>>
>> So, it seems that this ATX at £117 is probably wisest for me. Thoughts?
>> www.cclonline.com/product/258499/90MB0YS0-M0EAY0/Motherboards/Asus-ROG-Strix-B450-F-Gaming-AMD-AM4-ATX-Motherboard-RAID-LAN-AMD-Radeon-Graphics-/MBD2490/
>>
I can understand the ATX/mATX argument. I'm not sure what this gets you above the ASUS "Prime" M/B above (which is cheaper, or even the even cheaper ASRock).
>> The recommendation given has good reports, seems pretty good performance and going to do all
>> I want. So probably smartest just to listen.
>> www.cclonline.com/product/250246/YD2600BBAFBOX/CPU-Processors/AMD-2nd-Gen-Ryzen-5-2600-3-4GHz-Processor-16MB-L3-Cache-with-Wraith-Stealth/CPU0537/
>>
Not leading edge, or latest gen, but good performance for the money. (and heatsink and fan incl.)
>> The motherboard allows for 4 x DIMM. At this time I'm comfortable that I need
>> 16GB. I certainly don't need 32GB but 8GB might be restricting. Is 2x8 the best
>> distribution? As opposed to 4x4 or 1x16? Assuming that it is, though I'd be interested
>> to understand why, then the following seems pretty good to me. Comments?
>> www.cclonline.com/product/293046/CMK16GX4M2Z3200C16/Desktop-Memory/Corsair-Vengeance-LPX-16GB-2-x-8GB-Memory-Kit-PC4-25600-3200MHz-DDR4-DIMM-C16/RAM4168/
>>
2x8GB is your best choice. Bought as a kit it will run "dual channel" (each stick will be controlled separately, giving performance benefits - needs to go in the correct memory slot combination, but the manual will advise).
You need to be careful about memory and buy off the QVL list. In addition, the native speed of the chipset and CPU is 2666, running at 3200 will require overclocking, not something I'd recommend for a first build and guaranteed stability. Non-Overclocked at 2666, this should be compatible:
www.cclonline.com/product/295229/HX426C16FB3K2/16/Desktop-Memory/HyperX-FURY-16-GB-2-x-8GB-PC4-21300-2666MHz-1-2V-CL16-DDR4-Desktop-Memory-Dual-Channel-DIMM-Kit/RAM4218/
For 2666 corsair memory, you could check here:
www.corsair.com/uk/en/memoryfinder?type=motherboard
>>
>> So I think buying a single m.2 for the OS and some stuff, leaving most
>> of the programmes on the other SSD and all the storage on the SATAs should
>> be ok.
>>
>> 1TB at £125 seems excessive and 256GB at £45 doesn't seem much of a saving.
>>
>> So I'd go with your recommendation of;
>> www.cclonline.com/product/264398/ASX8200PNP-512GT-C/Solid-State-Drives-SSDs-/ADATA-XPG-SX8200-Pro-512GB-M-2-2280-PCIe-Gen3-x4-NVMe-Internal-Solid-State-Drive-SSD-/SSD0896/
There may now be other choices out there, but this was top-rated when I bought and is still highly recommended. I think 512 GB is a decent "sweet spot".
Even if the current disks are 'slow' (SATAII?), you aren't boxing yourself in. You can replace with faster interface disks (SATAIII) if/as and when required. The SSD will probably be SATAIII anyway, and if your current board is SATAII, then that will improve in the new kit.
>>
>> The power supply, cooling and GPU will all work with that motherboard - I am
>> sure. They're all pretty new and capable. I don't need monitors or audio.
>>
If it's standard ATX format, the psu should be fine. The CPU comes with a stock heatsink/fan, which will be fine if not overclocking. The GPU should be compatible (at least there's a compatible slot). That CPU runs relatively cool, so case cooling shouldn't be an issue.
>> All in all, £340 or £380 depending on which way I fall with the motherboard.
>>
>>
One extra thing occurs to me - the case. If it's not proprietary (Dell or such which might require a custom motherboard) then the kit should fit, BUT, you may be constraining yourself a bit. Current m/bs support USB3 in one or other formats, and it is useful to have fast USB3 ports on the case front. If yours has ports, they are likely to be USB2, and won't allow use as USB3. (I'm pretty sure all of those boards have USB2 headers as well, so the front ports will be usable, just considerably slower. All the boards have rear USB3 ports anyway, just rather more awkward to use).
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