The 970 still performs adequately at 1080p so good choice. Hopefully the shipping problems with the RAM are worked out soon!

  • 31 months ago
  • 1 point

Thanks. I agree, it does in most new games. But there are some (like ME Andromeda) where it has trouble keeping that 60 fps target at high settings. I am planning on upgrading as soon as AMD Vega becomes available.

  • 31 months ago
  • 2 points

Great build. Love that you kept the GTX 970, it can still bang.

  • 31 months ago
  • 1 point

what games do you play on it, im thinking of getting a 970 as well with the ryzen 5 1600?

  • 31 months ago
  • 2 points

At 1080@60fps so far Prey runs very smooth at max settings. Also Batman Arkham Knight at custom high settings and Mirrors Edge Catalyst at high settings. Mass Effect Andromeda though will dip into the 50s and 40s occasionally at high settings.

  • 31 months ago
  • 1 point

I appreciate the tips! Great quality build!

  • 31 months ago
  • 0 points

if you were just gaming, it wouldve been better to get an i5 or i7 to save some cash

  • 31 months ago
  • 5 points

Fun fact: Ryzen's the cheaper deal.

  • 31 months ago
  • 1 point

You also had to buy a new mobo to get Ryzen working.

  • 31 months ago
  • 2 points

I wasn't really on a budget here and I like to get the best value for my money. I considered getting an i7-7700 at first (non-K because my mobo was a B150), but at 310 € in my country I felt the Ryzen 5 1600 was the better deal at 220 €. I know the i7 performs slightly better in gaming but I'm hoping the 6 cores of the Ryzen will help it in future games. Also I really wanted to do a brand new build, so new mobo was part of the plan =)

  • 29 months ago
  • 1 point

I've got to admit im in the same situation. Ive got an intel board but want a ryzen PC. It would actually work out cheaper for me to get an unlocked i7 (especially used), than it would to just start from scratch with aryzen chip.

  • 28 months ago
  • 1 point

Ryzen 5 hex-core (with a decent overclock) is generally superior at gaming than the i5 in recent titles, and as games get more and more multi-threaded the gap is only going to grow. (And outside of gaming, the difference between a 12-thread CPU and a 4-thread one is night and day dramatic, esp. when multi-tasking). The i7 otoh, is in an ENTIRELY different price range. Not to mention Z270 mobo's are much more expensive than AM4 B350 and budget X370 options, and the fact AM4 is sticking around till at-least 2020 while Z270 is DOA. He made the right choice for his budget, end of story.

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  • 31 months ago
  • 1 point

Yeah...I broke a sweat, trying to keep all the cables inside while putting the shroud in. Also there is not a lot of room for the cables behind the PSU, so I had to offset the drive cage farther to the front.

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