I'm building my first PC and I'm at a crossroads between the Ryzen 8700G and the Ryzen 7700. I'll be using the PC primarily for work, including CAD, GIS, and some programming, and I might dabble in light gaming. My budget is around 700€ (storage and peripherals excluded). Here's what I'm considering:
For the 8700G setup:
- Lian Li A3 - 90€
- ASRock B850M Steel Legend WiFi - 170€
- G.Skill Flare X5 - 116€
- Corsair RM750 - 95€
- Ryzen 7 8700G - 247€
Total - 720€
I'm planning to buy a dedicated GPU around Christmas, likely a 3050 6GB for 170€, so the integrated GPU should hold up until then.
For the 7700 setup:
- Lian Li A3 - 90€
- ASRock B850M Pro-A WiFi - 140€
- G.Skill Flare X5 - 116€
- Corsair RM750 - 95€
- Ryzen 7 7700 - 258€
Total - 700€
But that means I'd need a GPU right away. Looking at used options, I found:
- Palit GTX 750 2GB - 40€
- Gainward GTX 1650 4GB - 50€
Which brings the total to around 750€.
I have a few questions: 1) Is it worth it to go for a cheaper motherboard with fewer VRMs to access the 7700? 2) Is buying an older used GPU a good idea? I'm not sure how to assess used parts. 3) What do you think about the hardware choices overall? Should I seek better options or bypass the used market?
4 Answers
I'd recommend looking at the B650 motherboard instead of the B850. If you update the BIOS, it should be compatible with newer CPUs later on. The Ryzen 7 7700 is a solid choice since you won’t need the integrated graphics if you're planning to get a dedicated GPU. However, avoid the GTX 750 and GTX 1650; they're way too outdated and could bottleneck your performance. If you're on the used market, look for something like a GTX 980 Ti or an RX 6600 8GB for better performance.
Honestly, both CPUs are a bit lacking for gaming due to their low cache. If the 7700X is out of your budget, go with the 7600X instead, especially if gaming is on your horizon, but since you want CAD capabilities, focus on those needs first.
I'm not primarily gaming; it's for CAD work. I might try casual games if time permits.
Most decent AM5 motherboards have robust VRMs, so going for a reliable brand is smart! You should definitely lean towards the 7700 if you’re using a discrete GPU; it generally performs better for your needs.
What do you think about the motherboard I initially picked? Is it low quality?
It sounds like you have specific applications in mind. If you need it for CAD and GIS work, you’ll want to ensure the CPU can handle those programs effectively. Also, casual gaming shouldn't be an issue with the right setup.
Exactly! I need it primarily for work, but I'm okay with casual gaming too.
Aren't the cheapest B650s around 130€? Doesn't that make the B850 a better deal at 140€? And I've heard the 7700's iGPU isn't great.