My First Desktop PC Futureproofing Build (2021) | AvianQuests

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My First Desktop PC Futureproofing Build (2021)

Tuesday, April 27, 2021


P.S. I took this image years ago and now for this blog which is kind of an abstract depiction of this present times we live in.
 
Hey, thanks for dropping by my small blog niche.  I appreciate it.
 
It's a fact that we are presently living with recent global 2020 reset. During this period of time, it allowed me to save money, and thus,  this April 2021, which prompted me to "future proof" my X- year old desktop PC, of course, without breaking the bank.
 
By the way, doing some "due diligence / research" helps a lot in preparation to the success of one's PC build and avoid costs due to equipment mismatch oversights.
 
This blog also comes with the aim and objective of giving you a glimpse of my tech journey with my my latest future proofing process.

AIM/OBJECTIVE

Ryzen  AMD AM4 Ryzen 3 PRO Build

Ryzen PRO 3 4350G


Why I MUST "futureproof":

 1. Obsolescence.

 My present "old" desktop PC is an
 

 


ASRock G41C-GS R2.0



2. Up to date/Cost

2021 video editing apps require increased hardware requirements and to function efficiently and effectively.  In addition, the volatility of the PC market causing surges of demand and no supply, increases the costs of hardware, peripherals, and accessories.  Investing as early as this time is sort of anticipating to obtain low to middling level priced high quality items.
 

3.  Zero out possible security risks 

One of the main reasons why I chose Ryzen PRO CPU. The word “Pro” in this instance name literally refers to the security and management features in the Ryzen PRO series of chips. AMD’s Memory Guard feature encrypt your RAM and storage natively without using third-party software.
 
In addition, I will be doing a hardening and debloating Microsoft Window's 10 blog during the 2nd quarter 2021 during my forthcoming build.

 AMD Memory Guard Ryzen PRO
 

4. Redundancy  

Whilst my old desktop PC still runs basic word processing, internet browsing, simple video editing, I will still be maintaining and using it.  Again, for emergency and back up purposes.
 
My future proofing involves creating a new PC build in the Ryzen AM4 platform. So, in a nutshell this build comprises the following:

CHOICE OF PC HARDWARE

MOBO

ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming II

I finally settled with a newly purchased ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming II motherboard to be used in this "future proof" build.

 
 

APU (Accelerated Processing Unit)

With the present global shortfall of GPU stocks ("thanks" to coin miners) and exhorbitant prices, I decided to settle with APU.  
 
This is part was hard to find availability locally here where I live. So, I outsourced it abroad.
 
By far, the grey market provides an avenue to obtain this produce.  
 
So, I got online a brand new Ryzen 3 PRO  4350G. (I hope this comes with a Wraith CPU fan).
 
 
 Here's a rundown of the delivery/shipping status:
 
 AliExpress Shipping Status

 

RAM

To match my Mobo, and CPU, this Ryzen compatible-dedicated memory RAM sticks with the following specs: 


 
 Teamgroup T-Force Dark Za DDR 4 RAM

With incoming lists of tasks for content creation such as media (video) editing, or any pro-level tasks will be best with this much memory, 16 GB.  I opted to this choice.

PSU

To handle the power requirements of my PC desktop build, I went to the path of Bequiet Pure Power II CM 600 watts.   Power 80+ rating. Gold power supply unit.
 

23 April 2021.  Today, I received the heavy Bequiet 600 watts PSU. 

Now by far, this is the most powerful rated power supply unit I ever used/owned.

It's still unboxed which will be scheduled during build day May twenty something.  
 
One of the most important tool which I used is the Power Supply Calculator of Bequiet. This speeds up the decision of what PSU I needed.



Here's the unboxing video of the Bequiet Pure Power 11 600 watts



 CPU COOLING FAN 

 
To match my Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G chipset cooling requirements, I switched to Noctua.
 
Noctua's Compatibility Lists page will speedily help you on matching build peripherals.  Thus, under this is a sub-section are the following:
 
 
 
 
Let me quote Noctua regarding CPU compatibility, "

When modern CPUs use their turbo modes, they can (depending on the configuration of the UEFI BIOS) dissipate much more heat than indicated by the manufacturer’s TDP (Thermal Design Power) specification. Just like manual overclocking, this puts higher demands on the cooling solution. Our CPU compatibility list helps you to choose (choosing) the cooler model that is best suited for a given CPU and your individual requirements as far as turbo and overclocking headroom are concerned.

We classify our coolers according to the following categories:"

 Noctua Renoir AM4 Compatible
 
Thus, for NH-U12S CPU fan requirements falls in the medium turbo/overclocking headroom, which is just fine since I don't play games, but this use case is focused for feature for content creation tasks.


 

All three compatibility calculators point me to a 
 
 
 Noctua’s NT-H1 Thermal Paste 3.5 g will efficiently bind my CPU to the fan.
 
 
Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Paste

 

CASE

LianLi LAN Cool II Mesh RGB

The name LianLi sounds exotic enough and surely, based on great reviews I read during my research, I decided this will be the desktop PC case to house my future proof build.

Under the LianLi's medium PC case category, I opted specifically with the LianLi Cool-II-mesh RGB model.


This CPU case comes with three (3) built fans. This will again, save me some bucks to invest in other peripherals. 
 
Also, LianLi Cool II Mesh RGB PSU cage size is 210 mm which will sufficiently house my Bequiet Pure Power II A 600 watts which is 160 mm (Length) x 150 mm (Width) x 86 mm (Height)

On the back of my mind, I am planning to have the exterior of the case be subjected to a commissioned indigenious art  design. Let me see if I can fit this in the timeline of this build.

 

LANCOOL II-4X 3.1 Type C Cable

LianLi LANCOOL II-4X 3.1 Type C Cable

At this juncture, it's good that I checked LianLi's site, do a sort of due ...

For the one of the cons of the case, the LANCOOL II-4X 3.1 Type C Cable cable above will have to be purchased separately.

 

STORAGE

This hardware will be used mainly to be my Windows 10 initiator. Yeap, just a SATA one. 


 

FAN HUB

I believe this comes with the LianLi case package.
 
 

ESD (Electro Static Devices)

ESD Devices

I also invested in anti-static accessories to safely aid during the PC build for product safety reasons.  this applies when handling the motherboard, APU, RAM, et cetera.
 
 

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

I am scheduling the assembly and set-up of my PC build in May - June 2021 timeframe which all will be dependent on the completed orders and arrival of the same.
 
 
As of writing, April 27, 2021, here is a status of the PC parts I will be needing for the build.
 
The CPU Ryzen 3 Pro 4350G is still inbound and intransit since it was purchased overseas whilst the other parts below were purchased onshore locally.
 
 
 
For May 2021, for efficient tracking of shipments, I will be again placing my orders and buying the following PC parts locally:

  • Noctua NH-U12S 55 Chromax CPU Fan Cooler

  • LianLi LAN Cool II RGB Mesh CPU Case

  • LianLi Type C USB cable

  • SSD (Undecided to what brand/type)
 

I also plan and will have a tech expert contact who will set up/assemble the PC build, as currently I have limited tech skills, and limited time to handle this risky task. 

For the PC build system review, it will be in a separate blog post with video.
 
 

NEXT BUILD BLOG

This will cover the complete build documentation and a review hopefully by the 2nd quarter 2021. Also, I will be sharing my pentest and compute use case.

RESOURCE LINKS


 
 
 

Till next blog post. Keep safe, and keep blogging.

Do check me out/follow me at the social media channels below:
 
Instagram: avianquest
 
Twitter: avianquest
 
Facebook:  avianquest

 
 
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