Build advice

[Neil123123]

Hi. Any advice on this build would be greatly appreciated. It is for gaming and hobbiest development. Ideally should be able to play games like Elden Ring at 1080p / 60 fps / max settings. I want to have windows on one of the SSDs and Ubuntu on the other - I like the idea of keeping them separate instead of partitioning a single 2TB drive, but maybe that is just me being silly. Budget is £1200 max. Thanks!

Case
CORSAIR iCUE 4000X RGB TEMPERED GLASS MID-TOWER ATX CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Six Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.6GHz/35MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
GIGABYTE B550 GAMING X V2 : DDR4, USB 3.2 - ARGB Ready
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
12GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3060 - HDMI, DP, LHR
Graphics Card Support Bracket
NONE (BRACKET INCLUDED AS STANDARD ON 4070 Ti AND ABOVE)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 7000MB/R, 5000MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 7000MB/R, 5000MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 650W CV SERIES™ CV-650 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 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 6E AX210 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 11 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00003]

Price: £1,195.00 including VAT and Delivery

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

 

[Scott]

Factoring in the storage requirements with an additional games drive can add to the costs quite significantly. Are you happy with a previous generation build, not looking for upgrades on the platform etc? The 5000 series has been replaced with the 7000 series. It would likely be more money though, but just wanted to highlight.

Below is rounding off your build as best I can and keeping the costs as low as I can. For the storage it's fast Windows primary, second Games & fast storage, SSD for Linux.

Case
CORSAIR iCUE 4000X RGB TEMPERED GLASS MID-TOWER ATX CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 Six Core CPU (3.5GHz-4.4GHz/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
8GB AMD RADEON™ RX 6650 XT - HDMI, DP - DX® 12
Graphics Card Support Bracket
NONE (BRACKET INCLUDED AS STANDARD ON 4070 Ti AND ABOVE)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB SOLIDIGM P44 PRO GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 7000MB/sR, 4700MB/sW)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB CORSAIR CORE XT MP600 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD (up to 5000 MB/R, 3500 MB/W)
1st Storage Drive
240GB KINGSTON A400 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (500MB/R, 350MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMe SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 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 6E AX210 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 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
Firefox™
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 9 to 12 working days
Price: £1,076.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/PmxDQa4f!s/

 

[Scott]

The modern equivalent below takes you over budget.

Case
CORSAIR iCUE 4000X RGB TEMPERED GLASS MID-TOWER ATX CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 7600 Six Core CPU (4.0GHz-5.2GHz/38MB CACHE/AM5)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING B650-PLUS WIFI (DDR5, USB 3.2, 6Gb/s)
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR5 5600MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
8GB AMD RADEON™ RX 6650 XT - HDMI, DP - DX® 12
Graphics Card Support Bracket
NONE (BRACKET INCLUDED AS STANDARD ON 4070 Ti AND ABOVE)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB SOLIDIGM P44 PRO GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 7000MB/sR, 4700MB/sW)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB CORSAIR CORE XT MP600 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD (up to 5000 MB/R, 3500 MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
250GB KINGSTON NV2 NVMe PCIe SSD (3000MB/R, 1500MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMe SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
PCS FrostFlow 150 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
ONBOARD 2.5Gbe 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 - Approximately 9 to 12 working days
Price: £1,310.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am5-pc/a!AKAJyhEG/

 

[Neil123123]

Factoring in the storage requirements with an additional games drive can add to the costs quite significantly. Are you happy with a previous generation build, not looking for upgrades on the platform etc? The 5000 series has been replaced with the 7000 series. It would likely be more money though, but just wanted to highlight.

Below is rounding off your build as best I can and keeping the costs as low as I can. For the storage it's fast Windows primary, second Games & fast storage, SSD for Linux.

Case
CORSAIR iCUE 4000X RGB TEMPERED GLASS MID-TOWER ATX CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 Six Core CPU (3.5GHz-4.4GHz/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
8GB AMD RADEON™ RX 6650 XT - HDMI, DP - DX® 12
Graphics Card Support Bracket
NONE (BRACKET INCLUDED AS STANDARD ON 4070 Ti AND ABOVE)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB SOLIDIGM P44 PRO GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 7000MB/sR, 4700MB/sW)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB CORSAIR CORE XT MP600 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD (up to 5000 MB/R, 3500 MB/W)
1st Storage Drive
240GB KINGSTON A400 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (500MB/R, 350MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMe SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 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 6E AX210 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 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
Firefox™
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 9 to 12 working days
Price: £1,076.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/PmxDQa4f!s/

Thanks for responding! I think last generation should be ok for me, my monitor is 1080p and 60hz anyway. Replacing a computer that got damaged in house move rather than looking for massive upgrade. I had a couple questions if thats ok…
1) The PSU change - is that for the GOLD rating or wattage?
2) How much of an advantage is the 6650xt over the 3060rtx? I wouldn‘t mind the option to use cuda, but it’s not a deal breaker if the AMD card is much better pick.

 

[Neil123123]

Also, changing the 5600x to the 5600. Is that just to reduce cost, or is there an advantage to the 5600? Thanks

 

[Scott]

Thanks for responding! I think last generation should be ok for me, my monitor is 1080p and 60hz anyway. Replacing a computer that got damaged in house move rather than looking for massive upgrade. I had a couple questions if thats ok…
1) The PSU change - is that for the GOLD rating or wattage?
2) How much of an advantage is the 6650xt over the 3060rtx? I wouldn‘t mind the option to use cuda, but it’s not a deal breaker if the AMD card is much better pick.

With 60Hz in mind I wouldn't go for a GPU as high as the 6650XT to be honest. I chose the 6650XT based on value, but it presumed the monitor would be a gaming one rather than just a standard display. The 6500 probably has you covered and saves you some cash. The monitor is a real bottle neck to the setup. What sort of software are you using for development? If you would make use of the cuda cores the 3060 may well be worthwhile, but know that it's definitely not needed for gaming.

The change in PSU is to get you into a far better quality of PSU, with better warranty, silent operation and fully modular layout. It's significantly worthwhile.

 

[Neil123123]

With 60Hz in mind I wouldn't go for a GPU as high as the 6650XT to be honest. I chose the 6650XT based on value, but it presumed the monitor would be a gaming one rather than just a standard display. The 6500 probably has you covered and saves you some cash. The monitor is a real bottle neck to the setup. What sort of software are you using for development? If you would make use of the cuda cores the 3060 may well be worthwhile, but know that it's definitely not needed for gaming.

The change in PSU is to get you into a far better quality of PSU, with better warranty, silent operation and fully modular layout. It's significantly worthwhile.

Ok, that makes a lot of sense for the PSU.

In terms of development, mainly C++ with libraries like opencv, but cuda was to teach myself to use PyTorch - just out of my personal interest, I know you need a ridiculous powerful machine for anything remotely serious.

I have sort of got comfortable with 1080p / 60fps now, but I do like to turn the graphics quality options as high as possible.

One other question - what do you think of picking the ASUS strix b550-f gaming WiFi motherboard and getting rid of the separate WiFi card?

Thanks for your time!

 

[Scott]

There's little merit to the Strix. It's definitely a better board but you would be putting money into it that isn't really required for anything. The biggest benefit I guess is the on-board Wifi option, saves an additional card. If you're happy with that additional cash for that reason then it's a fair shout.