Gaming PC Specs

[brumel]

I basically know very little about hardware, so I'm trying to work out what I do really need. While I game a lot, I don't care about ultra graphics quality or 100s fps, since it'll be on my 22" monitor & I don't play fighting/ racing /shooting games.
So far, I prefer AMD & I'm debating whether I really need the Ryzen 7 or if 5 would be good enough. Then, I gather Nvidia's RTX graphics cards are best but I'm not sure they're worth it for me.
Only looking around, I can definitely get a lot more for my money by getting a custom build versus buying pre-built....

 

[Oussebon]

If you're playing on a low spec monitor (I assume your 22" is only 1080p 60hz) then you don't need an RTX card (or AMD's Navi), or a Ryzen R7. Your monitor would be the bottleneck to your gaming experience (i.e. you'd be buying expensive hardware and then not getting the benefits they provide

If you literally don't care about high framerate or good quality graphics settings, then under £800'll do it. And tbh still provide high framerate and high+ graphics in more than a few games.

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If you're thinking you might spend (meaningfully) more, get a better monitor that lets you appreciate what the better hardware can do. What sort of budget range were you thinking of?

 

[Scott]

By your description of use I would select the AMD 3600 paired with a 1660. If you wanted to push the boat out a little you could go for the 1660 Super but the normal version would be fine IMO.

 

[brumel]

If you're playing on a low spec monitor (I assume your 22" is only 1080p 60hz) then you don't need an RTX card (or AMD's Navi), or a Ryzen R7. What sort of budget range were you thinking of?

Well, I'm in a small flat & I don't see the point of spending hundreds of pounds to get a much bigger monitor.... Full HD on my little one, since I'm sat right in front of it, looks awesome!
The games I'm mostly playing are rpgs & they don't need fps of hundreds. Budget is up to 2 grand but if I can

 

[Oussebon]

The point of a better monitor isn't the size, it's resolution (and refresh rate).

Resolution = more pixels, so a sharper, more detailed image. Refresh rate = more image updates per second, so smoother motion. Even in RPGs. Also adaptive sync, which smooths out gaming through getting rid of tearing and reducing stutter.

Would 27" for a monitor be unreasonable? As it's only 5" more than what you currently have.

Better monitors tend to be a little larger, to let you appreciate the resolution more, and 27" is the sweet spot for 1440p. There are some 24" 1440p monitors too, though the choices are much more limited.

You could easily get a nice 1440p monitor, and the PC to go with it, for well under £2k.

 

[brumel]

I'm very happy with my current monitor, thanks.... With my XBox One, it's adjusted the refresh rate down a bit! I can always get another monitor later, if wanted.

 

[Oussebon]

Fair enough. Then don't spend more than about £800 tbh

If you were getting another monitor very soon it would make sense to get a better graphics card now - why spend ~£150 on a GPU for 1080p only to replace it with a £350 GPU after a month? - but if you're staying put at 1080p 60hz then you don't need an expensive system at all.

There's the spec I posted above.

You could also look at this is which a special offer PCS have for £661:

PCSPECIALIST - Custom Computers and Laptops Built to Order

PCSpecialist is a manufacturer of high quality custom computers and laptops. Configure your ideal computer in just a few simple steps with a broad range available.

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

In fact, what is your current system? Is it even worth buying a new one?

 

[brumel]

Fair enough. Then don't spend more than about £800 tbh

In fact, what is your current system? Is it even worth buying a new one?

My current system is an XBox One S.... It's quite possible that the PC would replace that, if it had all the games I'd want
I was expecting to have more storage in the PC, though. That was the biggest advantage to customizing here! For the same sort of price as a 1TB HDD & 256GB ssd in Curry's, I could have 3 & 1! With similar specs otherwise

 

[Oussebon]

The pre-configured PCS system is a set spec for a discount. So you can't change the spec there, without losing the discount.

But yes, it's a custom spec site, you can adapt the one I posted for instance to have as much storage as you need Click on the link and change the options as desired.

I wouldn't bother with a better CPU, or probably GPU, is my main point. Or loads of RAM, expensive cooling, a £120 case, etc...

 

[Scott]

This would be a very lavish build but would easily smash your requirements while staying miles inside your budget. It has loads of RGB goodness to keep everything looking pretty, if that's not your thing you could drop the cooler and the RAM to non-RGB equivalents. I would stick with the case though, and just disable the RGB.

The CPU is an amazing CPU, it will handle all levels of gaming and just about any other PC task you can think of.
1660 is a monster card for 1080p. It will be high fidelity and high frame rates, so is a bit of an overspend.... but it'll cover you for years at this sort of usage without ever needing to consider changing it until the monitor is being upgraded.
Storage is as you hinted. 1TB will hold the OS/Programs and a good handful of fast loading games. The 3TB will hold everything else.
I've selected a TXm PSU, better quality and it looks the part in that nice shiny case as it's modular.
The rest is fairly standard.

Case
CORSAIR iCUE 220T RGB AIRFLOW MID TOWER GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core CPU (3.6GHz-4.2GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)

Get 3 Months of XBOX Game Pass for PC w/ select AMD Ryzen CPUs
Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME B450-PLUS (DDR4, USB 3.1, 6Gb/s) - RGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
6GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1660 - HDMI, DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
1st Storage Drive
3TB SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 64MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB ADATA SX6000 Pro PCIe M.2 2280 (2100 MB/R, 1500 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
PCS FrostFlow 240 Series RGB High Performance Liquid Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
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
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® 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 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 7 to 9 working days
Price: £1,097.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/g49rAHtudN/

 

[Oussebon]

If going for that, swap to the WD Black SSD. It's much faster, and for some reason, almost the same price (£5 more)

 

[Scott]

That's a proper bargain. I thought the SX was a bargain as well, that's fantastic pricing on the WD.

Edit: Have they caught it? I can't see the WD M2.

 

[brumel]

Thanks, @Oussebon & @The_Scotster .... I was just coming to share a very similar build, actually!
Without all the lighty bits but that's easily adjusted. Don't see a WD Black ssd? Do you mean the Blue, that's half the storage?
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/configuration/ ?

 

[Oussebon]

They've removed it sadly. It was there, just under the Blue option in a slightly separate category, when I posted and for most of yesterday

 

[Scott]

You need to click "Continue" and then "Post to forum" to get the link for your build. We cannot see from the configuration link unfortunately.

I can't see the WD Black either. I'm thinking it was probably a pricing error so it has been removed.

 

[brumel]

I can't see the WD Black either. I'm thinking it was probably a pricing error so it has been removed.

Sounds like it. The other HDDs seem rather more expensive, which was why I settled on the 3TB. That'd leave some room to add another, which I should be able to manage myself, if needed, later on

PCSPECIALIST - Configure the AMD Am4 Gen3 PC to your ideal requirements.

PCSpecialist is an award-winning manufacturer of high quality custom PCs & Laptops. Configure the AMD Am4 Gen3 PC to your ideal requirements.

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

 

[Oussebon]

That link doesn't work (it doesn't work for us, it probably works for you).

Spec up the spec. Click proceed. Under the spec summary, click "Post to forum".

Then copy and paste the whole spec including the link at the bottom to the forums

 

[brumel]

Case
CORSAIR CARBIDE SERIES™ 275Q QUIET CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core CPU (3.6GHz-4.2GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)

Get 3 Months of XBOX Game Pass for PC w/ select AMD Ryzen CPUs
Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME B450-PLUS (DDR4, USB 3.1, 6Gb/s) - RGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
6GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1660 - HDMI, DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
1st Storage Drive
3TB SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 64MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB ADATA SX6000 Pro PCIe M.2 2280 (2100 MB/R, 1500 MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
NOT REQUIRED
Power Supply
CORSAIR 450W VS SERIES™ VS-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
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
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 - Supplied on USB Drive
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)
Monitor Cables
1 x 2 METRE GOLD PLATED V1.4 HDMI CABLE
Keyboard & Mouse
CoolerMaster Devastator III Combo Keyboard and Mouse
Speakers
LOGITECH Z200 2.0 SPEAKERS - 10W
Surge Protection
6 Socket 2m Surge Protector
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 7 to 9 working days
Price: £1,091.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/aWgDK4ttQv/
Mostly the same....

 

[Scott]

There isn't any point in the RGB RAM with that case and I think you said you didn't fancy it anyway.
I would advise the TXm PSU over the VS series. As much as you don't need the extra power, efficiency matters.... as does quality of the components. Additionally with it being modular there is less clutter in the case.
The frostflow cooler isn't a good idea, it's a waste of money. The stock cooler from AMD is fine, if you want to upgrade look at the Masterliquid 240 lite as a minimum.

With everything above changed.....

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/QVMyHZE9j5/

Edit: I would also choose the Focus G case. The quiet case is very closed off. The lights can be switched off anyway.

 

[Oussebon]

Agreed with all of the above.

If you're not bothered about high framerates or settings though, you can save on the GPU and stick to the RX 570. or the GTX 1650.

I don't think you can turn the (fixed white) LEDs on the Focus G off, can you?