Hastily configured

[Grimbold]

Looks like the graphics card died on my 12 yr old, "never skipped a beat", PC Specialist desktop. I'll look into what's occurred (any tips on where to start diagnostics welcome - I've got output, but blank screens). But it's my main business machine, so I can't afford to hang around. More likely I'll buy a new one (using my laptop for the next few days) and then try to fix the old one as a backup, and learn a load of stuff about graphics cards in the meantime. I'm looking for an office PC, heavy on Zoom for training,and Vlog editing, with headroom for casual gaming. Any comments on the spec I've quickly thrown together for starters. [Been a long and stressful day!!].

 

[Grimbold]

Hang on - I thought it would include the spec.

 

[Grimbold]

Case
CORSAIR 5000D AIRFLOW TEMPERED GLASS GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 12-Core Processor i7-12700 (Up to 4.9GHz) 25MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME B760M-K D4 (mATX, LGA1700, DDR4, PCIe 4.0)
Memory (RAM)
16GB PCS PRO DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3050 - HDMI, DP, LHR
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2200 MB/R, 1500 MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W CX SERIES™ CX-550 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
DeepCool AK400 Performance CPU Cooler ZERO DARK
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy Rx
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT 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
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 5 to 7 working days
Price: £1,129.00 including VAT and Delivery

 

[SpyderTracks]

Yeah, if it's 12 years old, there's no real point in replacing the GPU really.

An AMD build would be far better in all areas.

What make and model monitor are you using?

What kinds of games do you play?

 

[Grimbold]

Yeah, if it's 12 years old, there's no real point in replacing the GPU really.

An AMD build would be far better in all areas.

What make and model monitor are you using?

What kinds of games do you play?

Thanks. I have an Iiyama P2791Q, and then an old Samsung 20" [DVI etc, not HDMI] as my second display. [I have the option of using a second one of those IIyamas - currently in store- if I had the desk space]. Games are fairly modest - i.e. not real time shooters for example - so all the Total War titles, Anno 1800, Stellaris, and some sports manager games. Looking to buy 'Last Train Home', since I studied the bizarre history behind it. Very interested to get your take on a comparable (or just proportionate to needs) AMD build. Main spec determinant is need to run Zoom sessions for large groups, with good graphics and stability at my end, and to simultaneously run and share Powerpoint or Videos, to share with participants. [Quite a lot of camera, mic, headset permutations to juggle) Also future proofing against doing more Vlogging and using an editor like Filmora. Also - fast boot up when I'm cutting it fine for a meeting, and quiet to reduce background noise when online/recording.

Thanks again for your interest and help. I think I remember you helping out with my laptop build back in 2020 !

best,

Grim.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Thanks. I have an Iiyama P2791Q, and then an old Samsung 20" [DVI etc, not HDMI] as my second display. [I have the option of using a second one of those IIyamas - currently in store- if I had the desk space]. Games are fairly modest - i.e. not real time shooters for example - so all the Total War titles, Anno 1800, Stellaris, and some sports manager games. Looking to buy 'Last Train Home', since I studied the bizarre history behind it. Very interested to get your take on a comparable (or just proportionate to needs) AMD build. Main spec determinant is need to run Zoom sessions for large groups, with good graphics and stability at my end, and to simultaneously run and share Powerpoint or Videos, to share with participants. [Quite a lot of camera, mic, headset permutations to juggle) Also future proofing against doing more Vlogging and using an editor like Filmora. Also - fast boot up when I'm cutting it fine for a meeting, and quiet to reduce background noise when online/recording.

Thanks again for your interest and help. I think I remember you helping out with my laptop build back in 2020 !

best,

Grim.

Well you're rather restricted by budget in terms of what you can get, so the best futureproofing you can do is be on an AMD platform as that is open for future CPUs to be slotted in.

But at the budget, you can just about manage an entry level 1080p system, you'd be able to run 1440p but obviously only by heavily reducing settings in games.

Then when you have some spare cash you can upgrade the GPU to something 1440p and editing suitable (and perhaps the processor too if it's required)

 

[Grimbold]

Well you're rather restricted by budget in terms of what you can get, so the best futureproofing you can do is be on an AMD platform as that is open for future CPUs to be slotted in.

But at the budget, you can just about manage an entry level 1080p system, you'd be able to run 1440p but obviously only by heavily reducing settings in games.

Then when you have some spare cash you can upgrade the GPU to something 1440p and editing suitable (and perhaps the processor too if it's required)

How about this? I've actually gone down in budget?! It feels unbalanced, but I'm pretty ignorant about AMD. Can you spot any obvious flaws? [I have maybe a couple of hundred in headroom].

Case
FRACTAL POP SILENT CASE TG (BLACK)
Promotional Item
Get a discount code for 20% off select peripherals at Corsair.com
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 7 5700 Eight Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.6GHz/20MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
GIGABYTE B550M DS3H (mATX, DDR4, AM4, PCIe 4.0)
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
2GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GT 730 - DVI, HDMI, VGA
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (3500 MB/R, 3200 MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W CX SERIES™ CX-550 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
Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy Rx
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

 

[TonyCarter]

This is probably as low as I’d go for a 1080p build.

Uses latest AMD platform, so there’s support for a CPU upgrade at some point, and a bit of room for a GPU upgrade later…although if the budget allows, I’d prefer a beefier PSU and 2 SSDs (very fast one for boot/apps, other slightly slower one for games only).

Case
FRACTAL POP SILENT CASE TG (BLACK)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 7600 Six Core CPU (4.0GHz-5.2GHz/38MB CACHE/AM5)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING B650-PLUS WIFI (AM5, DDR5, PCIe 4.0, Wi-Fi 6)
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR5 5200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
8GB AMD RADEON™ RX 6600 - HDMI, DP - DX® 12
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SOLIDIGM P44 PRO GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 7000MB/sR, 6500MB/sW)
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
DeepCool AK400 Performance CPU Cooler ZERO DARK
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
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 Standard Warranty (6 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 5 to 7 working days
Price:
£1,108.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure:
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am5-pc/YdruNzWTB4/

 

[Scott]

Totally agree, another £100 would make for a far more ideal system.

Case
CORSAIR 4000D AIRFLOW TEMPERED GLASS GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 7600 Six Core CPU (4.0GHz-5.2GHz/38MB CACHE/AM5)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING B650-PLUS WIFI (AM5, DDR5, PCIe 4.0, Wi-Fi 6)
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 5600MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
8GB AMD RADEON™ RX 6600 - HDMI, DP - DX® 12
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 SOLIDIGM P41+ GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 4125MB/sR, 2950MB/sW)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead, 1.0mm Core)
Processor Cooling
DeepCool AK400 Performance CPU Cooler ZERO DARK
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
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 5 to 7 working days
Price: £1,236.00 including VAT and Delivery

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