Build Advice First time builder - any advice/suggestions welcomed!

[FarrellC99]

Hi Guys, I just want to thank you in advance for any advice or suggestions - apologies if I get anything incorrect. I will shortly be starting my adventure of PC building and I know relatively little when it comes to the deeper technical sides of computer components. So far I've been quite indecisive when picking components and I'm itching to get started, hence why I'm asking for help! My budget can stretch a little bit but I'd rather not start upgrading CPU's/GPU's unless you really advise against this combo!

CPU: Ryzen 5 7600X - £187

CPU Cooler: ID-Cooling FROZN A410 Black, something along these lines or similar - £26

GPU: RX 7700 XT, varied prices on Amazon at the moment, but will be opting for the best priced 3 fan variant - Approx £380-400

Motherboard: Gigabyte Gigabyte B650M D3HP AX, main reason for this option is due to it supporting WiFi as a backup - £110

RAM: ADATA XPG Lancer Blade RGB 32GB 6000MHz CL30, don't overly care for RGB, this will be one of the few in my set up - £88

SSD: ADATA 1TB Legend 900 M.2 NVMe Gen4 - £52

PSU: Be Quiet! 750W Pure Power 12 M, Fully Modular, 80+ Gold - £94

Total: Approx £950 (minus case & case fans), would rather not stretch too much unless it will make a big difference in performance or future proofing!

Case is to be confirmed, it's going to be something relatively plain, at this point I'm not interested in a load of RGB fans or anything, just nice clean aesthetics. Again, thank you for any advice or recommendations - really appreciate the help! Also, if I'm missing anything please let me know

 

[geofelt]

Your parts are reasonable.
My thoughts:

1) Is the ram kit you selected explicitly supported on the ram QVL list for your motherboard/cpu combo?
Or, by the Adata ram selection app?
If there is a pervasive cause for issues with ryzen it is ram compatibility.

2) A m.2 device will usually be mounted under the graphics card and not easy to change.
Consider buying a 2tb m.2 up front.

3) Pick a case you love. Bust your budget for a good one. It will be with you for a long time.

For a first time builder:

MY build process:

Before anything, while waiting for your parts to be delivered, download
and read, cover to cover your case and motherboard manual.
Buy a long #2 magnetic tip philips screwdriver.
A small led flashlight is also useful.

I find it handy to buy a power switch like this for testing.
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E168121..._switch-_-12-119-009-_-Product&quicklink=true
1. I assemble the critical parts outside of the case.
That lets me test them for functionality easily.
A wood table or cardboard is fine.
2. Plug in only the necessary parts at first. Ram, cpu, cooler, psu.
Do not force anything. Parts fit only one way.
Attach a monitor to the integrated motherboard adapter if you have one, otherwise to the graphics card.
3. If your motherboard does not have a PWR button, momentarily touch the two pwr front panel pins with a flat blade screwdriver.
4. Repeatedly hit F2 or DEL, and that should get you into the bios display.
5. Boot from a cd or usb stick with memtest86 on it. memtest will exercise your ram and cpu functionality.
They boot from a usb stick and do not use windows.
You can download them here:

MemTest86 - Official Site of the x86 Memory Testing Tool

MemTest86 is the original self booting memory testing software for x86 and ARM computers. Supporting both BIOS and UEFI, with options to boot from USB.

www.memtest86.com

Memtest86+ | The Open-Source Memory Testing Tool

Memtest86+ is an advanced, free, open-source, stand-alone memory tester for 32- and 64-bit computers (UEFI & BIOS supported)

www.memtest.org

If you can run a full pass with NO errors, your ram should be ok.

Running several more passes will sometimes uncover an issue, but it takes more time.

Probably not worth it unless you really suspect a ram issue.
Opinions vary on updating the bios.
Normally, one does not update a bios unless there is a fix for something that is impacting you. I violate this rule on a new build and will update to currency up front.
Use the usb option, not the windows option.
If there is a severe problem, the impact is small.

6. Install windows.
7. Install the motherboard cd drivers. Particularly the lan drivers so you can access the internet.
Do not select the easy install option, or you will get a bunch of utilities and trialware that you don't want. Drivers only.
7. Connect to the internet and install an antivirus program. Microsoft defender is free, easy, and unobtrusive.
8. Install your graphics card and driver if you tested with integrated graphics.
You will need to remove the graphics card later to install your motherboard in the case.
As a tip when screwing the motherboard into the posts, give the screw a small counterclockwise turn until you feel a click.
That lets you know that the screw will engage properly.
Make a note of how the graphics card latches into the pcie slot.
The mechanism will be hidden under the card and may be difficult to work if you have not previously checked how.
9. Update windows to currency.
10. Only now do I take apart what I need to and install it in the case.
11. Now is the time to reinstall your graphics card.

 

[rene641]

I don't know the CPU prices in your country, but there is almost no difference in performance between the 7600 and 7600X.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo9UXTs0uzY


If you manage to get an RX 6800 on sale somewhere, it might be cheaper and a bit better than the 7700XT...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR7XVFX053g

 

[Lucky_SLS]

For £1000, Zen 4c CPU and 6750XT combo:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 8500G 4.1 GHz 6-Core Processor (£129.99 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler (£37.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX V2 ATX AM5 Motherboard (£159.99 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-7200 CL34 Memory (£117.50 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Kingston Fury Renegade 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive (£117.27 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: XFX Speedster QICK 319 Core Radeon RX 6750 XT 12 GB Video Card (£290.99 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Deepcool CH510 MESH DIGITAL ATX Mid Tower Case (£59.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Power Supply: MSI MPG A850G PCIE5 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (£105.46 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £1017.20
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-08-22 18:22 BST+0100

 

[FarrellC99]

Your parts are reasonable.
My thoughts:

1) Is the ram kit you selected explicitly supported on the ram QVL list for your motherboard/cpu combo?
Or, by the Adata ram selection app?
If there is a pervasive cause for issues with ryzen it is ram compatibility.

2) A m.2 device will usually be mounted under the graphics card and not easy to change.
Consider buying a 2tb m.2 up front.

3) Pick a case you love. Bust your budget for a good one. It will be with you for a long time.

For a first time builder:

MY build process:

Before anything, while waiting for your parts to be delivered, download
and read, cover to cover your case and motherboard manual.
Buy a long #2 magnetic tip philips screwdriver.
A small led flashlight is also useful.

I find it handy to buy a power switch like this for testing.
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16812119009?Description=power switch&cm_re=power_switch-_-12-119-009-_-Product&quicklink=true
1. I assemble the critical parts outside of the case.
That lets me test them for functionality easily.
A wood table or cardboard is fine.
2. Plug in only the necessary parts at first. Ram, cpu, cooler, psu.
Do not force anything. Parts fit only one way.
Attach a monitor to the integrated motherboard adapter if you have one, otherwise to the graphics card.
3. If your motherboard does not have a PWR button, momentarily touch the two pwr front panel pins with a flat blade screwdriver.
4. Repeatedly hit F2 or DEL, and that should get you into the bios display.
5. Boot from a cd or usb stick with memtest86 on it. memtest will exercise your ram and cpu functionality.
They boot from a usb stick and do not use windows.
You can download them here:

MemTest86 - Official Site of the x86 Memory Testing Tool

MemTest86 is the original self booting memory testing software for x86 and ARM computers. Supporting both BIOS and UEFI, with options to boot from USB.

www.memtest86.com

Memtest86+ | The Open-Source Memory Testing Tool

Memtest86+ is an advanced, free, open-source, stand-alone memory tester for 32- and 64-bit computers (UEFI & BIOS supported)

www.memtest.org

If you can run a full pass with NO errors, your ram should be ok.

Running several more passes will sometimes uncover an issue, but it takes more time.

Probably not worth it unless you really suspect a ram issue.
Opinions vary on updating the bios.
Normally, one does not update a bios unless there is a fix for something that is impacting you. I violate this rule on a new build and will update to currency up front.
Use the usb option, not the windows option.
If there is a severe problem, the impact is small.

6. Install windows.
7. Install the motherboard cd drivers. Particularly the lan drivers so you can access the internet.
Do not select the easy install option, or you will get a bunch of utilities and trialware that you don't want. Drivers only.
7. Connect to the internet and install an antivirus program. Microsoft defender is free, easy, and unobtrusive.
8. Install your graphics card and driver if you tested with integrated graphics.
You will need to remove the graphics card later to install your motherboard in the case.
As a tip when screwing the motherboard into the posts, give the screw a small counterclockwise turn until you feel a click.
That lets you know that the screw will engage properly.
Make a note of how the graphics card latches into the pcie slot.
The mechanism will be hidden under the card and may be difficult to work if you have not previously checked how.
9. Update windows to currency.
10. Only now do I take apart what I need to and install it in the case.
11. Now is the time to reinstall your graphics card.

Thank you so much! Some great information there, will 100% do some research and take that into account. Thank you!

 

[FarrellC99]

For £1000, Zen 4c CPU and 6750XT combo:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 8500G 4.1 GHz 6-Core Processor (£129.99 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler (£37.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX V2 ATX AM5 Motherboard (£159.99 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-7200 CL34 Memory (£117.50 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Kingston Fury Renegade 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive (£117.27 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: XFX Speedster QICK 319 Core Radeon RX 6750 XT 12 GB Video Card (£290.99 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Deepcool CH510 MESH DIGITAL ATX Mid Tower Case (£59.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Power Supply: MSI MPG A850G PCIE5 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (£105.46 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £1017.20
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-08-22 18:22 BST+0100

Thanks for the reply, would you recommend this CPU & GPU combination over my current options? I’m mostly looking to play CoD games, new online and old zombies, as well as an array of others - nothing crazy like Starfield or anything. More than anything I’m just trying to future proof and ensure I can play most games I want.

 

[Lucky_SLS]

Thanks for the reply, would you recommend this CPU & GPU combination over my current options? I’m mostly looking to play CoD games, new online and old zombies, as well as an array of others - nothing crazy like Starfield or anything. More than anything I’m just trying to future proof and ensure I can play most games I want.

Some of the parts in your list were entry level models like the mobo, CPU cooler, SSD and PSU.

I swapped them for more robust models whilst still being within your £1000 budget.

the mobo supports pcie 5.0 SSD, better VRM design. PSU has 10 year warranty and 135mm fan. SSD has better performance with its DRAM cache.

The 7700XT performs a bit better than the 6750XT. If you have the budget i would advice you to wait and see how much these new 4070 will go for:

https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-com...ormance-will-be-similar-to-the-gddr6x-version

The CPU performance is about the same with the 8500G and 7600X. The 7600X might boost maybe 150mhz higher with PBO enabled. But both CPUs should give you 100+FPS is most game titles if not bottlenecked by the GPU.

 

[Why_Me]

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor (£174.99 @ AWD-IT)
CPU Cooler: *ID-COOLING SE-914-XT 45.8 CFM CPU Cooler (£24.99 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: *MSI PRO B650-S WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard (£129.99 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: *TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory (£97.99 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: *Western Digital Blue SN580 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive (£97.98 @ Ebuyer)
Video Card: *Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 7700 XT 12 GB Video Card (£340.00 @ Amazon UK)
Case: *Montech AIR 903 BASE ATX Mid Tower Case (£49.98 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: *NZXT C750 (2022) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (£75.32 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £991.24
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-08-25 10:14 BST+0100