Thoughts on this spec - gaming PC mostly for Zwift

S

StatesOfLogic

Member
Hi

I'm looking to get a new PC mostly so that I can run Zwift (cycling MMO) on it. But it's also because my PC is about 7 years old now, and has had it's day. (I tend to like to future proof new PC builds, and then keep them for a good while.)

In terms of graphics performance, Zwift isn't massively resource hungry, but I do want to connect it up to a 4K 43" Sony TV via HDMI and get as good a frame rate as possible.

I don't need a massive amount of storage (have a NAS and also plenty of 1-2TB HDDs about the place), so the main drive would be mainly for the OS. I've gone for SSD in this spec, but happy to consider M2 if there's an advantage to doing so.

Budget-wise I can probably go £100-£200 higher if there's a good reason to do so.

Appreciate people's thoughts on this. Many thanks

Rob

Spec in mind:
Case CORSAIR CARBIDE SERIES™ 200R COMPACT GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i5 Six Core Processor i5-8400 (2.8GHz) 9MB Cache
Motherboard Gigabyte Z370 HD3: ATX, LG1151, USB 3.1, SATA 6GBs - RGB Ready
Memory (RAM) 16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2133MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card 6GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1060 - DVI, HDMI, 3 x DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
1st Hard Disk 250GB Samsung 850 2.5" EVO SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (upto 540MB/sR | 520MB/sW)
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 Noctua NH-U14S Ultra Quiet Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste EK-TIM ECTOTHERM THERMAL COMPOUND
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 Options MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System Genuine Windows 10 Professional 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence
Operating System Language United Kingdom - English Language
Total Order Price £1,166.00
 
Oussebon

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
I've never heard of Zwift before (well, maybe by name, but no idea what it is game-wise) but a google turned up this:
https://zwiftinsider.com/4k-on-a-budget/

So a GTX 1060 6gb should give decent performance at 4k res, but you may prefer a 1070 for more headroom.

If a 1060 seems fine, then check the Engima review build here:
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/configure-review/237/
It's very similar to your build but has a faster SSD, the mobo has an extra M.2 slot, and a 1TB HDD and as it's a fixed-spec review build it has a built-in ~£130 discount. It's £999.

Unless you have a specific need of Pro, Windows 10 Home is fine and cheaper

For a build with a 1070, something like:


Case
GAME MAX FALCON BLACK GAMING CASE (RGB LED)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5 Six Core Processor i5-8400 (2.8GHz) 9MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME Z370-P: ATX, LGA1151, USB 3.1, SATA 6GBs
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3000MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1070 - DVI, HDMI, 3 x DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
1[SUP]st[/SUP] Hard Disk
NOT REQUIRED
1[SUP]st[/SUP] M.2 SSD Drive
256GB SAMSUNG PM961 M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 2800MB/R, 1100MB/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
Super Quiet Titan DragonFly Heatpipe Intel 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 Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Genuine 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® Office® 365
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 8 to 10 working days
Quantity
1

Price £1,263.00 including VAT and delivery

Unique URL to re-configure : https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/intel-z370-pc/Vw6RqKhnsF/


That link makes the 1070 look only a bit faster than the 1060 but actually it's a lot faster
 
S

StatesOfLogic

Member
Thanks, Oussebon. I really like your spec, not that much more than mine but looks worth it for the better graphics card.

I tend to pay the extra £30 for W10 Pro just so I can use Bitlocker and also have access to a few more settings. Not a showstopper to not have it, but all things considered I think I prefer the bespoke spec over the off-the-shelf on so I may as well have it.

I don't know much about gaming cases. The one in the spec looks fine to me, but are they generaly all much of a muchness for future upgrade of installed components?
 
Oussebon

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
Bitlocker is a good enough for me :) Also Wind 10 Pro seems a lot cheaper on PCS than trying to buy one's own copy.

"Gaming" is pretty much a marketing term and best ignored while you take cases on their own merits. The Game Max Falcon has a very good set of features, plenty of room for upgrades, and very good cooling performance especially for the price point.

Whereas its neighbour in the configurator, the SHARKOON VG4-W GAMING CASE, isn't one I'd really recommend to anyone given the alternatives.

The Corsair 200R is fine too ofc, though if you prefer a neutral aesthetic and don't mind paying a new more £ for quality the Fractal Define S (£79) is excellent and helps dampen noise as well.
 
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