Help with spec please

[A L-pc]

Hi

Looking to upgrade my current desk top and would like some advice on the configuration below.

Mainly for home/office use but also photo editing with Affinity and less Photoshop. It will not be used for gaming.

Trying to future proof slightly, I realise some of the spec might be overkill, but is there anything that should be upgraded and what could be reduced?

Affinity is more CPU rather than GPU heavy in Windows. Is there any significant difference between the 3600 and 3600X? Is the 4Gb AMD RX550 a better option?
I am a little concerned about the open grills on the case letting dust in, especially on top, but there are limited options available elsewhere. I do not want a viewing panel and I do want a couple of external 5.25 inch bays for DVD and multimedia panel.

There isn't really a set budget, but could go up from this price slightly if I could justify it.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Case
CORSAIR CARBIDE SERIES™ 200R COMPACT GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core CPU (3.6GHz-4.2GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING B550-PLUS (DDR4, USB 3.2, 6Gb/s) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
2GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GT 1030
1st Storage Drive
512GB PCS 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (520MB/R, 450MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SEAGATE FIRECUDA 520 GEN 4 PCIe NVMe (up to 5000MB/R, 2500MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
PCS FrostFlow 80 Series High Performance CPU Cooler (AMD)
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KK3-00002]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 12 to 15 working days
Price: £867.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/jFcM!EvknR/

 

[JUNI0R]

Hi

Looking to upgrade my current desk top and would like some advice on the configuration below.

Mainly for home/office use but also photo editing with Affinity and less Photoshop. It will not be used for gaming.

Trying to future proof slightly, I realise some of the spec might be overkill, but is there anything that should be upgraded and what could be reduced?

Affinity is more CPU rather than GPU heavy in Windows. Is there any significant difference between the 3600 and 3600X? Is the 4Gb AMD RX550 a better option?
I am a little concerned about the open grills on the case letting dust in, especially on top, but there are limited options available elsewhere. I do not want a viewing panel and I do want a couple of external 5.25 inch bays for DVD and multimedia panel.

There isn't really a set budget, but could go up from this price slightly if I could justify it.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Case
CORSAIR CARBIDE SERIES™ 200R COMPACT GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core CPU (3.6GHz-4.2GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING B550-PLUS (DDR4, USB 3.2, 6Gb/s) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
2GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GT 1030
1st Storage Drive
512GB PCS 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (520MB/R, 450MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SEAGATE FIRECUDA 520 GEN 4 PCIe NVMe (up to 5000MB/R, 2500MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
PCS FrostFlow 80 Series High Performance CPU Cooler (AMD)
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KK3-00002]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 12 to 15 working days
Price: £867.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/jFcM!EvknR/

Hey, What monitor will you be connecting this to? Will need to know a make and model OR resolution and frequency. Also what's your budget? When we know this we will be able to assist further. Also open gaps are good, it lets air get in and out of the system! And by viewing panel do you mean glass or plastic on the side of the PC?

 

[A L-pc]

I am currently using a BenQ GW2250H but will be upgrading in next year. Budget max £900. Yes, did mean glass/plastic side, don't need to see inside or a multi-colour disco and they do not seem to have the 5.25 in bays either.

 

[JUNI0R]

I am currently using a BenQ GW2250H but will be upgrading in next year. Budget max £900. Yes, did mean glass/plastic side, don't need to see inside or a multi-colour disco and they do not seem to have the 5.25 in bays either.

For a build that isn't gaming based this might just do. I'm not the best at lower end builds but this is what I'd recommend.
-As you are running more CPU intense programs I have upgraded to a 3600X Which runs at a higher clock speed than the 3600. (that's the difference between the X and non X)
-The Graphics card I have picked may be a little overkill (some advice from someone else would be good on this).
-For Storage, I've changed your spec to a 256gb m.2 SSD for windows and main applications and a 1tb hard drive for files as the system you had before was very expensive and not very compatible (you had a gen 4 drive but not a gen 4 motherboard)
-The PSU is fine but if you were to want to upgrade anything it would probably also neeed an upgrade.
-The stock cooler will be fine for a 3600 or 3600X
-You didn't have wifi originally (not sure if this was intentional or not) but I've added in a card that has wifi and bluetooth.

Again, I'm not certain about this spec, for instance I'm not sure if 16gb will be needed and the same with the Ryzen 5 3600X, you could save money here and there but I feel this is a system that is somehwat future proof. Also relating to your monitor, if you're planning on upgrading to a 1440p monitor over 1080p, there's a chance the GPU might need upgrading meaning that the PSU will need upgrading. Realisitcally this not a very futureproof system and it's already over budget. If you're able to upping to £1000 will probably increase your computer's performance significantly

Case
CORSAIR CARBIDE SERIES™ 200R COMPACT GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Six Core CPU (3.8GHz-4.4GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME B550-PLUS (DDR4, USB 3.2, 6Gb/s) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
4GB AMD RADEON™ RX 570 - HDMI, DP - DX® 12
1st Storage Drive
1TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 64MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
256GB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (1900 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
STANDARD AMD CPU COOLER
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
Wireless Network Card
WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 2,400Mbps/5GHz, 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KK3-00002]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Google Chrome™
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 12 to 15 working days
Price: £955.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/MDWVkKey3X/

 

[A L-pc]

Thanks for the advice

From what I had read from the specs, the ASUS® TUF GAMING B550-PLUS motherboard is GEN 4 as has a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and is supported by AMD 3 series. Currently have a 250Gb partition for OS and programs which is almost full, hence the 500Gb, whether worth £60 more for the GEN 4 ssd over the pcs version is another matter. Don't need WiFi, PC is right next to router.

Thanks again for your advice.

 

[JUNI0R]

Thanks for the advice

From what I had read from the specs, the ASUS® TUF GAMING B550-PLUS motherboard is GEN 4 as has a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and is supported by AMD 3 series. Currently have a 250Gb partition for OS and programs which is almost full, hence the 500Gb, whether worth £60 more for the GEN 4 ssd over the pcs version is another matter. Don't need WiFi, PC is right next to router.

Thanks again for your advice.

My bad, I didn't realise this! Despite that, due to the budget of your build I wouldn't recommend getting a Gen 4 PCIE as it's very new so still VERY expensive. Again budget wise, I'd highly recommend having an SSD and a HDD but if you'd prefer just SSD storage you can remove the hard-drive and upgrade to 512gb for £941

 

[A L-pc]

No worries

From what I've read this past week, its a booby-trapped minefield out there

 

[JUNI0R]

No worries

From what I've read this past week, its a booby-trapped minefield out there

Yeah, also realisitcally you're not gonna notice the difference really. This is quite an interesting video that compares all the SSD types. If you would like to go ahead with an order, let us know and we can give a couple pointers!

 

[A L-pc]

Received my new PC today after only 9 days so shouldn't really complain.

But. Opened case to remove transit packaging to notice that the Gen 4 M2 drive had been fitted to the 2nd PCI 3 M2 slot and not the PCI 4. Any logical reason for this? Would be ok to move slots but will be nause as have to remove the graphics card for room. Do I need to contact PCS first to ok it?

Also, there is already a fine layer of dust over the base, ssd and PSU. It only took 2 days from "pre build" to "in testing". What sort of environment are they building these in?