Gaming PC Builder Site

[foxile5]

At some point in the near future I'm going to want to get a new PC together - Windows 11 has rendered mine redundant pretty much.

 

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a gaming PC website. I'll likely have to rely on finance so any offering 0% would be gratefully recieved. I know there are tonnes if I go to Google but I prefer to go with recommendations from those who know, if that makes sense.

 

Cheers in advance!

[stripeyfox]

I used PC Specialist. People will tell you to build your own, but it's beyond my capabilites! They do offer finance too 

 

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk

 

[Guest]

If you're looking to buy parts and build it yourself then PCPartPicker is very useful, as are subreddits like r/buildapc. If you want to buy one prebuilt then I believe PC Specialist and Chillblast are both pretty well regarded. I think sometimes if you buy prebuilt they sometimes skimp on things like the power supply but with those two (and no doubt many other companies will do the same but those two are the first that come to mind) you specify which parts you want and they assemble it for you.

[Suzie the Fox]

Bought a lot of my parts for the PC i built in March from Ebuyer, highly recomend that site. As Guest above mentioned for pre-built Chillblast are really good. 

[whoareyaaa]

Alienware

Edited 18 August 2023 by whoareyaaa

[moore_94]

I have used both PC Specialist and Cyberpower over the years for custom built laptops and PCs 

 

Both were very good and offer finance

 

Would recommend doing a bit of research regarding the parts though so you make sure you are getting something powerful enough for whatever you need it for

 

https://www.cyberpowersystem.co.uk/

 

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/

 

https://www.userbenchmark.com/PCBuilder

[Zear0]

1 hour ago, foxile5 said:

At some point in the near future I'm going to want to get a new PC together - Windows 11 has rendered mine redundant pretty much.

 

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a gaming PC website. I'll likely have to rely on finance so any offering 0% would be gratefully recieved. I know there are tonnes if I go to Google but I prefer to go with recommendations from those who know, if that makes sense.

 

Cheers in advance!

Scan.co.uk do good prebuilds. Always got bits from them. 

[kingcarr21]

My cousin builds gaming PCs. Has a page on Facebook

 

https://www.facebook.com/pishytech

[EastAnglianFox]

Ive been wanting to build my own for sometime now but am so indecisive when it comes to components its taking forever.

 

Probably changed my mind at least 20 times just deciding from Intel or AMD so maybe might have to check out a specialist and just let them decide.

 

Keep us updated @foxile5 

[dmayne7]

1 hour ago, EastAnglianFox said:

Ive been wanting to build my own for sometime now but am so indecisive when it comes to components its taking forever.

 

Probably changed my mind at least 20 times just deciding from Intel or AMD so maybe might have to check out a specialist and just let them decide.

 

Keep us updated @foxile5 

As Guest has said, definitely have a look on Reddit. Buildapcforme or buildmeapc. Some really helpful people there but generally they're all using part picker so it's in a standardised format and that website tells you if things are compatible.

 

Browsing on there has got me a good idea of what I want for me first build (mainly just for FM and Total war games) so when I've got the time, I'll post my requirements on there and see what people come up with.

[Daggers]

Got mine from https://www.box.co.uk/gaming-pcs 

 

Built to order, specked to my satisfaction. Looks like you can only get 0% for 12 months at the moment.

[Zear0]

I've just plonked in a 7800X3D chip and it's been fantastic.  Highly recommend to build a system around that if you're in the market still.

[Arkie Bennett]

I used PC Specialist for a custom PC for music production and gaming in 2021. Prompt turnaround and no problems 

[foxile5]

On 19/08/2023 at 14:21, Zear0 said:

I've just plonked in a 7800X3D chip and it's been fantastic.  Highly recommend to build a system around that if you're in the market still.

Still am and will check it out.

 

I'm double hamstrung, though. Recently weighed out for a bike and the Mrs is expecting a shiny ring sometime soon. I'm going to have play my cards very cannily over the next six months.

 

Likely, I'll be looking at a build for Elder Scrolls 6. Going to have to settle for Starfield on console. I'm sure it'll be more than fantastic but I'd have loved to have gotten a real rig for it.

[TeamRocket]

Is it hard to build your own pc? Realistically what would I need?  I know I needs a motherboard, some rams, memory and housing but does it make a difference which I get cos when I ask my mate he always says this "its easy to make why don't u make one, its easier than lego building". But when I ask him what you need he says the following "motherboard, ram, memory and tower" that's it. Am like surely there more to it then that. Like do I need a software, how does it power up, cool it down but his answer is it comes with it. Anyways my question is,

Is it easy?

What do I really need?

can i just buy any parts I like?( like buy a part a month cos I want something good)

And what about processors?

 

Ps. I enjoy building things for fun like I'll take apart a phone or game console for fun only to put it back together (no upgrades or or anything as am to scared il mess it up lol).

 

So any help welcomed thanks

[Zear0]

2 hours ago, TeamRocket said:

Is it hard to build your own pc? Realistically what would I need?  I know I needs a motherboard, some rams, memory and housing but does it make a difference which I get cos when I ask my mate he always says this "its easy to make why don't u make one, its easier than lego building". But when I ask him what you need he says the following "motherboard, ram, memory and tower" that's it. Am like surely there more to it then that. Like do I need a software, how does it power up, cool it down but his answer is it comes with it. Anyways my question is,

Is it easy?

What do I really need?

can i just buy any parts I like?( like buy a part a month cos I want something good)

And what about processors?

 

Ps. I enjoy building things for fun like I'll take apart a phone or game console for fun only to put it back together (no upgrades or or anything as am to scared il mess it up lol).

 

So any help welcomed thanks

It's hard to say objectively if its easy having done it for 25 or so years, but I don't think people should see it as some insurmountable challenge. It's a great skills to have as if something breaks, or you wish to upgrade a single component, you'll be able to do that easily without upgrading the whole box. 

 

What do you need and in what order... 

 

Pick a processor first. Each processor had it's own "socket" design which then dictates the type of motherboard you need. For AMD, these are called AM3, AM4 etc. and for Intel they'll be LGA1151 etc. 

 

Know what you're using your PC for. If it's a work station/email job, focus on low power efficient chips like Ryzen 3 or Intel i3s, if it's got gaming then the higher end ones are required (Ryzen 5 and 9 or Intel i9 etc. 

 

Have a look at the below to identify which CPU is "better" than another. Once you've got one in mind, go on YouTube and search for reviews of the exact CPU. Gamers Nexus is great as they have conclusions saying "it's great or buy this other one as it's better" 

 

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/

 

With CPU selected, you'll want to find a motherboard. Find a motherboard that has the corresponding socket to your processor. Motherboards are a bit of a nightmare as objectively there's not much between them. Look for features you want like on board WiFi or Bluetooth and pick one that seems reasonably priced. Again, check the reviews as some are known to over heat. One thing to also bear in mind is that motherboards come in different sizes. ATX is full size but they also make micro and mini-ATX for small form factor PCs. That is important as you'll need to make sure your case is compatible with it.

 

RAM - RAM is easy. CPUs are quite fussy nowadays with which CPU they work well with. If you've identified a CPU you want, Google what memory works well with it and someone will have the answer. It'll either be DDR3/4 and have a corresponding frequency 3600MHz and also a timing spec 2-2-24 etc. Just find the stick for your CPU and make sure the motherboard can accept the RAM you've selected. 

 

Graphics cards depend on what you're using it for. Know the games you want to play and cross reference against gaming benchmarks sites. 

 

Depending on your monitor will dictate what GPU is worthwhile too. I can't reiterate what a ****ing con "4K gaming is". I won't sit on the fence, but anyone who games in 4k is a numpty. For PC gaming 1440p at 145hz is the sweet spot. If you have a 1440p 145Hz monitor, go on the below link to find a GPU that gives you that frame rate for games you play. Of you play Overwatch or CS, you won't need anything as powerful as someone dug into Cyberpunk for instance. 

All GPU are usually PCI 16x slots and are comparable to pretty much all motherboards. 

 

Hard drives. If you're motherboard accepts it, get an M.2 nvme. They're fast and use barely and juice. If not, SATA SSDs are OK. 

 

Power. Depending your CPU and GPU dictates what PSU you want. For most normal gamers 600W is more than enough. They're rated (platinum, silver or gold) depending on how consistently they deliver power. If you're not high end, this doesn't really matter. 

 

Case. Find one you like and one that comes with case fans. Case fans connect to pins on your motherboard so are dead easy to installed. 

 

Have a look at pre-built and then tinker with the parts to suit your needs. Lots of folk here are happy to help if you've got queries. 

[TeamRocket]

Thanks very informative information, I definitely have a look at the website and definitely look at pre-built stuff as I do like to open and take things apart ans hopefully it would give that confidence to try and do a full build on my own.