Do i need knowledge of Desktops to order?

[14MGP]

Hi all,

I wanted to make this thread as im keen to order my first ever gaming desktop , after years of low end gaming on standard HP laptop.

I saw a post on here somebody kindly wrote about what you need/should know before thinking about ordering a custom PC. (Thanks for that)

What I wanted to ask is that do I need to have a certain knowledge (if so how much) on computers before ordering a custom one? I have limited if not 0 knowledge on configuring a computer, including when to update and what to update in the future.

Although im taking it upon myself to learn these things, before I make such an investment I just wanted to make sure if it is the right move? or if I should start small and order a already manufactured one from a retailer..

Thank you.

 

[Grumpywurzel]

I guess if you start at the basics really- your budget, what you actually want from the system i.e.type of games AAA titles or VR stuff, if you do any streaming or hardcore video/graphics work. Also if you include any equipment that you might already have and their spec- monitors etc. Then the experts on here can help you.

 

[14MGP]

Thanks for the reply.

So I have posted before about the spec and was kindly given the below. Im just dubious about being overwhelmed with having to a lot of technical stuff once Iv ordered it. which is why I thought if ask the above.


Case
CORSAIR 275R AIRFLOW TEMPERED GLASS GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core CPU (3.6GHz-4.2GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME B450-PLUS (DDR4, USB 3.1, 6Gb/s) - RGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 SUPER - HDMI
1st Storage Drive
1TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 64MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
NOT REQUIRED
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-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)
Wireless/Wired Networking
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
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Supplied on USB Drive
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
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 12 to 14 working days
Price: £946.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/hTPSuWKZP2/

 

[Tony1044]

Thanks for the reply.

So I have posted before about the spec and was kindly given the below. Im just dubious about being overwhelmed with having to a lot of technical stuff once Iv ordered it. which is why I thought if ask the above.

Hiya

What do you mean when you say overwhelmed with technical stuff?

There's a general perception that you need to be a bit more technically capable when buying and using a custom PC but I see it actually the other way around, in that if you buy an off the shelf PC made by the likes of HP or Dell or Lenovo, you tend to get a load of rubbish that they install to "add value" which can actually muddy the waters. When you buy from PC Specialist there is none of that rubbish.

When Microsoft launched WIndows 7 they were rightly praised for how they made it look, feel and behave. Windows 8 was a travesty where they tried to force a tablet like interface onto a desktop and it simply did not work well or intuitively.

With Windows 10, you are very much back to the look and feel of Windows 7. There are still a few odd design decisions in there but they tend to be more jarring for people like myself that tend to dig into things and know where they would previously be.

Otherwise it is generally clean and easy to use.

Anything you're not sure of, the good folks here can usually assist. Leaving automatic updates enabled and using the inbuilt antivirus software (Windows Defender) will also add to the streamlined nature of Windows.

There's always going to be "technical" stuff that needs to be understood but again, the people here are friendly.

 

[14MGP]

Thanks for the detailed response Tony - apologies for not being very clear.

I guess im just a bit apprehensive in investing in something that I may not be able to maintain. The main reason I wrote this was because I read the article by spyder I believe, who kindly mentioned a few things that you should know before ordering a custom PC. And I wasn't sure if I would be better ordering an ''off the shelf pc'' against a custom one. But going by what you say I may be better off?

This may be a bit of a million dollar question, but once the pc is set up, what would be the next stages in terms of making sure it is running properly?

Apologies in advance for such basic questions, but as I mentioned in the first post this is all completely new to me.

Thanks again.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Just wanted to say, my suggestion that a custom PC would need maintenance was more aimed at the performance build end of the market, I will add an amendment to the thread to state that.

With a performance machine, to keep it running optimally, you have to reinstall quite often rather than upgrading the OS in place, with that comes driver management and stuff.

If it’s a general office PC or home use PC, that is far less the case. Our home use PC which is used for general internet and office applications hasn’t ever been reinstalled and still works admirably (couple of very basic troubleshooting things have happened in that time but only literally a couple).

My apologies, that’s completely my fault for not having been clearer in that thread.

 

[14MGP]

Hi Spyder,

Thank you for responding to this post - and for the clarification.

I wanted the above spec mainly for gaming (non competitive) so do you think what you said would still apply to this build?

 

[Tony1044]

Totally agree with what Spyder just said - there are two extremes here: One is the power user/seriously hardcore gamer: these folks tend to understand the nuts and bolts of their systems, will order exactly what they need and tune it to within an inch of its life. They also know how to stay on top of that maintenance and will do so willingly and usually with gusto.

Then there's the other end of the spectrum. People who would tend to use a tablet, for example, because it works for a bit of web browsing and email.

Most people fall somewhere in between.

Windows by and large is self-maintaining for most people: It updates itself on or shortly after every second Tuesday of the month (so-called "patch Tuesday"). If there is a severe enough problem (a really bad security vulnerability found for example), Microsoft occasioally send down an additional patch/patches (known as an out-of-band patch in the business).

Every six months, Microsoft release a new version of Windows but these days they no longer force you to take them until the version you're on is no longer in support (around 18 months). Again though, although most of us here would suggest a fresh install, it's normally ok for most people to allow them to just happen).

Microsoft Defender will check for updates nightly.

Honestly, on the whole, there's not a massive amount to worry about doing from a general. day-to-day basis. The guys here will also be able to help if you have any queries.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Totally agree with what Spyder just said - there are two extremes here: One is the power user/seriously hardcore gamer: these folks tend to understand the nuts and bolts of their systems, will order exactly what they need and tune it to within an inch of its life. They also know how to stay on top of that maintenance and will do so willingly and usually with gusto.

Then there's the other end of the spectrum. People who would tend to use a tablet, for example, because it works for a bit of web browsing and email.

Most people fall somewhere in between.

Windows by and large is self-maintaining for most people: It updates itself on or shortly after every second Tuesday of the month (so-called "patch Tuesday"). If there is a severe enough problem (a really bad security vulnerability found for example), Microsoft occasioally send down an additional patch/patches (known as an out-of-band patch in the business).

Every six months, Microsoft release a new version of Windows but these days they no longer force you to take them until the version you're on is no longer in support (around 18 months). Again though, although most of us here would suggest a fresh install, it's normally ok for most people to allow them to just happen).

Microsoft Defender will check for updates nightly.

Honestly, on the whole, there's not a massive amount to worry about doing from a general. day-to-day basis. The guys here will also be able to help if you have any queries.

That’s the take away, we’re all here to help out should you run into any difficulties. There will be a little learning curve, but it really isn’t anything that you’ll find difficult, and once you see what changes when you need to do these little things, it will naturally increase your adeptness with windows. It’s a natural learning curve as soon as you get into windows gaming. It will release the beast in you, I guarantee it with regards to looking for better better better and modding. It’s all good fun.

 

[Scott]

I could be mistaken but I believe the advice given regarding a custom PC would actually apply to any PC. Custom is just specifically mentioned because this is what PCS sell.

If you bought a high end "off the shelf" PC, you would maintain it exactly the same way as a custom PC. There is literally no difference, other than you get to specify the bits in it.

When you get to the extreme high end, with open loop cooling.... etc.... it gets a bit muddy. But that's your extremist users that are already way past purchasing off a shelf.

 

[Grumpywurzel]

As longer as you make sure that, Windows is set to update itself and you have the latest drivers installed, then really you "shouldn't" get any real issues. I've been out of the PC game for about 6 or 7 years but prior to that i was a proper tweaker and would mess about (without really knowing what i was doing!) with various settings.... Thankfully these days it's a lot easier (and quicker) to do a fresh install to get all of your stuff back working.

 

[ubuysa]

Windows by and large is self-maintaining for most people: It updates itself on or shortly after every second Tuesday of the month (so-called "patch Tuesday"). If there is a severe enough problem (a really bad security vulnerability found for example), Microsoft occasioally send down an additional patch/patches (known as an out-of-band patch in the business).

Every six months, Microsoft release a new version of Windows but these days they no longer force you to take them until the version you're on is no longer in support (around 18 months). Again though, although most of us here would suggest a fresh install, it's normally ok for most people to allow them to just happen).

I agree with all of this but with a big caution....

Microsoft updates (and upgrades to new versions) expect to find a stable and clean system. If the user messes around without fully understanding what they're doing; like trying 'fixes' for apparent problems from any old website, running a registry cleaner, tune-up tools, driver finder/installer, trying to install ancient old or non-standard drivers by using compatibility mode to get a device that Windows 10 doesn't support working, and a whole host of other unwise and unsupported tools and techniques, then Windows update (and upgrade) will quite often run into problems. Even if there are no obvious issues users find that little niggly problems crop up after a few days - for which they try 'fixes' from any old website again....!

Windows works. If you are not very sure of what you're doing then please don't mess about with it. Just use it and you'll be (usually) fine.

 

[Grumpywurzel]

I agree with all of this but with a big caution....

Microsoft updates (and upgrades to new versions) expect to find a stable and clean system. If the user messes around without fully understanding what they're doing; like trying 'fixes' for apparent problems from any old website, running a registry cleaner, tune-up tools, driver finder/installer, trying to install ancient old or non-standard drivers by using compatibility mode to get a device that Windows 10 doesn't support working, and a whole host of other unwise and unsupported tools and techniques, then Windows update (and upgrade) will quite often run into problems. Even if there are no obvious issues users find that little niggly problems crop up after a few days - for which they try 'fixes' from any old website again....!

Windows works. If you are not very sure of what you're doing then please don't mess about with it. Just use it and you'll be (usually) fine.

Thats exactly what i used to do....... lost count of the number of times i would be off scurrying around looking for my Windows install discs😭

 

[14MGP]

Thanks everyone for such a great response - baring it all in mind im going to make the plunge and order! I think I would continue to regret it if I didn't.


Thank you once again.