A new PC build?
It’s been a long, long time since I did a from-scratch PC build, but for this Xmas I’ll be doing two for the family. Yes, it has come to this time.
These are for people used to a Switch/PS4 console gaming environment, and have only really used Raspberry Pis and general laptops for computing or PC styl;e gaming.
Expected usage will be: 1080p gaming (Minecraft, Apex Legends/Fortnite etc.), some desktop homework, browsing, programming with Scratch, some image editing and for one, some introductory 3D modelling and rendering with Blender.
Firstly, budgets are tight. This Winter (2022) has seen some improvement in PC parts supply and pricing, but in general items such as graphics cards in particular are still more expensive out the factory than MSRP, and Japan’s weak FX rate hasn’t helped local pricing for sure.
Also as you can see, I bought some common components because they’re good bits of kit, but also to help me troubleshoot in the future.
‘Firsts’ for me on the build are:
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Fractal Design Focus G Mini case - I’m familiar with Fractal Design (I have two of the Define models), but not this specific case. It’s mATX focussed and as these are going under small desks I wanted something less physically intrusive and it has the now required window, and two white LED cooling fans. No complaints for this based on my two builds.
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G.Skill memory - This brand seems to have a decent reputation, and whilst I have no interest in colourful LEDs and such in cases I know the recipients might, so I have no objection to getting some glowing RAM, and it seems like a simple and cheap thrill. Also, I’ve gotten
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Fractal Design PSU - Whilst I’ve used their cases for years this is the first time I’ve bought one of their PSUs. Another first is that this is my first modular PSU - all my previous builds had those chunky nest of cables out of the PSU leaving you to tie back any connectors not used. Should be neater!
Build 1
| Item | Model |
|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X |
| Mobo | Gigabyte B550 DS3H |
| Graphics | MSI RTX 2060 OC 6GB |
| RAM | G.Skill DDR4 3200 Trident Z 16GB |
| NVMe | Samsung 980 1TB |
| PSU | Fractal Design ION Gold 550 |
| Case | Fractal Design Focus G mini |
| OS | Windows 10 |
This is the slightly faster one, which will be running Blender and some more challenging games. I went with the 5600X as it was on sale, and is the updated version of the one I already have in my own desktop. I do like the Ryzens.
That RTX 2060 OC was a tough decision. The AMD RX6600 looked good in the theoretical price range, but the only one available for near the 2060 was from a so so brand, so I decided to get the OC’d MSI board. I couldn’t put up the cash to get into 3000 series nVidia cards sadly. I’m confident it’ll be fine for a while.
The rest of the components I’m quite pleased with. 16GB of RAM should be fine for most things for a few years, as is the 1TB nvme which means this machine will have no SATA cabled storage.
Build 2
| Item | Model |
|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 |
| Mobo | Gigabyte B550 DS3H |
| Graphics | Palit GTX 1660Super OC 6GB |
| RAM | G.Skill DDR4 3200 Trident Z 16GB |
| NVMe | 1TB AS60 nvme |
| PSU | Fractal Design ION Gold 550 |
| Case | Fractal Design Focus G mini |
| OS | Windows 10 |
Compared to the first build, the differences are subtle - a Ryzen 5 5600 instead of the ‘X’ version. Sadly I couldn’t get another ‘X’ on sale, but this was a little cheaper, and the difference between the two isn’t that big, and it won’t be overclocked.
The graphics card was difficult again - there just isn’t anything new and good under 30,000yen actually on the shelf. Anyway, for 1080p gaming, the 1660 Super should be fine, especially with a small overclock. There’s no ray-tracing, but at this price point and the type of usage, I’m not so concerned.
Notes
The builds themselves were quite simple - the case design is very nice, and even though they’re mini ATX, the fact there’s so little to connect made it simple - no SATA cables and the modular PSU made cable management easy.
I’m still not sold on the glowing LEDs and fans, but it doesn’t look bad at all.
I ended up having to buy Windows licenses which was disappointing. I have a couple of licenses, but they’re the kind you’re limited in how you can re-use them. Thanks Microsoft!
Anyway, it means that upgrading to Windows 11 and moving them to new hardware should be fine in the future.
The install was quite simple too - getting updates on, nVidia drivers, Steam installed and all that just took time and a cup of tea.
It has to be said that it gets easier every time it seems to do these builds. The last even partial build I did was three years ago - I just don’t really have the need for a lot of new hardware - and this took a lot less time.
So there we are - two working entry to mid level gaming PCs with a lot of Minecraft in their future.