Hi, I have never ordered a custom-build PC before so after a doing some research, I had some questions about the desktop I am trying to put together. This is to replace an old system that is falling apart. Here are the Specs:
Case
PCS 3601 CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 3 3200G Quad Core CPU with Vega Graphics (3.6GHz-4.0GHz/6MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING B550-PLUS (DDR4, USB 3.2, 6Gb/s) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
8GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2400MHz (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 SUPER - HDMI
1st Storage Drive
250GB Samsung 860 EVO 2.5" SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (up to 550MB/sR | 520MB/sW)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W CV SERIES™ CV-550 POWER SUPPLY
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)
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
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
NO RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-home-office/b72kA7Eh0k/
I'm planning on using this mainly for watching videos, streaming and storing video files. Also image and video editing (nothing high end right now).
I will also play games on it, but I'm not concerned about playing the latest games on recommended specs. I play a lot of older games, and I'm used to playing newer games on low to medium graphic settings. As long as the graphics are a bit better than my old GPU (AMD Radeon R7 200 series), I'll be happy.
First, I was initially planning on a Ryzen 3 CPU with the Asus B450 instead of the B550. I was trying to keep my spend on this to as close to £500 as possible, but it's looking more like closer to £600. Would the B450 be a false economy? Is it worth it to invest in a B550 to go with this CPU? Would I need a BIOS update to install this CPU on a B450?
Second, I have my own copy of WIndows 10 that I can install myself, so I thought I would save money by selecting no OS. Could this cause problems during the order? For example, would PCS be able to properly test the stability of the system without an OS installed?
Also, can anyone vouch for the quality of the PSU? I plan on upgrading the RAM to 16GB, and adding my old Seagate HDD for extra storage (using the SSD to boot to Windows). Is 550W okay for this?
I have a really old LG Flatron Wide L226WTQ-SF that I plan on using with this. Here are the specs if interested: https://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-Flatron-L226WTQ-silber-schwarz-Wide/dp/B000PBWHN2
If anyone can answer any of these questions, or can point out any flaws in my build, that would be much appreciated.
Case
PCS 3601 CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 3 3200G Quad Core CPU with Vega Graphics (3.6GHz-4.0GHz/6MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING B550-PLUS (DDR4, USB 3.2, 6Gb/s) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
8GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2400MHz (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 SUPER - HDMI
1st Storage Drive
250GB Samsung 860 EVO 2.5" SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (up to 550MB/sR | 520MB/sW)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W CV SERIES™ CV-550 POWER SUPPLY
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)
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
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
NO RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-home-office/b72kA7Eh0k/
I'm planning on using this mainly for watching videos, streaming and storing video files. Also image and video editing (nothing high end right now).
I will also play games on it, but I'm not concerned about playing the latest games on recommended specs. I play a lot of older games, and I'm used to playing newer games on low to medium graphic settings. As long as the graphics are a bit better than my old GPU (AMD Radeon R7 200 series), I'll be happy.
First, I was initially planning on a Ryzen 3 CPU with the Asus B450 instead of the B550. I was trying to keep my spend on this to as close to £500 as possible, but it's looking more like closer to £600. Would the B450 be a false economy? Is it worth it to invest in a B550 to go with this CPU? Would I need a BIOS update to install this CPU on a B450?
Second, I have my own copy of WIndows 10 that I can install myself, so I thought I would save money by selecting no OS. Could this cause problems during the order? For example, would PCS be able to properly test the stability of the system without an OS installed?
Also, can anyone vouch for the quality of the PSU? I plan on upgrading the RAM to 16GB, and adding my old Seagate HDD for extra storage (using the SSD to boot to Windows). Is 550W okay for this?
I have a really old LG Flatron Wide L226WTQ-SF that I plan on using with this. Here are the specs if interested: https://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-Flatron-L226WTQ-silber-schwarz-Wide/dp/B000PBWHN2
If anyone can answer any of these questions, or can point out any flaws in my build, that would be much appreciated.
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