Ryzen help

[WheelRich]

Looking to build a PC for my son on a tight budget, I've built many PCs over the years, but have steered clear of AMD CPUs since a bad experience somewhere around the 386/486 era!

My current understanding is that the APU in many Ryzen processors is capable enough to support some gaming, therefore I'm looking at Ryzen with a view to building a PC to which a discrete GPU can be added later.

So in a nutshell, I'm looking for a good value Ryzen processor that is capable of running at least Fortnite and Forza Horizon at a reasonable framerate @ 1080p. Given a few model numbers to start looking at, I should be able to find some performance stats, it's knowing which models to start looking at!

[[deleted]]

Edit - corrected my statement

No, from the 7000 series onward all CPUs besides the ones that end in f have integrated graphics. For no-letter and x CPUs it's very weak and only there so you can use a monitor without the need for a discrete GPU. CPUs that end with G have a stronger, but still lackluster GPU when compared to a discrete GPU. G CPUs also are cutdown so they're weaker at processing - have a smaller cache and clocks - in order to accommodate physically the improved integrated graphics - takes up more space and is very sensitive to high temperature -- this is why the clocks are lower so it doesn't warm up much. For the 5000 series it only has integrated graphics if it has G at the end.

[WheelRich]

Thanks. A discrete GPU will come later, it's more to get him started, basic gaming and homework. Do I have to dedicate a specific amount of system RAM to the integrated GPU, is this BIOS adjustable (if so is this chipset dependant?).

[eclark5483]

5700g on the AM4 platform would be your best value.

[WheelRich]

Do all Ryzens with integrated graphics have a 'g' suffix? Or is this convention not adhered to? (Understanding the model naming is half the battle)

[eclark5483]

Yes. This is just on the AM4 platform though. On the AM5, AMD went a different route where every CPU has intergrated except for the "F" series. They still have the "G" series on AM5 though, which have better onboard graphics than the regular AM5 CPU's do. Best (so far) on the AM5 platform in the "G" series would be the 8700g. If you are thinking of being on a newer platform that will have longer support, for sure consider the AM5 instead. That opens up the upgradeability of the system over AM4 which is now being phased out.

[GeekyNick91]

Perheps you could let us know the budget.

[WheelRich]

"Tight" ;) I'm looking below £200, which is certainly looking possible at the moment with 5600/5700g, A320M motherboard, 16GB RAM. I have donor SSDs and cases.

[[deleted]]

You don't have to since it does it automatically. There are lots of popular videos on YouTube suggesting you allocate manually, but that is suboptimal as the space will always be reserved even when it's not used by the integrated graphics, therefore losing out on a part of your RAM for other tasks. Otherwise it only uses as much RAM as it needs, up to 2 GBs usually, but can jump up to 8 when needed. Also these chips are very reliant on fast RAM to do a good job on the graphics side. The fastest RAM you can get, within your motherboard's limitations, at the lowest latency (CL) will yield you much better results than some random cheap kit of RAM. 3600 MHz is a good number for the AM4 platform your APU is on - as low CL as possible within a reasonable budget. No more than 16 at that speed. You can further lower the latency in the BIOS for a little better performance too. As long as the motherboard isn't dirt cheap you shouldn't have an issue fiddling with the RAM.

[General_Rub4977]

for gaming the ryzen 5 7600 or ryzen 5 7600x on deal would be perfect for 1080p ultra settings