New work PC

[Joe C]

I never take reviews from a retailer seriously. They do have an agenda, which is to sell you a product.
Using reviews from independent places that are not trying to sell you something should be given better credence.

Windows 7 does not have NVMe or USB 3.0/3.1 drivers, so if your going to use a new board, plan on installing Windows 10 to make your life easier. Although it might be done with some effort, at this point it probably is not worth the extra effort to get Windows 7 one of these newer boards. You can install Windows 7 on Skylake cpu's with little effort but then those Skylake's are getting oldish by pc standards. It might be possible that person in that review might have been attempting to install Windows 7 to an NVMe drive, Which can be done but you need to install the driver during the Windows install set up.
(you can still use your Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 key to authenticate Windows 10)

 

[acerinpa]

OK pretty well finished-

Newegg:
Ryzen 2200G: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113481&ignorebbr=1 -$100-10 (code) = $90
Asrock 350AB mobo:https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157765&ignorebbr=1 $60

Amazon:
Evga G3 550 PSU - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWTS2U...olid=2C4HE2K2089GT&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it = $60
Patriot 16 gb RAM - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0157UQ5A...olid=2C4HE2K2089GT&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it =$160
Rosewill Case- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AAJ0ZG...lid=2C4HE2K2089GT&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it= $40

So at $410 with the above listed parts. The price of RAM is ridiculous - took forever to find RAM that is on the Asrock supported site for their MOBO.

No win10 included yet as JoeC believes I can use my win7 code to free upgrade to win10 - not sure about that, but worth a try. So probably add $100 for the OS as it is for work so need to have a full legit OS.

Also - still deciding on HHD or SSD -
Options for SSD :

1) ADATA 480GB https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075RB44H...olid=2C4HE2K2089GT&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it = $80

2)

a) Crucial 500 GB SSD: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236339 = $100
b) Crusial M2 500GB = $93 - https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-MX50...=1532453156&sr=8-3&keywords=crucial+500gb+ssd

OR go with the traditional HHD
a) 1TB black drive : https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod..._re=Western_1_tb_drive-_-22-236-625-_-Product - $73 -4= $69
b) or 1 TB WD blue - https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236339 = $44

 

[Joe C]

Specs on that ASRock 350AB board;
ATX Form Factor: 12.0-in x 8.8-in, 30.5 cm x 22.4 cm

Your case;
Rosewill - Micro ATX Mini Tower Computer Case
Motherboard Compatibility: MicroATX

That might be an issue for you where it comes to proper fit

 

[acerinpa]

Ohhh good call Joe, so worried about the Ram , didn't even notice.

 

[Joe C]

you'll need to;
1. get a MATX motherboard for that case
or
2. Get a case that can hold a full size ATX motherboard

If your getting this case for your personal self, get something you'll really like and sort of over look the $cost. I've built a few cheap type of cases that I have sold and I personally would not like one of those for myself (probably because I built it and I know how cheap those cases really are) I got a Corsair 500R black case for myself a while back ago and I'm very happy I spent the extra $$ on it because I still like it and it serves me very well, quick to pop off a side and quick to clean up the dust that it gets over time, still looks good too

 

[acerinpa]

Joe- Hmmm.. I looked up that MOBO today ( in my cart) and this is the link: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157765&ignorebbr=1 - it says Micro ATX, not full ATX. SO , not sure what MOBO you were looking at. The link I posted yesterday using my phone did not work today when I tried it- nor did any of the Newegg links I posted yesterday , but all the Amazon links worked just fine. I edited that post and the Newegg links now work.

And yes this is for my "personal self" = I own the company. But remember , I have to by and build 2 and they are for my office/work so no gaming, no video other than an occasional video for software training. Software will be the OS, Microsoft office, a Chiropractic product called Eclipse, Quickbooks, Thunderbird for Email, and that is about it.
Of note, the Asrock MOBO's support page does not list any Crucial SSD's. SO I wonder if they are comparable with this MOBO.

 

[Joe C]

hmmm. ....The link I got was for a AB350 Pro4 board, which is the full atx board. The link you fixed is for an matx board, and your correct that will work for your case. I don't game either and I do not see where you can get a black 500R case today. Some of those "economy" cases are very thin metal and you'll know when you have to fight with it in order to get the side panel on and off and on again for upgrades and maintenance. Just a heads up on getting a cheap case with thin metal, compared to a more expensive case with thicker metal

 

[acerinpa]

Yes- I understand- I just had a budget so finding a cheap case, that still had an external 5.25 optical drive slot, 2 fans included, an on/off button/reset button, UBS ports (minimum of 3), a front mesh that can be taken off and cleaned pretty easily, proved more difficult than I had thought. Both of these PC's will be placed below and to the side of workstations that are permanent ( countertops). So, they should not take any abuse or have to be moved in the foreseeable. I did order all parts today as listed and then chose an ADATA sata3 SSD ( 512GB) for $100 as it was on the approved list for the MOBO. I may hit you up to walk me through the Win10 thing.

 

[acerinpa]

OK starting to build the 2 new work PC's as all parts are in- something I had not thought of was re -using the optical drives in the old PC's may or may not be an option as I cannot remember if the optical drives in the 6 year old systems are SATA or not. Joe- that link to posted to "explain the win10" sends me to a website- "MY DIGITAL LIFE" that I have to join in order to see the full posts.

 

[Joe C]

Do you really need to have optical drives today?
USB drives are becoming the better method in place of disks. It's just the way things are going currently. Of course if you have a sata odd and want to use a disk, that's o.k. too. If you look on line you'll find a lot of new cases do not have a 5.25" bay for odd drives anymore.
I guess you'll have to register to see the posts on MDL web site (a painless experience), but you can just use your windows 7, 8, or 8.1 key in place of a windows 10 key when the install asks for your key. Just be sure to use the same version.... ie; 7 home version to 10 home version and the same with the other versions (7 pro to 10 Pro) This does not work with VLK or Enterprise versions

You can download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool here
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10
It will put the Windows 10 o.s. that you select onto a bootable usb drive, you will need at least an 8gb usb flash drive. The install will be finished in about 10 min with a good NVMe SSD drive on your motherboard.