Hardware Thoughts on new system?

[Futurdreamz]

I'm reusing my GPU, 3.5" HDD, and monitors. Everything else is new.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01AIZUPW4/?tag=pcp0f-20

Money is a little tight so i did skimp on RAM, but I can get a matching stick later with no issue, and there's not a single part I really have to replace at a later date (but maybe I'll want a good VEGA or Navi GPU when prices come down)
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1500X 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-AB350N-Gaming WIFI (rev. 1.0) Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: SanDisk - Z400s 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($165.99 @ PC Canada)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Memory Express)
Video Card: MSI - Radeon R9 290 4GB TWIN FROZR Video Card
Case: Thermaltake - Core V1 Mini ITX Tower Case ($59.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: Rosewill - 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Monitor: Dell - P190S 19.0" 1280x1024 60Hz Monitor
Monitor: Dell - P190S 19.0" 1280x1024 60Hz Monitor
Monitor: Dell - SE2417HG 23.6" 1920x1080 60Hz Monitor ($179.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Keyboard: Microsoft - Desktop 850 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($62.74 @ Newegg Canada Marketplace)
Total: $997.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-07 13:19 EST-0500

 

[migles]

Memory: Patriot - Viper Elite 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($115.99 @ Newegg Canada)

make it one 8gb stick, so you can later when you got some money add a second one, or make 2x8GB
8 is still good but 16 gives you all the room

Storage: SanDisk - Z400s 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($165.99 @ PC Canada)

that's a sata drive, fuck sata m.2 ssds.. either get a nvme (pci express) one, or a normal 2.5 ssd, i believe you still got room in your case for that

 

[Futurdreamz]

I like the M.2 because it takes up no space. And the mobo supports it so might as well, and it's on sale. the PCI M.2 are still pretty expensive, and I don't think i'd care that kmuch about the performance boost.

The RAM is a little low but I already bought it and it's shipping now. I had just discovered that a 2x4gb kit was on sale so i'm a little annoyed about that. I'll probably pick up a matching 8GB later to bring it to 12GB

 

[TotalInsanity4]

Return the 4GB stick and get the 2x4 out on sale. Trust me, you'l regret only having 4GB. Also, get a WD Blue m.2 drive, they're significantly cheaper and just as high quality

 

[thom_tl]

Make sure your mobo was released after ryzen 5 i bought mine(1500x) and i had to return the mobo 2 times to get one with a bios update for ryzen 5 support.

 

[Futurdreamz]

Return the 4GB stick and get the 2x4 out on sale. Trust me, you'l regret only having 4GB. Also, get a WD Blue m.2 drive, they're significantly cheaper and just as high quality

I paid $100 for a refurbished SanDisk SSD and the WD is $120 Canadian, I think that should be fine.

That being said, I decided I will get the 8GB version of that memory. it is $20 more than 2 4gb sticks, but since i only have 2 slots to work with I rather not have to figure out how to sell the old RAM if I decide to upgrade. 12GB total should be more than fine, and i can decide to return the 4GB if i want to - though i expect restocking and return fees to make it not worth it.

 

[TotalInsanity4]

OH THE PRICES ARE CAD

Never mind, everything makes 5000x more sense now

 

[Futurdreamz]

Incidentally all the components are expected to arrive tomorrow... With the exception of either memory stick - they will arrive tueday or wednesday

Still waiting for my $45 Windows 7 license to ship...

 

[migles]

Still waiting for my $45 Windows 7 license to ship...

why though? do like i did, install pirate copy, activate with loader, upgrade to 10, free legit key

 

[thom_tl]

why though? do like i did, install pirate copy, activate with loader, upgrade to 10, free legit key

Can you still upgrade to Windows 10?

 

[migles]

Can you still upgrade to Windows 10?

i just did 2 days ago, but by having a new mobo with usb3 i had plenty of problems.. so i had to get a sata optical drive to make the process much simplier and work

 

[Joe88]

Incidentally all the components are expected to arrive tomorrow... With the exception of either memory stick - they will arrive tueday or wednesday

Still waiting for my $45 Windows 7 license to ship...

Well you can still build everything and just put the ram in last

 

[Minox]

Well you can still build everything and just put the ram in last

Heck, you could even install Windows 7 and choose to not activate it until you have the key. You should get at least 30 days before it stops working.

 

[jDSX]

Can you still upgrade to Windows 10?

Yes upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7/8.1 is still available through Microsoft's accessibility portal (for people who use assistive technologies) which can be found here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows10upgrade

 

[JoycieC]

Windows 10 is free till the end of this year:
https://lifehacker.com/get-your-free-windows-10-upgrade-before-the-end-of-the-1820215794

Same version as normal.

EDIT: I was beaten to the punch, haha.

 

[Futurdreamz]

yeah so far it seems like i can have everything ready to go. The components arrive today, the OS arrives tomorrow, and the ram Wednesday. I think I'll assemble everything this weekend and prepare my install stick. it seems I have to use a special tool to inject USB3 drivers into Windows 7 so that it boots though, but that seems simple enough: http://gigabytedaily.blogspot.ca/2015/09/having-trouble-installing-windows-7-by.html

 

[Futurdreamz]

I get the OS tomorrow so ill prepare the boot USB (need to slipstream USB 3.0 drivers and add the wifi driver) and then its just a matter of waiting for the ram then popping itin so I can install.

 

[Trash_McPhail]

Nice setup dude.

 

[the_randomizer]

Windows 10 is free till the end of this year:
https://lifehacker.com/get-your-free-windows-10-upgrade-before-the-end-of-the-1820215794

Same version as normal.

EDIT: I was beaten to the punch, haha.

Is there a way to install Win 10 on another HDD/partition and not overwrite the Win 7 install?

 

[Futurdreamz]

Is there a way to install Win 10 on another HDD/partition and not overwrite the Win 7 install?

Not that I'm aware of... Plus I believe Windows 10 "consumes" the Windows 7 license so it can no longer be used (not sure if it will automatically deactivate after a while though, but I presume so).

That being said I think I'll return the 4GB ram stick then buy a matching 8GB at a later date. I missed the discount for 2x8GB.