New build, need advice

English Hardware
#1

Hi there,
After around 8 years, my self build box died yesterday; loop at boot (I can see the HEX code looping with a time pattern), no POST.
As I don’t have spare part to thoroughly investigate, and after all I could do to troubleshoot (helped with Internet search), I have now to buy a new box.
I’ll buy all the parts needed and assemble myself as I did 8 years ago.
You understand that my computer hardware knowledge is 8 years old, so I need some advice.
The OS I’ll run is still Opensuse 15.3 and next or maybe later other linux flavor.
I have in the present NFG box:
ASRock motherboard, AMD CPU, Corsair RAM, Super Flower supply, Zotac NVidia graphic card. I was happy with this until today :wink:

Is there part brands, to avoid (motherboard, RAM, power supply, …)
I’d prefer AMD CPU, no objection?
What is the best compatibility nowadays for graphic chipset ?

Any other advice is welcome.
Many thanks

#2

You need to consider components that will last for another 8 years, see e.g. the parts lists here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suJxsoaJLSc I upgraded one of my machines last year: https://forums.opensuse.org/showthread.php/541321-Upgrading-the-Hardware

Beware: stay away from NVidia graphics; openSUSE does not care about the issue with suspend to RAM / resume with the 3400G (it works great with all other distributions I tested). There is heavy tinkering with amdgpu for newer processors: https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/drm/amd/-/issues/ If you want to go with openSUSE&Ryzen make sure your processor is supported with respect to all features you are going to use.

#3

Hi
What sort of applications are you running on this system?

What are the things that you would like to do or struggled to do with the old hardware?

#4

Leap & me: Nvidia works OK, suspend/resume with 3200G works OK.

To OP: you may change mobo or some another component to get old rig working.
Super Flower supply & Zotac Nvidia graphic card (depends on die) may go to a new system.
AM4: X570 & B550 possibly will work with 1000 - 2000 series Ryzen CPU after BIOS update.
Ryzen works OK except OpenCL utilising builtin GPU.

#5

The current AMD motherboards are likely the last that will support the AM4 die/chipset and will not be compatible with future generations of CPUs.
The X570 supports PCIe version 4 and 24 PCIe lanes, but not all boards have full support. This means the current gen of NVMe Drives are supported. However not all current gen Ryzen CPUs have support for all 24 PCIe lanes.
If you are not going to be doing serious overclocking the wraith prism cooler than comes with the retail Ryzen CPU is a decent cooling solution.
Power requirements have not increased significantly, your current power supply might be usable (unless it was the cause for your current failure).

#6

The max power I’ll need is to “basic” edit some HD resolution video and watch UHD 2k video.

](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suJxsoaJLSc) 5h39mn video !!! I’ll try but…

I had a look on the motherboard you got. That leads to think I don’t need 4 DIMM slots, 1x16Go or 2x16Go should be enough. I don’t need “Supports Digital LED & RGB LED Strips”. But I have some HDD that I could use with a mobo with 5 SATA connectors.
I could reuse my present box and change only the mobo, RAM, power supply. Even I could reuse the power supply if I knew if it is still good.
I have a multimeter I have checked it, it seems good but not sure.

I was using a NVidia so far and had fail to resume from RAM about once over 10. For good understanding, do you mean I should use radeon instead, this will stop the issue? What if I take another than 3400G?
What do you think about “your processor is supported with respect to all features you are going to use”?

BTW could you let me know the online shop you use/prefer. MP if needed.

#7

Feel free to skip if lengthy but check out the parts list. See also “Build your own fast, cheap, quiet and reliable computer!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGyn_Ry_Q4c

I had a look on the motherboard you got. That leads to think I don’t need 4 DIMM slots, 1x16Go or 2x16Go should be enough. I don’t need “Supports Digital LED & RGB LED Strips”. But I have some HDD that I could use with a mobo with 5 SATA connectors. I could reuse my present box and change only the mobo, RAM, power supply. Even I could reuse the power supply if I knew if it is still good. I have a multimeter I have checked it, it seems good but not sure.
I did that with the 3400G. I also assembled several systems with µ ATX case and µ ATX board. Their owners are happy with them. Watch for USB 3.0 on the top of the front panel.

I was using a NVidia so far and had fail to resume from RAM about once over 10. For good understanding, do you mean I should use radeon instead, this will stop the issue? What if I take another than 3400G?
What do you think about “your processor is supported with respect to all features you are going to use”?
Could be an incompatibilty of the 3400G with the main board.Give it a try with a differnet board. Also check out the 3600 and a graphics card. I upgraded the bigger Intel machine with a Radeon card. Removed the slot cover, inserted the card, moved the HDMI cable and rebooted: Done. Tumbleweed upgrades as smoothly as ever it did with the integrated graphics.

**erlangen:~ #** inxi -aGz 
**Graphics:  Device-1:** AMD Lexa PRO [Radeon 540/540X/550/550X / RX 540X/550/550X] **vendor:** Sapphire Limited **driver:** amdgpu  
           **v:** kernel **bus ID:** 01:00.0 **chip ID:** 1002:699f  
           **Display:****server:** X.Org 1.20.10 **compositor:** kwin_x11 **driver:** amdgpu,ati **unloaded:** fbdev,modesetting,vesa  
           **display ID:** :0 **screens:** 1  
           **Screen-1:** 0 **s-res:** 3840x2160 **s-dpi:** 144 **s-size:** 677x381mm (26.7x15.0") **s-diag:** 777mm (30.6")  
           **Monitor-1:** HDMI-A-0 **res:** 3840x2160 **hz:** 60 **dpi:** 154 **size:** 632x360mm (24.9x14.2") **diag:** 727mm (28.6")  
           **OpenGL:****renderer:** Radeon RX550/550 Series (POLARIS12 DRM 3.40.0 5.11.6-1-default LLVM 11.0.1) **v:** 4.6 Mesa 20.3.4  
           **direct render:** Yes  
**erlangen:~ #**

BTW could you let me know the online shop you use/prefer. MP if needed.
I always check out idealo.de. I purchased from alternate.de, galaxus.de and amazon.de. As an amateur you will want to make sure the components work as advertised as soon as possible. You may undo the purchase within 2 weeks. I once failed to do so and needed to RMA a main board. There was no extra cost, but it was not worth the hassle.

#8

Hi MrNice,

I’d look into NVME support. I just finished what you are planning and also hope to have my “peace” for the next 8 years - I did have it so far.
Asus Prime X570, Ryzen 7 - 3700X, GeForce GTX1650, 2x16G banks Gskill Trident DDR4 (from the compatibility list), Seagate Barracuda Q5 SSD 500G M.2 works brilliantly with Leap 15.2. While playing Xonotic at maximum resolution and effects you can record HDTV from the satellite dish without any lagging.

Just the onboard sound is not well supported, yet. I can’t get any surround sound but cracking noise from the subwoofer. Stereo works. Checking support for Linux on the manufacturer’s website flatly brought “get the latest kernel”. That will take some time with Leap, so I am eying a simple Soundblaster Audigy.

#9

4 parts could be the culprit:
Mobo, CPU, RAM, Power supply. Only the later is independent regarding reuse. The 3 first have to be changed together. Depending of the shipping price, I could try the old power supply if the connectors are still the compatible. I have to check that.

#10

Don’t be too sure. That’s what I thought and went wrong. I thought 500 W should be enough but the rated power isn’t everything. you should be sure to have the 24 pin, 8 pin AND the 4 pin connector available at your power supply. My old power supply didn’t have the 4 pin connector. Despite what is written in the manual I checked before the purchase, it is NOT enough to connect the 24 pin and 8 pin connectors. That MOBO insists in the 4 pin connector or it won’t find the graphic card - even the old one I used for trouble shooting.

#11

Most desktop motherboards dating back to before you got your current one support dual channel RAM. To use dual channel requires RAM sticks be installed as matched pairs. Using a single stick can cost as much as 46% of potential RAM speed. There’s also such a thing as triple channel, which requires matched threesomes.

#12

The motherboard is ASRock 970 Extreme4
The power supply is Super Flower SF-450P14XE 80plus Gold. This is 450W with:

  • 1 black connector 2x10pins label 20+
  • 1 black connector 2x2pins label 4P
    Both of them are connected to the mobo in the 2x12pins socket ATXPWR1
  • 1 blue connector 2x4 pins I can’t see the label on it, connected to ATX12V1 close to the CPU and fans
  • 1 red connector 2x3pins label PCI Express
  • 1 red connector 2x3pins label SLI ready
  • devices power supply connectors

I checked the voltages, it looks inside the tolerances
I just had a look on a up-to-date mobo and I see what you advice, the 4 pins connector close to the 8 pins. I’ll have to buy the PS as well.

#13

I understand why RAM are mainly sold by 2. Thanks

#14

For my use case, basic video editing HD and watch smoothly UHD 4K video, could I choose a motherboard with integrated graphic card?
What is the pro and con for integrated vs separate graphic card in mobo?

What is the purpose to choose a CPU with support for video (iGPU)? Pro and con. Your advice.
Thanks

#15

I just had a look at this web site to select the components.
For AMD AM4 socket, all mobo have video connector, so are with integrated graphic video.
Could I avoid to buy a graphic card?

#16

Integrated graphics saves money, but is less flexible and less models are available with AMD. Most Intel CPUs have integrated graphics and traditionally have been more expensive. This has changed with upcoming Ryzen: https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_value_available.html For my use case the 3400G was perfect last July: 135€. “Basic video editing HD and watch smoothly UHD 4K video” works fine here.

#17

The video connectors only work if the installed processor has integrated graphics.

#18

Where did you get this so good price for your APU?
Now the 3400G is more than €200 +shipping to Ireland. If I buy in UK I’ll have + around 20% import fees…
The new model is Ryzen 5 4600G/4650G at around €220 +shipping. Could you get it for less?
Did you ever try to buy from Asia?

#19

AMD prices are now up due to availability issues. I suggest to consider Intel socket 1200, such as i7-10700 or similar, whatever fits best for you. Look for unlocked versions e.g. i5-10600K too: https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i5-10600K+%40+4.10GHz&id=3735

#20

For some raison, I think because Intel is very closed to Microsoft, I’d prefer AMD.
I found some possibilities just below €200 in France.
I have read that 3400G is not compatible with B550 chipset. Could you confirm? What chipset is in your mobo with 3400G?
X570 is a bit more expensive. Does this chipset increase the computing performance compare to B550. I don’t think so but what do you think?