I'm new to desktop PC building and have been researching for the past month. My six-year-old laptop, with 8GB of RAM and an Nvidia GTX 1060, struggles with video editing in DaVinci Resolve. I'd also like to do some PC gaming, although editing is the priority since I already have a PS5.
I'm moving home in the next few months, so I have time to save and gradually buy components. My budget is roughly £1,900, with an absolute maximum of £2,000. RAM prices also seem to be rising, so I'm unsure whether it makes sense to wait.
I'm considering buying a prebuilt system because I've never assembled a PC before and could upgrade it later. There's currently a CyberPower desktop available in the UK for £1,800 including VAT, with a Ryzen 7 processor, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and an Nvidia RTX 5070. Those specifications seem well suited to DaVinci Resolve, particularly because the software works well with Nvidia GPUs. However, I've heard that the quality of components in some prebuilt systems can be inconsistent.
I've also put together a comparable custom build that costs about £200 more. Building it myself sounds more satisfying and would let me choose every component, but I'm nervous as a first-time builder. Would the prebuilt be good value, or would it be better to build from parts? Are there any specific components I should change or watch out for?
3 Answers
For DaVinci Resolve, an Intel-based system may be worth considering instead of automatically choosing Ryzen. A current high-end Intel processor could perform better for some editing workloads and may leave enough room in the budget to upgrade from an RTX 5070 to an RTX 5070 Ti. Depending on the exact component choices, a build around £1,950 could offer stronger overall editing performance while staying within your maximum budget. Compare actual Resolve benchmarks and power or cooling requirements before deciding.
Pay close attention to the SSD in the custom parts list. Some versions of the NV3 use QLC flash, which generally has lower endurance and can slow down more noticeably once the drive fills or ages. It would be a better idea to use a TLC-based SSD for the operating system and active projects, such as a Patriot P320, Lexar NM620, Klevv CRAS C715, or Biwin Black Opal NV7400. Also check the drive’s exact model, since SSD specifications can vary between revisions.
That’s helpful, thank you. I’ll check the exact SSD model and compare it with some TLC alternatives.
The prebuilt isn’t automatically a bad choice at £1,800, especially if you value convenience and warranty support. Before buying, check exactly which motherboard, power supply, SSD, RAM kit, and cooling system it uses. The listed headline specifications don’t tell you whether those parts are good quality. If it includes an all-in-one liquid cooler, make sure you’re comfortable with its maintenance and the possibility of pump or radiator issues. Faster CL30 memory would also be preferable to a slower CL36 kit at this price.
Thanks, I’ll look into the memory specifications and learn more about the potential drawbacks of an all-in-one cooler.
I’ll compare the Intel options and do some more reading. My current laptop has an older Intel processor, but it’s too underpowered to be a useful comparison.