New gaming/homework PC

Havana_UK

Havana_UK

Havana_UK

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Hi all,

I'm looking at building a new PC from scratch for my son. It will be used for gaming and homework as he's about to begin his GCSEs.

I don't want to go crazy, so I've tried to pick mainly decent components that I'm sure will make a capable rig. I've picked a 1080p monitor for now, as I'm unsure about the spec's long term chances with 1440p (plus it saves a bit of money).

Here's what I've come up with:
My basket at OcUK:

Total: £1,368.82 (includes delivery: £0.00)​



​

Budget is flexible (but I don't want to stray too far above £1500 really), and I also need to factor in an OS, speaking of which, what's the best way to get Win11 now?

Critique welcomed.
 
Corsair HARPOON WIRELESS RGB Optical Gaming Mouse (CH-9311011-EU)
KB-0AA-CS
£55 (incl. VAT)
Find out more
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Six Core 4.6GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail
CP-3CC-AM
£260 (incl. VAT)
£120 (incl. VAT)
Find out more
Asus Prime B550-Plus (AMD AM4) B550 ATX Motherboard
MB-6F6-AS
£124 (incl. VAT)
Find out more
Im currently using a Ryzen 5500 with an RX6600 and 32GB DDR4 RAM as both my work and gaming machine (plus it runs plex) and have no complaints, so the above should be perfectly fine (ps, I do have 2 x 1440p 27" monitors as well)
 
I wouldnt bother with that AIO its comes with an adequate air cooler put the money towards something else or a saving
 
Wing-Man said:
I’d change the cooler for a air cooler, would cost £50 max.
Click to expand...
Kurgen said:
I wouldnt bother with that AIO its comes with an adequate air cooler put the money towards something else or a saving
Click to expand...
Whilst I agree with both of you he's 13 and it's all about the RGB!!! Plus it matches the case, so it will look nice and uniform.

Definitely something to consider though...maybe I'll take it out and go back to a 1440p monitor.
 
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Drop the heatsink on the 850x to save £25 and the 5600 performs virtually the same as the 5600x maybe a couple of FPS difference.
 
mickyflinn said:
Drop the heatsink on the 850x to save £25 and the 5600 performs virtually the same as the 5600x maybe a couple of FPS difference.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I've swapped out the 5600X for 5600.

I chose the heatsink version as the motherboard I've selected has no NVME heatsink AFAIK, and given it will be the sole storage for now I was hoping it wouldn't get too hot with the heatsink. Is it not needed?
 
Havana_UK said:
Thanks. I've swapped out the 5600X for 5600.

I chose the heatsink version as the motherboard I've selected has no NVME heatsink AFAIK, and given it will be the sole storage for now I was hoping it wouldn't get too hot with the heatsink. Is it not needed?
Click to expand...
Not needed but if you prefer I would put the extra money into a better motherboard that comes with a heatsink.

£20 more than the Asus.

www.overclockers.co.uk

Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite V2 (AMD AM4) B550 ATX Motherboard

Order Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite V2 (AMD AM4) B550 ATX Motherboard now online and benefit from fast delivery.
www.overclockers.co.uk www.overclockers.co.uk
 
OK, I've tweaked a few things based on above suggestions.
My basket at OcUK:

Total: £1,333.78 (includes delivery: £0.00)​



​

I've kept the AIO for now...I think it looks like nice :) Swapped 5600X for 5600, swapped NVME drive for one without heatsink, swapped motherboard.

Now I just need to understand my options for Win11. Any suggestions? Buy from OcUK? Buy a Key?
 
Havana_UK said:
Whilst I agree with both of you he's 13 and it's all about the RGB!!! Plus it matches the case, so it will look nice and uniform.
Click to expand...

I'd just get an RGB air cooler, spending £140 on an AIO for a 5600 which can run with the box cooler is very bad for your build's overall value.

Havana_UK said:
It will be used for gaming and homework as he's about to begin his GCSEs.

I've picked a 1080p monitor for now, as I'm unsure about the spec's long term chances with 1440p (plus it saves a bit of money).
Click to expand...

I'd definitely switch back to 1440p, the 6700 XT is fine for that resolution (can use FSR 2.0 if necessary) and the extra usability for work purposes is worth it.

Havana_UK said:
Seasonic B12 BC-750 750W 80+ Bronze Power supply (SKU: CA-07Q-SS) = £69.95
Click to expand...

I would spend the extra for the Seasonic GX-650. The B12 is not built by Seasonic, only has a 5 year warranty and uses a sleeve bearing fan.

Example of how the money could be redistributed, to upgrade the PSU and GPU:

My basket at OcUK:

Total: £1,288.82 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

Cooler: RGB version of the Peerless Assassin (way overkill), or other cheap tower cooler:

www.tomshardware.com

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE Review: Incredible, Affordable Air Cooling Performance

Shockingly cool and quiet, less than $40!
www.tomshardware.com www.tomshardware.com
 
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 Six Core 4.4GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail
CP-3D2-AM
£170 (incl. VAT)
£90 (incl. VAT)
FREE DELIVERY
Find out more
Gigabyte B550 Gaming X V2 (AMD AM4) B550 ATX Motherboard
MB-594-GI
£100 (incl. VAT)
£90 (incl. VAT)
Find out more
Corsair HARPOON WIRELESS RGB Optical Gaming Mouse (CH-9311011-EU)
KB-0AA-CS
£55 (incl. VAT)
Find out more
Thanks Tetras, really useful insight. I'm planning on a future upgrade to a 5800X3D if I see one become available for a good price (I'm sure there will be a few over the next year or so). Would that impact any of the choices you've selected?
 
Great, thanks!

I've made some tweaks based on your suggestions. I'm sticking with the slightly more expensive motherboard with the NVME heatsink and also using a "better" NVME drive (the SN770) with it but have otherwise adopted your proposals:
My basket at OcUK:

Total: £1,292.83 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

​
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I can get the Thermalright cooler from the rainforest site I see. Maybe I'll add some RGB fans.​
 
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Cheap 1440p monitor take a look at the

Cooler Master 27" GA271 2560x1440 VA 100Hz A-Sync Widescreen Gaming Monitor​



Get Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB version if you want more bling.
 
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Thanks, but I'm put off by it being only 100Hz. Is this something I shouldn't worry too much about with Freesync?

/edit - I see this one doesn't support Freesync. I'd looked at the AOC 27" one for £199, but £70 is a decent chunk of saving by going for the 1080p option and that will ensure the GPU stays relevant for a long time as well. Decisions....
 
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