I'm putting together a gaming PC in the UK mainly for light gaming. The build currently uses a Ryzen 5 8600G with integrated graphics, an Arctic Freezer 36 cooler, an ASRock B850M WiFi motherboard, 16GB of DDR5-5200 memory, a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, a Kolink Observatory MX case, and an 850W Gold modular power supply. I've also included a 27-inch 1440p 180Hz monitor and a wireless keyboard-and-mouse set, for a total of about £865. I'll buy each part from whichever UK retailer has the lowest price. Should I swap any components, add anything, or is this ready to order?
3 Answers
The main thing missing is a dedicated graphics card. The 8600G’s integrated graphics can handle lighter or older games, but it will struggle at 1440p, especially if you want to use that monitor’s 180Hz refresh rate. If possible, save money elsewhere and add a used RTX 4060, RTX 4070, or a similar modern card. A new RTX 5050 could also work if you want a warranty.
The parts should be broadly compatible, and the micro-ATX motherboard will fit the case. You may not need the separate CPU cooler because the 8600G often includes a stock cooler, although the Arctic cooler should be quieter. Also remember that Windows, extra case fans if the case does not include enough, and a monitor cable may need to be budgeted separately.
There are a few questionable prices and choices. £199.99 for 16GB of DDR5 is extremely high, so look for a cheaper 2x8GB kit or, preferably, 2x16GB DDR5-6000 memory. The 850W power supply is also more than this system needs without a dedicated GPU; a good 550W–650W unit would be enough now, or around 750W if you plan to install a powerful graphics card later.
Thanks—I’ll compare the cost of adding a graphics card before I order everything.