New gaming PC - spec check

[computeruser]

Hi all

After only having a laptop for the last few years I'm looking to build a new gaming PC. I'm aiming to build it once then keep it for at least 3-5 years, so am looking for reliable components I won't have to fix or change too often.

I've put my requirements and current planned specs below. Let me know if there are any changes you think I should make, either for a more balanced build or because I've missed that some components won't work together.

Thanks


Budget: £1200 to £1500

Main uses:
1) Gaming (FPS, RTS)
2) Running virtual machines for coding projects
Parts required: All new components, as I only have a laptop
Monitor: I have a 1920*1200 monitor with DVI-D and DislpayPort
Overclocking: No
Extra information:
- Prefer AMD CPU
- Aiming for quietness
- Small case, preferably Micro-ATX. Don't mind about a lack of LEDs etc.
- Air cooling only


Current planned hardware:

AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, £275

NH-D15S Dual Radiator Quiet CPU Cooler, £75 (This should just about fit in the case? Is there a similarly quiet and effective cooler for < £75?)

Asus TUF B450M-PLUS GAMING (Socket AM4) DDR4 MATX motherboard, £84

Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 PC4-24000C16 3000MHz Dual Channel Kit, £140 (Is 3000MHz the best frequency to use if I'm not overclocking? Is there a benefit to 32gb over 16gb?)

MSI GeForce RTX 2070, £380 (Is there a quieter RTX 2070? Also the Super version didn't seem worth the price increase? I didn't look too closely at AMD GPUs, is there one I should consider over the RTX 2070?)

Samsung 1TB 860 QVO SSD 2.5" SATA 6Gbps, £95

Be Quiet! Straight Power 11 650W 80 Plus Platinum PSU, £120

Fractal Define Mini C Micro-ATX Case - Black, £75

Windows 10 Home, £110

Total £1354

 

[Minibiker]

First off, welcome to the forum!

Theres a couple of things id say about the spec list you've done, The motherboard isnt the best B450 board and i dont think it will work out the box with the Ryzen 3000 series CPU, id go for the MSI B450 Tomahawk MAX...

The PSU you could save on and get something like the Corsair RM650, solid unit and comes with 10 year warranty...

Dont bother spending silly money on Windows, you can download for free on the official Microsoft site and buy a cheap activation key from certain sites, with all the money saved you could add it to something else in the build.

 

[EsaT]

Already £21 Arctic Freezer 34 would do nicely for just eight core 65W TDP CPU.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/arctic-freezer-34-co-cpu-cooler-120mm-hs-079-ar.html
And Scythe Mugen 5 is only step behind the best and would be pretty much overkill for that CPU.
Though PCGH model (which is only version in stock) has slow 800rpm fans limiting both noise and performance.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/scythe-scmg-5pcgh-mugen-5-pcgh-edition-cpu-cooler-hs-047-sy.html


Nearly all Asus B450 boards (+one X470) are pretty much garbage for their price and same for Gigabytes except ITX model.
CPU VRM of those is simply at market garbage PC level and would limit one of the positives of AMD platform: upgradability.
Even Asrock B450 Pro4 is better.
But MSIs are really what you want in B450.
B450 Tomahawk would do decently with 12 cores when having airflow in case.

Though for that case what is needed is micro-ATX size B450M Mortar.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/msi-b450m-mortar-max-socket-am4-ddr4-matx-motherboard-mb-348-ms.html
Most Micro-ATX cases just aren't much smaller.
Only different to ATX model is 4cm in height:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/fractal-design-define-c-midi-tower-case-black-ca-077-fd.html


16GB is now enough for most games especially if you don't want to run programs like web browser on background.
But if you intend to keep PC for half dozen years then 32GB is what lasts.
Also virtual machines eat memory fast.
3200MHz CL16 would do quite nicely at default.
3000MHz would need CL15 for similar overclocking changes in average.


For 60Hz 1920x1200 you don't need exensive GPU and AMD tends to have better performance per price.
Anyway you won't get real future proofness now, no matter the price:
Marketing feature of RTX cards (and what will be feature of next-gen consoles), raytracing, makes their performance crash down 30-50%.

Samsung tends to have brand overpricing in their drives and fraudulently aimed marketing.
860 QVO uses QLC Flash, which is class worser than TLC, but price isn't really lower.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/wd-b...-solid-state-drive-wds100t2b0a-hd-54j-wd.html
Though if you're into heavier use with more stuff in virtual machines accessing drive simultaneous, then NVMe drive could help.

Be Quiet really skimps in basic level 5 year warranty, which makes them harder to recommend.
Seasonic Focus has 10 year warranty.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/seas...-platinum-modular-power-supply-ca-06r-ss.html
And for 80+ Gold efficiency Phanteks would give it for £87
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/phanteks-amp-650w-80-plus-gold-modular-power-supply-ca-09q-pt.html