Pick of the pre-built machines?

mjb24v · 2025-08-26T19:45:05+0100

Hi there,

It's been many years since I specced a gaming PC and a friend wants to get something for their kid. Up to £1000, ideally in stock or built to order, what's the best pick of the pre-built machines here?

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I don't know what's a good graphics card anymore, or whether AMD offers better bang for buck these days... Any advice gratefully received!

Tetras · 2025-08-26T19:58:21+0100

Not easy to get a great spec for £1000. The ones with newer 16GB cards, like the 9060 XT or 5060 Ti (avoid the 8GB versions) tend to be well over £1000. Getting AM5 is also tricky.

What resolution is this for gaming at?

mjb24v · 2025-08-26T20:01:22+0100

Tetras said:
Not easy to get a great spec for £1000. The ones with newer 16GB cards, like the 9060 XT or 5060 Ti (avoid the 8GB versions) tend to be well over £1000. Getting AM5 is also tricky.

What resolution is this for gaming at?

I'm not sure what a decent minimum for resolution is these days, but I guess maybe 1080p?

Tetras · 2025-08-26T20:04:13+0100

mjb24v said:
I'm not sure what a decent minimum for resolution is these days, but I guess maybe 1080p?

1080p is the minimum, yes and is typical for esports games that kids usually play.

1440p is a nicer experience (more immersive) for e.g. single player role playing games, but you'd need a strong graphics card, so I'd personally avoid a build with say.. a 4060, if that was my intention.

mjb24v · 2025-08-26T20:26:10+0100

Thank you!

Gray2233 · 2025-08-26T21:03:02+0100

You could see what OCUK would charge to build this to order, I'd at the least try to spring more for a better case, another £25-30 would be enough.

The only thing you'd need to do would be install Windows yourself, but that's easy enough via USB and keys can be had for £10-20.

My basket at OcUK:

1 x TeamGroup Vulcan EXPO 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-48000C38 6000MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (FLABD532G6000HC38ADC01) (SKU: MY-0B2-TG) = £79.99
1 x Team Group MP44L 1TB SSD M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen4 Solid State Drive (SKU: STO-TMG-03128) = £49.99
1 x MSI Pro B840M-B (AMD AM5) B840 Micro-ATX Motherboard (SKU: MOT-MSI-05550) = £89.99
1 x AMD Ryzen 5 7600 Six Core 5.10GHz (Socket AM5) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3DW-AM) = £160.99
1 x PowerColor Radeon RX 9060 XT Reaper 16GB GDDR6 PCI-Express Graphics Card (SKU: GRA-PWC-05257) = £329.99
1 x MSI MAG A650BN UK PSU 650W 80 Plus Bronze Power Supply (SKU: POW-MSI-03345) = £49.99
1 x Aerocool Bolt Mini TG Micro-ATX case - black (SKU: CA-234-AE) = £24.95

Total: £797.88 (includes delivery: £11.98)

mjb24v · 2025-08-26T21:24:42+0100

Oh, I'll look into this! Installing Windows is no problem.

Capitano · 2025-08-27T00:11:22+0100

tricky budget this, do you already have a monitor? if so whats the spec for it

mjb24v · 2025-08-27T09:04:01+0100

We happen to have a 4K monitor (Samsung F32TU870VP) but don't expect to be gaming at 4K!

Tetras · 2025-08-27T14:58:24+0100

mjb24v said:
We happen to have a 4K monitor (Samsung F32TU870VP) but don't expect to be gaming at 4K!

If you can get a build with a 9060 XT 16GB or 5060 Ti 16GB, then 4K is doable with upscaling (FSR4/DLSS) and they can do 4K natively with older games. The lifespan at that res won't be super, but kids do often get addicted to just one or two games, so might last longer than you'd expect.