New Build / Bundle

[Hybrids]

Hi All,

I've been away from gaming and computing for over 10 years! It looks like things have moved on a little.

I have built my computers in the past, but I'm looking for a pre-made gaming machine. I have spec'd one up and I'm looking for some confirmation I'm heading the right direction. This is already over my budget..

CPU: Ryzen R5 7600
Motherboards: ASUS Prime A620M-K
GPU: Nvidia RTX 4070
RAM: 16GB (2 x 8) 5200 mhz DDR5
HD: 1tb NVME SSD
Monitor: 27" 1440 - Refresh Rate 165

~£1500

I'm hoping to get back into FPS as well as some casual strategy games. I had an older CPU and GPU at one point, but a friend suggested I need to go for the RTX 4070, specially if I want a 27" screen 1440P - Then I was concerned with bottlenecking between the CPU and GPU, therefore ending with the above spec.

Any suggestions welcome,

Thanks,

Phil

 

[Zenduri]

@Hybrids Just roughly knocked this up so someone will prob need to check it. I've budgeted in a good and easy to build in case as well as a PSU (you were missing both above) I've also changed it up to 32gb RAM and an aftermarket CPU cooler. 7800XT is basically the same perf as a 4070 with more VRAM

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x Lexar NM790 1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 M.2 Solid State Drive (SKU: STO-LEX-01452) = £59.99
• 1 x iiyama 27" G-Master GB2745QSU-B1 2560x1140 IPS 100Hz 1ms FreeSync Gaming Monitor (SKU: MON-IIY-01741) = £189.95
• 1 x MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WIFI (Socket AM5) DDR5 ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-375-MS) = £199.99
• 1 x Corsair Vengeance EXPO 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-41600C40 5200MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (CMK32GX5M2B5200Z40) (SKU: MY-4DP-CS) = £99.95
• 1 x SAPPHIRE PULSE AMD Radeon™ RX 7800 XT Gaming Graphics Card with 16GB GDDR6, AMD RDNA™ 3 architecture (SKU: GRA-SPR-00764) = £479.98
• 1 x AMD Ryzen 5 7600 Six Core 5.10GHz (Socket AM5) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3DW-AM) = £194.99
• 1 x Seasonic G12-GC-850 850W 80+ Gold Power supply (SKU: CA-07K-SS) = £89.99
• 1 x Lian Li Lancool II Mesh C RGB Midi-Tower Case - Black (SKU: CA-79S-LL) = £109.99
• 1 x Noctua NH-U9S Chromax Black CPU Cooler - 92mm (SKU: HS-03Q-NC) = £74.99

Sub Total: £1,499.83​

Delivery: £15.99​

Total: £1,515.82​

 

[Tetras]

I have built my computers in the past, but I'm looking for a pre-made gaming machine. I have spec'd one up and I'm looking for some confirmation I'm heading the right direction. This is already over my budget..

CPU: Ryzen R5 7600
Motherboards: ASUS Prime A620M-K
GPU: Nvidia RTX 4070
RAM: 16GB (2 x 8) 5200 mhz DDR5
HD: 1tb NVME SSD
Monitor: 27" 1440 - Refresh Rate 165

~£1500

It looks alright, the usual thing with prebuilds though: slow/low capacity memory and a not great motherboard (doesn't even have any heatsinks!).

 

[Hybrids]

Thanks for the replies, didn't think to check RX 7800 XT, definitely something to consider.

I didn't include the full list of parts on the pre-build.

@Tetras thanks for your reply. I have to ask, what do you mean by slow/low capacity memory? Your not talking about rhe DDR5? Same question about heat sink?

Thanks

 

[mickyflinn]

. I have to ask, what do you mean by slow/low capacity memory? Your not talking about rhe DDR5? Same question about heat sink?

Thanks

Slow memory 5200mhz, ideally should be 6000mhz which is optimum for AM5.

Capacity 16gb should be enough , ideally 32gb but more can be added later.

CPU Cooler will that be the stock cooler which comes with the 7600 while adequate not ideal .

 

[Tetras]

@Tetras thanks for your reply. I have to ask, what do you mean by slow/low capacity memory?

Speed: as above. It doesn't matter much for the X3D, but the non-X3D CPUs lose some performance. See here (the 7700X is the closest comparable CPU):

Ryzen 9 7950X3D Memory Scaling Benchmark, Does DDR5 Performance Matter?

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hardwareunboxedJoin us on Floatplane: https://www.floatplane.com/channel/HardwareUnboxedBuy relevant products ...

www.youtube.com

The performance gap between speeds will close at higher resolutions (the video is at 1080p), but you may still consider the FPS loss to be meaningful.

Capacity: for £1500, I'd expect to have 32GB. 16GB I'd only use for budget builds (e.g. £600).

Same question about heat sink?

The A620M-K has no heatsinks on the VRM, so it is likely to get hot. With a 7600, you should be fine, but I'd be concerned about a future upgrade to a 9900X, for example. A top-down CPU cooler will help, rather than a tower or AIO.

It is just a basic board in general (e.g. only one M.2 slot in 2024 is kind of mad), but as I said, that's not unusual for prebuilds.

 

[Hybrids]

Thanks MickyFlinn/Tetras,

I'll consider the 32gb @ 6000mhz, it does push the price up, but only a small amount.

Seems like I need to reconsider the motherboard. On this build website it has the following options (not sure how to add a screen grab?):

1. ASUS Prime A620M-K (basline)
2. ASUS Prime B650-PLUS (+£65 from baseline)
3. ASUS TUF GAMING B650-Plus WIFI (+£180 from baseline)
4. ASUS TUF GAMING X670E-PLUS WIFI (+£220 from baseline)
5. ASUS ROG STRIX X670E-A GAMING WIFI (+£220 from baseline)
6. ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X670E HERO (+£400 from baseline)
7. ASUS ProART X670E-CREATOR WIFI (+£360 from baseline)
8. GIGABYE B650M DS3H (+£90 from baseline)
9. GIGBYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX (+£140 from baseline)
10. GIGBYTE B670 AORUS ELITE AX (+£180 from baseline)

Some of the above options add a lot of additional cost, I need the right balance, yes a bit of future proofing, able to to plays, good FPS, but also control over cost,

Thanks again for all your support!

Phil

 

[Tetras]

Edit: oops, misread the options.

Those are all a lot more, kind of hard to recommend for those prices

 

[mickyflinn]

Edit: oops, misread the options.

Those are all a lot more, kind of hard to recommend for those prices

Agree Those boards are retail price and no offset for the A620, that's robbery apart from th b650 prime

 

[Hybrids]

Right, what sort of make and features should I looking for in a motherboard? Obviously needs to work for the CPU, but there's obviously something missing from those stated above. Can't be future growth only?

 

[Hybrids]

just checking the OCUK custom gaming PC's and it has ASUS TUF GAMING B650-Plus as there baseline option.

 

[Tetras]

Right, what sort of make and features should I looking for in a motherboard?

That really depends on your needs, but I think I'd want 3 M.2 slots and a half-decent VRM with heatsinks, so that I'm free to upgrade to e.g. a 12 core.

With that in mind: the B650 Aorus Elite AX is probably the best price, it has 3x M.2 slots (1 is PCI-E 5.0), onboard wireless, a decent VRM and an 8-layer PCB (good for thermals), but the downsides: only PCI-E 4.0 graphics and basic audio (with just 3 jacks).

If the A620M-K meets your needs and e.g. you don't think you'll want more than 1x M.2 slot and won't upgrade to a CPU much better than the Ryzen 5 line, then it is fine for now, especially considering how overpriced the other options are, but if you want to keep it long-term with decent expansion, the B650 Aorus Elite AX is what I'd get.

it has ASUS TUF GAMING B650-Plus as there baseline option.

That's a much better baseline than the A620M-K, for sure.

 

[Hybrids]

That really depends on your needs, but I think I'd want 3 M.2 slots and a half-decent VRM with heatsinks, so that I'm free to upgrade to e.g. a 12 core.

With that in mind: the B650 Aorus Elite AX is probably the best price, it has 3x M.2 slots (1 is PCI-E 5.0), onboard wireless, a decent VRM and an 8-layer PCB (good for thermals), but the downsides: only PCI-E 4.0 graphics and basic audio (with just 3 jacks).

If the A620M-K meets your needs and e.g. you don't think you'll want more than 1x M.2 slot and won't upgrade to a CPU much better than the Ryzen 5 line, then it is fine for now, especially considering how overpriced the other options are, but if you want to keep it long-term with decent expansion, the B650 Aorus Elite AX is what I'd get.


That's a much better baseline than the A620M-K, for sure.

Thanks again for your quick response,

had to google what the M2 slots are for, future space for SDD.. considering some games take up a lot of space, it would be silly for me to have 1 M.2 slot. On the B650 Aorus Elite AX, you said only PCI-E 4.0 graphics, if this is the downside, what should I be looking for? You said it has PCI-E 5.0?

Sorry for all the questions,

Thanks again,

 

[mickyflinn]

I've trimmed the fat off the build if you can install windows yourself keys can be had for £10.

2tb m2 included but no WiFi .

Overclockers will charge you about £150 to build this , ask them but you gain a 3 year warranty .



My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x AMD Ryzen 5 7600 Six Core 5.10GHz (Socket AM5) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3DW-AM) = £194.99
• 1 x Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus (Socket AM5) DDR5 ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-6K1-AS) = £159.98
• 1 x TeamGroup Vulcan EXPO 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-48000C38 6000MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (FLABD532G6000HC38ADC01) (SKU: MY-0B2-TG) = £99.95
• 1 x Seasonic G12-GC-650 650W 80+ Gold Power Supply (SKU: CA-07M-SS) = £69.95
• 1 x SAPPHIRE PULSE AMD Radeon™ RX 7800 XT Gaming Graphics Card with 16GB GDDR6, AMD RDNA™ 3 architecture (SKU: GRA-SPR-00764) = £479.99
• 1 x KIOXIA EXCERIA G2 2TB SSD NVME M.2 2280 Solid State Drive (SKU: STO-TSH-00982) = £89.98
• 1 x Kolink Observatory HF Mesh ARGB Midi Tower Case - Black (SKU: CA-07R-KK) = £50.00
• 1 x iiyama 27" G-Master GB2745QSU-B1 2560x1140 IPS 100Hz 1ms FreeSync Gaming Monitor (SKU: MON-IIY-01741) = £189.94

Total: £1,346.77 (includes delivery: £11.98)​

 

[Hybrids]

I've trimmed the fat off the build if you can install windows yourself keys can be had for £10.

2tb m2 included but no WiFi .

Overclockers will charge you about £150 to build this , ask them but you gain a 3 year warranty .



My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x AMD Ryzen 5 7600 Six Core 5.10GHz (Socket AM5) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3DW-AM) = £194.99
• 1 x Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus (Socket AM5) DDR5 ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-6K1-AS) = £159.98
• 1 x TeamGroup Vulcan EXPO 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-48000C38 6000MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (FLABD532G6000HC38ADC01) (SKU: MY-0B2-TG) = £99.95
• 1 x Seasonic G12-GC-650 650W 80+ Gold Power Supply (SKU: CA-07M-SS) = £69.95
• 1 x SAPPHIRE PULSE AMD Radeon™ RX 7800 XT Gaming Graphics Card with 16GB GDDR6, AMD RDNA™ 3 architecture (SKU: GRA-SPR-00764) = £479.99
• 1 x KIOXIA EXCERIA G2 2TB SSD NVME M.2 2280 Solid State Drive (SKU: STO-TSH-00982) = £89.98
• 1 x Kolink Observatory HF Mesh ARGB Midi Tower Case - Black (SKU: CA-07R-KK) = £50.00
• 1 x iiyama 27" G-Master GB2745QSU-B1 2560x1140 IPS 100Hz 1ms FreeSync Gaming Monitor (SKU: MON-IIY-01741) = £189.94

Total: £1,346.77 (includes delivery: £11.98)​

Thanks mickyflinn,

Do I specifically contact someone @overclockers to build this or will an option appear after adding everything to my basket?

Since there's no wifi included, I just add a separate wifi card to the order and OCUK will install? Or I just do it myself?

Regarding windows, I buy a key (I'm new to this term), assuming this a USB stick with unlicensed windows, then when I receive the box and set boot sequence for the USB, install windows etc.. ?

lastly, I'm still debating between RX7800 XT and RTX 4070, do you recommend the AMD card or is it price decision?

Thanks again, appreciate the help!

 

[Tetras]

had to google what the M2 slots are for, future space for SDD.. considering some games take up a lot of space, it would be silly for me to have 1 M.2 slot

Yeah, I mean..., you do have the old SATA ports as an option, but decent ones are getting scarce and they're much slower than modern M.2 drives, so I really don't think just 1 M.2 slot is appropriate anymore for a new gaming PC.

On the B650 Aorus Elite AX, you said only PCI-E 4.0 graphics, if this is the downside, what should I be looking for? You said it has PCI-E 5.0?

It has 1x PCI-E 5.0 M.2 slot (2x PCI-E 4.0 too), but the graphics lanes are PCI-E 4.0. You need B650E or X670E to have PCI-E 5.0 graphics.

You don't need either right now (and may not in the future), but PCI-E 5.0 graphics is arguably the main reason to buy a better motherboard, apart from the VRM/thermal performance.

If we use the past to predict the future, an old PCI-E version has little impact on a 4090 (around 2-5%), but it can be 20% or more on a low-end 6500 XT. Since the trend is for cards to be released with fewer lanes (they're supposed to have 16, but the 6500 XT only has 4!), you might want PCI-E 5.0 graphics to protect yourself from future performance loss.

For the SSD: PCI-E 5.0 isn't really worth it (the drives are very expensive too), but games are starting to use their speed a lot more than before (e.g. for streaming assets), so it is possible you'll get more benefit in the lifetime of the system, especially if AM5 follows AM4 and has 2 or 3 more generations of CPU available for upgrades.

 

[mickyflinn]

Thanks mickyflinn,

Do I specifically contact someone @overclockers to build this or will an option appear after adding everything to my basket?

Since there's no wifi included, I just add a separate wifi card to the order and OCUK will install? Or I just do it myself?

Regarding windows, I buy a key (I'm new to this term), assuming this a USB stick with unlicensed windows, then when I receive the box and set boot sequence for the USB, install windows etc.. ?

lastly, I'm still debating between RX7800 XT and RTX 4070, do you recommend the AMD card or is it price decision?

Thanks again, appreciate the help!

Best to talk to Overclockers and either point them to this thread or put the parts you want in the basket .

I've added motherboard with WiFi.

You download windows install to a usb then install and add a key Google is your friend.

The 7800x t is faster than the 4070 and cheaper the only difference is ray tracing performance so it's your choice.

If you can stretch your budget a little there's some slight improvements to make like adding a better cooler and improve PSU.


Case is that ok for you ?

I've done an improved build with change I would make .

Motherboard with WiFi £10 extra.

Better M2 drive £25 extra , just giving you options.

PSU £20 more with 10 year warranty instead of 5 year which personally would get regardless.

CPU cooler £32 optional.

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x AMD Ryzen 5 7600 Six Core 5.10GHz (Socket AM5) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3DW-AM) = £194.99
• 1 x TeamGroup Vulcan EXPO 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-48000C38 6000MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (FLABD532G6000HC38ADC01) (SKU: MY-0B2-TG) = £99.95
• 1 x SAPPHIRE PULSE AMD Radeon™ RX 7800 XT Gaming Graphics Card with 16GB GDDR6, AMD RDNA™ 3 architecture (SKU: GRA-SPR-00764) = £479.98
• 1 x Kolink Observatory HF Mesh ARGB Midi Tower Case - Black (SKU: CA-07R-KK) = £50.00
• 1 x iiyama 27" G-Master GB2745QSU-B1 2560x1140 IPS 100Hz 1ms FreeSync Gaming Monitor (SKU: MON-IIY-01741) = £189.94
• 1 x Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus WIFI (Socket AM5) DDR5 ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-6K0-AS) = £170.00
• 1 x Phanteks AMP 650W 80 Plus Gold Modular Power Supply (SKU: CA-09Q-PT) = £89.98
• 1 x WD Black SN770 2TB SSD M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen4 Solid State Drive (WDS200T3X0E) (SKU: HD-58G-WD) = £116.00
• 1 x Kolink Umbra EX180 ARGB CPU Cooler - 120mm (SKU: HS-000-KK) = £32.98

Total: £1,435.81 (includes delivery: £11.98)​

 

[Hybrids]

Best to talk to Overclockers and either point them to this thread or put the parts you want in the basket .

I've added motherboard with WiFi.

You download windows install to a usb then install and add a key Google is your friend.

The 7800x t is faster than the 4070 and cheaper the only difference is ray tracing performance so it's your choice.

If you can stretch your budget a little there's some slight improvements to make like adding a better cooler and improve PSU.


Case is that ok for you ?

I've done an improved build with change I would make .

Motherboard with WiFi £10 extra.

Better M2 drive £25 extra , just giving you options.

PSU £20 more with 10 year warranty instead of 5 year which personally would get regardless.

CPU cooler £32 optional.

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x AMD Ryzen 5 7600 Six Core 5.10GHz (Socket AM5) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3DW-AM) = £194.99
• 1 x TeamGroup Vulcan EXPO 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-48000C38 6000MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (FLABD532G6000HC38ADC01) (SKU: MY-0B2-TG) = £99.95
• 1 x SAPPHIRE PULSE AMD Radeon™ RX 7800 XT Gaming Graphics Card with 16GB GDDR6, AMD RDNA™ 3 architecture (SKU: GRA-SPR-00764) = £479.98
• 1 x Kolink Observatory HF Mesh ARGB Midi Tower Case - Black (SKU: CA-07R-KK) = £50.00
• 1 x iiyama 27" G-Master GB2745QSU-B1 2560x1140 IPS 100Hz 1ms FreeSync Gaming Monitor (SKU: MON-IIY-01741) = £189.94
• 1 x Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus WIFI (Socket AM5) DDR5 ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-6K0-AS) = £170.00
• 1 x Phanteks AMP 650W 80 Plus Gold Modular Power Supply (SKU: CA-09Q-PT) = £89.98
• 1 x WD Black SN770 2TB SSD M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen4 Solid State Drive (WDS200T3X0E) (SKU: HD-58G-WD) = £116.00
• 1 x Kolink Umbra EX180 ARGB CPU Cooler - 120mm (SKU: HS-000-KK) = £32.98

Total: £1,435.81 (includes delivery: £11.98)​

Great, thank you!

Case is good thanks, and I think I can stretch for the extra's.

Thanks again for your help and everyone else's comments,

Phil

 

[mickyflinn]

@Hybrids

Nice

Let's us know what the labour cost is.

How to Install/Download Windows 11 onto a USB Drive? [3 Ways] - MiniTool

 

[Hybrids]

I've submitted a ticket with OCUK and referenced this thread, so we'll see what they come back with. If they won't build it or the price is too high then I might go ahead and build it myself..

If that happens, I have a few questions

Does anyone know if the CPU cooler comes with thermal paste already applied or comes with a tube of paste that I need to apply myself?

I watched a few videos on builds and some of them that had Ryzen 5 mentioned about flashing the Bios? Is this something that needs to happen or will the above motherboard recognise the CPU etc. ?

Otherwise I don't think there's anything else I need to be aware of, I can see the SDD install different from back in the day and have a heat sink!

Thanks,
Phil