Can I create a PC for under £800 in the UK?
Can I create a PC for under £800 in the UK?
I'm located in the UK, so I'd look for scan.co.uk, ebuyer.com or amazon for parts. However, I'm open to other suggestions. I previously built PCs for family and friends but haven't made one in about 15 years, so I'm unsure what quality is currently acceptable.
I'm seeking a mid-range gaming PC for my daughter, who enjoys playing The Sims 4, Stray, and Baldur's Gate 3. She'll also need to do some office work on it and watch anime, along with basic photo editing. The budget is around £800, ideally up to £900, and it should be assembled within the next couple of weeks. She's eager to have it built soon.
The build should focus on a base unit only, possibly with a decent gaming keyboard if it fits the budget. No monitor or extra peripherals are needed. She already has an office PC for now and plans to upgrade those separately later. Windows Home is required for the build cost.
I'm considering a graphics card with 12 GB of VRAM, such as the 6700X, as it should be future-proof. I'm not reusing any old components.
Additionally, I'm curious about a friend's build using an ASRock B760M motherboard, TEAMGROUP T-CREATE DDR5 6400 RAM, ADATA Legend 1TB M.2 SSD, and a Thermalright Assassin x CPU cooler. I haven't heard much about these models, and ASRock wasn't very reputable when I was building PCs 15 years ago. Would you mind checking if these parts are still available and reliable?
I'll prepare something together. Any specific design preferences? Size, color, RGB options?
ASRock used to be the budget line of ASUS, but they separated a long time ago. I’d say now they’re among the four main motherboard makers for Intel. I own two ASRock boards using this current Intel socket, and there are no issues.
Added a keyboard and mouse, feel free to remove them if desired. It’s not overly complicated.
Finding a 6700XT without losing key features is challenging. You might consider switching to a quad-core processor or an older Zen Ryzen CPU (5000 series).
Alternatively, you could opt for a DDR5 Intel configuration using a newer i3, which would provide room for future upgrades to an i7.
You could also focus on a late-model AMD APU and skip the GPU for now, using the same GPU as in the Steam Deck.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
Intel Core i5-12400 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor
(£149.99 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard:
Asus PRIME B760M-A WIFI D4 Micro ATX LGA1700
(£119.95 @ AWD-IT)
Memory:
Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16
(£62.99 @ Amazon UK)
Storage:
Crucial P5 Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME
(£64.94 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Video Card:
Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
(£269.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Case:
Deepcool MATREXX 55 MESH ATX Mid Tower
(£39.98 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply:
MSI MAG A650GL 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX
(£89.99 @ AWD-IT)
Operating System:
Microsoft Windows 11 Home Retail - Download 64-bit
(£105.54 @ Senetic)
Keyboard:
Logitech G413 SE Wired Gaming Keyboard
(£50.98 @ Currys PC World)
Mouse:
Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED Wireless/Wired Optical
(£45.98 @ Currys PC World)
Total: £999.34
Prices cover shipping, taxes, and available discounts
Generated by
PCPartPicker
2024-04-11 19:25 BST+0100
AMD APU
PCPartPicker List of Components
CPU:
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor
(£305.99 @ MoreCoCo)
Motherboard:
MSI B650 GAMING PLUS WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard
(£149.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Memory:
G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6400 CL32 Memory
(£113.99 @ Amazon UK)
Storage:
Crucial P5 Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
(£64.94 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Case:
Deepcool MATREXX 55 MESH ATX Mid Tower Case
(£39.98 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply:
be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
(£96.93 @ NeoComputers)
Operating System:
Microsoft Windows 11 Home Retail - Download 64-bit
(£101.26 @ Senetic)
Keyboard:
Logitech G413 SE Wired Gaming Keyboard
(£50.98 @ Currys PC World)
Mouse:
Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED Wireless/Wired Optical Mouse
(£45.98 @ Currys PC World)
Overall Cost:
£969.05
Includes shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
Created by
PCPartPicker
2024-04-11 19:35 BST+0100
PCPartPicker List of Components
CPU:
*
Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor
(£114.97 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler:
*
Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler
(£16.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Motherboard:
*
MSI PRO B760M-A WIFI DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
(£123.99 @ AWD-IT)
Memory:
Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
(£62.99 @ Amazon UK)
Storage:
Crucial P5 Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
(£64.94 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Video Card:
*
Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 7600 XT 16 GB Video Card
(£319.98 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply:
*
SeaSonic FOCUS GX 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
(£86.99 @ AWD-IT)
Overall Cost:
£789.86
Costs encompass shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
*Selected lowest-priced items based on specified criteria
Created by
PCPartPicker
2024-04-11 20:04 BST+0100
I managed to get the best setup with a 6700XT included and a 12400, 32GB DDR5, 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD, etc., for £880. If you're open to browsing on eBay, you might find a slightly lower price, though this system is quite expensive and should handle her games without issues...
PCPartPicker Part List:
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/K7JWTY
CPU: Intel Core i5-12400 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor (£149.99 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool GAMMAXX AG400 ARGB 75.89 CFM CPU Cooler (£29.99 @ AWD-IT)
Motherboard: ASRock B760M-HDV/M.2 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard (£98.78 @ CCL Computers)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5200 CL40 Memory (£84.99 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Crucial P5 Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD (£64.94 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Video Card: XFX Speedster SWFT 309 Radeon RX 6700 XT 12 GB (£340.00 @ Amazon UK)
Case: KOLINK Observatory MX Mesh ARGB ATX Mid Tower Case (£47.98 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Power Supply: Antec NeoECO Gold 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (£71.17 @ CCL Computers)
Overall Cost: £887.84
Includes shipping, taxes, and any available discounts
Created by PCPartPicker 2024-04-11 21:01 BST+0100
Mostly reasonable, though you omitted the fact you saved 100 but ended up with a less dependable and long-term solution. H610 motherboards aren’t terrible, but they’re better suited for a sub-500 build. The cheapest RAM options are acceptable, right? Do they work? Yes, you’re paying 50 quid for a 1Tb Adata SSD—what you pay reflects the quality. Same goes for budget PSUs. It will function, but it won’t go far and isn’t the optimal use of £700. TEAMGROUP, that’s true. Adata… I wouldn’t recommend it, but they’re not completely worthless. SSDs degrade over time and are vulnerable to data loss. The most reliable brands today are Crucial, Samsung, Western Digital, and possibly some others like Patriot or Mushkin. Thermalright, fine. Sure. Not my top pick, but performance is hard to ignore. AsRock produces decent motherboards, some really good ones even. A few are poor quality: https://www.techspot.com/review/2424-asr...oard-fail/
The motherboard is in good condition.
The buyer won’t require the 96GB RAM size mentioned, nor should they rely on the extremely fast RAM speeds it offers. They could likely use one of the several PCI x1 slots, or even a collection of SSDs or HDDs. It’s a waste of their money to expect fancy features they probably won’t use.
And what about the Z790? Your reasoning suggests they should buy an overclocked enthusiast board for a CPU that can’t be overclocked and has many unnecessary features—clearly not the right choice.
They should opt for the most affordable 2 x 16GB DDR5 modules available; there’s no need for ultra-fast speeds, and they aren’t doing 3D rendering. Cheaper RAM will suffice without noticeable differences.
A small extra £5 for a Patriot SSD is unnecessary if they don’t need a 1TB M.2 drive. An SSD is sufficient and significantly faster, while being much more cost-effective.
For the MSI PSU, it doesn’t meet the required standards—it’s missing from the recommended tiers. If they need a rated unit, that’s fine, but a 750-watt Gold model isn’t necessary. This isn’t an overclocking CPU that demands special voltage stability settings with a high-end GPU. They won’t need 750 watts.
The system I suggested should last for many years, drawing around 250 watts under load (about 320 watts with a Bronze 80+ PSU). I’ve also included an extra 180 watts as a buffer for the PSU over time and for future GPU upgrades.
In short, it's affordable. I haven't shared any build details, but if I were to recommend, a B760 or z690 would be suitable. The z790 Riptide stands out as a solid example of a quality AsRock motherboard. A different topic altogether. It would be wise to purchase RAM that has been verified as compatible, and only go for the fastest option you require. Simply picking the cheapest DDR5 kit without thought isn't a sound recommendation. That's not up to you or me to judge.
I concur with the idea that a Samsung 990 Pro offers a slight edge over a Crucial P3, and I'd recommend the more affordable but still reliable P3 model.
I purchased a Samsung 990 Pro without needing to compromise on quality. I wouldn't have been satisfied with a P3 or a WD SN SSD, nor any other less reputable storage option.
A 1Tb drive is a minimum, especially if you play games.
While tier lists aren't the deciding factor for PSUs, efficiency ratings matter less than people think. The SeaSonic Focus and Pure Power M12 are dependable choices for good reasons. Their reputation and build quality outweigh efficiency or wattage considerations. With a high-efficiency unit, extra watts aren't a disadvantage and can support future CPU or GPU upgrades without needing a PSU upgrade. If that's not the case, perhaps it was an unnecessary expense. Quality comes at a price, and it's worth investing in.
I didn't criticize the wattage, but rather the build quality. Watts are acceptable; what matters is the overall quality.
The Adata drive comes with a short warranty, and H610 motherboards are often overlooked by manufacturers. They're mainly for those on an extremely tight budget.
If you feel the need to challenge members who propose overly ambitious builds, you're right. But in this discussion, most suggestions seem reasonable.
I believe you've taken it too far. It's possible to assemble a decent system for around £500, but only barely. Buying the cheapest available options isn't the solution.
I'm not targeting you personally, but your approach doesn't deserve it. You risk a poor outcome soon. For just a bit more, most issues can be resolved.
From my experience with computers, cheaper builds often lead to problems like headaches and short lifespans. Invest in quality instead—it will last longer and perform better.
I wouldn't recommend a H610 motherboard, ADATA NVMe drive, or a low-cost PSU. That's wasting good money. £500 is a significant sum, and that build doesn't represent much in terms of performance.
Other suggestions tend to be more costly and offer little additional benefit.