I'm completely new to building PCs and could really use some assistance! My budget is a maximum of £2000 in the UK, but I'm okay with a little flexibility of around £100. This needs to cover everything, including a monitor since I don't have one.
I want to game at 1440p, with titles like CS2, Valorant, Apex Legends, Rocket League, Civ, FIFA, and Baldur's Gate 3 in mind. Ideally, I'd like to also play some single-player games in the future. One crucial requirement is that the build needs to be compact. I prefer a small design since I plan to keep it by my desk and occasionally move it to the lounge for gaming on the TV.
My target is to keep the volume under 20L, understanding that smaller builds can be more costly and may affect performance, but I'm willing to take that trade-off.
I would love to have 32GB of RAM (2x8GB is fine if needed), a 2TB SSD (though I'm not sure about PCIe 3 vs 4 or cache), and a CPU cooler that fits with both the RAM and case to keep everything cool in a compact setup.
I've done quite a bit of research but there's a lot to sort through, so I'd appreciate any advice or recommendations on my options. I've looked at components recommended in this link: [PCPartPicker List](https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/rmFkLy).
I'd like to know if my current parts make sense, if I'm missing anything important, or if there's a better alternative to hit my goals. Thanks for your help!
3 Answers
I found a build that comes in just over your budget, but it features the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D which is a strong performer for gaming. Just keep in mind that the case you picked might not include fans, so consider grabbing a pack of decent ones like the Arctic P12s to keep your build cool and efficient.
One thing to watch out for is the power supply; a 650W PSU might not cut it for your build. It's better to go for at least 750W to give yourself some breathing room for upgrades or power spikes during gaming. Make sure to consider that when finalizing your parts!
I’ve built a solid 1440p setup with a 650W PSU and it's been fine for me. Just depends on your specific components!
Your build looks pretty decent overall but I see a few areas for improvement. For your cooler, try going with the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE – it's way better than what you currently have. Also, for your motherboard, since you're going for an AM5 build, make sure to get one with good VRMs to allow for future upgrades. Lastly, consider looking for cheaper SSD options that still meet your needs; prices can vary a lot!
Thanks for the tip! I noticed the estimated wattage is around 547W. Is there a general rule on how much higher the PSU should be compared to the estimated usage?