PC by parts or already assembled?

Equipment with peripherals and components assembled by MSI

If we are looking for a computer to run video games we will need a powerful computer.

1. 1. For video games the key point in quality / price is on Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 2600. As for graphics, the GTX 10 range is very well priced and we should take into account from 1660 onwards. The red counterpart would be an RX580 , approximately, but it is a graphics card that takes time. Finally, the RAM should be around 8 GB of RAM , although it is recommended to go up to 16 GB and heal us in health.

If we change the lens to image / video editing the scheme changes radically.

1. 1. The editing programs take better advantage of the threads, so an Intel i7 or i9 should be the minimum. The graphics are the ones that load much of the work and specifically we have to look at the VRAM they have. The more the better, so a graphic in the vein of a GTX 1070 or RX Vega 64 at the very least would be fine. In the section of the RAM memory it is important to have enough. The heavier the task, the more you will need. For rendering videos to 4k , it is essential to have 64 GB of RAM.

Finally, in both schemes, we have a multitude of alternatives for storage depending on our budget. We always recommend buying SSDs in either 2.5 SATA III or M.2 NVMe format, although this second is faster when using special ports on the board.

If you want more gaming power, install an Intel i9 or if you want full graphics power, mount an RTX 2080 Ti . The recommendations that we have put forward serve to find the first step and / or find a good quality / price ratio.

Once we have the bases clear, we will consider the secondary aspects. Refrigeration, software and other less relevant issues.

Equipment already assembled from MSI

We are only talking about MSI, since in Spain there are no strong competitors in this field. The closest offer to MSI that is in demand is the office computers offered by HP, DELL or similar brands. But is there any benefit in buying this?

Acquiring an already configured equipment is a relief for many, since it guarantees you a minimum of quality without having to worry about anything else. The user does not have to break his head looking for the balance between the pieces and the money and, in addition, he can enjoy it to the maximum as soon as he takes it out of the box. This is where MSI comes in, probably the hardware brand and the most relevant on the peninsula.

Front of the box msi GUNGNIR 100

There is no doubt that a high-performance equipment like this brand needs an advanced cooling system. The top msi rigs feature a unique three-chamber design that allows for superior cooling compared to conventional towers. With this technology , the cooling of critical components, that is, the graphics card, the processor and the power supply, has been optimized independently.

In the sound section, MSI has Nahimic 2+ software. With this software package we can superbly customize the sound. So we can enjoy all kinds of content, whether video games or music.

We also have the GAME BOOST application , which allows us to automatically overclock in a simple way. It has already prepared and tested ways to increase performance temporarily or permanently in a totally safe way.

Tips for choosing a PC

Below we are going to give you some of the keys to successfully choosing a desktop computer. The objective is that you obtain a high quality equipment, with the necessary features to play video games, do multimedia tasks and more.

Also, it is important that it be scalable for the future. For the section of a PC by pieces it is clear that it is easy to choose how expandable it will be, but what about those already assembled? Fortunately, the major manufacturers of desktop computers already take this into account.

Base plate

The motherboard is the component on which all (or almost all) others are mounted. Choosing an ideal model will guarantee that everything works perfectly and will give us more possibilities of expansion for the future.

Msi motherboard

Following the line of what we have recommended above, we are going to recommend what we believe is vital to be expandable. It is convenient to choose a motherboard that contains at least:

4 slots for RAM memory. This number is a standard, so only on special motherboards you will find something different. 4-6 SATA III for hard drives. SATA III ports never hurt to expand as they are easy to use and if you're in home use you will probably use one or two. 1-3 M.2 for high speed SSD drives. In M.2 ports we will be able, mainly, to install SSDs that reach higher speeds than SATA. So we recommend that the primary hard drive be an M.2. A quality VRM system. VRM is the series of electronic components that recycle and supply electricity to the processor. The better the VRM, the better the processor will work. (In the image above they are dispelled by the pieces that say "Enthusiast" and "Gaming", which is common in the gaming or high-performance ranges).

Plates for the future

If you are about to assemble a PC by parts, you will need to find quality parts for your computer to last. This year we have had interesting catalog inclusions that match that description. We've seen new faces like msi's Z390 MPG, MEG, and MAG motherboards , three thrones for the latest Intel processors.

In essence, we can say that these motherboards are the best of the best to squeeze the maximum performance out of the computer. We could summarize it in that the MEG and MPG boards mount high-quality VRMs for overclocking, while the MAG are the standard range.

Msi Z390 MEG ACE motherboard

In the MEG line, Godlike stands out, with 18 VRMs (currently the average is at 10-12, approximately). This line of motherboards are currently the roof when it comes to optimization. A lower motherboard won't make components perform worse, but a better one can make them perform slightly better.

The MPG plates, meanwhile, stand out for being more affordable without sacrificing too much functionality. Plus, they have generous LED lighting you'll appreciate.

On the other hand, MAGs are the “domestic” range of this line. With all the characteristics of the Z390 , it offers a metallic design and all the functionalities that make these components quality.

All of these motherboards come with a reinforced I / O panel to avoid overloads and technologies like Audio Boost or Turbo M.2. They also have Wi-Fi connection and reinforcements in the slots for the graphics, something that is always appreciated. From approximately € 140 , we can get one of these excellent components.

Processor

The processor is something like the heart of the computer. Although your job is practically doing calculations and dividing tasks, it is vitally important to select the right one. The better the processor, the longer it will last as a top processor.

Intel Core i5-8400 processor

With the increasing evolution of technology, we can estimate that we would need at least 8-thread processors. If you don't know what a thread is, don't worry.

We could see a thread as work tables, while the cores would be the rooms that contain them. The combinations that exist are something like: 4 cores - 8 threads, 8 cores - 8 threads or even 8 cores - 16 threads.

In the Intel world we recommend that you opt for a Core i7 whenever your budget allows it. They are more expensive than the Core i5, but will age much better. The options that we recommend are the Core i7-9700k and the Core i5 9600K.

The general rule of thumb is that the i5s are very powerful and the i7s offer that power in multi-core work. And if you already have money left over, you also have the option of buying a Core i9. Performance is assured.

AMD Threadripper 2990X

On the other side of the ring, AMD processors! The red mark is laying the foundations for a promising future. With unrivaled multi-core work, they have recently released Ryzen 3000 with scandalous power and efficiency.

However, until its release, we can only recommend the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X and AMD Ryzen 5 2600 , two processors that have drawn the attention of all technophiles.

In the same way as with the Core i9, if you want plenty of power to move a truck, you can opt for AMD Threadripper, or even the future Ryzen 3000.

If you want to see other recommendations, check out our guide to the best CPUs

Graphic card

If the processor is the heart, then the graphics card is the lungs of the computer. This component performs everything that involves images and works especially well in parallel. Therefore, it is important both to play and to edit audiovisual material.

GTX 1050 Gaming X Graphics Card

The best way to know how good a graphics card is is not to see its specifications, since efficiency comes into play. The quickest way is to see benchmarks showing punctuation and frames in video games.

However, at the time of updating this article we are still living in the reign of Nvidia, so it is the best option to reach the limits we are looking for. The GTX 10 Pascal line gives us a good balance between price and power.

For 1080p resolutions, the GTX 1660 or GTX 1660Ti are the best options, while for 1440p or higher we have the GTX 1070 , 1080 and 1080Ti . All the cards in this line are efficient, silent cards and are reasonably priced. However, that is not all we have been able to see of the green brand.

Next-gen graphics cards

This year Nvidia has launched its RTX 20 Turing line , which focus on the revolutionary RayTracing technology. In numbers, they are not much more powerful graphics than the GTX 10, but they are much more efficient, so now they hold the top in power. Plus, they have the option to use DLSS to help us with the workload.

Graphics card msi RTX 2060 Gaming Z

The RTX 2060 is an excellent component for 1080p with RayTracing or 144Hz . For its part, the RTX 2070 and RTX 2080 are better prepared for 1440p resolutions , being the RTX 2080Ti the queen of the patio with a very respectable performance in 4K with RayTracing .

For most of these charts we have many variations and all for slightly different price ranges. In the case of msi we have the Aero, Ventus, Armor and Gaming, which have small important differences.

Aero and Ventus are of smaller sizes and prices and have a more modest ventilation system. They reach 1785MHz clock frequency and 1830MHz in their OC versions. Ventus cards are designed for small equipment, since they only have one fan.

On the other hand, the Armor and Gaming are the most powerful and somewhat more expensive versions of the brand. They reach 1800MHz frequency and their OC versions reach 1845MHz . Plus, they have msi's TwinFrozr technology to keep your system quiet and cool. Specifically, the Gaming version also offers LED lighting, something that gamers are used to, and a metal plate to protect the card and further dissipate heat.

RAM

RAM is like the information box that the system uses when it gets to work. It is a very important component for multimedia content editing and is priced reasonably compared to the other components.

Corsair VENGEANCE Pro RGB

We could summarize the needs of a team in this way:

For multimedia editing it is advisable to have 32 GB or even 64 GB of RAM if you are going to work on 4K videos. For home use, the ideal is to have a minimum of 16 GB , an amount that you will not be short on. The option of 8 GB may be worth it if your budget is tight, although you will surely have to expand sooner rather than later. Below this strip it is not worth considering, since the components are cheap and we spend too much memory to be shy with the money.

Something important, but secondary, is the frequency of RAM. A good frequency will make them work faster and it is quite decent, without being too expensive, values over 2133 - 2666 MHz. Remember to check if your motherboard supports the frequency you want to input.

Finally, it is recommended to always use two memories instead of one, since most processors take advantage of working in parallel. Some are even capable of working four bands at once. So, if you want 16GB, for example, a 2 x 8GB is recommended .

SSD storage, a must

SAMSUNG 960 EVO M.2 NVMe SSD

SSD storage is the dream of all users waited for a long time. Their speed is much higher than older HDDs (or classic hard drives) and they are now for a very affordable price. However, for the incredible price of HDDs we still recommend a combination of both.

As a primary disk, mount a 256 - 512 GB SSD and an auxiliary HDD of several TeraBytes to store large amounts of data.

As for the SSD , the ideal is for it to be M.2 and compatible with the NVMe protocol, since they are currently the fastest by far. In addition, we are lately seeing memories compatible with the new PCIe Gen4x4, a performance bummer.

Size and lighting for a PC By pieces

VAMPIRIC msi box

Having a very compact team is always great, as it allows us to save space to dedicate to other elements. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, as too small a device has chilled refrigeration.

If you want a very powerful PC , it is better that you opt for a standard size, that is, ATX . Thus, the air flow inside will improve considerably, temperatures will be lower and we will not suffer from thermal throttling.

For this work we have the MAG VAMPIRIC 010 , a box designed to contain ATX motherboards from the MSI mutinational. It is an excellent box that supports roof and front ventilation to improve air flow. In addition, it has a tempered glass through which we can see the components shine, including the RGB fan that comes as a gift.

Msi GUNGNIR 100 box

Although if your aspirations go beyond that, there are other types of upper boxes. Continuing with msi , we can opt for the msi MPG GUNGNIR 100P, a box that supports up to E-ATX.

For equipment with numerous components, this box is perfect, since it is extremely spacious. It supports ventilation of up to 420mm in the front and 360mm in the roof with the same air flow as in its little brother. It has a very well worked design that enters through the eyes and is enhanced by the tempered glass on the side.

There are many other peripherals, but without a doubt, both boxes are very good and benchmark choices for what you should be looking for. The first of them has a more modest price, while the second seeks to be relevant in the top market.

The best Gaming desktops: features and user profile

As we mentioned at the beginning, we will analyze the main desktops that msi offers us. We will see its most outstanding characteristics and what type of users are targeted. This will ensure you make the best purchase possible with your money.

MSI Trident 3

First of all we have the MSI Trident 3, the most compact desktops from MSI. These computers have a weight of only 3.17 Kg and a volume of 4.72 liters, smaller than a current game console.

msi Trident 3 Artic

Its design is designed so that the user can access the main components in a very simple way. That is why updating the graphics card , RAM or storage is a piece of cake.

As for temperatures, the Silent Storm Cooling 2 cooling system keeps the system at good temperatures. This system is based on two air inlets and one outlet and is quite efficient in expelling heat out of the chassis. At the same time, it maintains a very quiet operation so you can enjoy games, movies and all your favorite content without problems.

These compact devices include up to the latest Intel Core i7-9700 processors and graphics such as the GTX 1070. This combination assures us a spectacular performance in all the demanding games of today. These are ideal equipment to have them in the room and that go unnoticed. Its beautiful and minimalist design will ensure that they do not clash in any home.

MSI Trident 3 Arctic 8RB-009XEU - Gaming Desktop Computer (Intel Core i7-8700, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD + 128GB SSD, Nvidia GTX 1050Ti 4GB, no operating system) Color White - Includes MSI Controller Intel Core i7-8700 Processor (3.2GHz up to 4.6GHz); 8 GB RAM (8 GB x 1) DDR4 2400 MHz

MSI Aegis 3

msi Aegis 3 is a series of desktop PCs based on an aggressive design and brimming with LEDs. At the same time, inside they include the best components with the most demanding users in mind.

MSI Aegis 3

These kits are compact and include a handle for easy portability, making them ideal for going to events to show off gear. They have an enviable aesthetic and a power of scandal.

The Aegis 3 are teams in which it is possible to include a custom cooling system, not like in the case of the MSI Trident . In some cases, the top versions even install liquid cooling to optimize ventilation. This allows the hardware to stay cool, offering performance that goes even beyond what is offered by the Trident.

In this box, the graphics goes in a separate camera from the processor, something unique that makes it cool much better. The MSI Aegis 3 are easy to upgrade and maintain, an important thing that ensures they are a great long-term investment.

MSI AEGIS 3 VR7RC-003EU - Desktop (Intel Core i7-7700, 16GB RAM, 2TB HDD, 256GB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060, Windows 10 Home), Black IntelCore i7-7700 Processor (3.6 - 4.2 GHz); 16 GB DDR4 RAM (8 GB x 2); 2TB + 256GB M.2 PCIe Internal HDD

msi infinite

In third position we have the MSI Infinite desktop PCs . These equipments are designed to offer the best cooling with the quietest possible operation.

msi infinite

Thanks to its larger size, heat dissipation is much easier. In exchange, they sacrifice the portability factor and their aggressive design typical of gamer lines. These teams are chosen for the most demanding players, who want something very cool and quiet, and who do not care so much about mobility.

msi offers the possibility of choosing them with a side panel with a window or without it, depending on the preferences of each user. Of course, they also include highly configurable Mystic Light technology (with the damn 16.8 million colors!) To give it the best possible look.

MSI Infinite X 8RD-054EU - Desktop (Intel Core i7-8700, 16GB RAM, 2TB HDD and 256GB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Armor, Windows 10 Home), Black Color Intel Core i7-8700 processor (3.2GHz up to 4.6GHz); RAM 16 GB (8 GB x 2) DDR4 2400 MHz

If you want to know more, we recommend our box guide.

Complement your PC with peripherals

Once seen how to mount your PC (or see the ones we recommend) , it's time to focus on peripherals. Many of the players who are going to make the leap to the PC think of a team with the best hardware, but neglect everything else. Big mistake, friend / reader. Peripherals are those pieces that allow us to interact with the equipment and if they are of poor quality they can cost us more than a displeasure.

These companions are of paramount importance when we talk about the performance of a player for both precision and comfort. So much so, that an inferior team can make a difference at high levels. Let's start by talking about mechanical keyboards.

First of all, we note that here we will focus on the gaming market, since the world of content creation is somewhat more heterogeneous and, in addition, the market is broader and more expensive.

Mechanical keyboards

Mechanical keyboards are one of the keyboard types that can most help gamers. They are strong, durable and there are many variants for all tastes.

Msi Vigor GK70 mechanical keyboard

Here we can recommend the msi Vigor GK70, a restrained and very elegant keyboard. It is a model with Cherry MX switches of the best quality, and a TKL format that is perfect to save space.

In addition, the hands are in a position closer to each other to write and others in the most comfortable way possible.The aesthetic is clearly gaming, but very elegant, so it will not scare away those users less involved in video games.

We would also like to recommend the msi Vigor GK60. Although its numbering is ten points below, it is not an inferior device.

This keyboard stands out for its great build quality and good design. It has powerful lighting and the keys feel great. In fact, we can even change some of them for special ergonomics. Unlike the msi Vigor K70, this keyboard is complete, so it has the numpad on the right.

We recommend the best gaming keyboards on the market

MSI Vigor GK60 CR - Spanish Keyboard (N-Key, Windows Key, Cherry MX Red), Color Black Excellent choice for gaming and regular use; N-key and Windows Key for a smooth gaming experience 133.50 EUR

Gaming mice

As for the mice, we will talk about gaming, since they are the ones that have evolved the most and have the most technologies. After all, the market for gaming peripherals is growing.

The mouse must have a shape adapted to your hand and we recommend that you have a sensor

We recommend the msi Clutch GM60, which has shown us to be a very advanced model with great features.

Its body is constructed of lightweight metal and designed to last. In addition, its optical sensor offers excellent precision for a modest price. With this device you will ensure that if you miss a shot, it will be due to lack of skill, and not because your peripherals are a drag.

MSI Clutch GM60 gaming mouse

And if you are looking for something even more top, you can go for its improved version, the msi Clutch GM70. Both mice were announced at the same time, but the GM70 is a directly better version. It has the same body, the same auxiliary modules, but a better sensor (the Avago PMW 3360, which Pixart now produces) and dispenses with the cables. It is a very good wireless mouse for a fairly acceptable price.

MSI Clutch GM50 - Gaming Mouse (PMW-3330 Optical Sensor, Ergonomic, OMRON Keys, USB), Black Color 5 pre-configured DPI levels (400/800/1600/3200/6400). Up to 7200 DPI 59.95 EUR

If you want to know more in depth we recommend the mouse guide,

To accompany, it is best to use a quality mat. For this reason, we recommend the msi GD70 AGILITY , a long-distance mat to place keyboard and mouse at the same time.

It has sewn edges and a small incision so that it is not uncomfortable to brush against your arms. In addition, the textile texture will be comfortable at hand and will avoid any missteps that the mouse may have as it is almost completely black. (Although with a good sensor this should not matter to you).

Headphones

Quality headphones are very important, since in most games sound is one of the most relevant sources of information. Counter-Strike, Quake Champions or even the League of Legends become more difficult games if we do not take into account the information offered by the sound around us.

In addition, to enjoy multimedia content such as movies, videos and others, we would appreciate having a peripheral capable of faithfully and smoothly reproducing sound waves.

Continuing with the topic, we recommend the msi Immerse GH60 model. It offers us excellent sound quality with nuanced audio. The sound is good enough to be a gaming headset and it also has all the benefits of these as a certain aesthetic or microphone. On the other hand, it has a very flexible design that will adapt easily to our head. So we can carry out the marathon sessions that we like so much.

Msi Immerse GH60 headphones

Monitors

You will guess, but the monitor is one of the most key pieces of equipment. One of good quality is essential, otherwise you can generate health problems. Also, if you choose the right one, you can reach incredible levels of precision. For example, with high refresh rate monitors we will see much more fluid movement, something very important in professional games.

Most of them have LED lighting on the back and have a very characteristic design. Vivid reds, matte blacks and the brand's signature dragon, a combination of designs that appeal to many.

Once we understand it, the msi monitors have a simple nomenclature and follow the following rule: The MAGs are based on our own and exclusive design by msi with the rear LEDs in red and height adjustment for greater ergonomics. The G27, G24 and AG32 are the entry range with good features but with a more basic design for tighter budgets.

Below we will show you some of the most recommended:

MSI Optix MAG321CURV 31.5 ″ 4K UHD 60Hz Curved

The msi Optix MAG321CURV is a large curved 31.5-inch monitor with support for the classic 60Hz . The panel has a curvature of 1500R to provide a very good immersion and we speak of results of 103% when we analyze the colors of the sRGB spectrum. Thanks to this, the games will look really well contrasted and sharp and the multimedia and editing content will be very true to reality.

Its UHD 4K resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels places it among the high-end monitors for which the brand has been betting. Its response time is 4ms, somewhat regular, although its viewing angles of 178º will allow you to enjoy the monitor from anywhere.

AMD FreeSync technology ensures the best fluidity in AMD Radeon graphics cards, although they will also work with Nvidia. On the other hand, HDR is that technology that many users will love. It has several USB ports, a 3.5mm jack, a Display Port and an HDMI port

MSI Optix

This msi monitor is a change of mind compared to the first we have seen, the Optix MAG321CURV. It is mounted on the same body, but has different characteristics. We sacrifice things, since this has 2560 x 1440 resolution , but in return we gain others, such as being able to see content in 144Hz with a response of 1ms.

As it could not be otherwise, the curvature is generous with approximately 1800R and the monitor reaches the threshold of 115% in sRGB analysis. We will also enjoy AMD FreeSync and a design with tiny frames to enjoy the content of the monitor as much as possible.

At the rear we have fewer options, but we think we have enough. We have a Display Port, two HDMI , several USB and one for a 3.5mm jack.

MSI Optix MPG341CQR 34 ″ 4K UHD 144Hz Curved

The msi Optix MPG341CQR is a monitor that advances up to 34 ″ diagonal length. It has a 21: 9 aspect, making it ultrawide and its specifications are something to keep in mind.

It reaches 144Hz refresh rate and its response time is 1ms . It is a team prepared to give you the best. Its viewing angles are 178º , just like the previous one, but its curvature increases until it reaches 1800R .

Regarding colors, we obtain a 105% in the sRGB ratio , which together with the experience with HDR will make looking at the monitor a unique experience. To enhance this, the monitor flaunts the “Frameless Design”, that is, a design with minimal edges. This will help us immerse ourselves further in the experience, both watching multimedia and playing.

We have close to the striking neck, we have several USB 3.2, a USB-C, a Display Port, two HDMI and a 3.5mm jack combo and microphone port. It is certainly a well-equipped monitor, so the price goes up a bit too.

MSI Optix MPG27CQ 27 ″ WQHD 144 Hz Curved

Finally, we will look at the msi Optix MPG27CQ 27. This monitor is designed for the most enthusiastic users who demand quality and power in all their devices.

It has a WQHD 2560 × 1440 resolution and supports the 144Hz that we like so much. The response speed is 1ms , which together with the design with tiny frames will help us live the gaming experience to the limit.

On the other hand, the brightness is excellent, reaching 400 nits , an excellent power for those dark nights. As for colors, we reach 100% in NTSC and 115% in sRGB , so we guarantee fidelity to reality.

Final Ideas: What Should You Do? PC by parts or already assembled?

Here ends our long post on what to do when buying a new equipment. Thank you for reading it in its entirety or even if you have skipped to the parts that interest you!

We always recommend you to assemble your own PC by parts , since the components will normally be cheaper and you can choose them to measure.

We offer you this list to know how much money you will need to spend:

For around € 600 you can get a decent team playing well-known games and indie games (CS: GO, League of Legends). At € 800 you have a strong, good-quality PC. If you pay € 1000 you will already reach the top in performance / price. For more than € 1, 500 you will have equipment with gross power for one tube.

However, if you have money to spare or just don't want to break your head comparing and buying things, choosing a ready-made computer is a wise decision.

The PCs that we see now are very good and the price is hardly bloated. On the other hand, if it is, it is usually because it offers differentiating things such as a special piece, extra support or unusual technologies.

WE RECOMMEND PC Gaming: Keep growing and generate twice as many as consoles

Let us know: Has the post helped you? What would you buy, by parts or one already assembled?