Please help I have no idea.

Adamsufc

Member
Hi all hopefully the experts can help me out.I’m looking for a pc for my 2 sons for Christmas. They play fortnite mainly on the Xbox and Witcher and Cod also with a few others one their friends pc. I want a pc that will run these smoothly and also be able to have office on their for me to do my invoices etc. Also would like to be able to upgrade it if needed, so maybe try to future proof it as best as possible.

I've read ryzen is better than intel so I’d prefer that. Maybe ryzen 7 3800xt but I’ve seen a lot going for the 5 5800, unsure why this is? 2 storgage drive inc 1 SSD for the operating system? A good motherboard for my budget. Ram 16 or 32 which ever it needs. A good cooling system and extra fans if needed.

the monitor I have is a 24 inch 1080p 144hz 1ms IPS panel.
I was looking at the ryzen Black Friday deal but it has now sold out!!!

My budget is £1200 please help.
 

Adamsufc

Member
Just done one but it’s over budget. Help to get it around the £1200 but still a solid gaming/office build.


Case
CORSAIR iCUE 465X RGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT Eight Core CPU (4.7GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING 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
512GB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 650W CV SERIES™ CV-650 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
PCS FrostFlow 100 RGB Series High Performance CPU Cooler (AMD)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Extra Case Fans
2x 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 (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
Wireless Network Card
WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD
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
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 13 to 15 working days
Price: £1,406.00 including VAT and Delivery

 

Adamsufc

Member
Ok thankyou. Is the 1660
The 5800x is the newest chip at that level and is an improvement over the XT...gives future longevity.

I was going to suggest the 5600x as an alternative but it is only marginally cheaper (though you would save £48 on the cooler). This would give you plenty of options going forward if you wanted to put in a good 1440p graphics card:

Case
CORSAIR iCUE 465X RGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Eight Core CPU (3.8GHz-4.7GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING 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 GTX 1660 SUPER - HDMI, DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
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 750W RM SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
CoolerMaster MasterLiquid Lite 240 High Performance Liquid 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 (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
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 13 to 15 working days
Price: £1,374.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/sp3VGFz69Q/
Thankyou. Is the 1660 super better than the 2060?

also is there maintenance required with the liquid coolers? Like draining and refilling every few months? If so would I be better with just normal fans and an air duster?

also the 5800 is a pre order and I need it for Christmas. Will this arrive?
 

decaro

Enthusiast
Ok thankyou. Is the 1660

Thankyou. Is the 1660 super better than the 2060?

also is there maintenance required with the liquid coolers? Like draining and refilling every few months? If so would I be better with just normal fans and an air duster?

also the 5800 is a pre order and I need it for Christmas. Will this arrive?
Not with this type of liquid cooler, it is a closed loop and comes filled, not needing to drain and refill ever, and for 1080p 144hz gaming, you would be better off with the 1660 super as the 2060 is only a marginal improvement.

And for the arrival before Christmas, with anything that's on pre order right now it is un clear as to when it will get built and delivered, I'm not too sure on the current wait times.
 

Adamsufc

Member
Not with this type of liquid cooler, it is a closed loop and comes filled, not needing to drain and refill ever, and for 1080p 144hz gaming, you would be better off with the 1660 super as the 2060 is only a marginal improvement.

And for the arrival before Christmas, with anything that's on pre order right now it is un clear as to when it will get built and delivered, I'm not too sure on the current wait times.
Ok thankyou. I need it 100% for Christmas so which processor would be as good? Ryzen 9 the next one close to it?
 

decaro

Enthusiast
Ok thankyou. I need it 100% for Christmas so which processor would be as good? Ryzen 9 the next one close to it?
Ryzen 9s are quite extreme overkill for your use case, If they were in stock I'd say you were better of with a 3600, a good budget chip from last gen, but both that and the 3600x are out of stock so unless you are willing to get the XT for quite a bit more money than the 3600 or if stock improves the 5600x, nothing above a ryzen 7 is really needed, its up to you to choose either waiting longer for something better or getting what is in stock from last gen that is still very capable.
 

Adamsufc

Member
Ryzen 9s are quite extreme overkill for your use case, If they were in stock I'd say you were better of with a 3600, a good budget chip from last gen, but both that and the 3600x are out of stock so unless you are willing to get the XT for quite a bit more money than the 3600 or if stock improves the 5600x, nothing above a ryzen 7 is really needed, its up to you to choose either waiting longer for something better or getting what is in stock from last gen that is still very capable.
Thanks. Would you mind editing my build as I’m clueless. Something that’s in stock and good build please?
 

Adamsufc

Member
Just checked and the ryzen 9 3900xt is only £60 more than the 5800 which I don’t mind paying if it means it’s still a great pc and comes on time
 

decaro

Enthusiast
Thanks. Would you mind editing my build as I’m clueless. Something that’s in stock and good build please?
This would be perfectly adequate for your use case for the time being

Case
CORSAIR iCUE 465X RGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT Six Core CPU (4.5GHz/35MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING 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 GTX 1660 SUPER - HDMI, DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
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 350W VS SERIES™ VS-350 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
CoolerMaster MasterLiquid Lite 240 High Performance Liquid 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 (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
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 [KK3-00002]
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 13 to 15 working days
Price: £1,102.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/7kRZntHZQh/
 

decaro

Enthusiast
Just checked and the ryzen 9 3900xt is only £60 more than the 5800 which I don’t mind paying if it means it’s still a great pc and comes on time
Honestly for 1080p gaming and office work, that is quite overkill but if you feel it might be needed down the line then go for it.
 

Adamsufc

Member
Honestly for 1080p gaming and office work, that is quite overkill but if you feel it might be needed down the line then go for it.
I don’t know buddy, but what I don’t want is to strip it back as much as possible and close to the limit if I could just spend the little extra and be fully capable and able to upgrade. I don’t want something that is good for now, I want something that will be good in 3 years time and still upgradable if need be. If that makes sense
 

decaro

Enthusiast
I don’t know buddy, but what I don’t want is to strip it back as much as possible and close to the limit if I could just spend the little extra and be fully capable and able to upgrade. I don’t want something that is good for now, I want something that will be good in 3 years time and still upgradable if need be. If that makes sense
Well in that case you might be better off with the ryzen 9
 

Bigfoot

Grand Master
I don’t know buddy, but what I don’t want is to strip it back as much as possible and close to the limit if I could just spend the little extra and be fully capable and able to upgrade. I don’t want something that is good for now, I want something that will be good in 3 years time and still upgradable if need be. If that makes sense
If you want something that has a long life and you can improve in the future, I would listen to @Nursemorph. A 350W PSU will give you no room for upgrading the monitor and graphics card in the future.
 

Adamsufc

Member
To be fair, the 350w PSU is because the one I previously specced is no longer available so the spoec has reverted to the default PSU.

If going for the Ryzen 9, you need a better motherboard and cooler which is going to add to the cost. If you can't wait for the 5800x to become available, then the amended spec I listed above would cover you more than enough for your needs
Thankyou for taking time to help me. What motherboard and cooler would I need as I said I don’t mind spending a little bit more of it has advantages.
 

Adamsufc

Member
A bit more in this case would be an extra £300 (3900x CPU, Strix motherboard, H115i Platinum cooler)....and, if I'm totally honest, for your uses it seems wasteful.
Ok thankyou. Think I’m going with your last build you did. the 650 or 750 psu required?
 
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