'Old Tech' PC for Games at 1080p

[lb_vp]

Hi Folks, I've read some of the sound advice going around these forums and have also read the Sept 2020 buyers guide which was really helpful.

My aim is primarily to get a PC before too long, hence avoiding the new CPUs and GPUs that are launching at the moment. Although as others have suggested, maybe looking to upgrade to those further down the line. In terms of use case, it will be for gaming (e.g. Project Cars 2, Red Dead 2 & GTA V). The main point about my gaming habits being that I play slightly older games and usually (with the exception of the oness listed above) not graphically heavy (openTTD anyone?! ).

My thoughts behind some of the choices are explained here:
- case --> read this the define 7 was a good choice for a quiet build
- HDDs --> 256gb for OS , 512gb for games, 1tb for documents, photos etc.
- cpu cooler --> probably not necessary but heard this one is esp. quiet
- extra fans --> certainly looking for some advice about these (would they make any difference to performance or noise?)
- PSU --> overkill but upgrade safe?

Case
FRACTAL DEFINE 7 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core CPU (3.6GHz-4.2GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® ROG STRIX X570-F GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
6GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1660 SUPER - HDMI, DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
1st Storage Drive
1TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA 120 2.5" SSD, (up to 560MB/sR | 540MB/sW)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
256GB INTEL® 760p M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 3210MB/sR | 1315MB/sW)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB INTEL® 660p M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 1500MB/sR | 1000MB/sW)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 650W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Noctua NH-U14S Ultra Quiet Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Extra Case Fans
2x 120mm Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 Case Fans
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
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


Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/5AZsG2NJuu/


Look forward to hearing your thoughts and tweaks.

 

[Scott]

I totally understand your reasoning behind your choices but I would box a little more clever if I were you. You have gone for some seriously premium options with the future in mind, which is great, that can be dialed back in order to prop up the current level of system.

The Case is as good as it gets for silence. Pairing it with the Noctua with the lower end chips will be fantastic for volume and it will be whisper quiet.

The CPU is a fair choice but I don't know about being a good shout with the 5600X out at the beginning of November. It's highly unlikely that your build will be complete by then anyway but just for the sake of argument, lets stick with the 3600. If you feel the need to bump up to the 5600X after the release then you have that option and the rest of the build absolutely supports it.

The motherboard is huge overkill. I understand your thinking behind choosing it but the TUF 570 would be overkill, the B550 has you covered. As you have the budget the 570 is a fair spend as it has everything you could ever want.

With the GPU, you want to match your monitor. Which monitor is it you have? Model would be handy but resolution/refresh rate as a minimum. With the 1660 Super you are looking at 1080p 144hz, if your monitor isn't over 120hz you would be better selecting the 1650 Super as it will have you covered at your level of gaming.

The storage is a bit all over the shop. Again, I understand your logic but you don't want to be over-shooting the drive count and usefulness. Additionally, the Intel drives should be avoided at all costs. They are never recommended.

For the additional fans, these aren't really required. The Define comes with a decent set of fans and the extra ventilation would be for more heavy duty rigs.

So, with all that in mind. This is the sort of thing I would look towards. It's cheaper, has much better storage uses and absolutely has you covered for anything you want to do in the future (I gave the PSU an extra kick and threw in some silence).

As I said, the 5600X would be highly recommended as a drop in when available if your rig isn't built and the GPU presumes you have a monitor with over 100hz frequency. Other than that, it's a stonking base build that will have you covered.

Another additional side note is that you are a GPU away from 1440p gaming. There is a serious increase in visual fidelity making such a jump and it would be well worth considering saving for an upgrade of this fashion. Baby steps though, you could use the below for 4k gaming with a GPU increase if you wanted

Case
FRACTAL DEFINE 7 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core CPU (3.6GHz-4.2GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF X570-PLUS GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0, CrossFireX) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
6GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1660 SUPER - HDMI, DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3200MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Noctua NH-U14S Ultra Quiet Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
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
Firefox™
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
TIMED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND - MON-FRI (BEFORE 2PM)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Price: £1,380.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/wM7x4jpJAK/

 

[lb_vp]

Hi, thanks for the reply. Understood on the motherboard.

The monitor is MSI Optix AG32CV Full HD 31.5” which is 1080p @ 165hz (although I haven't purchased that just yet). Possibly waiting on black friday to provide some good deals.

With the 1440p option, are you suggesting that an upgrade to the 2060 or 2060 super would allow for gaming at high FPS at the higher resolution?

Am I correct to summarise the scenarios (increasing in performance and price) as:
1. 1080p w/ the 3600 & 1650 at <= 120hz
2. 1080p w/ the 3600 & 1660 at >= 120hz
3. 1440p w/ 3600 & 2060
4. 1440p w/ 5600x & 2060

 

[Scott]

Hi, thanks for the reply. Understood on the motherboard.

The monitor is MSI Optix AG32CV Full HD 31.5” which is 1080p @ 165hz (although I haven't purchased that just yet). Possibly waiting on black friday to provide some good deals.

With the 1440p option, are you suggesting that an upgrade to the 2060 or 2060 super would allow for gaming at high FPS at the higher resolution?

Am I correct to summarise the scenarios (increasing in performance and price) as:
1. 1080p w/ the 3600 & 1650 at <= 120hz
2. 1080p w/ the 3600 & 1660 at >= 120hz
3. 1440p w/ 3600 & 2060
4. 1440p w/ 5600x & 2060

The 3060(Ti) is due out in November which will be a similar price to the 2060 Super and have FAR more power.

If you haven't bought the monitor yet I would definitely look to go for 1440p as it would make such a difference to your experience.

1440p 144hz Monitor
5600X
3600(Ti)

I would suggest you hold off, save a little more and go for the above. It's going to be LOADS better than any 1080p rig you can imagine.

Below is a price example including the monitor with the 3600XT and the 2060 Super as the placeholders at similar money to the 5600X and the 3060Ti. I know it's a bump in price but the value is definitely there considering it's a proper full on 1440p gaming rig.

Case
FRACTAL DEFINE 7 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT Six Core CPU (4.5GHz/35MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF X570-PLUS GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0, CrossFireX) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2060 SUPER - HDMI, DP - VR Ready!
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3200MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Noctua NH-U14S Ultra Quiet Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
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
Firefox™
Monitor
IIYAMA G-MASTER GB2760QSU-B1 27"
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
TIMED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND - MON-FRI (BEFORE 2PM)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Price: £1,925.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/u36cxEfyzE/

 

[lb_vp]

Hello again, I've started to think about this build again. There doesn't seem to be a firm release date for the 3060 yet, and the and GPUs are still about a month away, if I'm not wrong.

My current thoughts are to be an interim GPU, see how I get on with that and possibly upgrade in the future. I'll be looking for 1080p 144hz although 1440p performance would be a bonus. I'm currently considering the following:


Case
FRACTAL DEFINE 7 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Six Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.6GHz/35MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF X570-PLUS GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0, CrossFireX) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
6GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1660 - HDMI, DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6900MB/R, 5000MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H100i RGB PLATINUM Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
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
Firefox™
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 13 to 15 working days
Welcome Book
PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland
Logo Branding
PCSpecialist Logo
Price: £1,568.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/!pSATrQ39z/

What do you all think?

 

[Scott]

There are loads of areas where you have over-spent but none where you have cut corners (save for the GPU) so it's a really fantastic build. It'll handle 1080p gaming very well and you will be very happy with it. Whenever you want to step up to 1440p you are definitely only a GPU away (Keep an eye out for the 3060Ti coming soon).

 

[lb_vp]

thanks again scott.

I guess it's the cpu cooler and the 850w psu that are over spends? Even with an upgraded GPU would I be OK with a 750w?

With the cooler i was thinking that a aio would be a bit quieter under load than a standard cpu cooler or an upgraded air cooler?

 

[Scott]

Indeed, they are well merited over-spends.

750w covers you up to a 3070 powerwise.

On that CPU the AIO will run near silent even with the CPU at full chat. It'll do a great job.

 

[lb_vp]

hello again!,

i'm right in thinking there's zero benefit in having a more powerful psu than is required, but perhaps going overboard on the cpu cooling may bring some small benefit - at least in terms of quietness?

another question i have and i realise the answer is probably quite subjective -
for an interim graphics card - while the new cards bed in and their availability improves - would you recommend either of the

6GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1660 - HDMI, DP - GeForce GTX VR Ready!
6GB AMD RADEON™ RX 5600 XT

over and above the other one? They are more or less the same price I think.

I'm thinking I could probably economise a bit on the above build by dropping the PSU to 750w and downgrading the storage option from the 980 to the 970.

Thanks in advance for your advice

Case
FRACTAL DEFINE 7 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Six Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.6GHz/35MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF X570-PLUS GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0, CrossFireX) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
6GB AMD RADEON™ RX 5600 XT - HDMI, DP, DX® 12
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3200MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H100i RGB PLATINUM Hydro Series High Performance 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

Price: £1,592.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/VDjzyFDsgC/

 

[Scott]

I would choose the first build. Every component is better and it's less expensive. From what I can see you appear to have selected the 5600XT which is £60 more expensive.

Everything else you have swapped over has had very little impact in savings, I don't think the savings are warranted given the potential down sides. I would stick with the 1660 as the placeholder, it's not going to make much odds.