New build

[lehtv]

I think that you meant HDMI? HDMI is patented and licensed, my understanding was that DP was royalty-free for licensing for devices, which is why most video cards include one HDMI, one DVI, and several DP or mini-DP.

You're right, got those the wrong way around. Seems however that HDCP support through DP requires a separate license (wikipedia)

 

[whm1974]

You're right, got those the wrong way around. Seems however that HDCP support through DP requires a separate license (wikipedia)

Yeah, but really bpth HDMI and DisplayPort should be standard on motherboards even on low end ones.

 

[webbaja]

ATX case still not needed for a build that doesn't even benefit from a graphics card. Your motherboard is microATX anyway so you could just go with a microATX case.

But, if you really want a massive case with lots of empty space inside, that Phanteks Eclipse is a fine choice. I have a Phanteks Enthoo Pro M myself and it's excellent.

Here's the CPU: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...3480&cm_re=ryzen_2400g-_-19-113-480-_-Product
The Asrock A320 board you picked requires a BIOS update to version 4.50: https://www.anandtech.com/show/12426/am4-motherboard-apu-bios-updates
Download here: https://www.asrock.com/MB/AMD/A320M Pro4/index.asp#BIOS

It won't have that version factory-installed (at least not yet), and you can't update the BIOS without a compatible CPU installed first. Options:
(a) Buy a cheap A10-9700 that works on all BIOS versions on that board, update BIOS using it, sell it, then install
(b) Buy the motherboard from a vendor that will update the BIOS for you in exchange for a small sum like $10-15
(c) Avoid having to update the BIOS by just sticking with the A10-9700. Upgrade when you feel like the PC needs more oomph.
(d) Wait for new boards to be released that work with Ryzen 2400G out of the box, or wait until current boards come out of the factory with Raven Ridge compatible BIOS versions (no idea when)
(e) Go with Intel i3-8100

Are you sure you need a 2TB hard disk? Doesn't seem necessary for "Youtube TV, music listening, internet, some business applications". The first three are all online use cases so no massive amounts of local storage required, and the space required to install "business applications" is probably somewhere in the range of 1 - 10 gigabytes.

Here's an intel option in ITX form factor:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel - Core i3-8100 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($118.90 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - Z370M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($126.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial - MX500 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($134.88 @ OutletPC)
Case: Silverstone - Sugo SG13B-Q Mini ITX Tower Case ($48.43 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair - SF 450W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply ($89.24 @ OutletPC)
Total: $623.42

+ https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...8024&cm_re=sfx_atx-_-9SIA8HV5NU8024-_-Product $7

Can add external USB3.0 storage as needed. Can add a midrange graphics card, upgrade CPU up to a hexacore Intel i7, upgrade memory up to 2x16GB. WLAN is integrated to motherboard.

What is the cheapest CPU option to do a bios flash?

 

[lehtv]

Yeah, but really bpth HDMI and DisplayPort should be standard on motherboards even on low end ones.

I don't know. I can imagine use cases where saving an extra few bucks on the cost of the motherboard would be worth losing HDMI or DisplayPort.

What is the cheapest CPU option to do a bios flash?

The cheapest is the one that you'll have the easiest time selling at a small net $ loss, so anything that's popular and not too expensive. Best bet - buy a used CPU and sell it at the same price you bought it for. If you buy a new CPU, I'd recommend either A8-1600 (very cheap, but not very popular) or Ryzen 5 1600 (not very cheap, but very popular so it's easy to sell). I gauged popularity based on number of user reviews on newegg. Any AM4 CPU apart from Ryzen 5 2200G&2400G should technically work as a BIOS update stepping stone.

Or, you can try to find someone who will let you borrow their CPU, e.g. if anyone from this message board is around in your area, invite them over for a beer or coffee while you flash the BIOS with their CPU

 

[whm1974]

I don't know. I can imagine use cases where saving an extra few bucks on the cost of the motherboard would be worth losing HDMI or DisplayPort.

Only if you were using a Ryzen CPU and not an APU. Otherwise both HDMI and DisplayPort are modern ports.

 

[lehtv]

Only if you were using a Ryzen CPU and not an APU. Otherwise both HDMI and DisplayPort are modern ports.

Good point. Not what I had in mind but wish I'd thought of that

 

[ao_ika_red]

What is the cheapest CPU option to do a bios flash?

Try Athlon x4 950. Cheap as dirt. Or ask amd for boot kit.
https://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-articles/Pages/2Gen-Ryzen-AM4-System-Bootup.aspx

 

[webbaja]

How about this list:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/PHVp9J

 

[lehtv]

How about this list:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/PHVp9J

It'd be easier to give feedback if you responded to previous feedback given, otherwise it feels like feedback is not being received.

ATX case still not needed for a build that doesn't even benefit from a graphics card.

Your thoughts on this one?

Are you sure you need a 2TB hard disk? Doesn't seem necessary for "Youtube TV, music listening, internet, some business applications". The first three are all online use cases so no massive amounts of local storage required, and the space required to install "business applications" is probably somewhere in the range of 1 - 10 gigabytes.

What about this?

Here's an intel option in ITX form factor:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel - Core i3-8100 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($118.90 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - Z370M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($126.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial - MX500 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($134.88 @ OutletPC)
Case: Silverstone - Sugo SG13B-Q Mini ITX Tower Case ($48.43 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair - SF 450W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply ($89.24 @ OutletPC)
Total: $623.42

+ https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...8024&cm_re=sfx_atx-_-9SIA8HV5NU8024-_-Product $7

Can add external USB3.0 storage as needed. Can add a midrange graphics card, upgrade CPU up to a hexacore Intel i7, upgrade memory up to 2x16GB. WLAN is integrated to motherboard.

What do you think of my ITX suggestion? Apart from the fact that it's using an Intel CPU. You could go 2400G with an AM4 ITX board and some faster RAM just as well.

 

[dlerious]

You might be able to get a CPU from AMD. See details here: https://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-articles/Pages/2Gen-Ryzen-AM4-System-Bootup.aspx