New gaming PC wanted

M

michaelcooke416

Member
Hi I’ve priced up this pc for combined gaming (mainly Fortnite) video editing and normal web browsing/office work.
can anyone advise if it’s ok?
I’m also tempted to go for this but I’d rather buy it from here if the one I’ve quoted is better??


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Case

PCS SR-628B RGB GAMING CASE

Processor (CPU)

Intel® Core™ i7 Eight Core Processor i7-9700K (3.6GHz) 12MB Cache

Motherboard

ASUS® ROG STRIX Z390-F GAMING: ATX, LGA1151, USB 3.1, SATA 6GBs - RGB Ready

Memory (RAM)

16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2400MHz (2 x 8GB)

Graphics Card

8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2060 SUPER - HDMI, DP - VR Ready!

1st Storage Drive

2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE

1st M.2 SSD Drive

512GB 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 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

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 [KUK-00001]

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 Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)

Delivery

STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)

Build Time

Standard Build - Approximately 6 to 8 working days

Welcome Book

PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland

Price: £1,363.00 including VAT and Delivery
 
Oussebon

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
michaelcooke416 said:
but I’d rather buy it from here if the one I’ve quoted is better??
Click to expand...
I think you can do better than either.

What monitor are you gaming on? What resolution and refresh rate? Or if you don't know, what is the model number, usually written on the back :)

Will help suggest alternatives.
 
M

michaelcooke416

Member
I haven’t actually got a proper gaming monitor yet. At the moment I’ve just got a standard LG HD monitor. The gaming side is for my 8yr old son who plays x box at the moment and he wants to start streaming and editing videos.
I’m going to get the monitor later.
 
Oussebon

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
When are you planning to get the monitor for it, and how much will the budget be? :)

Apols for the questions, but it does matter to the spec to ensure things are balanced - making sure you're not under or over spending.

Tbh it's very likely you could get a decent system for gaming, streaming, and editing, and the monitor for ~£1350 or so.
 
Oussebon

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
I wrote a guide here:

Gaming Monitors Guide

The monitor is probably the most important component in any gaming build – it defines how you experience games and the hardware the PC should have. Overlooking the monitor can be the single biggest bottleneck to your gaming experience. With recent monitor and graphics card launches, and wider...
www.pcspecialist.co.uk www.pcspecialist.co.uk
which as well as giving an outline of monitor specs lists some models.

The very short version is that if your son is a competitive Fortnite player, they will probably play on a ~24" 1080p 144hz monitor with the settings turned down to low, except presumably view distance. These kinds of monitors are typically ~£200, though there's a range of ~£150-£400. You can get 240hz monitors circa £300, though that's a little niche.

If your son plays because it's fun, but isn't ultra competitive and also enjoys other games, then there are 1440p 144hz monitors - range £220-£600, many around £350-£400, but a couple of decent budget options around £220-£250.

1440p is 2560 x 1440 pixels (vs 1080p's 1920 x 1080), so sharper, more detailed image.
 
Oussebon

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
To suggest a PC spec:

Case
COOLERMASTER MASTERBOX K500 RGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 7 3700X Eight Core CPU (3.6GHz-4.4GHz/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
8GB AMD RADEON™ RX 5700 - HDMI, DP - DX® 12

down_right_arrow.gif
Get 3 Months of XBOX Game Pass for PC w/ select AMD Radeon Graphics

down_right_arrow.gif
Ghost Recon: Breakpoint -OR- Borderlands 3 w/ select AMD Radeon GPUs
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB ADATA SX6000 Pro PCIe M.2 2280 (2100 MB/R, 1500 MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
NOT REQUIRED
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W VS SERIES™ VS-550 POWER SUPPLY
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
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 [KUK-00001]
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 Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 6 to 8 working days
Price: £1,169.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/d8XTPwPvrq/


R7 3700x is an 8 core CPU but unlike the 9700k also has 'hyperthreading' which can give it an advantage in streaming. Also as an overall package, it's cheaper than Intel. AMD's 3000 series CPUs are excellent.
Different case with mesh on the front panel to help improve airflow
RX 5700 is quite a bit cheaper than the RTX 2060 Super, and only a little slower, generally outperforming the RTX 2060 (non-Super).
The 5700 is a good fit for either 1080p or 1440p high refresh gaming.
The stock cooler is fine. ideally I'd get the Cooler Master Lite 240 or the 240 RGB one. But the stock cooler will do.

And would save enough / nearly enough for a decent monitor too.
 
M

michaelcooke416

Member
I’ve looked online and the reviews suggest that the i7 is much better and also a better way to future proof the PC for any upgrades later down the line. Also this is the first time anyone has suggested to me that the ryzen is better for streaming?
I think I’d prefer to stick with an intel system.
 
SpyderTracks

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
Intel have lost the crown to AMD for most uses, intel are years behind AMD now both for price and performance. The 3700x is vastly superior to the i7 for your uses.
 
Oussebon

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
michaelcooke416 said:
I’ve looked online and the reviews suggest that the i7 is much better and also a better way to future proof the PC for any upgrades later down the line
Click to expand...
I think anyone claiming that is behind the times. Badly.

The i7 9700k and R7 3700x are similar performers in games, with the i7 having a slight lead. In the systems you've presented, that lead also gets eroded by the slower memory versus the Ryzen system.

The futureproofing for upgrades thing is baloney of the highest order. The Intel 1151 platform is a dead platform, with Intel's next CPUs due to come out on a new socket. They will not be compatible with 1151 motherboards.

AMD's next iteration of CPUs, the 4000 series, are expected to be compatible with existing AM4 B450+ motherboards.

Moreover, the R7 3700x is a 16 thread CPU versus the i7's 8 threads. If future games become more demanding on more cores, as has gradually been the case and will likely accelerate given 6-cores being mainstream since 2017, the additional threads of the R7 will give it an advantage.

This is why i7s have had a niche over i5s in the past, because i7s had hyperthreading. Then Intel decided to lop hyperthreading off its i7 lineup (though the i7 does have 2 more cores over i5). But Intel's next i7 CPUs will have hyperthreading, as will its next i5 CPUs. This should tell you all you need to know about how 'futureproof' an i7 9700k with no hyperthreading is. If Intel are adding it back in, it's because the CPUs will need it to be competitive... However, those won't be compatible with your motherboard. So your 9700k and Z390 motherboard, should you buy them, would not be futureproof there...

michaelcooke416 said:
Also this is the first time anyone has suggested to me that the ryzen is better for streaming?
Click to expand...
The 'hyperthreading' (SMT) on the Ryzen CPUs let it do more maths at the same time. Streaming is encoding video while also running a game. Encoding video is asking the CPU to do maths.

Whoever suggested the i7 9700k is both more futureproof and better for streaming was unfortunately mistaken, trolling, pulling your leg, or some combination.
 
Last edited:
Oussebon

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
As above

If you're aiming for 1080p 144hz gaming, the RTX 2060 (non-super) is generously more than enough, as is the RX 5700 which is more powerful than the 2060. Especially for games like Fortnite which don't need outrageous GPU horsepower to push high framerates (especially at low settings you use if a competitive gamer)

For 1440p, the RX 5700 or RTX 2060 Super are both solid choices. RX 5700 offers better value, though the 2060 Super does carry a premium for a little extra performance overall. However, if that premium stops you short of buying a decent monitor, you end up with a worse gaming experience overall.

Whatever you buy, make sure it is a good pairing for the monitor - not too little, not too much. :)
 
Oussebon

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
Why a 4k monitor?

4k has 2 issues - 1) it needs very powerful and expensive hardware to run games at 4k and 2) unless you're spending £800-2000 on the monitor, the refresh rate is only 60hz. You want a higher refresh rate if you play Fortnite and such.

If fortnite is a major focus of gaming, you want 1080p or 1440p with a high refresh rate.

The high refresh rate makes motion more fluid, reduces input lag, and makes the game more responsive and easier to shoot opponents.

If fortnite isn't a main focus of gaming, but open world / RPG/ Adventure games like Witcher 3, Assassin's Creed, Tomb Raider are, you will want an RTX 2080 Super to play them at 4k at high settings. Which is £300-£400 on top of the 2060 Super, plus the monitor.
 
M

michaelcooke416

Member
Tbh I don’t really know what I want.
I want a good PC that he isn’t going to need to have upgraded or need to buy a new one in a years time when he starts playing different games. I’ll just go for a 1440 high refresh rate monitor if that’s all that’s needed with the Ryzen 7
 
Oussebon

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
If you want a personal opinion, I think that a 1440p 144hz monitor is your best option for gaming overall, and the most futureproof spec.

4k is unaffordable without having very deep pockets, and has trade-offs as above.

1080p has a role for competition-level gamers playing twitch shooters. But it is a little entry-level these days, while 1440p gives you a higher resolution (sharper, more detailed image) while still being relatively affordable and allowing for decent framerates. It is the sweet spot :)

And a decent GPU today should run games at 1440p for a while without needing an upgrade, as long as you play high/very high and don't crank it all to ultra. Ultra is an expensive word! :)

Of course, one day you will need to upgrade the graphics card to run newer games at higher settings (say every ~3 years for very enthusiastic gamers who like high settings). And when that day comes, a 1440p GPU shouldn't be monstrously expensive. For 4k gaming, you'll need to upgrade the graphics card much sooner, more frequently, and those things really are rather expensive!
 
Oussebon

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
I'd recommend something along the lines of the spec I posted above, and one of the 1440p 144hz monitors, with freesync.

There are some around the £220-£250 mark in the guide I linked:

Gaming Monitors Guide

The monitor is probably the most important component in any gaming build – it defines how you experience games and the hardware the PC should have. Overlooking the monitor can be the single biggest bottleneck to your gaming experience. With recent monitor and graphics card launches, and wider...
www.pcspecialist.co.uk www.pcspecialist.co.uk

otherwise some of the nicer ones are £350-£400, some more.

The monitor will probably last at least as long as the PC will in terms of usefulness, so can be worth a bit of an investment.
 
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