NEW GAMING PC FOR 18TH BIRTHDAY PRESENT. HELP!

Foxcatcher

Foxcatcher

Foxcatcher

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Hello All

Thank you in advance for any advice given in advance.

My son is 18 next month and is computer crazy. He has always had imacs until now, but he wants a new gaming pc. I am not good with computers so would really appreciate any help. This a special birthday/ Christmas present and we are willing to pay £2k maybe more for the right computer. Have been advised to use overclockers for this purchase.

He currently has a two screen set up from his imac which has an i5 processor. He plays games from more basic roblox , minecraft up to more advanced games. He watches lots of videos. He always has lots of windows open at same time and video calls his mates while playing. He is autistic and spends a large amount of time on his computer everyday. Its his escape and he loves it. He likes the lights and open tower design. He would like a i9 processor even though I do not think its needed. He tells me it needs a good graphics card and storage.

I was looking at this as its pre built. But can I ask you guys if you had £2000 to £2500 give or take is this the best bang for buck or can you recommend an alternative.

▷ OcUK Gaming FSG Pro MK2 - 1440p/4K Pre-Built … | OcUK (overclockers.co.uk)

Thank you for your help. Its much appreciated

Peter
 
I was gonna say if you are not comfortable building your own with different components then a prebuilt is your best option. Alderlake is coming today and i think OCUK will be updating their prebuilts shortly after release so i would wait a week and see whats on offer. They may even discount older lines so you might get more for your money.
 
Hello Jay85
Thank you for your response and advice.

Can I ask what Alderlake is? ;) What do you think of the spec on that computer in link? Is that a good spec to be thinking about.

Thanks Again

Peter
 
Foxcatcher said:
Hello Jay85
Thank you for your response and advice.

Can I ask what Alderlake is? ;) What do you think of the spec on that computer in link? Is that a good spec to be thinking about.

Thanks Again

Peter
Click to expand...
Alderlake is Intels latest cpu just released today which has pcie5 and support for both ddr4 and ddr5 memory.

Early indications is its fast.
 
Intel Alderlake reviews will be available from around 4pm today so you should certainly be waiting to see what they are like.

Do not buy the above PC you linked , is 9th gen and has worse slightly worse gpu that you first linked. If I was buying now I would be looking at an AMD based system and not Intel because they offer a better performance per watt.

You can build your own in the configurator.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ocuk...onfigurator-fs-01u-tl.html#t=a2b4c8d2e1f9g6m*

With a play with the configurator I have come up with this suggestged build.

My basket at Overclockers UK:
  • 1 x OcUK Tech Labs AMD Ryzen 3rd Gen Pro Gaming Configurator = £2,448.84
    • CPU:AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Eight Core 4.7GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail
    • Motherboard:MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk MAX WiFi (AMD AM4) DDR4 X570S ATX Motherboard
    • CPU Cooler:EK Water Blocks EK-AIO 240 D-RGB All In One CPU Water Cooler - 240mm
    • Memory:Team Group Night Hawk RGB 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-25600C16 3200MHz Dual Channel Kit - RGB Black (TF1D4
    • M.2 Solid State Drive 1 (Primary Drive If Selected):WD Black SN750 1TB M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen3 Solid State Drive (WDS100T3X0C)
    • M.2 Solid State Drive 2:Unwanted
    • 2.5" SATA Solid State Drive 1:Unwanted
    • 2.5" SATA Solid State Drive 2:Unwanted
    • Mechanical Hard Drive 1:Seagate BarraCuda 1TB 7200RPM SATA 64MB Cache Hard Drive - *System Stock*
    • Mechanical Hard Drive 2:Unwanted
    • Power Supply:Phanteks Revolt Pro 850W 80 Plus Gold Modular Power Combo Supply
    • Soundcard:Unwanted
    • Network Adapter:Unwanted
    • Case Lighting:Phanteks RGB LED Strip Starter Kit (PH-LEDKT_CMBO)
    • Operating System:Microsoft Windows 10 Home Advanced - Systems
    • Security Software:Unwanted
    • Build Time:Standard Build Systems - Dispatched in approx 10-15 working days
    • Gaming Chair:Unwanted
    • Gaming Desk:Unwanted
    • Cases:Corsair iCUE 465X RGB Mid-Tower ATX Smart Case - Black Tempered Glass (CC-9011188-WW)
    • Graphics Card:Asus GeForce RTX 3070 Ti TUF OC 8GB GDDR6 PCI-Express Graphics Card
    • Headset:Unwanted
    • Mouse:Unwanted
    • Keyboard:Unwanted
    • Speakers:Unwanted
    • Monitors:Unwanted
Total: £2,462.94 (includes shipping: £14.10)​
​

You can change a lot of things with the configurator and if you like a differnet case then go for it.




This next PC comes under your budget. If you were to buy it then you should ring up and see if you can get the PSU changed to a better 80+ gold unit from a more highly regarded brand like Corasir or Seasonic.

My basket at Overclockers UK:
  • 1 x OcUK Gaming Rapier - AMD Ryzen 5600X, GeForce RTX 3070Ti Gaming PC = £1,953.91
    • Security Software:Unwanted
    • Operating System:Microsoft Windows 10 Home Advanced - Systems
    • Case:*Build Stock* Phanteks Eclipse P400 Air Midi Tower DRGB Case - Black
    • Processor:*Build Stock* AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Eight Core 4.7GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Tray
    • 2.5" SATA Solid State Drive 1:Unwanted
    • Storage Drive:Seagate BarraCuda 2TB 7200RPM 256MB Cache Hard Drive - *System Stock*
    • Memory:Crucial Ballistix 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-25600C16 3200MHz Dual Channel Kit
    • 2.5" SATA Solid State Drive 2:Unwanted
    • M.2 Solid State Drive 1 (Primary Drive if Selected):WD Black SN750 1TB M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen3 Solid State Drive (WDS100T3X0C)
Total: £1,968.01 (includes shipping: £14.10)​
​

If you are capable you can save £110 by removing windows from the build and installing it yourself from an installer you can get from the MS website. All you need is an 8gb USB stick to be able to do that.


DO not buy yet, these are only suggestged AMD based builds and wait till tomorrow and see what the Alderlake benchmarks are like.
 
No problem I will keep an eye out for any new or discounted models and I will post again towards the end of next week to see if you have any new recommendations
due to the new alderlake processor.

It is so helpful to get some independent and very knowledgeable advice.

Thank you ;);)
 
Alderlake reviews are coming out. It looks like my suggestions are now obsolete and you would be better off getting an Alderlake system.

You will need to move fast because supply of motherboards and DDR5 will be in short supply and you obviously have a upcoming date.

https://www.tomshardware.com/uk/new...re-i5-12600k-review-retaking-the-gaming-crown

Can read the review if you like but the TLDR is that Intel 12th gen with DDR5 is now the system to buy.
 
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ocuk...orce-rtx-3000-series-gaming-pc-fs-1f1-og.html

They are already for sale. Very expensive at moment because it is all brand new and that system has added white tax included.

It is currently very complicated because Alderlake can use DDR4 or DDR5 but the mobo you put the cpu in will be limited to the one type of DDR . I would suggest a DDR5 Alderlake system but that is the much more expensive route at the moment due to the limited amount of DDR5 and the motherboards that support it.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ocuk...-3080ti-pro-gaming-pc-fs-1el-og.html#t=b1c2d1

My basket at Overclockers UK:
  • 1 x OcUK Gaming Zirconium - Intel Core i9 12900KF, GeForce RTX 3080Ti Pro Gaming PC = £3,724.97
    • Memory:Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-41600C38 5200MHZ Dual Channel Kit - Black
    • Case:*Build Stock* Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL Alumiinium Cube Case - Black
    • Primary Solid State Drive (M.2):WD Black SN750 500GB M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen3 Solid State Drive (WDS500G3X0C)
    • Secondary Solid State Drive (M.2):Unwanted
    • Primary 2.5" Solid State Drive:TeamGroup 1TB Vulcan G SSD 2.5" SATA 6Gbps 3D NAND Solid State Drive
    • Secondary 2.5" Solid State Drive :Unwanted
    • Operating System:Microsoft Windows 10 Home Advanced - Systems
    • Security Software:Unwanted
    • CPU:Intel Core i7-12700KF 3.60GHz (Alder Lake) Socket LGA1700 Processor - OEM
    • Graphics Card:*Build Stock* Asus GeForce RTX 3080 ROG Strix Gaming OC V2 10GB GDDR6X Graphics Card
Total: £3,739.07 (includes shipping: £14.10)
​

That is an example of what OCUK are currently offering. Excellent PC but overpriced due to it all being brand new tech.

You are trying to buy at a nexus point in the market where a lot of things change so that complicates matters. The silver lining to this is that the Ryzen systems I linked should reduce in price over the next month or 2 and I predict some very tasty Black Friday deals on Ryzen products.

P.s. If you are going for an Alderlake system you would need to install Win 11 , the Win10 scheduler is not designed for these new Intel Big/little Alderlake chips
 
Last edited:
Hello Haz123

Thank you for your response. Wow that is a big jump in cost. As you say currently paying a premium for brand new tech.
Lets see what happens, I have bit of time yet. You have opened the option of AMD Ryzen which I would not have considered before.

You know what its like, I just want to get him the best spec I can. If you see anything else please post it

Thank you again for your help today.

Peter
 
OK I have overdosed on Alderlake benchmarks and you have a variety of choices that are all viable. It seems that DDR5 systems are not really sensible choices at the moment so that does simplify the situation.

Prices are going to be very volatile in the next few weeks and Ryzen prices should drop gradually because they now have actual competition. It looks like Alderlake actually performs better with DDR4 in most games with just a few exceptions showing large performance jumps with DDR5 but they are rare.

The situation is very complex and both Ryzen 5xxx systems and Alderlake with DDR4 will suit your sons needs. I would not consider anything outside of those platforms and advise you to rule out Intel 9/10/11 gen and also earlier Ryzen chips. A Ryzen system is a known quantity so less to worry about but Alderlake does have slightly better performance.

Option 1 - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ocuk...x-geforce-rtx-3070ti-gaming-pc-fs-122-og.html

My basket at Overclockers UK:
  • 1 x OcUK Gaming Rapier - AMD Ryzen 5600X, GeForce RTX 3070Ti Gaming PC = £1,829.94
    • Security Software:**Special Offer** Bullguard Internet Security - Anti-Virus and Security - 1 Year 3 PC
    • Operating System:Microsoft Windows 10 Home Advanced - Systems
    • Case:*Build Stock* Phanteks Eclipse P400 Air Midi Tower DRGB Case - Black
    • Processor:AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Six Core 4.6GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - MPK
    • 2.5" SATA Solid State Drive 1:Unwanted
    • Storage Drive:Seagate BarraCuda 2TB 7200RPM 256MB Cache Hard Drive - *System Stock*
    • Memory:Crucial Ballistix 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-28800C16 3600MHz Dual Channel Kit
    • 2.5" SATA Solid State Drive 2:Unwanted
    • M.2 Solid State Drive 1 (Primary Drive if Selected):WD Black SN750 1TB M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen3 Solid State Drive (WDS100T3X0C)
Total: £1,844.04 (includes shipping: £14.10)​
​

If you go for this option then you can choose any of the cases that you like the look of. You can also choose a 5800x instead of the 5600x that I picked, I picked the 5600x because it is cheaper and would then not be as much of a loss if he wanted a new 3D cache Ryzen chip that will released in 2022. You should ring up when ordering and get them to replace the PSU with a decent 80+ plus gold unit from a more reputable brand.

Option 2 - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ocuk...rd-gen-pro-gaming-configurator-fs-01u-tl.html

My basket at Overclockers UK:
  • 1 x OcUK Tech Labs AMD Ryzen 3rd Gen Pro Gaming Configurator = £2,526.73
    • CPU:AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Eight Core 4.7GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail
    • Motherboard:MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk MAX WiFi (AMD AM4) DDR4 X570S ATX Motherboard
    • CPU Cooler:EK Water Blocks EK-AIO 360 D-RGB All In One CPU Water Cooler - 360mm
    • Memory:Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO Black 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz AMD Ryzen Tuned DDR4 Memory Dual Kit
    • M.2 Solid State Drive 1 (Primary Drive If Selected):WD Black SN750 1TB M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen3 Solid State Drive (WDS100T3X0C)
    • M.2 Solid State Drive 2:Unwanted
    • 2.5" SATA Solid State Drive 1:Unwanted
    • 2.5" SATA Solid State Drive 2:Unwanted
    • Mechanical Hard Drive 1:Seagate BarraCuda 2TB 7200RPM 256MB Cache Hard Drive - *System Stock*
    • Mechanical Hard Drive 2:Unwanted
    • Power Supply:Corsair RMx Series RM850x 80 PLUS Gold Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
    • Soundcard:Unwanted
    • Network Adapter:Unwanted
    • Case Lighting:Unwanted
    • Operating System:Microsoft Windows 10 Home Advanced - Systems
    • Security Software:Unwanted
    • Build Time:Standard Build Systems - Dispatched in approx 10-15 working days
    • Gaming Chair:Unwanted
    • Gaming Desk:Unwanted
    • Cases:Lian-Li PC-O11 Dynamic Midi-Tower - White Window
    • Graphics Card:Asus GeForce RTX 3070 Ti TUF OC 8GB GDDR6 PCI-Express Graphics Card
    • Headset:Unwanted
    • Mouse:Unwanted
    • Keyboard:Unwanted
    • Speakers:Unwanted
    • Monitors:Unwanted
Total: £2,540.83 (includes shipping: £14.10)​
​

This is what I would personally choose for myself if I did not already have a very similar system already. You could swap out the 5800x for 5600x and save some money and choose any case you prefer the look of, I have the Lian Li O11 and it is a lovely case. Lot of options with the configurator. This system has 32gb whilst the others I link only have 16gb , is what I personally use but you can change the other systems to match if you like.

Option 3 - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ocuk...orce-rtx-3000-series-gaming-pc-fs-1f1-og.html

My basket at Overclockers UK:
  • 1 x OcUK Gaming Zirconium Ice - Intel Core i7 12700KF, GeForce RTX 3000 Series Gaming PC = £2,799.95
    • Memory:Team Group Night Hawk RGB 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-25600C16 3200MHz Dual Channel Kit - RGB Black (TF1D4
    • Primary M.2 Solid State Drive:Samsung 980 Pro 500GB M.2 2280 PCI-e 4.0 x4 NVMe Solid State Drive
    • Secondary M.2 Solid State Drive:Unwanted
    • Primary 2.5" Solid State Drive:TeamGroup 1TB Vulcan G SSD 2.5" SATA 6Gbps 3D NAND Solid State Drive
    • Operating System:Microsoft Windows 10 Home Advanced - Systems
    • Security Software:**Special Offer** Bullguard Internet Security - Anti-Virus and Security - 1 Year 3 PC
    • Processor:Intel Core i7-12700KF 3.60GHz (Alder Lake) Socket LGA1700 Processor - OEM
    • Graphics Card:*Build Stock* Asus GeForce RTX 3070 ROG Strix Gaming OC White Edition 8GB GDDR6 Graphics Card
Total: £2,814.05 (includes shipping: £14.10)​
​

Not nearly as many option with this configurator. Is a shame you cannot yet get the 12600K chip in the prebuilds. This is the fastest system from a cpu perspective but it has less choices of gpu so it has a 3070 which is around 10% slower than a 3070ti. Cannot change case and whilst the O11 XL is lovely it is designed for full watercooling set up and is too large for the components it houses in this build, a standard O11 Dynamic would be a better choice for this build but not an option I am afraid.

I have 21 year old son and if I was buying a PC for him I would buy option 1 or 2. I know he is a PC noob and would not know how to troubleshoot the Alderlake system if it had a problem and with it being a whole new architecture there is likely to be issues. I did try to keep the storage options the same as much as i could so the systems were more comparable , can easily change the choices in the configurators.

Hope that all helps. Sorry for wall of text.
 
Seen following but not at OCuk unfortunately..

Lian li 011 Dynamic
12700kf
RTX 3080ti
adata lancer 32gb (2x16) 5200 ddr5
asus strix z690 f gaming
lian li galahad 360mm rgb aio
corsair rm850x psu
WD sn550 1tb nvme
£2,749 incl vat
you need to add windows on top though so £2,839.97 with win 11 home.

from recent reviews, if only gaming primarily, most games are gpu bound rather than cpu, so 5800X trades blows with the 12700, and if you pair with a b550 board and some 3600c16 ddr4 ram, you'll save a fair bit...in benchmarks it was betw 1-3% difference in gaming

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlngwUuDYoc&t=23s&ab_channel=HardwareUnboxed
 
Oh something else to consider. If he was to get an Alderlake Intel system then there will be a dozen new Bios for whatever mobo he got over the next 2 years and would need to constantly update it to get better stability. Some people do not mind this and always update when a new BIOS is released whilst others do not want the hassle. With a Ryzen system you would not need to do that , the Bios it shipped with would be mature and would most likely never need to be updated...unless you wanted too ofc.

I personally go with the approach of if it is not broke then do not try to fix it but with a new platform that is not realistic and the updated BIOS's would be needed for quite some time. Being an early adopter always has a price.
 
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