Basic Gaming/Everyday Use Desktop

PepperPlunge

PepperPlunge

PepperPlunge

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Joined
13 Aug 2019
Posts
2
Please excuse the lack of knowledge that is about to become painfully obvious! I am in no way tech minded but here's hoping you fine folk can point me in the right direction.

My current rig is coming on a decade old now and whilst I have no insane requirements (no high-end gaming or video editing etc) it is slowing down considerably/crashing.

  • The only game I play is World of Warcraft (no time for others anymore!)
  • Other uses are general browsing, Microsoft Office suite etc.
  • I don't have the expertise or time to build my own and so would happily pay OCers to put together
  • I'm not really interested in keeping any parts of my current rig (other than keyboard/mouse and monitor)
  • I would like to be able to play my only game (WoW) on full settings with perfect performance - but not interested in any more intensive modern games
  • I'd like to be able to run multiple programs at once with no slow down (RAM?)
  • Quietness is important to me - please can you recommend hardware that is as quiet as possible?
  • Finally, this should be future proof for the above requirements (5 years?)
Please do excuse my ignorance, I am totally out of the loop with this stuff.

Budget less than £900 all in (including delivery)? I assume it won't cost anywhere near this for my simple needs :p

Thanks guys, I really do appreciate any help.
 
Welcome aboard.
Nothing wrong in admitting lack of knowledge.
That's exactly the first step for starting to become better in something:
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/...sc3pEA5fM1U3KU6LezSNm5pFYgJjt/image-asset.png


Ability to run multiple programs simultaneously is about having enough CPU cores/threads to work at them simultaneously and enough RAM to store stuff under the work.
Thanks to AMD we can now get CPU power needed for multitasking affordably.
And unlike Intel changing CPU sockets for same architecture CPUs just for the fun of screwing buyers to rear, AMD also offers reasonable upgrade path.
Though that's not really applicable, you don't want to get involved with PC's insides/lack friend/neighbour to do it.

6 cores/12 threads Ryzen 3600 is very reasonably priced at £200.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/amd-...hz-socket-am4-processor-retail-cp-3b9-am.html

For that level CPU this would be good cooler to such use:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/alpenfohn-ben-nevis-cpu-cooler-120mm-hs-048-al.html
And this really high end cooler:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/alpenfohn-brocken-eco-advanced-cpu-cooler-120-mm-hs-05j-al.html

Good basic level motherboard is £110.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/msi-b450-tomahawk-max-socket-am4-ddr4-atx-motherboard-mb-33t-ms.html

For normal web browsing and office use 16GB of RAM is good.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/team...-3200mhz-dual-channel-kit-blac-my-0a2-tg.html

As you apparently don't need to store bigger amounts of data or many games half TB SSD would be good.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/cruc...ata-pcie-m.2-solid-state-drive-hd-06e-cr.html

For case there's quite a lots of choise.
Would you prefer more flashy looking case like with windows, or standard case?

Semi-passive mode cooling PSU would be surest fo keeping idle noise low.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/supe...old-modular-power-supply-black-ca-05z-sf.html

Not excatly sure of WoW's GPU requiremen's, but there's good of choise at reasonably priced graphics card.
(apparently rather crappy coding and easily CPU limited)
 
If you really don't want to build it yourself, or don't know anyone willing to build it for you, I'd recommend taking a look at this:

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ocuk...eries-gaming-pc-fs-1dn-og.html#t=a4b2c1d7e4i4

Take your pick of cases.

1. Switch the CPU to a 3600
2. Switch to 16GB DDR4 3000
3. Select the Powercolor RX580 Red Dragon, or if you want to save some money one of the RX570's, although the 580 will be faster for not much more while being within budget.
4. Select a 200-500GB SSD as your primary drive
5. Drop the "Security Software" package

That said, I would recommend giving OCUK a ring and asking them about a build for your needs for your budget, or at worst asking if they'd be willing to put a decent PSU in the above linked build. I suspect the build comes with a cheap Kolink PSU by default and I wouldn't personally trust them.

If you can find someone to build for you, you'll get more bang for your buck.
 
PepperPlunge said:
I would like to be able to play my only game (WoW) on full settings with perfect performance - but not interested in any more intensive modern games
Click to expand...

What resolution and refresh rate is your current monitor?

PepperPlunge said:
Finally, this should be future proof for the above requirements (5 years?)
Click to expand...
If you only play WoW, then it would easily last you 5 years, maybe with a mid-life GPU upgrade if you spend less now (with the question above answered first).
 
Assumptions: 1080p monitor and full size ATX system.

I've not specced a case as that's very much a matter of personal taste and should be around £50.

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £788.63 (includes shipping: £11.70)
​



You have a premium cooler for lower noise - and the Noctua is one of the very best - but the Ryzen actually comes with an adequate cooler. Depending upon the case you may want to install additional fans. Windows licenses are available cheaply elsewhere. OCUK will assemble this for you for a modest fee.
 
PepperPlunge said:
Please excuse the lack of knowledge that is about to become painfully obvious! I am in no way tech minded but here's hoping you fine folk can point me in the right direction.

My current rig is coming on a decade old now and whilst I have no insane requirements (no high-end gaming or video editing etc) it is slowing down considerably/crashing.

  • The only game I play is World of Warcraft (no time for others anymore!)
  • Other uses are general browsing, Microsoft Office suite etc.
  • I don't have the expertise or time to build my own and so would happily pay OCers to put together
  • I'm not really interested in keeping any parts of my current rig (other than keyboard/mouse and monitor)
  • I would like to be able to play my only game (WoW) on full settings with perfect performance - but not interested in any more intensive modern games
  • I'd like to be able to run multiple programs at once with no slow down (RAM?)
  • Quietness is important to me - please can you recommend hardware that is as quiet as possible?
  • Finally, this should be future proof for the above requirements (5 years?)
Please do excuse my ignorance, I am totally out of the loop with this stuff.

Budget less than £900 all in (including delivery)? I assume it won't cost anywhere near this for my simple needs :p

Thanks guys, I really do appreciate any help.
Click to expand...

This one, under 900 £:

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £894.22 (includes shipping: £12.30)​
​
 
Quartz said:
Assumptions: 1080p monitor and full size ATX system.

I've not specced a case as that's very much a matter of personal taste and should be around £50.

My basket at overclockers uk:
Click to expand...
quartz said:

Total: £788.63 (includes shipping: £11.70)
​


You have a premium cooler for lower noise - and the Noctua is one of the very best - but the Ryzen actually comes with an adequate cooler. Depending upon the case you may want to install additional fans. Windows licenses are available cheaply elsewhere. OCUK will assemble this for you for a modest fee.
Click to expand...



My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £93.93 (includes shipping: £0.00)
​



A much better PSU for a tiny bit more money, and the HSF is a third of the price and only a few degrees off the D14 in performance if deciding to go for an aftermarket cooler, see here for a review on the HSF (hold in mind the PCGH edition comes with a second fan, so should cool a little better): https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/6706/alpenfoehn-brocken-2-cpu-cooler-review/index6.html

I don't think I'd spend the extra £20 over a 580 either personally, you'll get the same results by OC'ing, although the OP might not be into that and it's a decent option that's still well within budget.

I wouldn't go for a 2700X over a 3600 either, the 3600 is the better chip for gaming.
 
Thanks very much to everyone who has posted their recommendations, it's very helpful.

My monitor is 1920x1080@60Hz.

There's a chance I may upgrade at some stage in the future to something a little larger/higher resolution but I assume all of the above will be compatible.
 
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