Hey everyone! I'm looking to build my first PC and would love your suggestions. I'm in the UK with a budget of about £600, not including a GPU or operating system. This build is strictly for non-gaming tasks like web browsing, downloading, and primarily backing up a massive collection of photos and videos I have. I'm aiming for good transfer speeds since I'll be moving files from various devices.
I've researched a bit and I'd like to go with an AM5 build since I usually keep my tech for years and want the ability to upgrade in the future. Here are my thoughts so far:
1. CPU: I'm considering the Ryzen 5 9600X or 7600X. I think the 9600X might be worth it if I can save on RAM.
2. RAM: Prices have skyrocketed lately! Is 32GB CL30 6000MHz necessary, or can I get by with 16GB of 5200MHz or 6000MHz instead?
3. Motherboard: I need WiFi since I can't run an Ethernet cable. I'm looking at the Gigabyte B650 AX for USB 3.2 ports. Is that a good choice?
4. Power Supply: I'm leaning toward the Corsair RM650e fully modular (80+ gold). Is 650W too much, or can I drop down to 550W?
5. Case: I want a nice MSI case with RGB fans (around £60). Any recommendations?
6. CPU Cooler: I was thinking of a basic thermal cooler for under £35.
I'll be using a Logitech keyboard and mouse combo for now, and an MSI monitor (the G274QPF-E2) that I use with my PS5.
Also, are OEM Windows keys trustworthy? I know they're one-time use, but they seem like a great way to save money. Thanks for any help you can provide!
2 Answers
Since you're not gaming, you might not need a dedicated GPU at all. For backing up your photos and videos, I'd really suggest looking into setting up a RAID 5 system. It uses multiple drives for redundancy, which is great for ensuring your files are safe. You could also consider a small Linux NAS for your backups and a separate PC for casual web browsing; that might serve you better overall.
For your CPU, the 7500F would actually do the trick nicely for what you're planning. As for the power supply, you could probably go as low as 350-450W, but I'd stick to 650W if you think you might add a GPU later. For RAM, 16GB at 5200MHz is more than sufficient if it's just for basic tasks. However, do consider getting 32GB if you think you'll use heavy applications in the future.
Thanks for the suggestions! I appreciate the advice on RAM and power supply.