New Build Advice

[MutenJoshi]

Hi. My friend is looking for advice on a new pc build. I've put together one below which is largely based on what I have currently with a few changes. Would people mind giving me some advice on better components and value for money? I'm sure there's plenty of improvements that could be made but I wanted to at least attempt something before asking for everyone's advice?

He is looking to play all of the Total War franchise on ideally max settings without issues as well as other similar games.

His budget is £1,000 however this needs to include everything including monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers and operating system.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

I haven't listed a graphics card yet but I have a 3060ti so possibly a bit outdated for a new build now? I also feel like a lot of savings could be had here.


My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Six Core 4.6GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3CC-AM) = £139.99
• 1 x MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk (AMD AM4) B550 ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-359-MS) = £124.98
• 1 x Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-25600C16 3200MHz Dual Chann (SKU: MY-4C3-CS) = £47.99
• 1 x WD Blue SN580 1TB SSD NVME M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 Solid State Drive (SKU: STO-WDC-00540) = £56.99
• 1 x Corsair RMe Series RM850e Fully Modular Low-Noise ATX Power Supply v2 (CP-9020263-UK) (SKU: CA-27N-CS) = £124.99
• 1 x Microsoft Windows 11 Home 64-Bit DVD - OEM (KW9-00632) (SKU: SW-18J-MS) = £107.99
• 1 x Arctic Freezer 34 eSports Duo Black/White CPU Cooler - 2 x 120mm (SKU: HS-074-AR) = £41.99
• 1 x Lian Li Lancool 205 Midi-Tower Case - White Window (SKU: CA-786-LL) = £54.99
• 1 x ASUS 27" TUF Gaming VG27AQ 2560x1440 IPS 165Hz 1ms FreeSync/G-Sync Compatible Gaming Monitor (SKU: MO-0A9-AS) = £218.99

Total: £918.90 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

 

[Tetras]

His budget is £1,000 however this needs to include everything including monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers and operating system.

Does the motherboard need wireless?

Edit: I thought the RAM was 4x8GB, but it is 8x4GB, that's no good. There's a Team 32GB (2x16) kit at £56.

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x Intel Core i5-12600KF 3.70GHz (Alder Lake) Socket LGA1700 Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-69Y-IN) = £149.99
• 1 x Gigabyte B760M DS3H AX DDR4 (LGA 1700) DDR4 Micro-ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-5BZ-GI) = £109.99
• 1 x GeIL EVO Potenza 32GB (8x4GB) DDR4 PC4-24000C16 3000MHz Quad Channel Kit - (SKU: MY-181-GL) = £49.99
• 1 x MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X OC 12GB GDDR6 PCI-Express Graphics Card (SKU: GX-374-MS) = £259.99
• 1 x Team Group MP33 PRO 1TB SSD M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen3 Solid State Drive (SKU: STO-TMG-02681) = £49.99
• 1 x Cooler Master MasterBox TD300 Mesh Mini Tower Case - Black (SKU: CA-38K-CM) = £54.95
• 1 x Phanteks AMP GH 750W 80PLUS Gold ATX Power Supply Modular - Black (SKU: POW-PHK-02517) = £84.95
• 1 x MSI 27" PRO MP275Q 2560x1440 IPS 100Hz sRGB 100% Business Productivity Monitor (SKU: MON-MSI-02163) = £128.99
• 1 x ASUS U2000 Wired Keyboard and Mouse Bundle Black - UK Layout (SKU: KB-03C-AS) = £14.98
• 1 x Microsoft Windows 11 Home 64-Bit DVD - OEM (KW9-00632) (SKU: SW-18J-MS) = £107.99
• 1 x Arctic Freezer 36 120m Black CPU Cooler - 2x 120mm (SKU: COO-ARC-02420) = £24.95

Total: £1,036.76 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

I haven't listed a graphics card yet but I have a 3060ti so possibly a bit outdated for a new build now? I also feel like a lot of savings could be had here.

Not outdated, for a £1000 build (including everything) a 3060 Ti would be a great option to have.

 

[MutenJoshi]

Does the motherboard need wireless?

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x Intel Core i5-12600KF 3.70GHz (Alder Lake) Socket LGA1700 Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-69Y-IN) = £149.99
• 1 x Gigabyte B760M DS3H AX DDR4 (LGA 1700) DDR4 Micro-ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-5BZ-GI) = £109.99
• 1 x GeIL EVO Potenza 32GB (8x4GB) DDR4 PC4-24000C16 3000MHz Quad Channel Kit - (SKU: MY-181-GL) = £49.99
• 1 x MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X OC 12GB GDDR6 PCI-Express Graphics Card (SKU: GX-374-MS) = £259.99
• 1 x Team Group MP33 PRO 1TB SSD M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen3 Solid State Drive (SKU: STO-TMG-02681) = £49.99
• 1 x Cooler Master MasterBox TD300 Mesh Mini Tower Case - Black (SKU: CA-38K-CM) = £54.95
• 1 x Phanteks AMP GH 750W 80PLUS Gold ATX Power Supply Modular - Black (SKU: POW-PHK-02517) = £84.95
• 1 x MSI 27" PRO MP275Q 2560x1440 IPS 100Hz sRGB 100% Business Productivity Monitor (SKU: MON-MSI-02163) = £128.99
• 1 x ASUS U2000 Wired Keyboard and Mouse Bundle Black - UK Layout (SKU: KB-03C-AS) = £14.98
• 1 x Microsoft Windows 11 Home 64-Bit DVD - OEM (KW9-00632) (SKU: SW-18J-MS) = £107.99
• 1 x Arctic Freezer 36 120m Black CPU Cooler - 2x 120mm (SKU: COO-ARC-02420) = £24.95

Total: £1,036.76 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

Not outdated, for a £1000 build (including everything) a 3060 Ti would be a great option to have.

Thanks for the reply. No the motherboard doesn't need wireless.

 

[Tetras]

Thanks for the reply. No the motherboard doesn't need wireless.

FYI: I made a mistake with the RAM (it is 8x 4GB sticks) and edited my post with a suggestion.

 

[MutenJoshi]

FYI: I made a mistake with the RAM (it is 8x 4GB sticks) and edited my post with a suggestion.

Thanks for that. I'll have a look through it. What would this be capable of in terms of playing games (4k? Ultrawide @ 1440p?) just so when I go back to my mate with it. Know you can't really say for sure with future games but just so I have an idea where about it is.

 

[MutenJoshi]

Out of interest how does this one compare? The processor isn't as good but I'm not clued up that much on processors however it has a 4060.


My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x MSI 27" PRO MP275Q 2560x1440 IPS 100Hz sRGB 100% Business Productivity Monitor (SKU: MON-MSI-02163) = £128.99
• 1 x ASUS U2000 Wired Keyboard and Mouse Bundle Black - UK Layout (SKU: KB-03C-AS) = £14.99
• 1 x OcUK Gaming Jigsaw R1 - AMD Ryzen 5500, RTX 4060 Limited Edition Gaming PC (SKU: SYS-OCG-00072) = £716.98
  • 2.5" Solid State Drive: 1 x WD Blue SA510 1TB SSD 2.5" SATA Solid State Drive (WDS100T3B0A)
  • Operating System: 1 x Build Stock Microsoft Windows 11 Home Advanced - Systems

Total: £860.96 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

 

[ben1987]

Buy a windows activation key online for about £20/25 and download the installer for him to a usb stick

 

[Tetras]

What would this be capable of in terms of playing games (4k? Ultrawide @ 1440p?) just so when I go back to my mate with it. Know you can't really say for sure with future games but just so I have an idea where about it is.

Well, to be brutal, a £1000 build including monitor and peripherals is really a 1080p build at this point, but 1440p is doable with a 3060 in most games (especially with upscaling).

1440p UW and 4K in modern AAA games is really not viable (you're looking at something like a 4070 or 7800 XT as a minimum), but in older games you can do it no problem.

Out of interest how does this one compare? The processor isn't as good but I'm not clued up that much on processors however it has a 4060.

• 1 x OcUK Gaming Jigsaw R1 - AMD Ryzen 5500, RTX 4060 Limited Edition Gaming PC (SKU: SYS-OCG-00072) = £716.98

Daniel Owen made a really long YouTube video on the 3060 12GB versus 4060 thing and in the end, he decided the 4060 just edged it (e.g. faster raw performance, newer features and lower power), but it is finely balanced on the price.

The CPU in my build (12600K) is way faster in games and productivity.

My build also has a better/faster SSD, double the memory (if you change it to my suggestion), a much better PSU and a nicer aftermarket cooler instead of a stock one.

 

[dfour]

I have a AM5 build for you assuming you already own the 3060ti.

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x AMD Ryzen 5 7600 Six Core 5.10GHz (Socket AM5) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3DW-AM) = £179.99
• 1 x Asrock B650 LIVEMIXER (Socket AM5) DDR5 ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-18W-AK) = £159.98
• 1 x Phanteks AMP GH 750W 80PLUS Gold ATX Power Supply Modular - Black (SKU: POW-PHK-02517) = £84.95
• 1 x B Grade Phanteks Eclipse P400 Air Midi Tower Case - Black (SKU: BG-06C-PT) = £39.91
• 1 x MSI 27" PRO MP275Q 2560x1440 IPS 100Hz sRGB 100% Business Productivity Monitor (SKU: MON-MSI-02163) = £128.99
• 1 x ASUS U2000 Wired Keyboard and Mouse Bundle Black - UK Layout (SKU: KB-03C-AS) = £14.99
• 1 x Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler - 120mm (SKU: COO-TLR-02665) = £29.99
• 1 x TeamGroup Delta RGB 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-44800C30 6000MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (FF3D532G6000HC30DC01) (SKU: MY-0B8-TG) = £109.99
• 1 x WD Black SN770 2TB SSD M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen4 Solid State Drive (WDS200T3X0E) (SKU: HD-58G-WD) = £109.99

Total: £858.78 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

Motherboard is in stock elsewhere for £145 delivered (saves £15 on the above list)
The cooler can be had instock elsewhere.
The case is large and comes with 2 fans included
Windows 11 licence for about £15 and windows 11 dl from microsoft directly for free.
Leaves £140 to upgrade the above or just save the money. Better keyboard and mouse

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x ASUS K1 Keyboard and M3 Mouse Gaming Bundle - UK Layout (SKU: PER-ASU-00632) = £79.99

Total: £79.99 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

​

Speakers​

​

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x Edifier M1360 2.1 Speaker System (SKU: SP-045-ER) = £34.99

Total: £34.99 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

 

[lee32uk]

Buy a windows activation key online for about £20/25 and download the installer for him to a usb stick

I paid £9.99 for Windows 11 Pro.

 

[MutenJoshi]

I have a AM5 build for you assuming you already own the 3060ti.

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x AMD Ryzen 5 7600 Six Core 5.10GHz (Socket AM5) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3DW-AM) = £179.99
• 1 x Asrock B650 LIVEMIXER (Socket AM5) DDR5 ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-18W-AK) = £159.98
• 1 x Phanteks AMP GH 750W 80PLUS Gold ATX Power Supply Modular - Black (SKU: POW-PHK-02517) = £84.95
• 1 x B Grade Phanteks Eclipse P400 Air Midi Tower Case - Black (SKU: BG-06C-PT) = £39.91
• 1 x MSI 27" PRO MP275Q 2560x1440 IPS 100Hz sRGB 100% Business Productivity Monitor (SKU: MON-MSI-02163) = £128.99
• 1 x ASUS U2000 Wired Keyboard and Mouse Bundle Black - UK Layout (SKU: KB-03C-AS) = £14.99
• 1 x Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler - 120mm (SKU: COO-TLR-02665) = £29.99
• 1 x TeamGroup Delta RGB 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-44800C30 6000MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (FF3D532G6000HC30DC01) (SKU: MY-0B8-TG) = £109.99
• 1 x WD Black SN770 2TB SSD M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen4 Solid State Drive (WDS200T3X0E) (SKU: HD-58G-WD) = £109.99

Total: £858.78 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

Motherboard is in stock elsewhere for £145 delivered (saves £15 on the above list)
The cooler can be had instock elsewhere.
The case is large and comes with 2 fans included
Windows 11 licence for about £15 and windows 11 dl from microsoft directly for free.
Leaves £140 to upgrade the above or just save the money. Better keyboard and mouse

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x ASUS K1 Keyboard and M3 Mouse Gaming Bundle - UK Layout (SKU: PER-ASU-00632) = £79.99

Total: £79.99 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

​

Speakers​

​

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x Edifier M1360 2.1 Speaker System (SKU: SP-045-ER) = £34.99

Total: £34.99 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

The 3060ti (founder edition) is my own card. I've just started a thread looking for upgrade advice for my own build because one potential is to sell him my card for around £200 so he'd be saving £60 and getting a better card than a standard 3060.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll do a bit more research into everything suggested so I know more about what I'm recommending to him.