01 02
READY
TO BUILD
ONCE YOU’VE GOT ALL OF
YOUR COMPONENTS
READY, FOLLOW OUR
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO
ASSEMBLE THIS
VERSATILE $500 PC
THE GIGABYTE X470 Aorus Ultra Gaming needs three
BIOS updates. On a different PC, go to http://www.gigabyte.
com, locate the mobo’s support page, then scroll to the
BIOS updates, starting at F2 and ending at F42d. Head
into the BIOS and check your version. If the board is new,
it should be F1. We’re leaping to F31, followed by F40,
then F41. If you’ve got F31 or F40, you can jump ahead.
Download the file, unzip it, and slap it on a flash drive.
Plug it into the X470 board, select “Q-Flash” in the BIOS,
then “Update,” and locate the file on the flash drive. Once
updated, restart, then repeat the process for F40, then
F41. F42d primarily just fixes AMD compatibility issues
for Destiny 2, and Gigabyte advises against it unless
necessary. Once F41 is installed, swap out the CPU to
the Ryzen 3 3200G, and check the BIOS acknowledges
it. If it does, unplug everything and move on.FLASH AND THUNDER
OUR PREPARATION TIME is going to be a little more
detailed this time around. All the usual rules apply:
Make sure you’ve got a nice open surface to build on, a
small bowl or other container to keep loose screws in,
and all the tools you’re going to require for this build
(namely a Phillips head screwdriver, cable ties, and
some thermal paste). There’s one more thing to consider,
though: You’re going to have to set up the motherboard
outside the case, so the BIOS can be updated before
we assemble the system. Slot in your chosen Ryzen
2000 processor by lifting up the metal retention arm
and dropping it into place before resecuring it, then
fit a stock cooler. You’ll also want to put any sticks of
RAM on the board now, to prevent potential issues
with booting the BIOS. With that done, you can
place the motherboard on a heat-resistant
surface and connect it to the power
supply. Turn it on, and make
sure you can reach
the BIOS screen.
You shou ld n’ t
need a drive
attached at this
stage—as long as
you can access the
BIOS, you’ll be able
to do everything you
need to do to update the
mobo’s compatibility.PREPARE FOR BATTLE
$500 build
32 MAXIMUMPC DEC 2019 maximumpc.com