Fairly low spec gaming computer

[IFF]

Hi,

I'm trying to get a replacement for my old gaming computer. I will be using a 1920x1080 monitor and use it mostly for strategy games (Civ 6, Crusader Kigns III) and some shooters (Battlefield V, SW Battlefront 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, etc.). I'm not going for anything superfancy so I basically started with the pre-configured Fusion Lx. I'm comfortable with £800 mark but I'm willing to spend more if I can get good value for money or future-proof it a bit. So far I only upped the SSD but I have a few questions:

1. Couple of games recommend equivalent of AMD FX-8350 4.2GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X. Do you think Ryzen 3 will do the job? There seems to be a big price jump between 3 and 5 and the higher spec Ryzen 3 seems to be unavailable at the moment. I won't be doing any video editing on this.
2. Similarly, a few games require an 8GB graphics card - I was going to up it but not sure what's the difference between 8GB RX5500, 8GB RX580 (or any other 8GB for that matter)
3. So far I was plugging my desktop to the TV so if anyone can recommend a decent monitor and/or speakers that would be helpful.

Specs of the Fusion LX below with a customisable link. If you think I missed something feel free to suggest.

Thanks

Case
PCS P209 RGB MID TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 3 3100 Quad Core CPU (3.6GHz-3.9GHz/18MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME B450-PLUS (DDR4, USB 3.1, 6Gb/s) - RGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2666MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
4GB AMD RADEON™ RX 5500 XT - HDMI, DP, DX® 12
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)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 450W CV SERIES™ CV-450 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
PCS FrostFlow 80 Series High Performance CPU Cooler (AMD)
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
LED Lighting
50cm RGB LED Strip
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/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 - 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 Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Home Installation
NONE
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 7 to 9 working days
Price: £736.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/c5peW05sJg/

 

[fullofpenguions]

Hello,

If you can stretch a bit further finance-wise, this will handle 1080p gaming all the way up to 144hz comfortably. It'll also be a pretty handy work horse for Office, light video editing etc. This is a lovely 1080/144hz monitor https://www.msi.com/Monitor/Optix-Mag241c

If you could go a bit higher you could consider a bigger PSU like the TXm 750w or 850w that would help you future proof even more.

If you already have a copy of windows on your current PC, you might be able to transfer the licence to the new one, which would save you £100 too.

Case
FRACTAL FOCUS G BLACK GAMING CASE (Window)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Six Core CPU (3.8GHz-4.4GHz/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
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)
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 - 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)
Home Installation
NONE
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 7 to 9 working days
Price: £1,037.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/6qT9r8cQ8Y/

 

[IFF]

Ok thanks I see you upgraded the CPU to version 5 and the graphics card to a GeForce. I

might go ahead with this spec as it will give me some extra performance. ​

I will have to get new windows licence as my current computer is still on Windows 7 - it's been a while.

Also, thanks for the monitor tip - looks good. Regarding the processor cooler - I see you downgraded it. Does that make a difference in terms of noise? My current PC case has lots of fans and I do find it a little noisy.

Thanks

 

[fullofpenguions]

You might be able to upgrade your Windows 7 to windows 10 for free.

How to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free

Sorry, Microsoft finally closed this loophole in 2023.

www.theverge.com

I've got the 3600x and the stock cooler is decent. I find the Focus G case fans pretty quiet too. The box sits next to my desk and it's quiet even under load.

I've got that monitor and it is lovely. Just make sure you are using a DP cable to get the maximum 144hz performance. Mine only came with a HDMI, but they aren't expensive.