So I decided to make a quick possible build list for a replacement PC here: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/Travi.....r/saved/4YQWbv

I'll be able to put together a list of parts for you in a few hours. Iirc you were in Maryland last time I check, right? If so you have the magic of Microcenter to help net you some great savings on a few parts.

Yup, in Maryland. :)
Granted, I'm pretty far away from any major cities so I'll probably just stick to ordering them online. And thanks for the offer. :) *hugs*

Ah ok! Well there's one in Parkville, one in Rockville, and on in Fairfax, VA, in case any of those happen to be anywhere near you.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/D2N7hg

Kept the same CPU, amount of RAM, case and monitor.

I switched out the thermal paste to Arctic MX-4 since it was almost 10 dollars less and performs very close to the Gelid stuff. Different RAM because a 16 GB kit is cheaper than 2 8 GB kits. MSI motherboard because the VRM (Voltage Regulator Module, which is what helps power the CPU in case you're unaware!) Is better than the Aorus. (Seriously, B450 was a mess when it came to the VRM because for some reason everyone thought 4+2 Phase was the way to go, or even 3+2 phase.) I found a cheaper SSD for you that should perform a bit faster, but SSD prices are pretty volitile and there are always sales afoot.) With all the savings from the RAM and thermal paste I was able to get an RX 570 in instead of an RX 560. Lastly I changed out the Power Supply, though if I'm honest, 650 watts is probably way more than you really need. I run an RX 470 off of a 450 watt PSU (But that's probably on the low side).

Hopefully that helps!

It does. :) I'm not as aware of the intricacies of how motherboard voltages would have been, so avoiding complications on/caused by them is a HUGE plus for me. :D As is getting a GPU that's 2x as powerful as the one I was looking at. And I can always use the power supply for a later, more powerful build and save the money from not having to get a second one.

Thanks, bro. :)

Speaking of Micro Center, another computer/tech savvy friend, showed me this one: https://www.microcenter.com/product/605824/G502_Gaming_Desktop_PC;_AMD_Ryzen_5_1600_Processor_32GHz;_NVIDIA_GTX_1660_Ti_6GB_GDDR6;_16GB_DDR4_RAM;_500GB_SSD;_Microsoft_Windows_10_Pro
Not gonna lie, for the price, that's a VERY good build. OwO
It seems like this Micro Center place is cool. I might have to give them a try. :D

Microcenter is pretty freaking awesome, honestly. I was actually able to get a build to match that price, but obviously you would have to put it together yourself. (Some of the parts in what I came up with were a bit better. Like the RAM was faster, SSD was faster, PSU was more reliable, CPU was a generation newer too. I'll let you decide which is better for you. I'll send over the new build I made in a bit, once I get the chance to.)

Sweet. Awaiting it, gsheppy bro. *snugs tight* I think the processor on the Microcenter one was a lot better, and it had a video card (my current build didn't have one, as the CPU has integrated graphics), and Windows 10 pre-installed for no extra cost as well. But the SSD drive and RAM were both a LOT faster/better. I think I'll buy a monitor from MC though, as I found one there that is probably better, but would cost $80 more if I bought it on Amazon: https://www.microcenter.com/product.....nc_LED_Monitor

For when ya' get back, here is the parts list I managed to get together using your help, Micro Center, and Amazon:
Memory: https://www.microcenter.com/product.....16GVKB_-_Black (Because the price of the one you selected went up in the past few days. :( )
Processor: https://www.microcenter.com/product.....Stealth_Cooler (So cheap. X3)
Motherboard: https://www.microcenter.com/product.....MD_Motherboard
Monitor: https://www.microcenter.com/product.....nc_LED_Monitor

Remaining parts: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/.....m_wl_huc_title

I would have linked you my wishlist on Micro Center, instead of the individual parts, but I can't seem to figure out how to link my list on that site. Oh well.

Sorry, been a busy 24 hours for me so I didn't get back to you as soon as I was hoping to. The RAM you found I think would be great. Ryzen really loves fast memory, so 3200 mhz is gonna be great. I would stay away from that motherboard and the reason is kinda convoluted. So, B450 motherboards, most of them had poor VRMs (A few MSI boards were really the only exception to that IIRC, hence why I like the Tomahawk and B450A-Pro more.) My cousin has that same monitor and he quite likes it, so that's a solid pick too! All the stuff on your Amazon list looks fine to me.

I did just notice something though. If you get the 2200G, you would be paying 59.99 for the CPU and (assuming you go with the MSI B450A-Pro) 99.99 for the motherboard. However, Microcenter has a Promo on certain CPUs (the 2200G is not included unfortunately) which you can get 30 Dollars off if you buy the motherboard too. So you could get a Ryzen 5 1600 for 79.99, and the motherboard for 69.99. That saves you 10 dollars and gets you a faster CPU. You could step up to the Ryzen 5 2600 which is 114.99, and the motherboard would be 69.99, so about a 25 dollar increase. Sorry I didn't catch that earlier.

Yeah, thing is, the board you used in your build for me? Apparently it's not showing up in searches at MicroCenter. Which is very lame. I just noticed that yours was MSI, while the one had on my list was Gigabytebrand.

The Motherboards being bundled with the Ryzen 5 2600, pretty much all of them are B450's...and none of them are MSI brand. :(
Should I just bite the bullet and get a more expensive motherboard? Because it seems like I'm just pulling teeth trying to sort through a bunch of random letters/numbers that are MOBO designations that mean nothing in terms of features and specs. :( Add this to the fact that it seems like none of them support DDR4-3200 RAM, unless it's overclocked, I think, if I'm reading these spec pages right?

Here's the two nicer MSI B450 boards microcenter has (B450-A PRO: https://www.microcenter.com/product.....md-motherboard , Tomahawk: https://www.microcenter.com/product.....md-motherboard )

Here's the great thing about Microcenter, just because it's not in their page for AMD or Intel Motherboard/CPU bundles doesn't mean you can't get the discount. According to MSI's website, both the MSI Boards I linked support 3200 mhz RAM, but you have to go into the BIOS to activate an XMP Profile for them to use the RAM at 3200, otherwise it'll just default to a slower speed. They don't mention that anywhere on the Microcenter website for some reason though.

Sweet. Thanks, bro. I think I'll go with the B450-A Pro, since it's a bit cheaper. Decided to maybe go with the Ryzen 5 2600, as well.

I also double checked, and the total for these parts would be $753 and some change. Not too shabby for such a nice build. :D Especially when it includes a monitor.

Also, I gave you a follow again after all these years, and if you like to talk there, I'm on Telegram & Discord, same handle as here (bsky, as well).
I still remember how much a sweetheart ya' were back then, and such, big guy. <3

Having built (and rebuilt) my own PC, I could easily help you assemble it if I weren't 2000+ miles away. X3

The graphics card is fully dependent on what you intend to use the comp for (i.e. gaming = don't skimp), and GAD has given you better info and details than I could. GAD also did good with the thermal paste as that is also something you don't want to skimp on.

*snugs tightly and smooches ya'* Thanks for the sentiment regardless, hun. X3

Any insights or tips ya' wanna share for a first time builder? :)

And yeah, I was originally gonna buy $16 thermal paste, but he changed it to $5 stuff as it was about the same, performance wise.

As for what I plan on using it for: Mostly general computing stuff and some gaming. X3 e.g. Minecraft, The Witcher 3 (if it runs on Linux), Realm Grinder, that sort of thing.

*smooches back* You're welcome. X3

When it comes to placing the items on the motherboard: be gentle, especially with the CPU.

The cooler that comes with the CPU might have a filled indent of thermal paste on the base. If that's the case, it could be off-center to line up with the CPU cap. Also, the parts you screw in, make sure the screws are snug and not extra-tight.

Last I heard, Witcher 3 isn't officially supported by CDPR but people are trying to have it run in Linux.

Update: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/Travi.....r/saved/4YQWbv

I was originally going to go super low budget, but upon seeing that AMD have restricted the use of Linux in their video cards/drivers (e.g. if you use AMD, you can't watch Netflix, etc when using Linux Distros) I'm probably going to have to just shell out. Especially dickish of them/IP laws considering the reason why a lot of people go AMD and Linux together in the first is to save money. :(

That being said, I found on their build guides far more reasonable intel builds, so I might go with something based on that instead. Time will tell.