New gaming PC build - suggestions welcomed

Vadersoul

Vadersoul

Vadersoul

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Joined
27 Nov 2011
Posts
106
First PC I am building in about 6 years... looking for this one to last just as long.

Have built it as best I could, I welcome any suggestions including places where I have built inefficiently (getting higher spec parts when I don't need them, what similar and cost-effective alternatives there are etc)

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Selected as I want 16GB, I am not sold on DDR4 vs DDR3 and welcome any input, there are more economic options in DDR3 after all
I had around £300 to spend and from what I can see, this is the best 6GB card in that price range, can't see a strong enough argument to go to 1070, since even the 1080 compares at a shrug not far off the 1060
New to M.2, fine in changing this to a regular SSD if needed
Seems like the best 1151 ATX board for the money, could pay a bit more but seems like this is a good deal for the money
Not really fussed on the CPU but wanted the best i7 I could find and this seems to hit the mark. This will be for gaming and to some degree a lot of the hard work is done by the GPU, welcome to suggestions and ideas on if an i7 is overkill or not
Want a 144Hz refresh screen, 24inch is big enough I reckon so this seems best suited for me?
Good Full Tower case, seems to work and not that fussed for this part since not into displaying or modding
Not fussed on coolers, as long as they work but I hear this would be better than one £10/or so cheaper
I rated the build, comes in about 350w so this should be sufficent

Total: £1,205.69 (includes shipping: £15.90)
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This would be a better way to go if you want an Intel cpu. Only an i5 but it is a 6 core vs the 4 core i7 in your list and it is the current chipset. Also that i7 6700K needs a different chipset board. The B360 is for the 8th gen cpu's.

Gone with an RX 580 which is on par with a GTX 1060 and a Freesync 144Hz monitor. Not sure what cables you get with the screen but Display Port will give you the best quality and the higher refresh rate.

You will probably want to add an extra fan or two for the front as this case only has one rear pre-installed.

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £1,214.97 (includes shipping: £14.10)
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OP, take note of what lee32uk has listed, it seems from your list and things you have written you don't really have much of a clue about modern hardware, which is why this forum is here to help you.

You really are not going to benefit with 144Hz + GTX 1060 and an Intel CPU since the bottle neck is going to be the GPU not the CPU, therefore I would strongly recommend looking at the Ryzen 5 2600 or 2600X CPU, with the matching board and RAM to go with it saving a decent amount of money and offering some upgrade options in the future should you wish to take advantage of that.

If you want a system spec put together based on my suggestion please just ask, one of the regulars will normally help pretty quickly. :)
 
Journey said:
OP, take note of what lee32uk has listed, it seems from your list and things you have written you don't really have much of a clue about modern hardware, which is why this forum is here to help you.

You really are not going to benefit with 144Hz + GTX 1060 and an Intel CPU since the bottle neck is going to be the GPU not the CPU, therefore I would strongly recommend looking at the Ryzen 5 2600 or 2600X CPU, with the matching board and RAM to go with it saving a decent amount of money and offering some upgrade options in the future should you wish to take advantage of that.

If you want a system spec put together based on my suggestion please just ask, one of the regulars will normally help pretty quickly. :)
Click to expand...

I am not married to Intel vs AMD, I just want the best gaming spec for the money. Ryzen vs Intel.. all the same market to me as long as I get a decent gaming experience from it.
Same as the RAM, DDR3 vs DDR4, not fussed as long as I get a good experience.

If you are able to make me up a spec, I would appreciate it
 
Overall.. I want a good gaming experience, with great refresh rates, a decent sized monitor (24inch is good, bigger might be nice but not fussed), whatever RAM and GPU and CPU can take me there, a fairly decent SSD/m.2 (500GB is good), whatever PSU/Cooling is needed and not fussed on the case as long as it fits the mobo and does the job (no fancy LEDs or showing off for me)

Don't care if the CPU or GPU is intel or amd, whatever gets me the best bang for my buck

Overall, I see around a £1,200 budget for the lot or thereabouts. If there is a case to save me some cost, great but if there is also a case to invest in something better for a bit more, that is fine too... Wouldn't want to spend more than a few hundred more though.

I would like to run games on the best settings, not feel like I have to upgrade for a good many years.


If there are some kind people on this board that are willing to help me, that would be great and looking to buy soon (but unsure if waiting for any Black Friday deals is worthwhile??)
 
I've put together a good alternative system, which keeps the 144Hz monitor but with a VA panel rather than TN so you get better colours and viewing angles, and a much more powerful GPU in the Vega 56 which will get you closer to 144FPS in more games. I've selected a random case (Micro-ATX) as the motherboard I have used is a MATX model, but obviously you can change it to your preference since most cases are half decent these days, so it is more about personal preference for looks.


EDIT: As a bonus with the AMD Radeon GPU's you get 3 free games worth £100+ until 3rd November, and they are actually good games. :)

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £1,183.02 (includes shipping: £14.10)
​
 
You get more for your money with Ryzen but at the cost of slightly less fps at 1080p.

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £1,173.02 (includes shipping: £14.10)​
​
 
 
I am torn between the specs of those from lee32uk and Journey. Both look awesome

Standards
-MSI Optix Monitor
-Ryzen 5 Six Core 2600
-Team Group Vulcan RAM
-Team Group 480GB SSD
-Antec PSU
-PowerColor Radeon RX Vega 56 Dragon 8GB

The only variations seem to be on the Mobo's (always built full size motherboards, what is the challenge with building ATX vs mATX?) and the cases (either Antec or Coolermaster, again likely a variant due to the mobo selected)

So is it fair to say that independently you both selected the same core specs because you find them quite reliable and tuned in to the requirement I want and the only discrepancy seems to be on the form factor?

EDIT: Also, is there a massive difference between the 5 and 7 core? Seem very similar in performance
 
bit more then the other two but ITX :)

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £1,259.22 (includes shipping: £15.30)
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also 1440p 75hz screen :D


intel version but again runs £1300 - would suit 1080p 144hz screen guys linked above (didnt change it) as it'll hit 10-15 fps higher due to clock speed! 1440p the gains are as high!
should see you drive 90hz+ range in most games nicely , games like Fortnight and overwatch should be nearing the screens refresh rate :D

if you go 1080p, you go intel, above, ryzen and save the cash!

E
My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £1,311.77 (includes shipping: £15.90)
​


and push the ANTEC MATX CASE!!!!!! Glass panel !!! same price and is on sale!!!! plastic windows need to be banned now - scratch so easily and attracts hair like now tomorrow if you'e got pets
 
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orbitalwalsh said:
snip
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Thanks, looking for 144hz, so the monitor wouldn't cut it... although it is a monster size :)

Also, unsure about going down the route of ITX, only ever done ATX so even looking at mATX is going to be new to me. Otherwise, specs look similar to that provided by Lee and Journey, I think at this stage I am looking to go with those build(s) but just need to decide if going ATX or mATX is good
 
Journey said:
I've put together a good alternative system, which keeps the 144Hz monitor but with a VA panel rather than TN so you get better colours and viewing angles, and a much more powerful GPU in the Vega 56 which will get you closer to 144FPS in more games. I've selected a random case (Micro-ATX) as the motherboard I have used is a MATX model, but obviously you can change it to your preference since most cases are half decent these days, so it is more about personal preference for looks.


EDIT: As a bonus with the AMD Radeon GPU's you get 3 free games worth £100+ until 3rd November, and they are actually good games. :)

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £1,183.02 (includes shipping: £14.10)
​
Click to expand...

I am really warming to this build. Just a few questions

1) Is there any big value in going to a Ryzen 7 over this build?
2) Is it worth swapping out the SSD for an m.2 drive?
3) I don't need any expansion slots, since the GPU is the only card I intend to install, it seems like mATX vs ATX just seems to be down to if you want more space for drives and extra cards... i dont, so mATX seems good for me, right?
4) This build doesn't seem to include a cooler, what cooler will be best suited here?
5) Will said cooler come with Thermal Paste or should I get some seperate?
6) Is there value in adding additional fans? If so which ones?

Once I have that cleared up, I am pretty much ready to get this ordered... appreciate your help, a lot!
 
Vadersoul said:
I am really warming to this build. Just a few questions

1) Is there any big value in going to a Ryzen 7 over this build?
2) Is it worth swapping out the SSD for an m.2 drive?
3) I don't need any expansion slots, since the GPU is the only card I intend to install, it seems like mATX vs ATX just seems to be down to if you want more space for drives and extra cards... i dont, so mATX seems good for me, right?
4) This build doesn't seem to include a cooler, what cooler will be best suited here?
5) Will said cooler come with Thermal Paste or should I get some seperate?
6) Is there value in adding additional fans? If so which ones?

Once I have that cleared up, I am pretty much ready to get this ordered... appreciate your help, a lot!
Click to expand...


Not trying to sway your judgement but an 8 core makes more sense for the same price as a 6 core. If you want the 6 core then go with the cheaper R5 2600 and just overclock it a bit.

An M.2 isn't any faster than a normal SATA unless it is NVMe which is usually more expensive.

Going ATX gives you more choice usually as it is the most common form factor. If you buy a mATX case then you are stuck with that form factor in the future. An ATX case covers you for both ATX and mATX.

The stock cooler on ryzen is pretty decent. No need for extra thermal paste.

Depending on the case you might want extra fans. You want front for intake and rear for exhaust.
 
So a Ryzen 7 is better than the 5, for the nominal price increase?
Not that bothered about mATX stuffing me on form factor, I typically don't do incremental upgrades on anything other than storage (and barely that) preferring to rip+replace every several years.

So the difference is
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/amd-...hz-socket-am4-processor-retail-cp-3ae-am.html

VS

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/amd-...hz-socket-am4-processor-retail-cp-39v-am.html

Correct me if I am wrong but for £40, it is worth it or NOT worth it to go with the extra cores?? Will I see a benefit in my gaming to justify it, as am happy to do it but if it is a waste, save the waste!

----

Agreed to keeping SATA over M.2, just felt like it could make use of the slot and saves me having to install a drive.

No need for a cooler, check

Will buy additional fans if I need them but don't plan on doing any OC and don't expect it to get too hot. Will I need additional fans?

So it just seems to be down to this build and deciding if I want to go with a Ryzen 7 or a Ryzen 5, and if I want/need additional fans.

EDIT : It looks like with the Ryzen 7, all other specs as per advice that it comes out to about £1,200 - which I am happy with... so aside from the extra fans to take/not take, I think I am good to go


EDIT : Lastly, if I want to splurge and put a bit more space onto the SSD, what are my options for an upgrade here? Perhaps to 1TB?
 
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You have the budget for M.2 (SATA) but OCUK are not competitively priced on M.2 drives for some reason, maybe if you called them up before ordering they may reduce the price down for you given the spend you are committing to, it is a lot neater and I feel it is worth the budget extra if you want the most simple/neat solution, £15 extra for the same capacity drive.

My experience with Zen+ (2000 series CPU's) is that they are much less fussy with RAM, and have a high boost clock speed which is a bonus. If you go for something like an R7 1700 and run it at 3.7GHz all core, that's about 400-500MHz less than you'll get from the 2600X (all core) but obviously you'll have 2c/4t extra. The IMC on the 2000 series chips is much more compliant also, meaning running the RAM faster with tighter timings is easier for the most part, but the Team Group RAM can be Samsung B-die which is the most compatible for either 1000 or 2000 series.

As already mentioned the in box cooler is just fine, and will cope with a modest overclock in some cases but don't be throwing high voltage overclocks on the CPU or it won't cut it.

The MATX board I have suggested is the best currently available if you chose to go for an 8 core CPU then you'd need to stick with that or go full ATX. :)
 
The trouble with mATX boards on AM4 is they are not that great. Even the Gigabyte one in my spec isn't top notch. For ATX I would probably go with the MSI B450 Pro Carbon AC but it is currently pre-order.

If you decide to go with a mATX then I would stick with a 6 core cpu. The VRM's are not cut out for an 8 core.
 
RE: SSD vs M.2
£65.99 for the Team Group SSD vs the same in a WD M.2 for £87 - Happy to pay the excess if I need to, saves a cable in the box and for £20, am happy to splurge

Looking at the 1TB SSD, meh, doesn't seem like there is much there so My thinking is that I will wait until I need the install space and then just get an SSD to add in at the time, rather than be too concerned about getting more than I need right now.


So, my only remaining questions if you could oblige,
-If I can afford to do so, is there any reason not to go M.2 over SSD in the above comparison?
-With the mATX case given, is it worth going with additional fans? If so which ones?
 
dont get me wrong, 1080p 144hz isn't a poor monitor ! but no means its damn good! just intel runs it how it should - which is a shame but hopefully changes when Zen2 launches with clock increase and hopefully IPC too .
running 1440p, means ryzen claws back some of the FPS ground from intel and at 4k not much difference at all!

so why i'd push with vega 56 and 1440p 75hz freesync with Ryzen over 1080p 144hz - your just missing 15% of potential performance gains - but you have to pay STEEP intel prices to get it . thats just me personally

dont forget with SSD as main drive, when you format it, 10GB will be gone even before windows installs .
and once windows installs thats another 20-40GB , can be worse if you dont delete previous builds (yes it doesn't wipe out the old build unless you manually do it )
 
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