Complete Noob, don't know where to start. Help greatly appreciated

[DannyNut]

Hi all, as said in the title I am completely clueless with custom builds and PC gaming as I have never done it but looking to come away from console and step into PC gaming.

When looking into it I am just getting confused and with not knowing anything about pc components it just goes all over my head


Monitor - Model or Resolution AND refresh rate. If you don't have one, what is the budget you have for one?

I would need a monitor but again would be guided by yourselves as to which one purchase with the pc for best performance

Uses - What is the system for. Is it just gaming? What about VR? Streaming? Video processing?

System would mainly be used for gaming, ie COD warzone 1/2, tarkov, assassin's creed, resident evil and other FPS games.
Also would like to go into streaming so would want the pc to be able to stream to something like twitch and do little video editing


Budget - We need to know where to spend and where to cut back. Some items are more important than others so knowing the margins we have to work within we can will always try to accommodate your budget.

Budget I am looking at for the pc and monitor together is around £2500 but could push up alittle if felt it is required or needed

Any advice or help would be gratefully accepted

Thankyou, Danny

 

[MrWilson]

In a bit of a rush, so I’ll just whack this spec down. I appreciate we’re over budget already, and we haven’t even included our monitor, and giving the current cost of living crisis I don’t want to be seen as strong-arming you into spending more than you would like to. But the below is in my eyes the “no compromise” build for a 1440p gaming and streaming rig.

Hopefully one of the regulars will be along to help trim this down slightly, otherwise I’ll give it a bit more attention after I clock out.

Case
LIAN LI LANCOOL 215 GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i5 14-Core Processor i5-13600K (3.5GHz) 24MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® ROG STRIX Z790-F GAMING WIFI (DDR5, LGA1700, USB 3.2, PCIe 5.0) - ARGB Ready
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR5 5600MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3070 - HDMI, DP, LHR
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6900MB/R, 5000MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
2TB SOLIDIGM P41+ M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 4125MB/sR, 3325MB/sW)
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
Power Supply
CORSAIR 1000W RMe SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead, 1.0mm Core)
Processor Cooling
Corsair iCUE H115i ELITE CAPELLIX RGB 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)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 11 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00003]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 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
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 - Subject to stock availability on pre-order products
Price: £2,529.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/intel-z790-ddr5-pc/r2QU24SmR4/

 

[Scott]

The build suggested above is ideal for a no-compromise approach. I don't think there's quite enough in it with DDR5 for me though so I would definitely pull back the RAM to DDR4 to save a ton of cash.

This could be paired with a very high end 1440p monitor to get a truly fantastic experience within your budget.

Case
LIAN LI LANCOOL 215 GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i5 14-Core Processor i5-13600K (3.5GHz) 24MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING Z690-PLUS D4 (LGA1700, USB 3.2, PCIe 5.0) - ARGB Ready
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3600MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3070 - HDMI, DP, LHR
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6900MB/R, 5000MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
2TB CORSAIR FORCE MP600 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD (up to 4950 MB/R, 4000 MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 1000W RMe SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead, 1.0mm Core)
Processor Cooling
Corsair iCUE H115i RGB PRO XT 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)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 11 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00003]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 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
Google Chrome™
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 - Subject to stock availability on pre-order products
Price: £2,179.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/intel-z690-pc/kSVBMSgZWm/

 

[DannyNut]

Thankyou both Mr Wilson and Scott for posting builds, sorry for my ignorance but what is the difference between the DDR5 and DDR4 and the pro' or cons for either

Also what kinds of monitors would I be looking at then, is there any good ones you can post links to that I'd be able to look at

The budget could possibly stretch to £3k max if needed. No need to rush back with posts. Do it at your own convenience

Thanks, Danny

 

[B4zookaw]

Negligible performance difference between DDR4 and DDR5 at the mo, especially in gaming. One advantage of going with DDR5 is the possibility of taking the RAM to a new platform. DDR4 is not likely to be supported in new motherboards after Raptor Lake. You just need to weigh up if the higher price of DDR5 RAM and compatible motherboard is worth that.

 

[Scott]

I personally wouldn't consider DDR5 with this platform at the moment. Everything I'm seeing shows almost no difference. There will be a difference in the future, once DDR5 matures...... but you would be swapping out the RAM to take advantage of that which I don't think makes much sense. DDR4 right now, at 3600, is really good and performs very well so it's the choice i would make.

Even to consider @IRLRobinS future use, I don't think anyone would carry across the relatively slow DDR5 RAM to their next build. There will be better options by this point and the value will be far better.

DDR5 Motherboard & RAM right now is crazy money.
DDR4 Motherboard & RAM is great value.
To swap out the DDR4 motherboard and RAM when the DDR5 stuff comes down would make more sense to me, if that's what was required of course..... the system above has you covered for 10 years easy if you bump up the GPU down the line.

For the monitor I would have a look and see if you can pick up a VG27AQ1A for around £300. I wouldn't go more than £350. They're selling out everywhere, as most monitors are right now with the new GPUs coming out.

 

[B4zookaw]

Even to consider @IRLRobinS future use, I don't think anyone would carry across the relatively slow DDR5 RAM to their next build. There will be better options by this point and the value will be far better.

This point did cross my mind, totally valid. IT would depend on how fast the DDR5 you buy now is, and how soon you change the motherboard. A top speed DDR5 today would prob still be fine if you change in the next 2-3 years, but beyond that, I'd expect the sweetspot of DDR5 to have moved beyond current speeds.

 

[DannyNut]

I mean from what you guys are saying if I'm correct, I probably wouldn't be looking to upgrade for awhile after getting a set up and by the sounds of it it seems like the DDR5 would have moved up and I'd need to update that to be inline with everything if I did get a current one as I wouldn't upgrade for atleast afew years

 

[DannyNut]

In regards to monitors/screens is there any different or benefits in curved gaming monitors? Like the monitor above (VG27AQ1A) and a curved one like Samsung Odyssey G5 LC32G55TQWRXXU 32"
for example

 

[sck451]

In regards to monitors/screens is there any different or benefits in curved gaming monitors? Like the monitor above (VG27AQ1A) and a curved one like Samsung Odyssey G5 LC32G55TQWRXXU 32"
for example

There are various monitor techologies. The main ones are VA and IPS; IPS is definitely better. VA tends to benefit from a curved screen as it has poorer viewing angles; the curve is less necessary with IPS. Personally I find curves weird; I know some find them immersive, however. But IPS displays have come down in price so much that most VA displays are just not worth it any more.

The G5 is a decent display. Decent, but not amazing. I'd certainly prefer the Asus. The Gigabyte G27Q would also be a decent option, or the LG 27GN850.

 

[Scott]

I mean from what you guys are saying if I'm correct, I probably wouldn't be looking to upgrade for awhile after getting a set up and by the sounds of it it seems like the DDR5 would have moved up and I'd need to update that to be inline with everything if I did get a current one as I wouldn't upgrade for atleast afew years

Right now 5600Mhz DDR5 and 3600Mhz DDR4 RAM are very similar. With no future plans to upgrade, it makes no sense to go for the DDR5 platform. The cost delta is around £300.

Upgrade options in the future..

DDR5 = £300 offset + price of new DDR5 RAM - Selling price of the old DDR5 RAM = Unknown
DDR4 = 0 + price of new DDR5 RAM + Motherboard - sale price of DDR4 Motherboard and RAM = Unknown

Both situations are unknown, but my gut tells me that £300 in your pocket now, to put towards a motherboard, is a more likely beneficial scenario than spending on the DDR5 RAM twice.

 

[DannyNut]

Thanks for all your great info, I have been looking into it alot more now and trying to understand most things before making this purchase.
When reading up I noticed the new 4090 graphics card is out and the other 40 series following shortly behind.
My question is would it be wise to wait to this other 40 series cards to come out for then the 3070 card price to drop or would that kind of thing not happen?
Thanks in advance 👍

 

[Scott]

It's a gamble. The prices of the 30 series cards have already dropped as the 4090 is actually the most reasonable value out of the expected pricing. The 4090 pushed down the 3090 which in turn pushed down the 3080s, 3070s, etc.

There is a chance that the prices will come down as I don't think the demand is going to be as high as it was for the 30 series cards. If the demand does take them off the shelves though, the 30 series will likely increase from where it stands now..... so it's a risk.

We're going to be going into a stage of constant flux with the GPU pricing over the coming days. Whenever you pull the trigger, stop looking... trust me

 

[B4zookaw]

It's a gamble. The prices of the 30 series cards have already dropped as the 4090 is actually the most reasonable value out of the expected pricing. The 4090 pushed down the 3090 which in turn pushed down the 3080s, 3070s, etc.

There is a chance that the prices will come down as I don't think the demand is going to be as high as it was for the 30 series cards. If the demand does take them off the shelves though, the 30 series will likely increase from where it stands now..... so it's a risk.

We're going to be going into a stage of constant flux with the GPU pricing over the coming days. Whenever you pull the trigger, stop looking... trust me

Let me dust off my crystal ball....

I'd agree with Scott, it's hard to predict where GPU prices will fall. Logic would say that older generation falls in price once the new gen is released. But as of yet, we don't have release dates for the 4070, 4060 etc, so that might push people to go with 30 series now, keeping prices up.

Manufacturers might also be cautious about over supply of new gen, given economy contracting, logistics issues with manufacturing in Far East, etc. So many factors at play, it's hard to see how it will all play out with certainty.