PC Build (need help)

[Drz88]

Hi all, need your recommendations for my new rig.

I'll be going to SL to set up this rig soon. The partial build list below is what I currently have in mind. I will not be overclocking it. My main use would be for gaming and surfing the Web. My budget is 1.2k without the GPU and Monitor. Thanks in advance.

CPU: 12th Gen 12400 (with IGPU)

CPU Cooler: (is the stock cooler adequate if I don't intend to overclock?)

Mobo: Asus TUF GAMING B660M-PLUS D4 (don't need WIFI)

Rams: 16GBx2 CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 3600MHz 32GB CL18 Desktop Memory [INTEL]

PSU: ?

SSD: SAMSUNG 970 Evo Plus 1TB NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive

Case: Lian Li Lancool 2 Mesh Case



Will be reusing the following components:

GPU: GTX 970 Nividia GPU (temporary use)
SSD: 256mb 2.5" Crucial SSD
Monitor: BenQ XL2411

Windows OS:
1. Should i install Windows 10 or 11?
2. Also, should I request the shop to install the Windows OS then buy the OEM key from online sellers?

 

[Yongkit]

Looking at the budget and component TS selected it is a very tie budget:

1. CPU + Motherboard + Case - 70% of budget = $850~$900
2. RAM + PSU + SSD = 30% of budget = $350 ~ $300 (refer below for approx budget on each component)

RAM = 12th Gen better with 32GB as minimum (try to avoid future upgrade of mixing ram) ~ Approx $200
PSU = At lease 750W (if planning future GPU upgrade to respectable current generation 3070ti or 6700xt or lower) ~ Approx $150
SSD = Depends on TS requirement, 500GB for OS and application, or minimum 1TB with gaming installation in mind ~ Approx $200

OS:
1. OS suggest start with windows 10 and you can always upgrade in future if you are ready for windows 11
2. If the shop is willing to offer your the service for installation of the non activated OS then suggestion will be yes for sure.

If possible I would suggest the cpu downgrade to i5-12600 if you do not intent OC when pairing with B660 board which can make way to other components.

If not mistaken i5-12600k does not come with stock cooler.

 

[NightRaven49]

CPU: 12th Gen 12600K (with IGPU)
CPU Cooler: (is the stock cooler adequate if I don't intend to overclock?)
Mobo: Asus TUF GAMING B660M-PLUS D4 (don't need WIFI)

agree with yongkit on this one, not only does ur use case sound somewhat minimal with no intention to overclock, but the b660 chipset does not allow overclocking (which is the entire point of the k series cpus), so it is best u get a non k cpu and spend the savings elsewhere. while we're at it, i would suggest getting the 12400 as the 12600 non k only offers a mild clockspeed bump over the 12400, which is probably not noticeable in day to day use and thus can be another area to save money (~$40); the core config between the 12400 and 12600 is identical anyway so for the most part they will do the job similarly.

Rams: ?
PSU: ?
SSD: ?

i would say 16gb of ram is still adequate for now. make sure to get it in 2 sticks, so 2x8gb for best performance. psu i agree with yongkit, do source for reputable brands like corsair, seasonic and super flower. for ram and psu better to get locally for local warranty, though ssd probably better to get from online. now good quality 1tb nvme (970 evo) around 150 on amazon.

Windows OS:
1. Should i install Windows 10 or 11?
2. Also, should I request the shop to install the Windows OS then buy the OEM key from online sellers?

personally the only reason to go 11 is if u have a 12th gen cpu with both p and e cores. since ur target cpu only has p cores, win 10 is still viable and it is what i would go with. if the shop is gracious enough to install the free iso then by all means, getting the key afterwards is also a good course of action.

 

[Drz88]

Thanks for the detailed replies. It's much appreciated.

I've tweak my build to both your recommendations.

Interesting fact about the marginal difference between the 12400 and 12600. Guess I'll settle for the 12400 then.

Last component which I'm unsure of is the PSU. I'll probably get an 850w PSU because I intend to upgrade the GPU in future. Which model should I get?

I may head down to SL later to set up this rig.

 

[Yongkit]

For the PSU you can opt for SUPER FLOWER LEADEX III 850w 80+ Gold which is power efficient and wallet friendly

researching show PCtheme online store have this unit at $156 on offer if you can get better price in SL shop would be good.

 

[Drz88]

Thanks Yongkit and NightRaven49 for your advice and recommendations!

My (almost new) rig is being assembled by PCThemes and the total cost is 1.3k

 

[tang_tang]

Looking at the budget and component TS selected it is a very tie budget:

1. CPU + Motherboard + Case - 70% of budget = $850~$900
2. RAM + PSU + SSD = 30% of budget = $350 ~ $300 (refer below for approx budget on each component)

RAM = 12th Gen better with 32GB as minimum (try to avoid future upgrade of mixing ram) ~ Approx $200
PSU = At lease 750W (if planning future GPU upgrade to respectable current generation 3070ti or 6700xt or lower) ~ Approx $150
SSD = Depends on TS requirement, 500GB for OS and application, or minimum 1TB with gaming installation in mind ~ Approx $200

OS:
1. OS suggest start with windows 10 and you can always upgrade in future if you are ready for windows 11
2. If the shop is willing to offer your the service for installation of the non activated OS then suggestion will be yes for sure.

If possible I would suggest the cpu downgrade to i5-12600 if you do not intent OC when pairing with B660 board which can make way to other components.

If not mistaken i5-12600k does not come with stock cooler.

Hi

I going to buy a rig for my son soon and want to learn. For non-activated OS installed by the shop, is it that i can activate the window by myself in a cheaper way?

 

[Yongkit]

Hi

I going to buy a rig for my son soon and want to learn. For non-activated OS installed by the shop, is it that i can activate the window by myself in a cheaper way?

Yes you can do so by purchase in Lazada or shopee for those "retail box" windows with "USB drive" which normally cheaper than shop OEM license.

What you need is basically the license key to activate the windows.

 

[jianrong]

Thanks Yongkit and NightRaven49 for your advice and recommendations!

My (almost new) rig is being assembled by PCThemes and the total cost is 1.3k

I’m curious what the rig parts you choose in the end?

 

[Phen8210]

The b660 chipset does not allow overclocking (which is the entire point of the k series cpus), so it is best u get a non k cpu and spend the savings elsewhere. while we're at it, i would suggest getting the 12400 as the 12600 non k only offers a mild clockspeed bump over the 12400, which is probably not noticeable in day to day use and thus can be another area to save money (~$40); the core config between the 12400 and 12600 is identical anyway so for the most part they will do the job similarly.

This might surprise you.

Based on the PC themes price list.. 12600K at stock has slightly better value to performance than 12400. But the 12400F version way surpasses 12400, 12600KF, and 12600K in terms of value to performance.

Also, both need an aftermarket cooler to perform to the max, so still a fair comparison. A 12400 running with stock cooler will run pretty hot and might even throttle unless the case has powerful airflow.

So in this sense, no shame in getting a 12600K CPU and not overclocking it since it is already better valued at stock speed.

On a side note, the 12600 shouldn't have been called what it is as it's not much different from a 12400, which you know already. This means that 12600K is the only choice at that ~$400 price point if you want a better performance chip with an iGPU.

Something with 12454 in CB23, I would say, is just right in terms of CPU resources for gaming at the present moment. However, I have already encountered a few outliers that will cap it. If you care about that, then go for the 12600K as it has a lot more headroom at 17660. Because in gaming, hitting 100% CPU usage causes stuttering.

Basically, the 12600K is okay to buy, even without OC, so is the 12400. Avoid the 12600 at all costs though, like you mentioned.

 

[Yongkit]

This might surprise you.

Based on the PC themes price list.. 12600K at stock has slightly better value to performance than 12400. But the 12400F version way surpasses 12400, 12600KF, and 12600K in terms of value to performance.

Also, both need an aftermarket cooler to perform to the max, so still a fair comparison. A 12400 running with stock cooler will run pretty hot and might even throttle unless the case has powerful airflow.

So in this sense, no shame in getting a 12600K CPU and not overclocking it since it is already better valued at stock speed.

On a side note, the 12600 shouldn't have been called what it is as it's not much different from a 12400, which you know already. This means that 12600K is the only choice at that ~$400 price point if you want a better performance chip with an iGPU.

Something with 12454 in CB23, I would say, is just right in terms of CPU resources for gaming at the present moment. However, I have already encountered a few outliers that will cap it. If you care about that, then go for the 12600K as it has a lot more headroom at 17660. Because in gaming, hitting 100% CPU usage causes stuttering.

Basically, the 12600K is okay to buy, even without OC, so is the 12400. Avoid the 12600 at all costs though, like you mentioned.

I believe with some technical specifications would also help normal users like TS to understand the price performance ratio description you highlighted as it's difficult for some to know what's throttling in gaming mean since I doubt it would happen to any 12th gen i5 cpu.

The pricing different varies from i5-12400F ($266) to i5-12600k ($427) with total different of $161. This saving of getting 12400/f could help him getting a decent after market air cooler or even 240 AIO.

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...ctIds=134590,134589,96149,96144,134587,134586
** Blue shade column are the differences highlights.

perhaps some comparison as link above would assist better to support the narrative you mention in term of core clock, boost clock, CPU power effect on "Z" or "B" series motherboard.

As whether other specifications are important definitely depends on individual user requirements like igpu variant,
ECC Memory Supported all can refer to the link comparison.

 

[Phen8210]

I believe with some technical specifications would also help normal users like TS to understand the price performance ratio description you highlighted as it's difficult for some to know what's throttling in gaming mean since I doubt it would happen to any 12th gen i5 cpu.

The pricing different varies from i5-12400F ($266) to i5-12600k ($427) with total different of $161. This saving of getting 12400/f could help him getting a decent after market air cooler or even 240 AIO.

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...ctIds=134590,134589,96149,96144,134587,134586
** Blue shade column are the differences highlights.

perhaps some comparison as link above would assist better to support the narrative you mention in term of core clock, boost clock, CPU power effect on "Z" or "B" series motherboard.

As whether other specifications are important definitely depends on individual user requirements like igpu variant,
ECC Memory Supported all can refer to the link comparison.

It's okay la bro.. we have you here to elaborate things if necessary haha.

 

[ragnarok95]

Just get a 12600K. Get a B660/Z690 mobo. Get 16/24/32GB DDR4. Boom. Settle for the next 4-5 yrs.