First 1440p build (1500€ / 1300£)

X

xedative

Member
After squeezing out the last of my first ever computer build that was already aging back in 2014 when I bought the parts, I've decided to finally take the plunge. This is something I'd like to see carry its weight for a good few years—essentially, it's an investment to the future, not just having a computer that's good right now.

Monitor - Samsung S22C350H LED, 22" 1080p 60Hz 5ms. Planning to upgrade to LG 27GL850-B IPS, 27" 1440p 144Hz 1ms.
Uses - Light to heavy gaming as well as photo, video, and image editing. Most resource-intensive titles would be Metro Exodus, Arma 3, Red Dead Redemption 2, Hell Let Loose.
Budget - Around 1500€ or below. Import taxes will add another flat 20% to that. The current selection is really stretching the wallet as is.

I originally had a GTX 2060 instead of a 3060 in the selection, but posts from 2020-2021 are already saying that it's not doing such a great job with a 144Hz-1440p combo and I don't want to find myself playing games at Very Low three years from now.

Case
COOLERMASTER MASTERCASE H500 ARGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Eight Core CPU (3.8GHz-4.7GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF X570-PLUS GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0, CrossFireX) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3600MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
12GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3060 - HDMI, DP
1st M.2 SSD Drive (an additional 256GB SSD and 1TB HDD will be scavenged from the previous build)
1TB INTEL® 670p M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 3500MB/sR | 2500MB/sW)
Memory Card Reader
USB 3.0 EXTERNAL SD/MICRO SD CARD READER
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre European Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
PCS FrostFlow 100 V3 Series High Performance CPU Cooler (AMD)
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
Wireless Network Card
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 (will use installation media from the previous build to save money)
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Operating System Language
US International/USA - US 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
4 DAY DELIVERY TO ESTONIA
Build Time
Standard Build - Subject to stock availability on pre-order products

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/FdageWwADq/
 
Last edited:
sck451

sck451

MOST VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
This is going to be a little challenging, getting a build into that budget. Can you supply the configurator link as seen here:

How to Post Your Specification to the Forum - Check this Spec

Just a first note, if you've been provided this link, don't amend your first post as it won't update the queue, please add an additional comment to the thread, that way it will go back to the front of the queue. Otherwise we don't know it's been updated. When creating a forum post looking to...
www.pcspecialist.co.uk www.pcspecialist.co.uk

It's easier that way to work out exactly what prices you are referring to.
 
X

xedative

Member
sck451 said:
This is going to be a little challenging, getting a build into that budget. Can you supply the configurator link as seen here:

How to Post Your Specification to the Forum - Check this Spec

Just a first note, if you've been provided this link, don't amend your first post as it won't update the queue, please add an additional comment to the thread, that way it will go back to the front of the queue. Otherwise we don't know it's been updated. When creating a forum post looking to...
www.pcspecialist.co.uk www.pcspecialist.co.uk

It's easier that way to work out exactly what prices you are referring to.
Click to expand...
My mistake. Here's the configurator.
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/zAC2UrH6uc/

Adding it to the original post as well.
 
sck451

sck451

MOST VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
OK, so this can definitely be done, if you're willing to make some changes! The problem you have is that you're underspending on your graphics card and over-spending on your CPU and motherboard: this ultimately means you have a very strong 1080p build, but not one that can really handle 1440p all that well. If we downgrade your CPU and motherboard slightly, upgrade your graphics card to a 1440p one (the 3060 Ti is ideal but out of stock; the AMD Radeon 6700XT is a great alternative) and make some miscellaneous improvements (faster RAM, a better power supply, much faster storage and a better cooler), we come out just €42 more than your original.

This will be entirely capable of driving the LG monitor you're looking at. (You could buy a slightly cheaper monitor like the Samsung G5 or AOC Q27G2U and then spend a bit more on your computer specs if you don't mind a VA panel instead of an IPS one.)

Case
COOLERMASTER MASTERCASE H500 ARGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Six Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.6GHz/35MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING B550-PLUS (DDR4, USB 3.2, 6Gb/s) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
12GB AMD RADEON™ RX 6700 XT - HDMI, DP - DX® 12
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6900MB/R, 5000MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
USB 3.0 EXTERNAL SD/MICRO SD CARD READER
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre European Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
CoolerMaster MasterLiquid Lite 240 High Performance Liquid Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
Wireless Network Card
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
US International/USA - US 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
2 - 3 DAY DELIVERY TO REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Price: €1,959.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/jaxdtqXZd7/
 
Citrus_9

Citrus_9

Expert
xedative said:
My mistake. Here's the configurator.
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/zAC2UrH6uc/

Adding it to the original post as well.
Click to expand...
Tere tulemast!

GPU 3060 is for 1080p, not 1440p. If you'll get a 1440p monitor, best to use 3060Ti, 3070 or 6700XT GPU.

Intel storage isn't good (lifespan is shorter). I recommend 850W RMx PSU as they're more quiet and better quality. PCS AIO coolers aren't great, aspecially for 5800X which are hot. Better Corsair H100i as minimum.

I also added a Silver warranty for 7 Euro.

Sünnipäevanädalalõpupeopärastlõunaväsimus! :geek:

Case
COOLERMASTER MASTERCASE H500 ARGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Eight Core CPU (3.8GHz-4.7GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF X570-PLUS GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0, CrossFireX) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3600MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
12GB AMD RADEON™ RX 6700 XT - HDMI, DP - DX® 12
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB CORSAIR MP400 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD (up to 3480 MB/R, 1880 MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
USB 3.0 EXTERNAL SD/MICRO SD CARD READER
Power Supply
CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre European Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H100i ELITE CAPELLIX RGB Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
Wireless Network Card
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
US International/USA - US 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 Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
4 DAY DELIVERY TO ESTONIA
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Price: €1,807.50 excluding VAT, including Delivery
20% Estonian VAT (käibemaks) would be oustanding to the Estonian tax office/customs.

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/sZtEc3Nr4n/
 
Citrus_9

Citrus_9

Expert
The above my specs are over the budget while the below is closer to it.

Case
COOLERMASTER MASTERCASE H500 ARGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Six Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.6GHz/35MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING B550-PLUS (DDR4, USB 3.2, 6Gb/s) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
12GB AMD RADEON™ RX 6700 XT - HDMI, DP - DX® 12
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB CORSAIR MP400 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD (up to 3480 MB/R, 1880 MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
USB 3.0 EXTERNAL SD/MICRO SD CARD READER
Power Supply
CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre European 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)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
Wireless Network Card
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
US International/USA - US 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 Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
4 DAY DELIVERY TO ESTONIA
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Price: €1,489.17 excluding VAT, including Delivery
20% Estonian VAT (käibemaks) would be oustanding to the Estonian tax office/customs.

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/YePEvbxwaT/
 
X

xedative

Member
sck451 said:
OK, so this can definitely be done, if you're willing to make some changes! The problem you have is that you're underspending on your graphics card and over-spending on your CPU and motherboard: this ultimately means you have a very strong 1080p build, but not one that can really handle 1440p all that well. If we downgrade your CPU and motherboard slightly, upgrade your graphics card to a 1440p one (the 3060 Ti is ideal but out of stock; the AMD Radeon 6700XT is a great alternative) and make some miscellaneous improvements (faster RAM, a better power supply, much faster storage and a better cooler), we come out just €42 more than your original.
Click to expand...
I appreciate this a lot. Switching from Nvidia to AMD makes me feel a little conflicted though, as the former is what I've been using for all my life. From what I understand, Nvidia also has something of a monopoly with their exclusive tech that leads to worse game performances with AMD cards.

Also, what would you say is the bigger change when upgrading a monitor, the resolution or the refresh rate? After almost a decade on the same 1080p 60Hz monitor it's difficult to imagine anything better or visualize how big a change upgrading really would be. If the bigger impact of upgrading comes from jumping to 100+Hz, I may consider staying with a 1080p monitor but upping the physical size and the refresh rate.

sck451 said:
This will be entirely capable of driving the LG monitor you're looking at. (You could buy a slightly cheaper monitor like the Samsung G5 or AOC Q27G2U and then spend a bit more on your computer specs if you don't mind a VA panel instead of an IPS one.)
Click to expand...
I actually contemplated between the LG 27GL850-B and the AOC Q27G2U for a few days, but the latter seems infamous for its dark area ghosting, and VA panels overall aren't a great fit for the extremely color accurate photography work I do as a living. I've fortunately found the LG monitor sold here for the price of the AOC one here (in a seized property sale of all things).


Citrus_9 said:
Tere tulemast!

GPU 3060 is for 1080p, not 1440p. If you'll get a 1440p monitor, best to use 3060Ti, 3070 or 6700XT GPU.

Intel storage isn't good (lifespan is shorter). I recommend 850W RMx PSU as they're more quiet and better quality. PCS AIO coolers aren't great, aspecially for 5800X which are hot. Better Corsair H100i as minimum.

I also added a Silver warranty for 7 Euro.

Sünnipäevanädalalõpupeopärastlõunaväsimus! :geek:
Click to expand...
Thank you—aitäh—but this is unfortunately outside my budget. I'll consider SCK451's suggestion, and if that doesn't work, I'll upgrade the monitor while staying at 1080p.
 
sck451

sck451

MOST VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
I'm slightly curious about what's going on with the delivery options: @Citrus_9 has come up with Estonia, but the configurator for me said Republic of Ireland. My build would probably come out at a very different price if Estonia is the actual destination (as I'm guessing it is from your aitäh: I'm not sure why I've ended up in Ireland).

If you have the LG monitor at that price, it's definitely the one to go for. I use the AOC myself, but I'm distinctly unfussy! As for the monitor, I'd suggest that 1440p 144Hz is where you should be aiming. 1080p feels horrible now I'm used to 1440p: it's a huge difference. Having a larger monitor at 1080p would make the situation worse: the pixels would be less dense and so it would feel even more blocky and pixelly.
 
Citrus_9

Citrus_9

Expert
Last edited:
Citrus_9

Citrus_9

Expert
sck451 said:
I'm slightly curious about what's going on with the delivery options: @Citrus_9 has come up with Estonia, but the configurator for me said Republic of Ireland. My build would probably come out at a very different price if Estonia is the actual destination (as I'm guessing it is from your aitäh: I'm not sure why I've ended up in Ireland).
Click to expand...
OP is from Estonia and if you're in Ireland, due to your location a configurator most likely changed it to Ireland. Just change it to Estonia ;) Also, PCS aren't VAT registered in Estonia, so price incl. VAT is same as excl. VAT - it means that VAT will be due to Estonian customs for OP.
 
X

xedative

Member
sck451 said:
I'm slightly curious about what's going on with the delivery options: @Citrus_9 has come up with Estonia, but the configurator for me said Republic of Ireland. My build would probably come out at a very different price if Estonia is the actual destination (as I'm guessing it is from your aitäh: I'm not sure why I've ended up in Ireland).
Click to expand...
Your build comes up at 1601€ with shipping to Estonia. I'm also not sure why it shows Ireland; for me it defaults to UK mainland shipping every time I click on anyone's configuration links.
sck451 said:
If you have the LG monitor at that price, it's definitely the one to go for. I use the AOC myself, but I'm distinctly unfussy! As for the monitor, I'd suggest that 1440p 144Hz is where you should be aiming. 1080p feels horrible now I'm used to 1440p: it's a huge difference. Having a larger monitor at 1080p would make the situation worse: the pixels would be less dense and so it would feel even more blocky and pixelly.
Click to expand...
Duly noted, thank you. 1440p it is then.
 
sck451

sck451

MOST VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
Thanks to @Citrus_9 and the use of a different web browser, here's my configuration where it will get sent to the right country. €40ish more than your original.

Case
COOLERMASTER MASTERCASE H500 ARGB GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Six Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.6GHz/35MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING B550-PLUS (DDR4, USB 3.2, 6Gb/s) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
12GB AMD RADEON™ RX 6700 XT - HDMI, DP - DX® 12
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6900MB/R, 5000MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
USB 3.0 EXTERNAL SD/MICRO SD CARD READER
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre European Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
CoolerMaster MasterLiquid Lite 240 High Performance Liquid Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
Wireless Network Card
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
4 DAY DELIVERY TO ESTONIA
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Price: €1,601.67 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/AuBKC7CzQs/
 
Citrus_9

Citrus_9

Expert
xedative said:
Your build comes up at 1601€ with shipping to Estonia. I'm also not sure why it shows Ireland; for me it defaults to UK mainland shipping every time I click on anyone's configuration links.

Duly noted, thank you. 1440p it is then.
Click to expand...
PCS are in the UK and when we build specs, we sometimes forget to change from UK to other country and save specs like that. Also, sometimes a web browser changes it to our location (some of us are in Ireland) and we don't notice that. Just make sure to pick Estonia and Euro in the very top of the website and delivery to Estonia in the very bottom on the screen before purchasing ;) Don't forget that 20% VAT will be applicable for you to pay Estonian tax office or customs when a PC reaches Estonian customs, because Estonian VAT is not included in the price.
 
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