Anyone thinking of getting into PC gaming and......

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wants to build a system that's capable but not cost a fortune, watch this video, probably the best advice on the net for it.


And now is the time, second gen Ryzen, RX 570/80, RAM, drives... all of it so cheap now.


Edit, full system build here.

At the time of posting.

AMD Ryzen 5 Six Core 2600 £140

Gigabyte B450M-DS3H AMD B450 £69

Team Group Vulcan T-Force 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-24000C16 3000MHz Dual Channel Kit £70

Sapphire Radeon RX 570 Pulse 8192MB GDDR5 £150

Coolermaster MasterWatt 550 - 550W 80 Plus Bronze £55

Seagate 2TB BarraCuda 7200RPM 256MB Cache £56

Crucial MX500 250GB SATA 2.5-inch, SATA 6.0Gb/s 7mm Solid State Drive £40

Aerocool Cylon RGB Midi Tower Case - Black £33

£613 Total.
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Dell SE2417HG 23.6" 1920x1080 TN 2ms 60Hz 2xHDMI VGA LED Backlit Gaming Monitor £100

Asus Cerberus Performance USB Optical Gaming Mouse £15

Asus Sagaris GK100 Backlit USB Gaming Keyboard £22

Creative Sound BlasterX H3 Black PC Gaming Headset £35

Cougar Control 2 L Gaming Mousemat £6

£178
 
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Yeah not bad at all. The RX 570 can run all games at 1080p (on minimum or higher).

Things I might do differently:
  • Spent less on accessories like gaming hardware
  • Spend the money saved on a better power supply. I've had several blow up or suddenly stop working in the past 10-15 years and this has always been on a PC with a decent graphics card, with a high TDP.
  • It's worth spending a bit more to get something like a Seasonic Prime PSU, as these have a 12 year warranty (the best of any AFAIK). I recently got my 650w Prime on offer for £87, but that was lucky
  • Maybe get a larger SSD, rather than a hard drive as well. The capacity runs out really quickly and its really useful to have the higher read/write speeds for some games
 
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s6545 said:
Yeah not bad at all. The RX 570 can run all games at 1080p (on minimum or higher).

Things I might do differently:
  • Spent less on accessories like gaming hardware
  • Spend the money saved on a better power supply. I've had several blow up or suddenly stop working in the past 10-15 years and this has always been on a PC with a decent graphics card, with a high TDP.
  • It's worth spending a bit more to get something like a Seasonic Prime PSU, as these have a 12 year warranty (the best of any AFAIK). I got mine on offer for £87, but that was lucky
  • Maybe get a larger SSD, rather than a hard drive as well. The capacity runs out really quickly and its really useful to have the higher read/write speeds for some games
Click to expand...

Good advice, thanks for that :)
 
My advice to someone getting into PC gaming is spend more money on:

1. Keyboard
2. Mouse
3. Sound (headphones, speakers)
4. Monitor

Those components far outlast your GPU/CPU and a good monitor nowadays can last you a LONG time. 100hz ultrawide monitors have been around for AGES and still aren't outdated at all. A x34a is still very very relavant and next gen compared to console gaming. A good mechanical keyboard is a godsend. A good mouse is perfect for FPS/functionality and can be used on multiple devices. DAC/Amps will last you forever, and similarly sound is an investment which just never gets outdated, and if you go the way of passive speakers, can be constantly upgraded or used for something else.

In my experience, the most disposable components in a PC gaming setup are the GPU, followed by the CPU.
Given the advances in CPU tech, I think we're safe to say that a CPU like a 3600 is a safe bet.
GPU just get the cheapest GPU which can last you a year and then buy a new one next or the year after if you need it .
I got stung with my CPU. If i'd got an i7 rather than the 4670k I bought, I probably could have prolonged my old rig for another year or two. However nowadays core count is in excess of gaming requirements.


For 1080p/1440p gaming, PC gaming is still fine.

For someone who is gaming ultrawide or 4k, you're going to have to splash the cash sadly on disposable GPUs which are JUST about hitting the FPS requirements for games.
 
It's not bad but the weak point is the Rx570, With the savings on the cpu I'd spend that little more and step up to a Gtx 1660 and clock it to 1660ti performance.
 
yes but that is going to get old really quick. gpus seem to have been stuck at this sort of level for about 3 or 4 years now. RTX just added pointless features and a minuscule performance increase. the next gen has to be a big increase so then it will be back to the way it was 4 years ago and just seem too expensive. the 570 wont be running next gen xbox or playstation games comfortably imo.
 
Davedree said:
It's not bad but the weak point is the Rx570, With the savings on the cpu I'd spend that little more and step up to a Gtx 1660 and clock it to 1660ti performance.
Click to expand...

RX570 is not weak myfriend


And the point is 1080p @ 60fps and the 8GB RX570 can deliver, the 1660 will run out of VRAM
 
Panos said:
RX570 is not weak myfriend


And the point is 1080p @ 60fps and the 8GB RX570 can deliver, the 1660 will run out of VRAM
Click to expand...

Firstly I'm not going to deny that an Rx570 isn't good value or can't be used for 1080p60hz, I have an rx470 and a rx570 , however settings will have to be dialled down and this will only get worse in the future, despite it's 8gb memory it doesn't have the pixel power to make use of it, so yes I will argue it's weak and you'd be better getting something a little better. Which is why the Rx580 and particularly more so the rx590 are not worth buying, but then all these cards were a better deal when the games bundles were active not long ago, so it's either the cheaper rx570 and clock it to nigh on Rx580stock or Gtx1660 and clock the crap out of it and get 1660ti performance.

Unfortunately though that video is not a fair representation of an Rx570.
Finer details show the Rx570 is overclocked, That msi Rx570 at stock they run 1160core 1750 memory not 1340/2000, so really you need to lob off 5-6fps or so at 1080p, Rx570's don't tend to clock to 2000mhz on the memory but that's not to say they can't but usually error correction will reduce the gains from clocking up from 1750mhz.
That's how they artificially made the performance gap between the Rx580 and 570, but the 580's have better memory chips. Either way in that video either put the rx570 to stock or clock the gtx1660.

From trusted sources although a little old, Techpowerup presented their findings if you look at the games and 1080p sections you will seea few areas where the rx570 is well below 60fps but also where it is close to a 1660 and on average around 50-70fps.
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/zotac-geforce-gtx-1660-twin-fan/20.html and then just look at the various games.
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/zotac-geforce-gtx-1660-twin-fan/28.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKG9jRRmsGs this is a demonstration of a stock 590 vs stock 1660ti. It's more to show that for £60 more than a Rx570 a Gtx 1660 will when oc'd be very close to this.

Remember that when you overclock the Gtx1660 it pulls away from the Rx590 for the same price and half the power consumption.
You could argue that if you're spending Gtx1660 money then just get a v56/64 but then the rx5700/xt is then comes into the equation, this is where the smaller Navi should kick arse.
 
Davedree said:
Firstly I'm not going to deny that an Rx570 isn't good value or can't be used for 1080p60hz, I have an rx470 and a rx570 , however settings will have to be dialled down and this will only get worse in the future, despite it's 8gb memory it doesn't have the pixel power to make use of it, so yes I will argue it's weak and you'd be better getting something a little better. Which is why the Rx580 and particularly more so the rx590 are not worth buying, but then all these cards were a better deal when the games bundles were active not long ago, so it's either the cheaper rx570 and clock it to nigh on Rx580stock or Gtx1660 and clock the crap out of it and get 1660ti performance.

Unfortunately though that video is not a fair representation of an Rx570.
Finer details show the Rx570 is overclocked, That msi Rx570 at stock they run 1160core 1750 memory not 1340/2000, so really you need to lob off 5-6fps or so at 1080p, Rx570's don't tend to clock to 2000mhz on the memory but that's not to say they can't but usually error correction will reduce the gains from clocking up from 1750mhz.
That's how they artificially made the performance gap between the Rx580 and 570, but the 580's have better memory chips. Either way in that video either put the rx570 to stock or clock the gtx1660.

From trusted sources although a little old, Techpowerup presented their findings if you look at the games and 1080p sections you will seea few areas where the rx570 is well below 60fps but also where it is close to a 1660 and on average around 50-70fps.
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/zotac-geforce-gtx-1660-twin-fan/20.html and then just look at the various games.
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/zotac-geforce-gtx-1660-twin-fan/28.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKG9jRRmsGs this is a demonstration of a stock 590 vs stock 1660ti. It's more to show that for £60 more than a Rx570 a Gtx 1660 will when oc'd be very close to this.

Remember that when you overclock the Gtx1660 it pulls away from the Rx590 for the same price and half the power consumption.
You could argue that if you're spending Gtx1660 money then just get a v56/64 but then the rx5700/xt is then comes into the equation, this is where the smaller Navi should kick arse.
Click to expand...

The significant majority of the games, do over 60fps on RX570 at very high or ultra settings.
 
I'd really consider getting the best used GPU you can, spend the difference on a better PSU that will give you headroom for expansion, or larger SSD. do not any account buy any GPU with LESS than 8GB of VRAM.

Edit:

Take Quartz's advice on storage.
 
The RX 570 has very similar performance to the GTX 1660, has more VRam so is better future proofed and costs £80 less.

Guys i'm trying advise newcomers to our community that building a good 1080P gaming rig right now does not cost a fortune.

It is what it is, please don't bring Red vs Green arguments into this thread, look at my signature, in this case the Red GPU is by far the better option, the RX 570 is very good 1080P GPU for very little money.
 
Yep, good example/introduction of the performance you can get if you're component savvy.

The 570's are a budget staple in the New To PC Gaming Forum - great card to kick you off at 1080p coupled with the 2600 when budget constricted.

And depending on the week you buy or where you shop (afternoon weekly specials added since post) - value per buck gets better - £590 (or £570 if stick with Gigabyte board) with this week specials but with a MSI 450 M-ATX motherboard - decent VRMs for possible future upgrades (personally would push for more case fans and better PSU - BitFenix Formula - if budget could afford it. But if budget constraints apply - these builds are a great introduction to PC gaming or initial kids builds that can be added to):

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: ~£590 (Or ~570 - if swapping out to Gigabyte 450 MB)​

​



*Even the 3600 - with lucky dip MSI 450 flashback - can make an appearance within the £650 budget bracket (again, would push for more case fans and better PSU - BitFenix Formula - if budget could afford it.):


My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: ~£650
​
 
Can save even more if you can brave the 2nd hand markets, put a ~£400 system (with monitor) together recently for a friends little brother using a 2nd hand i5 3470, motherboard and ram. Then paired it with a rx570. CPU is definitely going to be the weak link down the road, but for the moment at least it manages to keep pace with the RX570 :)

Edit - Also if you're happy to leave storage capacity for later I used one of these -
My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £58.69 (includes shipping: £8.70)​
​

Enough space for OS and a half a dozen big games, and slightly cheaper than the SSD HDD combo
 
Used market is a good idea but it requires a high level of knowledge of what you are looking at, people still want good money for old CPU's simply for being designated "i7", "K" or "GTX", i'm seeing 4770K's for £110 to £130 used, with similar per core performance and 6 core 12 thread on the 2600 vs 4 core 8 thread on the 4770K at £120 the 2600 is clearly better, GTX 780TI's for £120+ the RX 570 is a lot faster.

These old components are also, well... old with a years of use on them and no warranty, yes used you can build a good system but really have to know what you are looking at and honestly i just don't think you can build a similar performance PC with used parts for similar money that you can with the deals going on right now new.
 
humbug said:
Thanks Plec :)
Click to expand...
No worries - these bang-for-buck builds don't get the broader exposure in the New To PC Forum - and can surprise new members when presented with performance stats of the build that's been specced (as they don't associate the components as gaming orientated)

We've surprised ourselves at what you can crowbar together for ~£1000 - it's a good time to buy.

StarShock said:
Also if you're happy to leave storage capacity for later I used one of these -
My basket at Overclockers UK:
Enough space for OS and a half a dozen big games, and slightly cheaper than the SSD HDD combo​
Click to expand...
True, we try to push 500GB min with 1TB/2TB conventional drive - with the above in mind - even pushing only the SSD, as an option, with the view of adding the additional HDD with next pay cheque if funds allow. All depends on budget and desires/needs of builder (as you probably know - i recognise your name from the forum :)).

But, as an example of a 'Buy and Forget' system for under £600 it serves well to demonstrate the performance you can get for your money if restricted by budget, kids first PC etc...
 
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