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Budget Gaming PC

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  • 14-04-2020 12:44pm
    #1
    kenmm
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,698 ✭✭✭


    I rarely play games, sometimes a bit of Fortnite with my nephew, sometimes some older games like Wolfenstein the new order or old GTA, but normally on my old dell XPS 15 9530 (i7 4712HQ / 16GB Ram/ GeForce mobile).

    Laptop is ok for this purpose, but the old mobile graphics card (GeForce GT750M) is very noisy and needs minimal settings. Considering the current lockdown situation tho, I would like to play some more modern games.

    It seems with minimal spend I can get something better if I build a PC for around the 500 euro price.

    I have no issue building a PC (been a while but will be grand to do it) - but I have no clue on current processors/ graphics cards etc

    Given this budget and using amazon only, what would you recommend (I will keep existing keyboard/mouse/monitor, PC components only).

    EDIT - if buying off the shelf is an option, grand, but I thought for this budget, building it would get better bang for buck, but open to correction...

    EDIT # 2 - I seen these questions elsewhere:

    1. What is your budget?
    €/£500 - give or take

    2. What will be the main purpose of the computer?
    Gaming PC

    3. Do you need a copy of Windows?
    No

    4. Can you use any parts from an old computer?
    No

    5. Do you need a monitor?
    No

    5a. If yes, what size do you need.
    n/a

    5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future?
    1920x1200, possible future upgrade

    6. Do you need any of these peripherals?
    No

    7. Are you willing to try overclocking?
    Maybe, but my impression has been too much hassle. I am going for easy.

    8. How can you pay?
    Credit/Debit card

    9. When are you purchasing?
    Today :D

    10. If you need help building it, where are you based?
    No


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    #2
    kenmm
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,698 ✭✭✭kenmm


    Ok, so using this as a basis - I came up with this as a starting point.. - please point out any pros/cons or alternatives?


    Cougar MG130-G Compact Micro-ATX Gaming Case with Glass Side Window - 37.99

    XFX Radeon RX 570 RS XXX Edition 1286MHz, 8gb GDDR5 - 133.00

    AMD Ryzen 5 1600 Desktop CPU - AM4 / Hex Core / 3.2 GHz /19MB / 65W - 109.99

    Corsair CMK16GX4M2B3000C15 Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4 3000 MHz C15 XMP 2.0 - 74.99

    Asrock B450M PRO4-F AMD B450 AM4 Micro ATX 4 DDR4 XFire VGA DVI HDMI M.2 - 64.99

    Western Digital WDS250G2B0B WD Blue 3D NAND Internal SSD M.2 SATA, 250 GB - Black - 44.22

    Western Digital WDS500G2B0A WD Blue 3D NAND Internal SSD 2.5 Inch SATA, 500 GB - 61.94



    ~ £526.13


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    #3
    Homelander
    Registered Users Posts: 4,400 ✭✭✭Homelander


    Make sure it's the 1600 AF at that price, as the 2600 is only about £120. The 1600AF is the same as the 2600 more or less, but the original 1600 is slower.

    Not sure why you have 2 seperate SSDs?


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    #4
    kenmm
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,698 ✭✭✭kenmm


    Homelander wrote: »
    Make sure it's the 1600 AF at that price, as the 2600 is only about £120. The 1600AF is the same as the 2600 more or less, but the original 1600 is slower.

    Not sure why you have 2 seperate SSDs?

    2 SSDs - one for OS one extra that was all - no real need but I can work them bits out. Might also dual boot, not sure yet.

    But RE these 'new' (to me!) Ryzen processors and graphics cards I am lost with completely - is the numbering similar to Intel - 1600 is first gen, 2600 2nd?

    What else would you recommend at around those prices?


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    #5
    K.O.Kiki
    Registered Users Posts: 18,706 ✭✭✭✭K.O.Kiki


    Plenty of people confirming that they're receiving AF-stepping CPUs from CCL: https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/amd-ryzen-5-1600-32b6tghz-6core-cpu-from-ccl-build-advice-3375206


    PCPartPicker Part List: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/spYPhg

    CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (14nm) 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor (£94.97 @ CCL Computers)
    Motherboard: MSI B450M-A PRO MAX Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard (£54.98 @ CCL Computers)
    Memory: Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory (£74.84 @ Amazon UK)
    Storage: ADATA Ultimate SU650 480 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£53.55 @ Amazon UK)
    Video Card: XFX Radeon RX 580 8 GB GTS XXX ED Video Card (£144.99 @ CCL Computers)
    Case: Cougar MX330 ATX Mid Tower Case (£38.99 @ Amazon UK)
    Power Supply: be quiet! System Power 9 500 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£52.99 @ CCL Computers)
    Total: £515.31
    Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
    Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-04-14 20:29 BST+0100


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    #6
    kenmm
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,698 ✭✭✭kenmm


    Thanks for the input everyone - Ideally I want to buy it all from Amazon (I have a load of vouchers), but regarding this: I am confused:
    K.O.Kiki wrote: »
    Plenty of people confirming that they're receiving AF-stepping CPUs from CCL: https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/amd-ryzen-5-1600-32b6tghz-6core-cpu-from-ccl-build-advice-3375206

    I mean - I will happily spend more for the 2600 (if there isn't much in it) - tbh - I am not sure I even need a 5 series or what - my recent PC experience has been a series of Intel base laptops - I have no clue about the AMD series at all these days.


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    #7
    Homelander
    Registered Users Posts: 4,400 ✭✭✭Homelander


    Ryzen 1600 is the first generation of Ryzen. The 2600 was the next step-up, and the 3600 is the latest generation and considerably improved, though the 2600 is still perfect for a normal build.

    But recently AMD released a Ryzen 1600 "AF" model. It's basically as good as the Ryzen 2600. Buying now, it makes sense to buy the 1600AF if the price is right, but the actual original Ryzen 1600 isn't really so much worth buying.

    It's still an OK processor, but no reason at all not to get the 2600/1600AF.


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    #8
    kenmm
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,698 ✭✭✭kenmm


    ok, thanks - so the AF is a refresh or older product line?

    Is the 5 series in general roughly equivalent to an i5 in intel terms? I mean - -solid enough mid range processor?


    I'm expecting this build is going to be quite capable (especially for my gaming needs) and powerful enough as an 'advanced' general PC? Presumably if I am wanting more gaming power in next cpl years a better graphics card and RAM boost will sort it out?

    Put it this way - last time I build a PC it was probably based around a Pentium 4 :D:D


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    #9
    Homelander
    Registered Users Posts: 4,400 ✭✭✭Homelander


    Yes, it's a refresh - the 1600AF is basically a Ryzen 2600.

    In terms of i5 comparison - it would be similar to the i5-9400/9600, though the Ryzen is 6core/12thread, whereas the i5 is 6core/6thread. What that means?

    They're close right now, i5 better in some games, but the Ryzen will age much better due to the threads.


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    #10
    K.O.Kiki
    Registered Users Posts: 18,706 ✭✭✭✭K.O.Kiki


    Yes, 1600 AF is a lower-binned 2600 - all reviews have found they perform about the same though.

    Ryzen 5-[x]600 are 6 core / 12 thread while Core i5 are either 4 core/4 thread (up to 7[xx]0) or 6 core/6 thread (from 8[xx]0 onwards).
    Basically, AMD give you the longevity of a Core i7 for cheaper :)

    Any meaningful upgrades beyond this would just be in SSD size & GPU, where you'd need a GTX 1070/1660 Super to see meaningful changes.


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    #11
    kenmm
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,698 ✭✭✭kenmm


    ok - sanity check for me please:

    I put together the following:

    AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (124.99)
    ASRock B450M Pro4 AM4 (77.99)
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4 3000 MHz C15 (74.99)
    XFX Radeon RX 570 RS XXX Edition 1286MHz, 8gb GDDR5 (131.00)
    Corsair VS650 650 W (No clue about power supply tbh) (62.29)

    plus standardish SSd and mATX case


    I guess with this spec I am putting together a ~2 year old mid range PC that should still handle most games on med-high settings for the next cpl years anyway (as well as act as a decent enough Windows workstation).

    Any issues on those components? Or am i missing a trick here?


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    #12
    K.O.Kiki
    Registered Users Posts: 18,706 ✭✭✭✭K.O.Kiki


    You could just let CCL build you a machine:

    https://www.cclonline.com/pc/gaming-pcs/raven/ccl-raven-gs-gaming-pc/000100000305030101/
    Customised Raven
    CPU AMD Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz
    RAM 16GB DDR4 3000MHz
    Graphics Radeon RX 570 8GB
    Storage 500GB Western Digital Blue 3D NAND SATA III SSD
    £474.98
    or £574.98 with Windows 10

    Only downside is it's A320 chipset so CPU can't be overclocked.

    But with regards to self-build I wouldn't get that PSU. It's only 80+ certified - you want 80+ Bronze/Silver/Gold from a decent OEM.
    Seasonic S12III-500W should be more than enough.


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    #13
    kenmm
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,698 ✭✭✭kenmm


    K.O.Kiki wrote: »
    You could just let CCL build you a machine:

    https://www.cclonline.com/pc/gaming-pcs/raven/ccl-raven-gs-gaming-pc/000100000305030101/
    Customised Raven
    CPU AMD Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz
    RAM 16GB DDR4 3000MHz
    Graphics Radeon RX 570 8GB
    Storage 500GB Western Digital Blue 3D NAND SATA III SSD
    £474.98
    or £574.98 with Windows 10

    Only downside is it's A320 chipset so CPU can't be overclocked.

    But with regards to self-build I wouldn't get that PSU. It's only 80+ certified - you want 80+ Bronze/Silver/Gold from a decent OEM.
    Seasonic S12III-500W should be more than enough.

    ye thanks - I didn't know how reasonably priced they wouild be.. but I customised a deltaX and came in at £580 (with a beQuiet bronze PSU, Ryzen5 2600).

    The downside is the motherboard, but apart from the overclocking ability (Which tbh I dont think I can be bothered with!) the only other downsides are:
    Supports only 2 memory slots and only has one m.2 port - any other issues? I guess at some point I would be upgrading so the next logical step would me new MB + lots of RAM Or new graphics card and MB upgrade in a few years with processor and ram?


    Gigabyte A320M-S2H AMD Socket AM4 Motherboard
    AMD Ryzen 5 2600 3.4GHz 6 Core (Socket AM4) CPU
    16GB HyperX FURY RGB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM
    XFX Radeon RX 570 XXX 8GB Graphics Card
    Adata SU630 480GB 2.5" SATA SSD
    Be Quiet! System Power 9 500W 80+ Bronze PSU
    3x CCL Choice 12cm Case Fan Blue LED
    TP-Link TL-WN881ND 300Mbps PCI Express WiFi
    Xigmatek Scorpio Gaming Case - Black


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