I want to build my first gaming PC via OCUK and need some guidance!

MusYD

MusYD

MusYD

Associate
Joined
16 May 2022
Posts
7
Location
UK
Hello,

I have a budget of up to £1,500 and want to buy a gaming PC which has a 3060 Ti graphics card and an Intel i7 CPU.

I understand that achieving this pairing might prove difficult, hence why I’m not sure what configuration to go for and was hoping that the OCUK community could assist me with making a choice.

Some information:
  • Following some research, I would like a 3060 Ti graphics card and an Intel i7 CPU for my needs, but am flexible / open to suggestion if an Intel i5 is enough to support the graphics card.
  • I don’t want RGB so all RGB-based aspects can be removed/ignored from the onset.
  • I don’t know enough about cases to make a decision here - aside from the physical size being able to accommodate the components, and perhaps some cases being quieter than others, is there a significant difference between the top- and bottom-end cases?
  • I am going to install Windows 11 Pro myself via a thumb drive (by modifying the boot order in the BIOS to look at CD/USB first) at a cost of ~£10 and save ~ £140 - should this pose a problem?
  • I need network connectivity (I use ethernet but may need WiFi access in future).
  • I use earphones and a microphone.
  • I create gaming content on YouTube.
  • I already have peripherals (mouse, keyboard, monitors) - I just need the PC.
  • How much RAM should be enough for what I describe? I believe that 16GB is often more than enough for most cases, but I would prefer 32GB - any advice here would be best.
I’m not sure if I’ve missed anything major out, but I believe that I have covered it all.

As such, it would be so helpful to learn what others think as I just cannot make a wise, well-informed decision with my current level of knowledge/understanding about custom PCs.

I am happy to discuss anything further and really look forward to any recommendations.

Thank you all.
 
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Tetras said:
If it is a pre-build you're kind of limited by what the deals are and what they're willing to fit, though you can always make a custom request.

For a 3060 Ti, the i5 12400(F) can power that no problem at all. I assume you're playing at 1080p or 1440p, no higher?

What software do you use for making your gaming content? Does it currently take you a long time? Do you make use of QuickSync at all? If so (depending on how you make it and what software you use), it might be best to stick with the i7.

You're a content creator, get 32GB. No question for me since it is a small price relative to the system. But, as always with pre-builds, it can have bigger implications than just adding £40-£50 to the build. For Intel any decent 3200 or up memory is fine, I wouldn't shell out for 4000 or something like that.
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I had a custom build in mind as there don't appear to be any prebuilds around that fit the bill.

I assume you're playing at 1080p or 1440p, no higher?
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Correct - 1080p.

What software do you use for making your gaming content? Does it currently take you a long time? Do you make use of QuickSync at all?
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I actually stream directly via Google Stadia to YouTube at present as my current PC can't cope with any form of video editing or even basic gameplay (for example, it struggles immensely to run Portal 2 at minimum settings). I don't know what QuickSync is.

I'll give you an example of what my machine is currently like:
  • If I try to record/stream a game from Stadia (or even locally, albeit resources permitting) via OBS, the computer slows down immensely.
  • I attempted to record a 90-second video which consisted of an intro animation with embedded audio (five seconds), then around 85 seconds of a repeating/looping animation of raindrops falling with me speaking over it, capturing my microphone output. It recorded just fine but struggled to piece those few components together. When it came to rendering, however, the entire machine froze (which is rare for most Linux systems).
Once I get the new rig, I will be using software such as Kdenlive (I currently have that on Ubuntu and am not aware of many others outside of the Adobe ecosystem), OBS and possibly others.

Do you have any thoughts around the other aspects that I've highlighted in my original post?

Thank you.
 
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Haz123 said:
You really do need help if you are considering an 11th gen i9. It is not a good choice.


I have not deliberately tried to spend every penny. This is just how the chips fell once your needs were taken into consideration.

My basket at OcUK:

Total: £1,501.50 (includes delivery: £11.70)​

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The only problem I can forsee is there may be a clearance issue with the AIO cooler and that small case. The AIO cooler is very good but you need good cooling for 12th gen i7 once you start doing productivety tasks such as video editing. If you shop around you should be able to find an 12700 and not the 12700K in the above build , OCUK do not have the 12700 on open sale and it is a better choice for the B660 mobo I have put in the build, should be cheaper as well.

To answer some of your questions.

-"I don’t know enough about cases to make a decision here - aside from the physical size being able to accommodate the components, and perhaps some cases being quieter than others, is there a significant difference between the top- and bottom-end cases?"

Some cases are just trash and are poorly thought out, not always about how much money you spend on a case. The case I linked above follows the KISS formula. Keep It Simple Stupid, 2 fans at front with open mesh and air exhasuted out the back. If you can mount the AIO up top it will give you adequate airflow.

-"I am going to install Windows 11 Pro myself via a thumb drive (by modifying the boot order in the BIOS to look at CD/USB first) at a cost of ~£10 and save ~ £140 - should this pose a problem?"

Not a problem at all. Very sensible choice. Make sure you get the installation tool direct form the Microsoft website.

-"I need network connectivity (I use ethernet but may need WiFi access in future)."

Motherboard chosen has built in wifi. If you choose to go for a different mobo make sure it is a wifi version if that is a priority for you.

-"How much RAM should be enough for what I describe? I believe that 16GB is often more than enough for most cases, but I would prefer 32GB - any advice here would be best."

If you are going to be video editing then you want a lot of ram , 32gb will be noticeably better than 16gb.


I hope that is helpful.


Edit - 1 last point. If you are going to be making videos then you will very quickly fill up the SSD with your projects. You are going to need a lot of storage so you will have to plan for it. When video editing you are best to have your OS on one drive and your projects on a seperate drive. With that in mind you may want to think about a PCIE 4 500gb drive for OS and then larger PCIE 3 drives for storage or even large HDDs or NAS storage.
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Thank you so much - this is incredibly helpful and informative and precisely the kind of response and guidance that I was hoping to receive!

A few things:
  • OS: I already have the USB with Windows 11 ready to install; I just need to pick up the product key and I'm good to go.
  • Storage: you mention NAS storage, so am I right in assuming that a cloud storage solution would also suffice? (This seems to be the easiest option/solution and one that I am already familiar with as I currently have a cloud storage solution in place.) What about an external HDD/SSD? You also specifically mention a PCIE 4 500GB drive and larger PCIE 3 drives for storage - do you have examples of what you consider to be good, but affordable options here?
  • AIO: you mention a possible problem with the AIO and the small case; I'd be happy to spend a little more if it means achieving a more desirable, efficient configuration - what would you suggest?
  • Putting it all together: you suggest that I should mount the AIO up top, but I should mention that I have never built a PC before, and thus wouldn't know where to begin. In addition to that, I simply don't have the time nor capacity to do such a task (especially not for the first time) right now, and would honestly prefer somebody (such as OCUK in this case) to do it for me. Is there an option to have this carried out?
Thank you so much once again - I appreciate your input and look forward to learning your thoughts on the above.
 
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This is all really helpful information, everybody - thank you so much for your informative and educational inputs.

The more I read, the more I think that perhaps I might attempt to build it myself after all.

The main factors stopping me, however, are:

1. I have no experience building PCs;
2. I don't have the time to focus specifically on the task (in order to do it in one go) as I have a demanding job (plus I have a toddler too);
3. If I mess something up and/or break any part(s), then it's down to me to rectify; and
3. (following on directly from the previous point) If OCUK build it, then it comes with a three-year warranty which is very valuable to me and I don't risk messing anything up.

As such, I am lead to ask these final questions:

1. Which option is best - build the system myself or have OCUK build it for me (for the reasons outlined above)?
2. Which setup/rig listed above (either within or at least close to my price range) is the best overall?
3. Is there a way that I can thank you all for your input? :)

Thank you.
 
JollyJamma said:
Why don’t you call up Overclockers and get them to custom quote you a build?

I doubt they have that passive cooler as an option for a prebuild.

They know their stuff so they should be able to assist in the same way we are.
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Thank you for the advice - I'll do that right away.

Am I right in assuming that you mean this when you mention the "passive cooler"? Arctic Liquid Freezer II High Performance CPU Water Cooler - 240mm (SKU: HS-07B-AR)
 
Haz123 said:
Let us know how you get on if you speak to OCUK.
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I've just finished speaking with them, actually.

The outcome is for me to email a custom build request across to see what they can do.

I have also had a couple of other components recommended to me given my requirements.

I will update this post accordingly as I think it would be nice for everyone to know how I got on in the end.

Thanks again, all.
 
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