New Gaming/ Design Desktop

[ianfry]

Hi all. I purchased my current desktop from PC Specialist 6 years ago to the day almost. Last night, it broke. I had artifacts on the screen, so suspected GPU failure and I think it is about time I just got a new rig as opposed to replacing the GPU. So here is where I need your help. Please take a look at my new selection.

How would this handle games, and also design software (Photoshop, Illustrator, Affinity Photo, etc)?
Also, are there any conflicts? I know last time I did this 6 years ago, a lot of people advised me to upgrade the PSU.

I appreciate any help.

• Case GAME MAX FALCON BLACK GAMING CASE (RGB LED)
• Processor (CPU) Intel® CoreTMi5 Quad Core Processor i5-7500 (3.4GHz) 6MB Cache
• Motherboard ASUS® STRIX B250H GAMING: ATX, LGA1151, USB 3.0, SATA 6GBs
• Memory (RAM) 16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2133MHz (2 x 8GB)
• Graphics Card 3GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1060 - DVI, HDMI, 3 x DP
• 1st Hard Disk 2TB SEAGATE FIRECUDA 3.5" SSHD - UP TO 5X FASTER THAN HDD!
• DVD/BLU-RAY Drive 24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
• Power Supply CORSAIR 450W VS SERIESTM VS-450 POWER SUPPLY
• Power Cable 1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
• Processor Cooling Super Quiet Titan DragonFly Heatpipe Intel CPU Cooler
• Thermal Paste STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
• 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 WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD
• USB Options MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
• Operating System Genuine Windows 10 Professional 64 Bit - inc DVD & Single Licence
  

 

[Oussebon]

What's your budget and how much did the above come to?

 

[ianfry]

What's your budget and how much did the above come to?

• Budget: £1,000
• Above came to £1,028


However, I have looked at the options again and I have come up with the following selection;

Case
SHARKOON VG4-W GAMING CASE (Green LED)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Six Core Processor i7-8700 (3.2GHz) 12MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF Z370-PLUS GAMING: ATX, LGA1151, USB 3.0, SATA 6GBs - RGB Ready
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3000MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
3GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1060 - DVI, HDMI, 3 x DP
1st Hard Disk
120GB KINGSTON UV400 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (550MB/R, 350MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W VS SERIES™ VS-550 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Super Quiet Titan DragonFly Heatpipe Intel 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 Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Genuine Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc DVD & Single Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
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 - Approximately 6 to 8 working days
Quantity
1


Price £1,134.00 including VAT and delivery

Unique URL to re-configure : https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/intel-z370-pc/7AHD2zjTWE/

 

[Oussebon]

Seems decent.

The UV400 is very slow by Sata SSD standards, and 120gb won't get you very far either. I'd suggest going for a PM961 from the M>2 SSD section - or if that's too expensive dropping the SSD altogether and adding a PM961 as a future upgrade.

The Sharkoon case has quite limited cooling options and the airflow isn't ideal. Something like the Game Max Falcon would give a lot more options.

 

[ianfry]

Seems decent.

The UV400 is very slow by Sata SSD standards, and 120gb won't get you very far either. I'd suggest going for a PM961 from the M>2 SSD section - or if that's too expensive dropping the SSD altogether and adding a PM961 as a future upgrade.

The Sharkoon case has quite limited cooling options and the airflow isn't ideal. Something like the Game Max Falcon would give a lot more options.

Thanks for the tips. I have amended my order to the following;

Case
GAME MAX FALCON BLACK GAMING CASE (RGB LED)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Six Core Processor i7-8700 (3.2GHz) 12MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF Z370-PLUS GAMING: ATX, LGA1151, USB 3.0, SATA 6GBs - RGB Ready
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3000MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
3GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1060 - DVI, HDMI, 3 x DP
1st Hard Disk
1TB SEAGATE FIRECUDA 3.5" SSHD - UP TO 5X FASTER THAN HDD!
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W VS SERIES™ VS-550 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Super Quiet Titan DragonFly Heatpipe Intel CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
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
WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD
USB Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Genuine Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc DVD & Single Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 (64-bit) DVD with paper sleeve
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
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 - Approximately 7 to 9 working days
Quantity
1

Price £1,174.00 including VAT and delivery

Unique URL to re-configure : https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/intel-z370-pc/3twM8na4Eh/


◘ Quick question: I have heard having 3000Mhz RAM could actually cause problems. Is that true? Is it better to stick with 2133Mhz?

 

[Oussebon]

Quick question: I have heard having 3000Mhz RAM could actually cause problems.

Not really. It could cause problems if you're building a PC and screw up the XML profile you're using, and there were (still are?) issues with certain higher frequency RAM kits not playing nice with AMD Ryzen CPUs.

But for your system there should be no issues at all. PCS would set it up so it's running at that speed, and it would just stay like that forever without any issues.

Given the small cost difference as a proportion of the system vs the slower RAM and the potentially large gains with some titles and uses, there's no reason not to buy 3000MHz RAM in my opinion

 

[ianfry]

Not really. It could cause problems if you're building a PC and screw up the XML profile you're using, and there were (still are?) issues with certain higher frequency RAM kits not playing nice with AMD Ryzen CPUs.

But for your system there should be no issues at all. PCS would set it up so it's running at that speed, and it would just stay like that forever without any issues.

Given the small cost difference as a proportion of the system vs the slower RAM and the potentially large gains with some titles and uses, there's no reason not to buy 3000MHz RAM in my opinion

That's great. Thanks for all your help. I have ordered my PC and is on it's 3rd working day.