Gaming Build - Advise Required!

Gilbert89

Gilbert89

Gilbert89

Soldato
Joined
24 Jun 2011
Posts
5,116
Location
Sheffield
Morning all

I recently wanted to get back into PC Gaming and dusted off my old system to find out it was further behind the current times than I expected (Considering I was only playing at 1080P)

Now due to the GPU Prices I almost didn't bother however I managed to pick up a RX6600 for £350 which at 1080P should be more than adequate and a huge upgrade over my GTX 970.

Requirement is a WIFI Board - Otherwise I would have to route a cable from our 3rd Floor down to the 1st (Unless I could go cheaper MB and are the cheap USB Dongles as good?)

My plan was always Intel 12th Gen however seems I can save money on the equivalent Ryzen Setup but does this leave me with 0 upgrade path and potentially costing me more money in the long run? I'm not obsessed with having the latest and greatest anymore especially as my gaming time will be limited and casual due to commitments but perhaps in a few years with 12th Gen I'd be able to simply upgrade CPU and GPU and be back on top?

Please see below my two basic builds I have come up with, do they look solid and compatable?

Ryzen Build
My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £797.16 (includes shipping: £12.30)
​

Intel 12th Gen
My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £978.15 (includes shipping: £12.30)
​


Figured the Ryzen Stock Cooler would be quieter than the Intel one due to being a lower TDP chip and also being a beefier cooler that I could get away without an additional cooling solution.

As for Windows - I was going to go for W11

Welcoming all feedback and advise :)
 
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Hi.

Adding a £120 air cooler to the latter doesn't compare in costs, the 5600x is still best served with an aftermarket cooler for value the arctic freezer e34sport will handle both builds. Otherwise if your set on watercooling the arctic freezer 2 is one to look at.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/search?sSearch=freezer+34freezer


The 12400 and b660 is another value option .

Ryzen 3d cache Cpu release will give you one more upgrade .

So many choices but for me intel is the way to go.
 
mickyflinn said:
Hi.

Adding a £120 air cooler to the latter doesn't compare in costs, the 5600x is still best served with an aftermarket cooler for value the arctic freezer e34sport will handle both builds. Otherwise if your set on watercooling the arctic freezer 2 is one to look at.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/search?sSearch=freezer+34freezer


The 12400 and b660 is another value option .

Ryzen 3d cache Cpu release will give you one more upgrade .

So many choices but for me intel is the way to go.
Click to expand...

I think aesthetics ruled my head with that one as I had a AIO in my previous build too but fully taken on board the linked air cooler (I once had a Freezer 7 Pro and that was quiet and great at cooling on an old Q6600!)

12400 appears to be great value compared to the 12600k - How does it compete versus the 5600X (I can check some online comparisons on my lunch) Always been Intel + Nvidia

I think as I need a WIFI Motherboard even B660 are as expensive as the Z690 - I really should drop the WIFI requirement shouldn't I!
 
Gilbert89 said:
I think aesthetics ruled my head with that one as I had a AIO in my previous build too but fully taken on board the linked air cooler (I once had a Freezer 7 Pro and that was quiet and great at cooling on an old Q6600!)

12400 appears to be great value compared to the 12600k - How does it compete versus the 5600X (I can check some online comparisons on my lunch) Always been Intel + Nvidia

I think as I need a WIFI Motherboard even B660 are as expensive as the Z690 - I really should drop the WIFI requirement shouldn't I!
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with a bit of bling a nice rgb case will give you that as,for the 12400 its close with the 5600x best to check out some reviews . There is also the 12400f without intergrated graphics but I like the idea of a back up.

As for the Wi-Fi it's your call best to make your own decision on that.
 
Think I will go for the I5 12400 CPU paired with the Z690 Wifi - MSI Pro Motherboard as can be had for sub £200.

This already saves roughly £120 from the 12600K and Asus Prime.

Thank you!
 
My GTX 970 will end up on MM - It's had an easy life, hasn't been used for many years but have recently used it for a couple of hours and all is well.

Update: Everything was ordered and has arrived over the last couple of days, hopefully get chance to start building it this evening which will be a learn as I go experience! Lots of guides these days so should be okay.

I did end up ordering the EK 360 AIO and have realised I can only front mount it with the 4000D which isn't ideal I'm led to believe due to the water pipe orientation and perhaps increasing temps a few degrees compared to having a 240/280 top mounted, however I have seen it done plenty and I imagine won't cause any major issues but debating whether or not to think of an alternative.
 
Gilbert89 said:
My GTX 970 will end up on MM - It's had an easy life, hasn't been used for many years but have recently used it for a couple of hours and all is well.

Update: Everything was ordered and has arrived over the last couple of days, hopefully get chance to start building it this evening which will be a learn as I go experience! Lots of guides these days so should be okay.

I did end up ordering the EK 360 AIO and have realised I can only front mount it with the 4000D which isn't ideal I'm led to believe due to the water pipe orientation and perhaps increasing temps a few degrees compared to having a 240/280 top mounted, however I have seen it done plenty and I imagine won't cause any major issues but debating whether or not to think of an alternative.
Click to expand...
Radiator pipes st the top will be fine as its higher than the cpu block so no air can be trapped in the pump.

You only have an rx 6600 and a 12400 so temps are not going to be to inflated.

Alternatives you should go corsair for the top or rads of 27mm thickness.
 
I have unboxed the EK 360 AIO and despite saying LGA 1700 on the listing it appears to have not come with the mounting for this board. So currently stuck!
 
Gilbert89 said:
I have unboxed the EK 360 AIO and despite saying LGA 1700 on the listing it appears to have not come with the mounting for this board. So currently stuck!
Click to expand...
Stock cooler untill you order a bracket or send it back but i would be on the phone to whoever you purchased it from.
 
Gilbert89 said:
I have unboxed the EK 360 AIO and despite saying LGA 1700 on the listing it appears to have not come with the mounting for this board. So currently stuck!
Click to expand...
have you openned the mobo yet?..the asus board you had originally comes predrilled with additional holes to take socket 1200 coolers
As for case, you could swap for the 5000x..can buy it for £132 at mo with free delivery...i know more than the 4000d airflow, but 3 front sp elite fans cost £54 separately, and 360mm aio can then go in roof...i originally bought a 011d xl but swapped it for 5000x when price dropped to £120 on a flash sale...couldn't pass up price diff
 
I’ll try and obtain the LGA 1700 Upgrade Kit as for now I am using Intel’s Stock Cooler.

Managed to put it together late last night but haven’t had much chance to get it setup properly as of yet, that will have to wait until the little one is asleep.

Craig - It’s only a casual build so I will stick with the 4000D and should be okay with it mounted in the front, it only cost me £64 which I feel is a steal! The 360 AIO will give me 3 RGB Fans in the front paired with the RGB Ram (All set to White) should look okay and save me the expense of additional fans for now.

Weird Issue I have though - When installing the AMD Drivers for the 6600 upon restart it changes my resolution to 1060 x 768 and my WIFI won’t work (Safe Mode??)
When the drivers are un-installed it all goes back to normal despite disabling the on board graphics. (Windows 11)

Any ideas? It’s my first actual PC Build - Will add some photos once the AIO is sorted.
 
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I contacted OCUK - Apparently the LGA 1700 Bracket should have automatically been sent out but due to a system error it wasn't and it was arranged to be sent out to me, it's arriving today so hopefully I can get it fitted tonight.
 
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