My First Desktop Build!

[MattHarrisUK]

I've been using PCS gaming laptops for as long as I can remember, but now I've moved out of my parents house I finally have the space to build a proper desktop rig!

This is what I've gone with, is it gonna see me through or have I made any glaring mistakes?

Case
CORSAIR 175R RGB MID TOWER GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Eight Core Processor i7-10700KF (3.8GHz) 16MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF Z490-PLUS GAMING WI-FI (LGA1200, USB 3.2, CrossFireX) - ARGB Ready
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2400MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
6GB ASUS DUAL GEFORCE RTX 2060 - HDMI, DP, DVI
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W CV SERIES™ CV-550 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
PCS FrostFlow 120 Series RGB High Performance Liquid Cooler
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)
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 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
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Google Chrome™
Monitor
Samsung LS24D330HSX/EN 24" LED monitor
Monitor Cables
1 x 2 METRE GOLD PLATED V1.4 HDMI CABLE

 

[Bigfoot]

What is your budget for PC and monitor? What games will you be playing? Will there be any other uses for the PC than gaming?

An AMD build will almost certainly be better for you than an Intel based PC.

 

[MattHarrisUK]

Unfortunately I'm a bit of an intel diehard, so while I know AMD is technically the better choice its never gonna happen

This build already maxes out my budget for both PC and Monitor, and itll be used as my primary workhorse for video editing once every 2 weeks (I make Fortnite update breakdowns for ProGuides). Other than that, just writing and gaming.

I already have an adequate mouse, keyboard and headset.

 

[Bigfoot]

We still need to know what the budget actually is. Can you provide the unique configuration link for your quote so that your build can be optimised. Intel aren’t just technically worse than AMD, but have a raft of security issues and an almost non-existent upgrade path. Being a diehard is fine, but it will cost you in the long run. I have always had Intel based PCs until the last one, which arrived a few weeks ago.

 

[MattHarrisUK]

Oh I dont intend to make any changes from the spec unless something is glaringly incompatible, we're on day 2 of an expedited build so it's a little late.

The only thing nagging me is if the cooling systems are going to be strong enough.

 

[Bigfoot]

You have very slow RAM, a low end PSU that will restrict any GPU upgrades in the future and the cooling looks under specced for an Intel CPU, which run much hotter than an AMD equivalent. Bullguard has been reported to cause problems and is best left out.

 

[sck451]

Being a diehard is a poor choice! There's a whole bunch that really wants to be changed here, but those things are overwhelmed by the fact of the Intel platform being a poor choice right now. As an example, here's a (fairly budget, admittedly) AMD build that would be a far better choice and offer much more potential for future expansion. You can stick a £180 monitor like the AOC C24G1 (1080p 144Hz) for a far better experience.

In your shoes, at only two days into the process, I'd cancel your build and order something far better that is much less of a waste of money. At the least, change that monitor: it is an office monitor and will be a terrible gaming experience.

Case
CORSAIR 4000D AIRFLOW TEMPERED GLASS GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Six Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.6GHz/35MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME B550-PLUS (DDR4, USB 3.2, 6Gb/s) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
6GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2060 - HDMI, DP - 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 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6900MB/R, 5000MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/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
STANDARD AMD 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
Wireless Network Card
WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 2,400Mbps/5GHz, 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD + BT 5.0
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 10 to 12 working days
Price: £1,448.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/e!5JNwbDfA/

 

[Scott]

As suggested, you have not made very wise selections across the board. It's always advisable to seek advice before hitting the order button. You also want to look towards unbiased opinions, which you will find on here, that would sway you away from fanboy choices.

Incompatibility is one thing, you won't see it on a system from PCS when using the configurator. You don't need to worry in that regard.

There are a number of poor selections though. Let's have a look...

175R RGB Mid Tower Gaming case - Far too small for a gaming rig. I know what it's marketed as and PC components fit into it, but it's a compromise on performance in favour of space. The case is critical to a build and should only be hampered when absolutely necessary. You'll want to keep on top of cleaning it out and you will likely see higher than typical temperatures across the board.

i7-10700KF - For gaming, and forgoing the AMD argument, this is a good choice. It's a good value Intel chip, which isn't seen right now.

Motherboard is fine for the above.

RAM - Very poor choice. Completely limiting performance here. 3200 would be the minimum.

Low end PSU, you really should rethink this. It goes hand in hand with the case and other foundations of the build.

Cooler - I would advise against this completely. Get an AIO on there, the biggest that'll fit. It'll help with your case temps massively.

Monitor - You should purchase a gaming monitor, night and day difference in performance.

Bullguard

 

[MattHarrisUK]

As suggested, you have not made very wise selections across the board. It's always advisable to seek advice before hitting the order button. You also want to look towards unbiased opinions, which you will find on here, that would sway you away from fanboy choices.

Incompatibility is one thing, you won't see it on a system from PCS when using the configurator. You don't need to worry in that regard.

There are a number of poor selections though. Let's have a look...

175R RGB Mid Tower Gaming case - Far too small for a gaming rig. I know what it's marketed as and PC components fit into it, but it's a compromise on performance in favour of space. The case is critical to a build and should only be hampered when absolutely necessary. You'll want to keep on top of cleaning it out and you will likely see higher than typical temperatures across the board.

i7-10700KF - For gaming, and forgoing the AMD argument, this is a good choice. It's a good value Intel chip, which isn't seen right now.

Motherboard is fine for the above.

RAM - Very poor choice. Completely limiting performance here. 3200 would be the minimum.

Low end PSU, you really should rethink this. It goes hand in hand with the case and other foundations of the build.

Cooler - I would advise against this completely. Get an AIO on there, the biggest that'll fit. It'll help with your case temps massively.

Monitor - You should purchase a gaming monitor, night and day difference in performance.

Bullguard

Thanks for the advise!

The RAM is currently a half measure, I'll be replacing it in a couple of months with some faster sticks.

I had thought I had clicked on a better PSU, this has now been rectified (a shame it'll knock the build time back a little but oh well)

I was under the impression that the frostflow was an AIO watercooler? Am I mistaken in that?

 

[Scott]

Thanks for the advise!

The RAM is currently a half measure, I'll be replacing it in a couple of months with some faster sticks.

I had thought I had clicked on a better PSU, this has now been rectified (a shame it'll knock the build time back a little but oh well)

I was under the impression that the frostflow was an AIO watercooler? Am I mistaken in that?

Why not just change the speed of the RAM now instead of wasting money down the line?

WTR to the cooler, It is.... but it's only 120mm. If 120mm is the largest that the case will take then you may need to live with that size but I wouldn't opt for the frostflow..... the Coolermaster is a far better option. The Frostflows have had known issues.

 

[MattHarrisUK]

Why not just change the speed of the RAM now instead of wasting money down the line?

WTR to the cooler, It is.... but it's only 120mm. If 120mm is the largest that the case will take then you may need to live with that size but I wouldn't opt for the frostflow..... the Coolermaster is a far better option. The Frostflows have had known issues.

Current budget constraints, it isn't ideal but it is what it is. Where the RAM is concerned I currently just need something to get me by until I get paid.

Thanks for the advice on the Coolermaster!

 

[Steveyg]

Current budget constraints, it isn't ideal but it is what it is. Where the RAM is concerned I currently just need something to get me by until I get paid.

Thanks for the advice on the Coolermaster!

The Liquid Lite 240 fits in that Case I have the same one if your looking for a CPU cooler to suit the Intel CPU, the rad will be front mounted though so you'll need to add extra exhaust fans, I have two one at the back and one on the roof

My temps are high but I expected it in that case but nothing so high that I need to be alarmed. My CPU never goes about 60Deg when under load so the CPU cooler is decent. The GPU tends to top out around 80degs when under load too with the manual fan curve I've set up. She's loud though