PC gaming build
PC gaming build
Frosty_Pat :
Isokolon :
GS should be okay. I think weberdarren97 misinterpreted it as G1, which is normal.
the NH-D9L is a compact cooler with reduced cooling power
it moves less air and is noisier than 120mm models
overclocking wouldn't be too much of an issue with it
should I opt for a larger case? Is it really problematic to place the PSU at the top?
if you intend to overclock, yes, I would.
it doesn't make much sense to purchase a solid mid-range or high-end build
but to get the cheapest case available.
it's similar to buying a fine steak and putting it in the microwave.
Cougar cases generally don't offer great quality.
where are you from? how much can you afford for a case?
Also what's the issue with using Windows 10 without an SSD? An SSD would greatly improve performance.
A fast HDD boots in roughly 1 minute, while a standard SSD takes 5-10 seconds.
It's worth considering how much of a difference this makes in gaming.
Windows 10 is praised for its quick startup and smooth performance. But with a slow hard drive, such as a traditional hard disk, that speed diminishes significantly.
Isokolon :
Frosty_Pat :
What about the issue with Windows 10 and no SSD?
An SSD would really speed things up.
A fast HDD boots in about a minute, while a decent SSD takes 5-10 seconds.
It’s worth considering how much of a difference this makes in games.
This is more about everyday comfort than performance improvement, so I’m not too concerned about an SSD.
Thanks for all the advice—this is my first gaming PC, and I want to be sure it lasts. Sorry for asking so many questions, haha.
If I get a good case with a bottom-mounted PSU and proper airflow, do you think this setup is solid?
And if I were overclocking, would a 120mm fan be sufficient?
Frosty_Pat :
Also what's the issue with Windows 10 and no SSD?
An SSD would really boost performance.
A fast HDD boots in about a minute, while a decent SSD takes 5-10 seconds.
It’s worth considering how much of a difference this makes in games.
That’s more about everyday comfort than actual speed, so I’m not too concerned about an SSD.
Thanks for all the advice—this is my first gaming PC and I want to ensure it lasts. Sorry for asking so many questions, haha.
If I get a solid case with a bottom-mounted PSU and good airflow, do you think this setup is suitable?
If I were overclocking, I’d aim for around 4.2/3ghz or similar, wouldn’t it? Would a 120mm fan be sufficient?
Pal, this will definitely outperform any CPU overclock. Faster data access on the drive makes everything run smoother.
Switching from an HDD to an SSD is probably the biggest change you can make.
Yes, it’s up to you.
A 120mm fan should work fine.
The Noctua darren I mentioned is excellent, though maybe a bit excessive.
The Cryorig I suggested earlier could also fit.
Or the Scythe Mugen 4—just because the PSU is at the bottom doesn’t guarantee a good case.
If you have a budget in mind, we can recommend some great cases.
Generally, Corsairs and Fractal Design are popular choices.
I personally prefer the Thermaltake Suppressor line.
NZXT offers excellent case options.
Isokolon :
Frosty_Pat :
Isokolon :
Also what's the issue with Windows 10 and no SSD?
An SSD would make things run much faster.
A fast HDD boots in about a minute,
a decent SSD in 5-10 seconds.
It’s worth checking how much of a difference this makes in games.
That’s more about everyday comfort than performance, so I’m not too concerned about an SSD.
Thanks for all the advice—this is my first gaming PC and I want to ensure it lasts. Sorry for asking so many questions, haha.
If I get a solid case with a bottom-mounted PSU and good airflow, do you think this build is ready to go?
If I were overclocking, I’d be around 4.2/3ghz or similar, barely high. Would a 120mm fan handle it?
Pal :
This will definitely outperform any CPU overclock. Faster data access means quicker display updates.
Switching from an HDD to an SSD is probably the biggest change you can make.
Yes, it’s up to you.
A 120mm fan should work fine.
The Noctua darren I mentioned is excellent, maybe a bit too much.
The Cryorig I suggested earlier is okay.
Or the Scythe Mugen 4—just because the PSU is at the bottom doesn’t guarantee a good case.
If you can share a budget estimate, we’ll be happy to recommend some good cases.
Generally, Corsairs and Fractal Design are popular.
I personally prefer the Thermaltake Suppressor line.
NZXT cases are solid choices.
The main thing is I don’t have a specific budget, so I’m open to suggestions.
I built a similar PC with better cooling for under £900, but the PSU I used was from the Corsair CX series—definitely not ideal.
All the overclocking in the world isn't going to help you if the data can't get there fast enough to process. Your bottleneck will always be the HDD platter.
So, if you really are going to live by the idea of 'quality of life' vs. 'improving performance' you might want to reconsider that.
If you really want to get specific on a gaming build importance, here are my thoughts in order of importance:
GPU
SSD
RAM
CPU (at least 4 cores)
Video card lends you the best option for game performance increase. Swapping a GPU can make night and day difference. SSD means load times and system access during the game (smooth gameplay, map loading, background processes), RAM so your system has the ability to swap data to and from the CPU, GPU, networking and disk. Assuming you are getting a quad core CPU, even a fairly average processor will allow you to keep up with gaming provided you've considered the previous.
Let's put it this way - a great GPU, average CPU with an SSD and adequate RAM will always blow away an average GPU, great CPU, platter HDD and adequate RAM.