New PC Build Help Please

Gyro1780

Member
Hi all.

I bought a new custom desktop PC from PC Specialist back in 2014. I wasn't sure exactly what i needed so i asked for help here to configure my PC. Would it be possible for someone to help me with the spec again please?

I'm looking at getting a new PC as i'm still running WIN7 Home & after 8 years i feel it's time for an upgrade.

My current PC is:

Processor: AMD FX 6350 Six-Core Processor 3.90GHz
RAM: 16gb
System: 64-bit Operating System
Hard Drive Storage: 2tb

My total price range would be up to a maximum of £2000. I would need to get a new monitor with tilt (my current monitor doesn't tilt & gives me neck ache) & no smaller than 24" so this would need to be included in the price. I don't need a keyboard or mouse.

I'm not completely sure what i need but i'm looking for a more powerful PC/upgrade on my current PC.

I really like the Corsair cases with the 3 multi-coloured fans so i would like to start with one of these cases.

Windows 11 as i'm still using Windows 7

Not sure whether to choose Intel or AMD again?

I would like Microsoft Office if it's a one-off payment. I don't want to be paying each month for something i only occasionally use. I only really used Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

I'm into my music production (FL Studio etc) so need a PC best suited to running all the VST's & sample packs.
I have a large collection of Music & Photos. I spend most of my time collecting music & taking photos, so i need plenty of storage space. I need plenty of USB sockets (maybe 8 or 10) as i have 4 external hard drives & i have a wireless keyboard & mouse.
I also need an internal card reader as i use this for the memory cards in my camera & my ZX Spectrum Vega

I don't need a gaming PC as i no longer play games. The only games i play are Forge Of Empires & other free online games from Addicting games etc.

I watch a lot of movies/videos online & i have Netflix so i want a PC best suited to streaming videos.

I would like a 4tb internal hard drive for storage (Western Digital if possible as i've always used these) otherwise a 2tb will be fine


I think that's all i needed to mention? If i have missed something, please ask?

I really hope someone is able to help me configure a PC & any help is very much appreciated.

Many thanks
Darren
 
Last edited:

Scott

Behold The Ford Mondeo
Moderator
£100 over budget but covers all your needs and uses very nicely. It's also a massive upgrade to your current system.

Unfortunately the office available on PCS is a subscription one, although yearly. If you want a stand alone version I think you need to purchase Office 2016 :)

Case
CORSAIR iCUE 5000X RGB MID TOWER GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i5 10-Core Processor i5-12600K (3.7GHz) 20MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING Z690-PLUS WIFI D4 (LGA1700, USB 3.2, PCIe 5.0) - ARGB Ready
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3600MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
6GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1660 SUPER - HDMI, DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6900MB/R, 5000MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB INTEL® 670p M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 3500MB/sR | 2500MB/sW)
1st Storage Drive
3TB SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 64MB CACHE
Memory Card Reader
USB 3.0 EXTERNAL SD/MICRO SD CARD READER
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair iCUE H100i RGB PRO XT Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
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 [KUK-00003]
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
Google Chrome™
Monitor
ASUS TUF GAMING VG27AQZ 27"
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 6 to 8 working days
Price: £2,100.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/intel-z690-pc/Km2TGrqwf3/
 

Gyro1780

Member
@ Scott... Would i be ok to add these?

PCS ARGB GRAPHICS CARD SUPPORT BRACKET

24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER +R/+RW/RAM

3x Corsair LL120 RGB LED Fan + Controller Kit (£55)
(my home gets very hot in the summer so would like some extra fans. Are these suitable with the build you set up for me? If not which ones please - preferably the multi-coloured LEDs ones)

Thanks again
 

B4zookaw

VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
  • I'd go with the plain support bracket personally, removing the RGB is one less thing to plug into the motherboard and have to manage with a seperate piece of software.
  • That case won't allow any DVD drives, most cases don't support drives, little demand for them these days.
  • No harm, and at least with all Corsair fans you'll be able to control via iCUE and not seperate software.
 

Gyro1780

Member
  • I'd go with the plain support bracket personally, removing the RGB is one less thing to plug into the motherboard and have to manage with a seperate piece of software.
  • That case won't allow any DVD drives, most cases don't support drives, little demand for them these days.
  • No harm, and at least with all Corsair fans you'll be able to control via iCUE and not seperate software.
Thank you for the reply @ IRLRobinS

1: So plain support bracket instead of the RGB

2: I have a huge collection of CD albums that i plan to rip to a new PC. I also like to watch DVDs on my PC. What is my best option please? An external DVD drive?

3: So adding the 3x Corsair LL120 RGB LED Fan + Controller Kit (£55) will be plenty of cooling for this new spec?
 

B4zookaw

VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
  1. That's what I would choose, but if you love "unicorn spew", going with ARGB version wouldn't be an issue
  2. Yes, an external drive would be your only option. There's a couple of cases on the PCS configurator that supports drives, but you'd be compromising on so many aspects that it would be the wrong approach imo
  3. Plenty, you'll have the three that come with case, the two that come with the AIO cooler, potentially one rear exhaust that PCS add in and the three additional LL120s. The only thing to note is that although all the fans bar rear exhaust will be Corsair fans, they're different models (SP120 for case, ML120 for AIO and LL120 for additional fans) so they'll all look different from an RGB perspective. But you'll be able to control them all via iCUE, which is perferable.
 

Gyro1780

Member
  1. That's what I would choose, but if you love "unicorn spew", going with ARGB version wouldn't be an issue
  2. Yes, an external drive would be your only option. There's a couple of cases on the PCS configurator that supports drives, but you'd be compromising on so many aspects that it would be the wrong approach imo
  3. Plenty, you'll have the three that come with case, the two that come with the AIO cooler, potentially one rear exhaust that PCS add in and the three additional LL120s. The only thing to note is that although all the fans bar rear exhaust will be Corsair fans, they're different models (SP120 for case, ML120 for AIO and LL120 for additional fans) so they'll all look different from an RGB perspective. But you'll be able to control them all via iCUE, which is perferable.
Thank you very much for your advice.
 
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