Advice please - new to choosing my own spec

[Simon.C]

Hi, it's been a very long time since I've splashed out on a PC (currently using an ageing laptop). I'm looking for a spec that can handle high graphics on racing/flight sims and also games such as Tomb Raider/Assassins Creed. Also, any thoughts on my current choice of SSD/HDD vs going for 2xSSD and guidance on cooling and likely noise levels much appreciated. Thanks.
FRACTAL DEFINE 7 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Eight Core Processor i7-10700K (3.8GHz) 16MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® ROG MAXIMUS XII HERO Wi-Fi (LGA1200, USB 3.2, CrossFireX/SLI) - RGB Ready
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (4 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2080 SUPER - HDMI, 3x DP GeForce - RTX VR Ready!
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3300MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Processor Cooling
Corsair H100x Hydro Cooler w/ PCS Ultra Quiet Fans
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Extra Case Fans
1x 120mm Black Case Fan (configured to extract from rear/roof)
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS

 

[keithbeaks]

There's a really good guide on the forums:

Desktop Building Guide - April 2023

A "quick" reference guide to building the perfect system. This is the sort of logic I go through when suggesting systems, so thought I would jot it down on the page. Clearly this is an ever changing suite of options but I'll update periodically as my default go-to's change... I'm noticing the...

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

Everyone seems to think AMD is better in pretty much everyway, except pro gaming I think, than intel. You can get a better machine for less it seems.

There's plenty of people who will be able to answer and help you though.

 

[Simon.C]

Thanks for the respones. I've pretty much decided I want the Dell S2417DG 23.8 (1ms Response Time, QHD 2560x1440, G-Sync).
I can probably go a bit over £2,500 but that's it!
No editing, but probably streaming.

 

[keithbeaks]

Thanks for the respones. I've pretty much decided I want the Dell S2417DG 23.8 (1ms Response Time, QHD 2560x1440, G-Sync).
I can probably go a bit over £2,500 but that's it!
No editing, but probably streaming.

What's the refresh rate? Some people say the response time isn't that important, as in we wouldn't notice the difference between 1-5ms.

 

[Simon.C]

Sorry about that! It's 165hz

 

[keithbeaks]

Sorry about that! It's 165hz

Haha no biggy, I'm just a middle man. I know nothing but know what people will ask. My bad

 

[Scott]

For racing/flying sims ultrawide (or even super ultrawide) would be absolutely fantastic. It depends if you are interested in either multi-monitor setups or the equivalent peripheral of it (Super ultrawide).

As already suggested, a 24" 1440p screen won't be ideal, but if space constraints are in place then it's fair enough.

 

[Simon.C]

Thanks for the advice re the monitor.
I'm happy to go change up to a 27" and can go up to £500 on the monitor. Still considering Dell, but if you know of something better out the, happy to change.

 

[Scott]

So if we called it £3k for the PC and monitor? Matched for high performance and simulation.

One fairly important question..... when are you looking to purchase? The reason I ask is that there are new XT chips due out from AMD that will make a difference to what I would suggest (3800XT is going to be 4.7Ghz).

At this level, with this budget, I think it's worth holding off. What I can do is suggest a build with the 3800X as a placeholder to show the sort of spec that I would recommend. But you would need to come back at the time as things change so rapidly that prices and components themselves fluctuate rapidly.

 

[Scott]

Ultra quiet & ultra powerful.

Paired with:

AOC CU34G2X 34" UWQHD 144Hz Curved Gaming Monitor - Laptops Direct

Buy AOC CU34G2X 34" UWQHD 144Hz Curved Gaming Monitor from LaptopsDirect

www.laptopsdirect.co.uk

Or if you wanted proper high end:

Acer Nitro XV340CKP 34" 3440x1440 IPS 144Hz 1ms FreeSync Ultrawide LED Backlit Gaming Monitor

Acer Nitro XV340CKPbmiipphzx, Display Resolution 3440x1440, Display Size 34", Refresh Rate 144Hz, FreeSync, 1ms Response Time, Contrast Ratio 1000:1, Panel Type IPS, 2xHDMI(2.0) + 2xDP(1.4)

www.overclockers.co.uk

Case
FRACTAL DEFINE 7 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 7 3800X Eight Core CPU (3.9GHz-4.5GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF X570-PLUS GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0, CrossFireX) - RGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3600MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2080 SUPER - HDMI, 3x DP GeForce - RTX VR Ready!
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3200MB/W)
2nd M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SEAGATE FIRECUDA 520 GEN 4 PCIe NVMe (up to 5000MB/R, 4400MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H115i RGB PLATINUM Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 18 to 20 working days
Price: £2,298.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/qtUQXfsq6h/

 

[Simon.C]

Thanks very much Scott. I'm in no rush to purchase, so will hold off until the XT chip is available.

 

[keithbeaks]

So if we called it £3k for the PC and monitor? Matched for high performance and simulation.

One fairly important question..... when are you looking to purchase? The reason I ask is that there are new XT chips due out from AMD that will make a difference to what I would suggest (3800XT is going to be 4.7Ghz).

At this level, with this budget, I think it's worth holding off. What I can do is suggest a build with the 3800X as a placeholder to show the sort of spec that I would recommend. But you would need to come back at the time as things change so rapidly that prices and components themselves fluctuate rapidly.

Sorry to keep asking questions. In this instance it may well be different, but if you wait for this, are you then waiting for the next GPU's, 4000 processors etc?

Or are they similar timeframes, give or take?

 

[Scott]

Sorry to keep asking questions. In this instance it may well be different, but if you wait for this, are you then waiting for the next GPU's, 4000 processors etc?

Or are they similar timeframes, give or take?

The XT processors are the refresh of the current 3000 series. The 4000 series will be some way away, as will the next gen Nvidia cards. The date for Nvidia at the moment is September but I doubt very much this will hold.

Like anything, if you continually hold off for the next thing you will buy nothing, but in this case for these uses I would personally hold off for the XT.

 

[keithbeaks]

Great thanks