Desktop gaming PC specs
Discussion
My eldest is transferring from a PS4 and Nintendo Switch things to a desktop. hes about to do GCSEs so the additional benefits of a PC over consoles is obvious.
But what to buy? I am so out of touch i have no idea what specs are good/VFM/overkill and what software to use. Please help.
- he wants to run Fortnight and Minecraft in top resolution, plus other games I'm sure he'll grow in to.
- fancies himself as a youtuber so needs video editing capabilty
- getting in to animation/game design so needs something that'll help that as he goes in to college
Any tips or links welcome thanks.
you're going to ask about budget... I have no idea what these things cost so I'm guessing a grand?
But what to buy? I am so out of touch i have no idea what specs are good/VFM/overkill and what software to use. Please help.
- he wants to run Fortnight and Minecraft in top resolution, plus other games I'm sure he'll grow in to.
- fancies himself as a youtuber so needs video editing capabilty
- getting in to animation/game design so needs something that'll help that as he goes in to college
Any tips or links welcome thanks.
you're going to ask about budget... I have no idea what these things cost so I'm guessing a grand?
Pick a budget and start here
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/guide/
£900 gets you a decent entry level rig. £1200 is better. £300 extra for a decent monitor if you don't already have one but this is something you can get later.
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/guide/
£900 gets you a decent entry level rig. £1200 is better. £300 extra for a decent monitor if you don't already have one but this is something you can get later.
Have a look on HotUKDeals. Type in 'gaming' and you can usually find something decent. I saw a rig with a rtx3060 for around £600 on there. Overkill for Minecraft, but good for a few years if he wants to play other games and do video editing.
P.s. you don't need the ability to game at 4k. 1080p is good enough for 99% of people.
P.s. you don't need the ability to game at 4k. 1080p is good enough for 99% of people.
I found this
https://www.acpcs.co.uk/collections/available-to-t...
And bought it.... Monitor and mouse/keyboard etc runs to 1k all in.. I think it ought to be fine for your son? It names games it can run on good settings (the GPU is pretty decent for the money and it would be 1300 it seems so...)
https://www.acpcs.co.uk/collections/available-to-t...
And bought it.... Monitor and mouse/keyboard etc runs to 1k all in.. I think it ought to be fine for your son? It names games it can run on good settings (the GPU is pretty decent for the money and it would be 1300 it seems so...)
My sons build gaming PC's and then sell them. They do ok out of it for 13 and 15 year olds!
This is what they are selling currently:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305141051377?mkcid=16&a...
That is a very good spec for the money.
This is what they are selling currently:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305141051377?mkcid=16&a...
That is a very good spec for the money.
Jasandjules said:
I found this
https://www.acpcs.co.uk/collections/available-to-t...
And bought it.... Monitor and mouse/keyboard etc runs to 1k all in.. I think it ought to be fine for your son? It names games it can run on good settings (the GPU is pretty decent for the money and it would be 1300 it seems so...)
OP Update - we bought that one too, thanks for the link. Good machine, but the fan is awfully loud! can Hear it downstairs!https://www.acpcs.co.uk/collections/available-to-t...
And bought it.... Monitor and mouse/keyboard etc runs to 1k all in.. I think it ought to be fine for your son? It names games it can run on good settings (the GPU is pretty decent for the money and it would be 1300 it seems so...)
no idea fan brand. I Assume it's a cheapy one.
the front plastic X thing is separated from the rest of the box by a 1" strip all around it that is perforated. about 60% of the top of the box is a fine mesh (keep dust out but let heat out) You can feel some warmth being blown about so it is working, but I wouldn't say its "hot".
Always room for more cooling though. Are fans easily changed? Seems to be 4 screws holding it in place - are they universal?
the front plastic X thing is separated from the rest of the box by a 1" strip all around it that is perforated. about 60% of the top of the box is a fine mesh (keep dust out but let heat out) You can feel some warmth being blown about so it is working, but I wouldn't say its "hot".
Always room for more cooling though. Are fans easily changed? Seems to be 4 screws holding it in place - are they universal?
mmm-five said:
What's the cooler on that, as I'm sure the 12700 will run quite hot too - so may mean the cooler is running full-speed all the time.
I can only see 1 fan on the back and some solid plastic with a '3d effect' on the front, so am also worried about airflow.
Looking at the picture it looks like a stock cooler on the CPU. I'd be looking at upgrading that if that's the case. You don't need to spend a fortune, https://amzn.eu/d/6Y212d0. I'd also look it'll replacing the rear case fan with something branded as well. Just measure the existing.I can only see 1 fan on the back and some solid plastic with a '3d effect' on the front, so am also worried about airflow.
Edited by Silverbullet767 on Tuesday 13th February 14:20
RedAndy said:
no idea fan brand. I Assume it's a cheapy one.
the front plastic X thing is separated from the rest of the box by a 1" strip all around it that is perforated. about 60% of the top of the box is a fine mesh (keep dust out but let heat out) You can feel some warmth being blown about so it is working, but I wouldn't say its "hot".
Always room for more cooling though. Are fans easily changed? Seems to be 4 screws holding it in place - are they universal?
Fans are mostly universal, just buy the correct size. I'd make sure they're 4 pin pwm so they can be speed controlled. The quietest 'and most expensive' brand is noctua. They also do fantastic air coolers. When fitting make sure the orientation is correct, fans will blow air towards the hub end, so if you can see the support structure for the middle hub, air comes out that end. It's important for fan direction. You don't want to be sending hot air back into the case.the front plastic X thing is separated from the rest of the box by a 1" strip all around it that is perforated. about 60% of the top of the box is a fine mesh (keep dust out but let heat out) You can feel some warmth being blown about so it is working, but I wouldn't say its "hot".
Always room for more cooling though. Are fans easily changed? Seems to be 4 screws holding it in place - are they universal?
another update...
its 18 months old or so, and has worked flawlessly - and is still a bargain when comparing specs with brand new machines! very pleased with the purchase.
happened to be in liverpool so popped in tot he shop that built it - very nice and helpful people. great service.
cpu has started to run warmer than normal (75deg instead of 65), so opened the case and used an air can spray to blast some dust out. quite a lot of dust. Put some more paste on the fans (didnt know that was a thing) and bought a new case fan with double output. should be fine once that's in.
its 18 months old or so, and has worked flawlessly - and is still a bargain when comparing specs with brand new machines! very pleased with the purchase.
happened to be in liverpool so popped in tot he shop that built it - very nice and helpful people. great service.
cpu has started to run warmer than normal (75deg instead of 65), so opened the case and used an air can spray to blast some dust out. quite a lot of dust. Put some more paste on the fans (didnt know that was a thing) and bought a new case fan with double output. should be fine once that's in.
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