System to run FTB comforably?

[Gaz924]

I have looked for a definitive answer on this but can't seem to find one. Will this desktop system run FTB comfortably?

• Processor Type: AMD A8 7600 3.8GHZ x4 (Turbo)
• Motherboard : Gigabyte FM2+ F2A68HM-HD2
• Graphics Connections : DVI-D x 1, VGA x 1, HDMI x 1
• Ram : 8GB
• Hard Drive Capacity: 1TB

I will hope to be playing on other peoples servers and maybe hosting my own at some stage but mostly solo play for my son.

Thanks

 

[erindalc]

Depends on the pack, but probably not, especially since you didn't list a dedicated graphics card.

 

[Gaz924]

I missed that sorry, the advert says it has 1gb graphics. I'm not really up to scratch on PC hardware if you couldn't already tell.

 

[erindalc]

Are you getting the PC from a specific source? If so can I see a link?

 

[Gaz924]

The link is here

https://www.expertec.co.uk/gaming-p...tower-with-wifi-8gb-1tb-hdd-1gb-graphics.html

Thanks

 

[Hambeau]

Are you getting the PC from a specific source? If so can I see a link?

I think the A8 may be an APU... Combined CPU and GPU. If that's the case I wouldn't throw away your money. Wait until the fall when the new Ryzen chips come out.

All Ryzen chips will plug into the same CPU socket, even the APUs... This makes for extremely easy future upgrades. You can get a good mainboard and the amount of ram you can afford, then add a lower cost Ryzen. Later on you just replace the Ryzen with a faster one, possibly with more cores.

This past weekend I upgraded. For $600US I got an ASUS Prime X370 mainboard (which has HDMI and display port connectors for an APU), 16GB Corsair DDR4 ram @3000Mhz and a Ryzen 1600 (6 core, 3.2-3.8 GHz) The system changes clock based on the temperature. I replaced an FX8350 w/8Gb, which will probably become a server. My system runs Minecraft at least twice as fast now despite the FX8350 running at 4GHz. My $50 GPU is slowing down the works now

1TB drives cost about $50US these days and you can get 3TB under $100

 

[Gaz924]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I'm not sure I can wait that long as my current PC is dying. I was told it was a separate graphics card and was all easily upgradable by the seller but I take on board what you are saying about the AMD processors, I've read plenty of bad review on them.

If I was to throw a bit more cash at it and go for an i5 processor would that likely be future proof (easy to upgrade?) I have seen this

• CPU : Intel i5 6500 Skylake 3.6GHZ
• PSU : 500w
• PSU Connections : 1 x 2pin ATX, 3 x 4pin Molex, 1 x FDD, 2 x SATA
• HDD : 1TB SATA
• RAM : 8GB DDR4 2400MHZ
• Optical Drive : DVD/RW
• Motherboard : ASUS 1151 H110M-K M-ATX
• Motherboard Connections S/2 Mouse & Keyboard, USB 2.0 x 4, USB 3.0 x 2, VGA, DVI, LAN, Audio Jacks x 3, PCI-E 3.0 x16 x 1, PCI-E 2.0 x1 x 2
• Nvidia 710 2gb graphics card

Thanks

 

[erindalc]

The link is here

https://www.expertec.co.uk/gaming-p...tower-with-wifi-8gb-1tb-hdd-1gb-graphics.html

Thanks

So this PC is several generations old, and it won't be able to handle modern modded minecraft. If you want to go with a super cheap option, something like this wouldn't be a bad idea.

However, I would strongly recommend building your own PC. It seems like a huge challenge, but the pieces go together fairly logically and there's tons of Youtube tutorials for the various steps and a bunch of communities to help you troubleshoot if something goes wrong. I personally recommend this subreddit if you need help. I'd also be happy to answer any questions.

 

[Gaz924]

I would much prefer to build my own PC, I'd get a much better understanding of how it all works that way too. Is it cheaper to build one than buy a ready made unit? Can you recommend somewhere to get the parts to build one?

 

[erindalc]

I would much prefer to build my own PC, I'd get a much better understanding of how it all works that way too. Is it cheaper to build one than buy a ready made unit? Can you recommend somewhere to get the parts to build one?

It is usually cheaper to build your own. As for places to get parts it depends on where you live. I personally use Newegg.com and Amazon, but I live in the US.

Pcpartpicker.com is a great resource for picking parts and it also makes sure that they will work together for the most part.

 

[Drbretto]

Seconded on pcpartpicker. Not only do they find you all the deals, but they make sure you're totally covered and even have videos to show you how to put it all together. That's how I built my rig and I couldn't be happier with it.

 

[Gaz924]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your feedback. Will an i5 7500 be a good processor to build around?

 

[Drbretto]

The only thing to really worry about for the processor is the Ghz if minecraft is basically what you're using it for. Single core Ghz. And I'd say anything over 3.2 will run it. 3.5 and up to be on the safe side. RAM is the bigger consideration (don't get less than 8 for sure), and the graphics card is next if you're trying to get fancy with it at all, like HD textures and shaders. Even if you're not getting that fancy with it, it's still important. But all you really need there is anything up to date and not internal.

 

[erindalc]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your feedback. Will an i5 7500 be a good processor to build around?

Yeah that's a good one. Probably a bit more powerful than you need for minecraft right now, but in the future who knows.

As was said, a minimum of 8 GB of RAM (I'd say go for 16 GB) and a fairly powerful (GTX 750ti or AMD equivalent) graphics card would be good as well, unless you want an HD texture pack.

I would also mention that AMD's Ryzen 5 processors are equal to or better than the i5 in most situations (and are typically significantly less expensive). However they are new and AMD is still working out the kinks for some things.

I think the A8 may be an APU... Combined CPU and GPU. If that's the case I wouldn't throw away your money. Wait until the fall when the new Ryzen chips come out.

All Ryzen chips will plug into the same CPU socket, even the APUs... This makes for extremely easy future upgrades. You can get a good mainboard and the amount of ram you can afford, then add a lower cost Ryzen. Later on you just replace the Ryzen with a faster one, possibly with more cores.

This past weekend I upgraded. For $600US I got an ASUS Prime X370 mainboard (which has HDMI and display port connectors for an APU), 16GB Corsair DDR4 ram @3000Mhz and a Ryzen 1600 (6 core, 3.2-3.8 GHz) The system changes clock based on the temperature. I replaced an FX8350 w/8Gb, which will probably become a server. My system runs Minecraft at least twice as fast now despite the FX8350 running at 4GHz. My $50 GPU is slowing down the works now

1TB drives cost about $50US these days and you can get 3TB under $100

Just curious, I currently have an FX-6300 and I wanted to upgrade without changing my mobo. Would you be willing to sell your old CPU?

 

[Hambeau]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I'm not sure I can wait that long as my current PC is dying. I was told it was a separate graphics card and was all easily upgradable by the seller but I take on board what you are saying about the AMD processors, I've read plenty of bad review on them.

If I was to throw a bit more cash at it and go for an i5 processor would that likely be future proof (easy to upgrade?) I have seen this

• CPU : Intel i5 6500 Skylake 3.6GHZ
• PSU : 500w
• PSU Connections : 1 x 2pin ATX, 3 x 4pin Molex, 1 x FDD, 2 x SATA
• HDD : 1TB SATA
• RAM : 8GB DDR4 2400MHZ
• Optical Drive : DVD/RW
• Motherboard : ASUS 1151 H110M-K M-ATX
• Motherboard Connections S/2 Mouse & Keyboard, USB 2.0 x 4, USB 3.0 x 2, VGA, DVI, LAN, Audio Jacks x 3, PCI-E 3.0 x16 x 1, PCI-E 2.0 x1 x 2
• Nvidia 710 2gb graphics card

Thanks

I suggest you look at more Ryzen reviews and AMD/Intel comparisons before spending a lot of money... Ryzen CPUs have only been around for about a month now and have been tested continually.

At first the tests showed disappointing results but there have been 2 BIOS updates for the Mainboards that have increased performance up to 40%... Out of the box my Mainboard ran Ram at only 2133MHz, but after I updated my BIOS I'm running at 2933MHz (I bought DDR4 3000 ram).

The 8 core Ryzen 7 beats Intel chips at Multicore applications like Video Rendering and streaming... The Ryzen 5 doesn't beat Intel but comes very close at a much smaller pricetag.

If nothing else, the longer you wait the lower Intel is going to have to reduce their prices.

[Edit]

Here's a quick video of a Ryzen build similar to mine... I bought the Ryzen 5 1600 ($40 less) and had to get LED ram because they didn't have the regular parts, but the same basic model). I kept my case, DVD and SATA disks and my GT610 video card, so this shows what extra items you can get for $1000

For more info I also like to view videos by this guy:

 

[Hambeau]

I would much prefer to build my own PC, I'd get a much better understanding of how it all works that way too. Is it cheaper to build one than buy a ready made unit? Can you recommend somewhere to get the parts to build one?

I get all my parts at Fry's Electronics... They'll match any legitimate Internet price and I have 2 storefronts within 20 miles (1 in each direction ) Besides, If I have a part problem I like to be able to grab a salesman by the neck if necessary

The best thing about building your own system is that you get to specify the parts that you use, rather than buying a system that has a lot of extra trial software you don't want or need, or older USB ports that won't run your 3.0 devices at full speed, or... (ad nauseum)

There are other places to get parts. Newegg sometimes puts up combo packages that can save money, and include things like Mainboard/CPU/Ram and sometimes even a case and GPU.

 

[Hambeau]

Yeah that's a good one. Probably a bit more powerful than you need for minecraft right now, but in the future who knows.

As was said, a minimum of 8 GB of RAM (I'd say go for 16 GB) and a fairly powerful (GTX 750ti or AMD equivalent) graphics card would be good as well, unless you want an HD texture pack.

I would also mention that AMD's Ryzen 5 processors are equal to or better than the i5 in most situations (and are typically significantly less expensive). However they are new and AMD is still working out the kinks for some things.



Just curious, I currently have an FX-6300 and I wanted to upgrade without changing my mobo. Would you be willing to sell your old CPU?

Sorry, my "leftovers" are going to become a server. I have an Athlon II with mainboard and 4GB but you probably wouldn't be interested

 

[erindalc]

Sorry, my "leftovers" are going to become a server. I have an Athlon II with mainboard and 4GB but you probably wouldn't be interested

A swap maybe? I'd pay the price difference.

 

[KingTriaxx]

I definitely like getting CPU/Mobo Combos, it saves me wondering: Are these compatible? Or do I need a BIOS update?

I'd definitely spend some extra for either a newer Ryzen, or at the very least something a bit more powerful than the A8, which is actually a quad-core processor and not the eight core you'd expect.

I have an FX-6300 that does everything I ask of it, except run 1.10 packs well. Then again, all the packs are over-running the allotted 4GB of RAM, so...

In any case, it all comes down to a matter of budget, but if you're willing to either build your own, or find a friend willing to show you how, and it's almost entirely careful plugging in, it's almost always cheaper to build your own. You can get a better system for less money, if you're willing to watch for deals and buy during sales. I originally planned 8 GB of RAM and spent just a few more dollars to get 16 GB because it was on sale. Is it necessary? No, but more will never hurt while not enough will.

 

[Gaz924]

That sub Reddit will be very helpful, thanks.

I was hoping to get a pc for under £400 that would play FTB and new games if I wanted it too but seems like that's not going to happen.

I'm getting my head round processors now and I pretty much understand ram and gpu's but what should I be looking at when it comes to a mother board?

Also, I have seen these console sized (horizontal) cases, are there any drawbacks with these?

Thanks again, the replies so far have helped tremendously.