£1500 full system build

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SJW

SJW

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Hi all,

I'm finally retiring my old 2009 iMac 27, and want to move away from iOS and all-in-one systems to switch back to PC + standalone monitor.
My use is mostly office work, personal photo editing, and would like to get back into casual PC gaming - Total War, Diablo 4 (if it's ever released!), Dota2, etc. I have a PS4pro that I use for other gaming, but miss strategy games and the use of a keyboard/mouse!

It's been 18 years since I last specced, built, and overclocked a computer (an old Athlon XP), so to say I'm a little out of touch is a major understatement...!

Ideally I'd like something to hit the following principles:
  • Small form factor - micro-ATX or even mini-ITX
  • Understated design (no RGB/glass...!)
  • Quiet
  • Wireless network capability
  • Storage - SSD for OS and applications (I have a synology NAS for everything major)
  • Monitor - 27in (not sure on high refresh/sync requirements?)
  • Peripherals - keyboard (80/100 size), mouse (ideally wireless)
  • Windows10
  • Potential upgradability (if I really catch the gaming bug again!)
  • On / under budget of £1500

For the monitor/peripherals I'd want something reasonably good - as will be used a lot for office work/typing/streaming/photos etc. and imagine these can outlast the PC (or through future PC upgrades!).

I'd be happy to build myself, though would also be fine with pre-built if it's not much more (especially if it means it comes with guarantee / similar!).

Lastly - I'm keen to order in the coming month (especially with Covid19 inspired boredom at home...), but if there are any major releases coming soon that would lower prices or impact build please let me know.

I'm not aiming for a top spec overclocked machine, but would really appreciate any support in orienting me to the right sort of components/build - thanks in advance :)

Steve
 
Welcome aboard.

While higher end graphics card situation is historically bad in performance/future proofness per price, in CPUs situation is good.
Ryzen 3700X is basically same CPU as in next-gen consoles, but with higher clocks.
6 core Ryzen 3600 is the basic level.

Typical micro-ATX case really isn't much smaller than more compact ATX cases.
Also motherboard choise is pretty dismal with ITX boards being better.

In monitors 144Hz 2560x1440 VAs start from £260 and IPS monitors from £300.
So you don't have to pay luxury for gaming capable monitor.
 
Thanks for that input. Have had a look at mini-ITX setup - and built the following as a first pass:
My basket at overclockers UK:
Total: £1,308.99 (includes shipping: £18.12)​
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[URL='http://img.overclockers.co.uk/media/image/thumbnail/CP3B9AM_219007_105x105.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://www.overclockers.co.uk/corsair-vengeance-lpx-16gb-2x8gb-ddr4-pc4-25600c16-3200mhz-dual-channel-kit-black-cmk16gx4m2b32-my-456-cs.html][img]https:/'][URL='http://img.overclockers.co.uk/media/image/thumbnail/MY456CS_115673_105x105.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://www.overclockers.co.uk/samsung-970-evo-plus-500gb-m.2-2280-pci-e-3.0-x4-nvme-solid-state-drive-hd-23w-sa.html][img]https:/'][URL='http://img.overclockers.co.uk/media/image/thumbnail/HD23WSA_202840_105x105.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://www.overclockers.co.uk/msi-geforce-gtx-1650-super-aero-itx-4096mb-gddr6-pci-express-graphics-card-gx-360-ms.html][img]https://www.overclockers.co.uk']
This keeps a couple of hundred free for peripherals / anything I've forgotten...

Not too sure on best value for money for mid range graphics card - picked an ITX compatible card in the right sort of price range, but appreciate thoughts on model
Do I need a specific size of power supply for the ITX case? I just picked a lower end gold supply, but no more reason than that...
Picked the Ryzen3600 as a reasonable spec processor (looks good for performance:cost), again with the idea that I could upgrade in a couple of years to what would be top spec today (i.e. cheap 3950X/similar if required). Is it worth bumping up to 3700/X?
Would I need any 3rd party cooling on processor / graphics card (or any significant improvement on how quiet the machine is)?

Any other thoughts?

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@SJW

Aorus B450 is a far better designed board. Better WiFi etc

Although if your using Photoshop intel still has the performance lead, regardless if it has less cores/threads due to speed .

B450 has hit a dead end, so ryzen 4000 wouldn't work but you could as you say slap in 12/16 core Ryzen 3000 in
 
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