Building an Affordable Gaming PC with AMD APU: A Comprehensive Guide

Building an Affordable Gaming PC with AMD APU: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The Choice of APU
3. Motherboard Compatibility Issues
4. Memory: The Most Expensive Component
5. Storage Options
6. Power Supply and Case Selection
7. Assembly and Final Build
8. Overclocking the APU
9. Performance testing
10. Conclusion

🎮 Building an Affordable Gaming PC with an AMD APU

Introduction: Building a gaming PC with excellent performance doesn't always have to break the bank. In this article, we will explore how to assemble an affordable gaming PC using an AMD APU. We will discuss the choice of APU, motherboard compatibility issues, memory pricing, storage options, power supply, and case selection. Taking you through the assembly process and providing insight into overclocking the APU, we will also conduct performance testing to evaluate the system. With this comprehensive guide, you can create a budget-friendly gaming PC without compromising on performance.

1. The Choice of APU

When considering an APU for a gaming PC, we have two excellent options from AMD: the Ryzen 5 2400G and the Ryzen 3 2200G. These APUs feature Vega graphics, making them capable of handling 1080p gaming at medium to low settings. The Ryzen 5 2400G, priced at around $170, offers four cores with simultaneous multithreading, a base clock of 3.6 GHz, and a boost clock of 3.9 GHz. On the other hand, the Ryzen 3 2200G, priced at $99, offers slightly lower clock speeds and lacks simultaneous multithreading. Both APUs provide impressive gaming performance and support 4K HDR playback, making them suitable for a range of tasks from day-to-day usage to light content creation.

Pros:

• The Ryzen APUs provide excellent gaming performance without the need for a dedicated graphics card.
• They support 4K HDR playback and can handle light content creation tasks.
• The Ryzen 3 2200G offers a more budget-friendly option while still delivering solid performance.

Cons:

• The APUs may not match the performance of dedicated graphics cards in more demanding games.
• The Ryzen 3 2200G lacks simultaneous multithreading, which may impact multitasking capabilities.

2. Motherboard Compatibility Issues

When selecting a motherboard for your APU build, it is essential to consider compatibility with the Raven Ridge APUs. In our case, we initially chose the Asus B350I Gaming Wi-Fi ITX motherboard. However, we encountered compatibility issues due to the lack of BIOS support for the Raven Ridge APUs. To address this, we had to switch to the MSI B350I Pro AC micro ITX motherboard, which provided the necessary BIOS support. It is crucial to ensure that the motherboard you choose has an updated BIOS to enable the display I/O and support the Raven Ridge APUs. Alternatively, you can opt for newer motherboards that are likely to come with the latest BIOS already installed.

Pros:

• Micro ATX motherboards offer compact form factors suitable for smaller PC builds.
• Updated BIOS support ensures compatibility with Raven Ridge APUs.

Cons:

• The lack of BIOS support on some motherboards can cause compatibility issues.
• Finding motherboards with updated BIOS may be challenging, and alternative options may be limited.

3. Memory: The Most Expensive Component

Memory pricing can significantly impact the overall cost of a gaming PC build. In our case, we selected the Team Group Dark Pro 16GB DDR4 dual Channel kit clocked at 3200 MHz. This high-speed RAM is ideal for maximizing the performance of the Ryzen APUs, especially in gaming scenarios. However, it is worth noting that memory prices have been fluctuating, and they are currently among the most expensive components in a PC build. With modern applications like Chrome consuming significant system resources, having ample RAM becomes essential for smooth multitasking. Additionally, higher memory capacity is beneficial for tasks such as 4K content playback.

Pros:

• High-speed RAM enhances gaming performance, particularly in conjunction with Ryzen APUs.
• Ample memory capacity enables smooth multitasking and optimal performance.

Cons:

• Memory prices can significantly increase the overall cost of a PC build.
• Fluctuations in memory pricing make it challenging to set a precise budget.

4. Storage Options

Storage is an essential aspect of any PC build, and in our case, we selected the OCZ TL100 240GB SSD as the main boot drive for quick application access and a 1TB Western Digital Blue Caviar hard drive for storing a Game library and other data. Using an SSD for the primary boot drive significantly improves system performance, but it is not necessary. A standard 1TB hard drive can serve as the primary boot drive for storing the operating system and other files. The ideal configuration would include a 120GB SSD alongside a hard drive, providing a balance between speed and storage capacity.

Pros:

• SSDs offer faster boot times and improved application load times.
• Combining an SSD and a hard drive allows for a balance between performance and storage capacity.

Cons:

• SSDs can be more expensive per gigabyte compared to traditional hard drives.
• Depending solely on a hard drive can result in slower system performance.

5. Power Supply and Case Selection

Choosing the right power supply and case are crucial for maintaining stability and ensuring proper airflow within the system. We opted for the Silverstone ST45SF small form-factor PSU with an 80 Plus Bronze certification. Priced at around $60, this power supply is sufficient to handle the power requirements of the Ryzen 5 2400G APU. It operates quietly and efficiently, making it an excellent choice for an affordable build. For the case, we selected the Silverstone SG13 Mini ITX enclosure, which offers a compact design with ample room for airflow. However, one downside is the lack of Dust filters, which can affect long-term system cleanliness.

Pros:

• The Silverstone ST45SF power supply delivers stable and efficient power.
• The Silverstone SG13 Mini ITX case provides excellent airflow and a compact form factor.

Cons:

• The Silverstone SG13 case does not include dust filters, requiring more frequent cleaning.
• Additional cooling options may be required for more demanding gaming scenarios.

6. Assembly and Final Build

After gathering all the components, assembly is the next step in creating your gaming PC. Following the provided instructions and using the appropriate tools, you can complete the build process smoothly. In our case, we assembled the PC using the Silverstone SG13 case, which proved to be a user-friendly and compact option. The final build showcased a sleek and minimalistic design, perfect for a desktop setup or an HTPC (Home Theater PC).

Pros:

• User-friendly assembly process with the provided instructions.
• The compact build is suitable for both desktop and HTPC setups.

Cons:

• The lack of dust filters in the case requires more vigilant cleaning.

7. Overclocking the APU

Overclocking can optimize the performance of an APU, but it also comes with challenges. In our case, we used AMD's Ryzen Master software for overclocking. However, it is frustrating that the public version of the software does not support Raven Ridge APUs. We had to rely on a beta version provided for review purposes, highlighting the need for more Prompt software updates. After several trial and error attempts, we achieved stable overclocks of 3.95 GHz on the CPU core speed and 1488 MHz on the GPU. Overclocking improved performance across various tasks, including video rendering and gaming.

Pros:

• Overclocking can provide a significant boost in performance for the Ryzen APUs.
• Ryzen Master software offers an intuitive interface for adjusting CPU and GPU settings.

Cons:

• The lack of support for Raven Ridge APUs in the public version of Ryzen Master is frustrating.
• Achieving stable overclocks may require multiple attempts and testing.

8. Performance Testing

To evaluate the performance of our APU build, we conducted various tests. Rendering a one-minute 4K h.264 video in Adobe Media Encoder demonstrated the benefits of higher clock speeds, providing good results. Cinebench R15 and Blender also showcased improved scores when compared to stock settings. In 3DMark Fire Strike, the overclocked APU yielded almost 300 points higher than stock settings. Gaming results in Doom and Watch Dogs at 1080p showed a noticeable increase in average frames per Second with the overclocked GPU. While overclocking the APU enhanced overall performance, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of the integrated graphics.

Pros:

• Overclocking the APU improves performance across various tasks, including video rendering and gaming.
• The stock cooler provided with the APU performs admirably, eliminating the need for an aftermarket cooling solution.

Cons:

• Overclocking the integrated GPU is limited, but it still provides a performance boost.
• Dedicated graphics cards may offer higher gaming performance in demanding titles.

9. Conclusion

Building an affordable gaming PC using an AMD APU can offer a great balance between performance and cost. While our build encountered some compatibility issues with the motherboard and faced challenges in memory pricing, the overall outcome was a well-rounded gaming system capable of handling a variety of tasks. The Ryzen 5 2400G and Ryzen 3 2200G APUs proved to be excellent choices, providing impressive gaming performance without the need for a dedicated graphics card. By carefully selecting the components and optimizing the system through overclocking, you can create a budget-friendly gaming PC that meets your needs.

Highlights:

• Building an affordable gaming PC with an AMD APU offers a balance between cost and performance.
• The Ryzen 5 2400G and Ryzen 3 2200G APUs provide excellent gaming capabilities without the need for a dedicated graphics card.
• Memory pricing is a significant factor to consider, as it can impact the overall cost of the build.
• Motherboard compatibility issues may arise, requiring attention to BIOS support for Raven Ridge APUs.
• Overclocking the APU can enhance overall performance, but it requires proper software support and testing.
• Performance testing showed improved results in tasks such as video rendering and gaming.
• The final build showcased a compact and sleek design, suitable for both desktop and HTPC setups.

FAQ:

Q: Can I upgrade the APU in the future? A: Yes, the selected motherboard supports future upgrades to Ryzen 7 or previous generation Ryzen processors, allowing for additional CPU horsepower if needed.

Q: Why did you choose 16GB of RAM instead of 8GB? A: Modern applications, such as Chrome, consume significant system resources, and having more RAM ensures smooth multitasking. Additionally, 4K content playback benefits from additional memory capacity.

Q: What are the alternatives to the MSI B350I Pro AC motherboard? A: If the MSI motherboard is not available, you can look for other micro ATX or standard ATX motherboards that have updated BIOS support for Raven Ridge APUs.

Q: Is it necessary to use an SSD for the boot drive? A: While not necessary, using an SSD for the boot drive significantly improves system performance, reducing boot times and application load times. You can also opt for a combination of an SSD and a traditional hard drive for a balance between performance and storage capacity.

Resources:

• AMD Ryzen APUs
• Silverstone ST45SF PSU
• Silverstone SG13 Case
• Team Group Dark Pro RAM
• OCZ SSDs

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