You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
My son wants one, I've not a clue.
He's come up with a spec he wants.
Budget <1k.
Local computer shop not replying to email enquires.
Ta
You're better off looking at the likes of Novatech, Scan, Overclockers, Aria - all specialist PC retailers. I can thoroughly recommend Novatech having bought a custom spec PC from them just before Christmas but I've also used those others mentioned for assorted bits over the years and never had an issue with any of them.
A lot of people (including myself) would usually suggest a self-build. Problem is, there seems to be no stock of graphics cards anywhere at the moment, unless you want to spend £70 on low end basic cards, £300+ on 3-4 year old cards or £1800+ on an RTX3090!
I've spent thousands with Scan over the past 10+ years and they've always been good to deal with.
As above.
Also, I've been using CCL Computer for years, always found them very good.
They're local(ish) to me and have a decent showroom to try stuff out and collect.
This might be a good place to ask; I've been thinking of upgrading from an old Dell PC and would like some a better graphics card for gaming. I really can't be arsed with building my own these days. However, pre-built gaming PCs all seem to lack an internal optical drive, or even a way to install/access one. Is it just the case that external drives are so simple/light/cheap that there is no disadvantage in having one of these for the occasional use I'd make of it?
It's probably like you say, it's easy and cheap to just buy a external usb cd drive. Last time I installed a CD drive, it was IDE standard and it's obsolete now.
There's that many clients like Steam, U Play etc now that physical media for PC gaming has mostly disappeared now. Shame really, as I loved leafing through PC games on the shelves. Found some proper gems doing that 🙂
Probably not so helpful for this build as the lead time is august but keep an eye on these guys as I think this is where gaming PC’s are heading. https://shadow.tech/en-gb/
We were in exactly the same position a few weeks ago and ended up with one of these from very.co.uk:
MSI Infinite S 10SI-052UK Gaming Desktop PC -
Intel Core i5-10400, 8GB RAM, 512GB PCIE SSD, GTX 1660 SUPER Graphics
My son's happily using it for MS Flight Simulator and some of the Steam games as well as all the school google classroom type stuff of course. Massive step up from the old laptop being used before.
At some point i'll probably add a second ssd and another 8GB RAM as and when it starts to fill up with the youtube-type videos he's trying to make as well. n.b. it seems to cope with video editing pretty well, just a bit slow to do the final conversion step but that's not exactly critical.
What spec has he put together, and is that including monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers or just the PC?
chaos-
just a bit slow to do the final conversion step
Yeah it won't be superfast but make sure that the GPU is being used. Depends on your editing software but I don't think it is enabled by default in OpenShot for example (i.e. the export would only be using the CPU rather than hardware acceleration on your GTX 1660)
This is the gobbledygook he's aiming for, price is PC only.
AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
ASUS PRIME B450-PLUS
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 (1x16GB)
6GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2060
512GB SSD
1TB HDD
Corsair 550W Power Supply
Standard AMD CPU Cooler
Corsair 4000D Airflow Tempered Glass Case
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 (1x16GB)
Read this as 2x8gb
That's just the PC itself.
Keyboard and Mouse were the GXT845 TURAL COMBO from the same site and monitor was a cheap old 24" 1920x1080 one I inherited from work that the sound comes through (via the HDMI). Def not a gaming specific one though and again doing a perfectly good job. i don't know if better is needed for some games but ok for FS.
Thanks twowheels, I'll double check.
I'm not a gamer, but I'd imagine he'll want more that 16gb RAM. As in, a lot more! I've got a fairly modest spec Audio PC and it's got 32gb RAM
Overclockers are mega (based not to far from me)
I got mine from pcspecialist.co.uk though. Really good service, and my desired spec was a bit cheaper than from overclockers.
Dell - Alienware
Ive had mine for at least 6 years and still runs everything in ultra.(mines an Area 51)
Ultra is the highest settings for the graphics, so it looks like the developers wanted it to look
Here, and right on the money.
https://www.dell.com/en-uk/shop/gaming-and-games/alienware-aurora-ryzen-edition/spd/alienware-aurora-r10-desktop/d00awr1001
It contains the proper stuff, like Nvidia graphics, which is the mainstay of gaming. Not a whatever licensed to Nvidia. high quality game orientated RAM, AMD 6 core @4.1ghz
AWD have been my go to recently, along with CCL. The one in the link is excellent value for money given current shortages of pretty much everything PC related - better CPU and similar graphics card. I'd suggest going for 2x8GB 3200mhz RAM instead of the 2x4GB, and stick on a 1TB HDD as second storage, but you'll still be under £1000.
I’m not a gamer, but I’d imagine he’ll want more that 16gb RAM. As in, a lot more!
16gb is plenty for gaming, you could go to 32gb but not essential by any means, money might be better spent elsewhere in the build.
Ah right, interesting. Music production stuff eats RAM!
Thanks to everyone for your input.
In the end I just handed my phone over to my son and he's been WhatsApping @geforcejunky from STW and they have come up trumps bar waiting on a graphics card. He's also been inspired to self build, which is great. STW comes up trumps again. Thanks.
Excellent conclusion!
Have you got an idea on how long you'll have to wait for the GFX card? Mine's a decent mid range machine, but I'm building a new one at the end of the year.
I'm hoping that stock will be more common by then 🙂
I’m not a gamer, but I’d imagine he’ll want more that 16gb RAM. As in, a lot more! I’ve got a fairly modest spec Audio PC and it’s got 32gb RAM
Nope, 16Gb is more than enough.
I built [url= https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/Squirrelking/saved/cX6Cbv ]this[/url] for less than a grand at the start of December.
Tom is aiming to game on a 1440p 144Hz screen, so we decided it really was important to get the best GPU possible. The original planned RTX2060 wouldn't really cut it, so self-build should really help. This is the spec I suggested:
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/sVcnMv
Msi Mortar Max B450m, 3600XT, 2x8GB 3000mhz CL15, 500GB SSD + 2TB HDD, Thermaltake S100 TG, Corsair TXM650 and a 3060Ti.
I think Tom is going to change a few things, just to add some RGB colour so change of RAM and fans. Everything is available except GPU. If a founders 3060ti can be acquired for RRP then it's just within budget, other options are a 3060 when they are released some or maybe something second-hand.
I got one from PC Specialist based in Wakefield - very good PC - but I really only use it for MS Flight Sim.
I'd suggest he googles how to build a bot that scrapes for gfx card stock. A couple of the gamers I work with have managed to get 3070's at RRP using these. They're not developers or anywhere close, and reckon it's simple enough. I keep thinking about doing it but really can't be arsed as my 1650 manages most things I want to play at decent enough quality
CCL and Box are really good for live notifications but you have to be really fast, that's how I ended up with my CPU. Scan are good for stock projections but unfortunately don't do stock alerts, nor do OCUK.
OCUK are hiding their stock in the 3D printer section to confuse the bots & scalpers. Nothing close to mrrp though.
I’d suggest he googles how to build a bot that scrapes for gfx card stock.
I got mine using a discord thing, I think UKStockAlert. Managed to get a 3070 at RRP from Currys just before Christmas, but it took about 2 weeks of trying before I was quick enough clicking through before they were all sold.
I think you'll be exceptionally lucky to get a 3060Ti for £350 though, I'd be budgeting at least £100 more.
Code your own bot?! Just use a site like https://www.stockinformer.co.uk/checker-nvidia-geforce-rtx-3080-3070-3090
We bought my son one before Xmas from Ebuyer
Great specs for the price.
Ordered it at 7PM on a Sun was here 9AM next morning
In terms of getting hold of a GPU, the StockDrops discord server is very responsive to UK stock arriving - I used it to get hold of a 5800x and 3080 before Christmas.
Just subscribe to the channels you’re interested in and make sure you’ve got notifications turned on - stock sells out pretty quickly!
Link to the discord server: https://discord.gg/ErhWbMgc37
Dont bother with the 3600x or 3600xt. there's no advantage and the cost is higher.
For a ready built system I'd be looking at OCUK, Scan or PC Specialist. Your spec looks decent, PSU I'm not sure which model that is but you potentially want something a bit beefier, check the 12v amperage. If budget allowed I'd go for the Asus Prime X-570P and an NVME drive which are actually getting cheaper than SATA now.
Not to be 'that guy' but, at the point I was looking at spending North on £400 on a GPU I'd be looking at a console (and indeed, did).
Build it yourself TBH it isn't that hard and generally will work out cheaper.
new GPU's the now like nvidia 3000 series are hard to come by and the cost of the 3060(ti) have shot up and not worth the money.
Don't bother with an nVME drive, they are not worth the money.
ryzen 5 3600 - £180
B450 tomahawk max - £90
16gb 3200 cl-14 ram - £100
2TB HDD - £70
480-512 SSD (OS)- £60
good luck with a graphics card - maybe invest in a second hand rx 580 but good luck finding a card.
Case - Bitfenix Enso Mesh Midi Tower RGB Gaming Case (recently bought one for the kids computer)
extra fans - Arctic P12 PST for the case. £60 + £15 for fans
PSU - 550-600W I wouldn't skimp on this. budget 70-80 for a semi-modular unit that is at least bronze certified. e.g Corsair TX-M Series 650 Watt 80 Plus Gold
your OS windows 10 is free if you know how.
mouse and keyboard are cheap TBH. I use a £10 unit from argos although the mouse is a £50 gaming one but my son bought that. I normally just get one off amazon for £15.
Monitor depends on size but I would go with a IPS panel if you can budget it as they do give better colour. I have a 27inch boys have a 24. I like LG ones and you can normally get a last years model cheaper from amazon etc.
Don’t bother with an nVME drive, they are not worth the money.
Even if it is the same price or cheaper?
a semi-modular unit
Why semi-modular? Unless you're a PC poser it's money down the pan.
If your mobo has an nVME slot, use it. Do people still even bother with HDDs nowadays with how cheap ssd's are becoming, just more annoying cables in your case to hide away. Even more reason to get a modular or semi modular psu.
Scan are holding quite a few of their gfx cards off the site due to scalpers, give them a bell and see what they have.
Even if it is the same price or cheaper?
Not seen one that runs the same speed as an standard SSD but obviously if there are I stand corrected.
Why semi-modular? Unless you’re a PC poser it’s money down the pan
because it's easier to cable manage and generally better quality. Most decent PSUs are semi-modular anyway. Nothing to do with posing.
Do people still even bother with HDDs nowadays with how cheap ssd’s are becoming
HDDs are still much cheaper than SSDs.
So, here it is:
It's like a disco!!!!!!!!
Managed to bag a MSI 3060 Gaming Trio X GPU for the cost of a kidney when they went live.
Many thanks to @geforcejunky for ALL of his advice & time spent on the phone with my son 👍
Not seen one that runs the same speed as an standard SSD but obviously if there are I stand corrected.
I got a terabyte 665p for less than any decent 2.5" ssd at the time, for most users you would never notice a speed difference anyway.