Audio PC -- PCSpecialist vs A.N.Other custom builder

[timpro]

Hi there

I usually build my own machines, but genuinely can't be bothered this time round as don't have the time, but have money to spend.

1070 Graphics card already owned, I don't game much. This is for audio production.

Please can you compare builds and let me know if you think there's much in it...

AN other

• 1xEvery System includes this exclusive welcome pack featuring a co-branded Corsair mouse pad, branded mug, braided cable tidying kit and extensive documentation to help setup your system.
• 1xFractal Design Define R6 - Case Dimensions 233 x 448 x 535 (WxHxD mm)
• 1xASUS PRIME Z390-A
• 1xIntel Core i9 9900K - 8 Cores + Hyperthreading - 4.9GHz All Cores
• 1xbe quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
• 1x2 X BeQuiet! - Ultra low noise option, better airflow than stock fans, although lower than other options. Best in class for noise levels.
• 1x32GB Corsair LPX 2666MHz
• 1xBe Quiet! Dark Power Pro 11 650w, Platinum Eff 94%
• 1x500GB M.2. Drives
• 1xMidrange Storage - Value oriented - Ideal for Storage and Backup.
• 1xLiteOn IHAS124 - 24 X DVD Reader & Writer
• 1xLycom PE-107 PCI-E 2 Port FireWire 800 (1394b) and 1 Port Firewire 400 (1394a) Card
• 1xAsus 802.11ac Wireless-AC1300
• 1xMicrosoft Windows 10 Home Advanced 64-bit
• 1x3 Year Warranty - 1st Year Onsite, 2nd & 3rd Year Return to Base (Parts & Labour).
• 1xUpgrade Premium - Scan will upgrade your graphics card, add extra HDDs or SSDs or upgrade a non-overclocked CPU.
• 1xEstimated 5 Working Days - Your system will be built and intensively tested, we aim to have it ready for dispatch within 5 working days.

£1733.81

PC SPECIALIST

Case PCS GENESIS G1B CASE + SD CARD READER
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i9 Eight Core Processor i9-9900K (3.6GHz) 16MB Cache
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z390 AORUS Master: ATX, LG1151, USB 3.1, SATA 6GBs WIFI - RGB Ready
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (4 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
INTEGRATED GRAPHICS ACCELERATOR (GPU)
1st Storage Drive
1TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 64MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB INTEL® 660p M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (upto 1500MB/sR | 1000MB/sW)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Memory Card Reader
USB 3.0 EXTERNAL SD/MICRO SD CARD READER
Power Supply
CORSAIR 650W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H80i V2 Hydro Cooler w/ PCS Ultra Quiet Fans
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
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)
Wireless/Wired Networking
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
USB/Thunderbolt Options
2 PORT (2 x TYPE A) USB 3.1 PCI-E CARD + STANDARD USB PORTS
Firewire
2 Port IEEE 1394a Firewire PCI-E Card (2 x 6 pin)
Operating System
Genuine 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® Office® 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 Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 12 to 14 working days
Welcome Book
PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland

£1536

Cheers!

 

[Deleted member 88683]

Cheaper one obv, you don't look to be getting much of anything with the other company that justifies the extra £200 except for a mug and mouse mat etc likely costing no more than an inflated price of £25 with a cost price of about £3

 

[stegor]

PCSpecialist build is better than the other - the Gigabyte motherboard is way better than the Asus. Save some money and drop down to the Gygabyte pro. Also the memory is faster. No brainer.

 

[SpyderTracks]

You’d need a much better case on the PCS build but it’s far better in all!

 

[Oussebon]

As above, you want a better case. PCS do sell the Fractal R6 and I'd recommend it.

USB/Thunderbolt Options
2 PORT (2 x TYPE A) USB 3.1 PCI-E CARD + STANDARD USB PORTS

The motherboard and case already supply a lot of ports. Drop this unless you have a specific need for it.

Processor Cooling
Corsair H80i V2 Hydro Cooler w/ PCS Ultra Quiet Fans

Noctua cooler is pretty much as good, quieter, cheaper. Otherwise the H100x is a lot more effective for a similar kind of price.

Extra Case Fans
2x 120mm Black Case Fan (configured to extract from rear/roof)

Drop those, not worth it.

Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)

I'd go with the £5 warranty upgrade

the Gigabyte motherboard is way better than the Asus. Save some money and drop down to the Gygabyte pro.

Agreed. If you need wifi, go with the Pro motherboard and the Intel AX200 card.

If aiming for an ultra quiet system, Fractal R6 case, Noctua cooler, RMx PSU as unlike TXm it is semi passive.

The companies offer different warranties etc. You can adjust the warranty with PCS (usually the £5 warranty upgrade for the extra carriage costs cover seems best value). And you can order with 5 day dispatch for £29 I think if you want.

We can't comment on products by PCS's competitors (either for or against them), but you can draw your own conclusion about what's the best bang for your buck.

 

[Rakk]

Also note that PCS happily allow you to add your own components to the machine whilst keeping the warranty in tact (as long as you don't damage stuff in the process) - so there will be no issues with you putting in your own GPU.

 

[Scott]

The A-N Other system is overclocked. You can also have an overclocked build from PCS if that's something you would like. If you go down that route though I would recommend the H100 RGB Platinum as a minimum though. The 9900k puts out a fair bit of heat at full chat. I run a H115 RGB Platinum and it keeps the temps in check very well at 5GHZ all-core. The H115 limits your case options, if you go down that route, as it is large. The R6 houses it all nicely though (same case as me).

I would stick with the Master version of the motherboard with your audio requirements in mind. It has a fantastic onboard DAC. The pro ticks the boxes nicely as well, dont get me wrong, but the master is better. If you have an external DAC then I definitely echo the above regarding the Pro, it's a great board.