New PC on a budget £1200

[L4key]

Hi all

I need a new pc, I’m pretty casual so not spending a lot (max c. £1200) The budget is for the PC only, I have the monitor etc,

obvs not interested in VR.

I would like something I can upgrade in due course but I am not an experienced builder!

Any options or tips please?

Cheers

Edited February 16, 2023 by L4key

[LucShep]

Two aspects and questions required so that we can assist you better:

• Not being an experienced builder is the first barrier that will hurt your options, if on a restricted budget. 
  It's far better and cheaper to buy all the parts separately (and from different sources), and then mount the parts yourself (something you're not ready yet to do).
  Do you know anyone (friend, family member, or PC shop of your choice) who can assist you by mounting the parts from a list that we give you, to build a PC gaming tower from the ground up?
   
• You mention you already have a monitor.
  What is the screen resolution and refresh-rate of that monitor?  (for example: 2560x1440 144Hz) 
  If not sure on that, please check the brand and model of that monitor.

Edited February 17, 2023 by LucShep

[L4key]

Hi - thanks for that Luc

I'm sure I can probably build it, also my Brother in Law does IT for a living and can help me out (albeit from afar) so lets have a go if thats going to get me a better setup for my lowly budget!

Monitor is a HP27fw

1920 x 1080 pixels

Can you help me with the best bang for buck parts?

Thanks again

L4key

[LucShep]

On 2/17/2023 at 3:53 PM, L4key said:

Hi - thanks for that Luc

I'm sure I can probably build it, also my Brother in Law does IT for a living and can help me out (albeit from afar) so lets have a go if thats going to get me a better setup for my lowly budget!

Monitor is a HP27fw

1920 x 1080 pixels

Can you help me with the best bang for buck parts?

Thanks again

L4key

OK, good then. 
Hold on tight, this will be veeeery loooong...

I hope not to disapoint, but the best list for a full system with quality components that I can present is....... £1320,28   

I'm really sorry if it surpasses a little the budget goal you have, but this is justifiable, IMHO.

Next, I'm going to list parts for a full system considering your budget, and I'll explain/justify each part along the way, for the "why the specific choice of each part".
I'll also list links for AMAZON.UK, merely as example and because they currently have a big stock with very competitive prices for these parts.
Of course, feel free to take reference of models and their codes/numbers, buy them wherever you prefer:

 

CPU (Processor):  
£203.99  ---  Intel Core13th Gen i5-13400F Desktop Processor 10 Core (6 P-Core + 4 E-Core), 20 MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz, LGA1700

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-Core13th-i5-13400F-Desktop-Processor/dp/B0BN61LYFB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36VCWER02C1PC&keywords=13400F&qid=1676654885&sprefix=13400f%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1

This is the current "budget" mid-range gaming champion, better/faster in both Single and Multi Threading than the closest direct competitor, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X (it's closer to the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X). Intel is also far less fussy with memory (and latency as well) than AMD, so it'll also allow you to go for a RAM kit with slightly more relaxed timings (lower prices on these) with no performance worries. 
Also, this particular processor (and the respective motherboard below) is not meant for overclocking (it's "locked"), which is ideal in your case as a beginner. This makes it more affordable, no money wasted on what you won't use nor miss. 
NOTE: careful when installing the CPU in the motherboard, be gentle and careful (to not damage the pins in the motherboard, where the processor sits in) - quick tutorial HERE.

CPU cooler: 
£24.90  ---  Thermalright Burst Assassin 120 (BA120), 6 Heat Pipes, TL-C12C PWM Quiet Fan CPU Cooler With S-FDB Bearing, LGA1700 compatible

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermalright-Assassin-Heatpipes-technology-TL-C12C/dp/B0B8Z9ZDMV/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=thermalright%2Bassassin%2Bspirit%2B120&qid=1676655426&refinements=p_36%3A428445031&rnid=428432031&s=computers&sprefix=thermalright%2Bassasin%2Caps%2C91&sr=1-1&th=1

The Intel i5 13400F processor is not really a hot temperature chip but, still, a good cooler is always a necessity when pushing it with demanding tasks. This particular CPU cooler, while being very affordable, will more than surpass any demanding requirements for this system, and likely the very best for that low price. And is easy to install.

Motherboard:
£173.99  ---  MSI PRO B760-P WIFI DDR4

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MSI-PRO-B760-P-WIFI-DDR4/dp/B0BJW1G7VN/ref=sr_1_2?crid=F140M56R3DEZ&keywords=MSI+PRO+B760+D4+motherboard&qid=1676654857&s=computers&sprefix=msi+pro+b760+d4+motherboard%2Ccomputers%2C75&sr=1-2

Seeing the chosen processor above (Intel i5 13400F), the B760 motherboards are an imediate choice. The best budget B760 (ATX) motherboard to get is the MSI PRO B760-P.
The DDR4 version I list here is less expensive than the DDR5 version (as is DDR4 memory in comparison to DDR5, which I'll list next below), and is a better choice for this system to fit your budget. 

RAM (memory):
£89.47  ---  Kingston FURY Renegade 32 GB (2x 16 GB) DDR4 3600 CL16 - KF436C16RB1K2/32

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-Renegade-32-Desktop-KF436C16RB1K2/dp/B097RJSVGX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3O69JKDQNY6W7&keywords=Kingston+FURY+Renegade+32+GB+(2+x+16+GB)+3600+MHz+DDR4+CL16+KF436C16RB1K2%2F32&qid=1676677693&s=computers&sprefix=kingston+fury+renegade+32+gb+2+x+16+gb+3600+mhz+ddr4+cl16+kf436c16rb1k2%2F32%2Ccomputers%2C148&sr=1-1

Please remember to get into the BIOS and make sure the XMP profile for this memory is selected. If it's not, then manually select it, then save settings to BIOS, and reboot. Otherwise you won't get the desired RAM kit full speed (note, this is normal procedure for any RAM kit) - refer to the motherboard's manual, in the BIOS section.
I got to say, it's a crying shame your budget didn't extend further, say, another £100 more, as a 64GB kit (for even more memory capacity) of similar DDR4 spec of RAM would instead be chosen (like this one).
Anyway, respecting the budget target, that's a good 32GB capacity DDR4 memory kit (Kingston Fury Renegade) at 3600 Mhz speed with 16-20-20-40 timings at 1.35V. This is plenty fast and a good match with the i5 13400F.

Storage:
€140.15  ---  WD_BLACK 2TB SN770 M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 NVMe Gaming SSD

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WD_BLACK-SN770-2280-Gaming-speed/dp/B09QV5KJHV/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=sn+770+2tb&qid=1676677024&s=computers&sr=1-4

I've selected this 2TB Dram-less NVME SSD because this one is very fast (both reads and writes) for system and games in same drive, plus it's very reliable, while being affordable. There isn't any better for the price. 
2TB was chosen because it's plenty big storage size for both the system (Windows) and DCS, and your archives (and other games) for quite a while, which is something a single 1TB can not provide for long.

GPU (graphics card):
£479.99  ---  MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ti GAMING X 8G LHR

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MSI-GeForce-Graphics-1770MHz-DisplayPort/dp/B096SLMXK9/ref=sr_1_6?crid=32ZT5Q7WQ058A&keywords=rtx%2B3060ti&qid=1676671137&s=computers&sprefix=rtx%2B3060ti%2Ccomputers%2C83&sr=1-6&th=1

Probably the most important component (and most expensive!) in any gaming system, and the Nvidia RTX3060Ti is the best GPU that can fit in your budget.
You're running a monitor with 1920x1080 screen resolution, and this GPU will be absolutely fantastic for that, more so with this system.
There are AMD equivalents to it such as the RX 6700XT 12GB, which can be found slightly cheaper, but I didn't recommend it because DCS is very Nvidia biased.
This specific Nvidia RTX3060Ti model of MSI that I've selected is the best dual-fan model of 3060Ti available in the market (AFAIK), matching plenty triple-fan models that it competes with (which are more expensive and not particularly worth it in comparison, IMO).

PSU (Power Supply Unit):
 £89.95  ---  EVGA Supernova 650 G6 Power Supply, 80+ Gold, 650W, Fully Modular

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Supernova-Power-Supply-Modular-Tester/dp/B093Q9K1RC/ref=sr_1_3?crid=31B3R55Z3ILTE&keywords=650W+GOLD&qid=1676673365&sprefix=650w+gol%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-3

This particular PSU model of EVGA is the best Seasonic-made 650W PSU on the market, ironically not sold by Seasonic themselves. Better built than even Seasonic's own Focus GX, even matching (and beating) more expensive competition like the Corsair RM/RMx, and is 80+Gold standard.
The 650W capacity surpasses what this system needs and that is ideal, leaving plenty safe margin.

Computer ATX Case:
 £79.99  ---  Fractal Design Meshify C - 2x Fans included - USB3.0 – Tinted Tempered Glass – Black

https://www.amazon.co.uk/FRACTAL-FD-CA-MESH-C-BKO-TGL-Airflow-Compact-Tempered/dp/B074DQVB97/ref=sr_1_21?crid=27YYWVCN6C1L9&keywords=FRACTAL%2BATX%2BCASE&qid=1676658073&s=computers&sprefix=fractal%2Batx%2Bcase%2Ccomputers%2C79&sr=1-21&th=1

There may be more affordable PC cases (ultra low budget), even ones with many (crappy) flashy fans included, but 99% of them are pure trash and should be avoided.
In the end, it was between this Fractal Meshify-C and the NZXT H5 Flow (also very good), the two best PC ATX cases under £90, in my opinion. This one is slightly cheaper (£80) and allows more added fans in comparison. It already comes with one fan in the front (for cool air in) and one in the back (for hot air out). It's very well built, good quality and air flow, space, and room for cable management.
NOTE: careful with the tempered glass side cover, as always with any case with such part (as most are)... it's glass, it can break...

PC case fans (x2):
£11.98  ---   2x ARCTIC P12 (120 mm Case Fan, Max Fan Speed 1800 RPM, Black)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arctic-P12-Pressure-optimised-120-Case/dp/B07GB16RK7?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

Please note that the Fractal Meshify-C comes with two fans, but it can take two more in the front (for bigger air in) and also two more on top (for bigger air out).
I strongly recommend to install two more in the front, separately and in addition. 
Therefore, I'm listing a model (Arctic P12) that is inexpensive but very effective - get two of them, install them in the case correctly, plug them in the motherboard, off you go.
NOTE: if confused about the correct orientation for a fan, the "fully open" side (no fence over the blades) is the one sucking in the air.

Operating System (O.S.):  
£25.87  ---  WINDOWS 11 PRO X64 (SERIAL KEY TO LEGALLY REGISTER YOUR OS)

https://uk.gvgmall.com/software-cdkey/microsoft-windows-11-pro-oem-cd-key-global.html

You'll need to install an operating system on your new computer, Windows 11 x64 (= 64 bit) is recommended with these systems. I prefer the "Pro" version, as the serial key price of it is usually just £2 more than the regular "Home" version (that one is also available in that website if prefered).
Before the process of building a PC, you should take care of this. To prepare your Windows installation get a USB pen (a flash drive) with at least 8GB of space (note, it'll be formated). Then create the bootable USB pen of Windows 11 (which you'll use to create a fresh installation of Windows on the new PC) with Media Creation Tools, from Microsoft.
There are many written and video tutorials on the internet if you look for it (one HERE, for example).
At some point a key will be asked to register your Windows, you insert that serial key you bought... Next.... Done.

 

And there it is.  
This is, I think, the very best you can squeeze within that budget objective. Again, I'm sorry if it slightly surpasses your budget, but it's close enough.
I'm utterly confident it'll do fine, as I recently assisted for an identical system of a friend with whom I usually fly with in DCS (and uses 1920x1080 screen resolution).

 

Edited February 18, 2023 by LucShep
added links

[L4key]

Ordered!!!

Thanks so much pal!