Gaming PC for Doom: The Dark Ages and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Sparkle Intel Arc B580 Titan OC — a Taiwanese graphics card brand existing since the 1980s has triumphantly returned with a wide range of Intel Arc models. At a more attractive price, the B570 and B580 with 10 and 12 GB memory outperform the 8GB RTX 4060 and 5060 in many gaming benchmarks. Available in two and three fan options, in blue and white colors.

It is based on the second iteration of the Arc Xe architecture codenamed Battlemage. Compared to Alchemist (A380, A580, A770), tensor XMX cores were added to the ray-tracing cores, enabling AI-based XeSS 2.0 upscaling. Traditionally Intel graphics cards, integrated and discrete, have the best Quick Sync media encoder for editing and streaming.

Sparkle Titan OC has three Torn fans of increased diameter 9.5 cm, double ball bearings, semi-passive 0db Fan-Stop mode, backplate, and logo lighting. The thickness of more than two slots should be considered when building a PC in a compact case. To achieve maximum performance, enable the Resizable BAR function in the motherboard's BIOS.

Intel Core i5-14400F OEM — a cheaper version of the processor without a cooler or fancy packaging. Fortunately, the warranty is three years, unlike just one year as before. It belongs to the Raptor Lake Refresh family, the last for the LGA 1700 socket. Manufactured using the Intel 7 process technology, which is actually 10-nanometer. Supports both DDR4 and non-binary DDR5 memory.

Combines six powerful Raptor Cove cores and four energy-efficient Gracemont cores. The powerful ones are hyper-threaded for virtual threads. There is no integrated graphics, as indicated by the F index. The cache size is only 20 MB, which may seem modest compared to Ryzen, but the cache speed is higher thanks to the single-chip design.

The PCIe 5.0 bus will fully unleash the potential of the new discrete GeForce 5000 series video cards. Turbo Boost technology automatically accelerates powerful cores up to 4.7 GHz and energy-efficient ones up to 3.5 GHz. At the same time, heat dissipation can increase up to 148 W, which should be considered when choosing a cooling system. A liquid cooler is perhaps unnecessary, but an air tower will be just right.

ID-Cooling Frozn A410 GDL — a single-tower cooler with two FDB (Fluid Dynamic Bearing) fans known for high durability. It costs as much as competitors with just one fan and often simpler bearings (hydraulic or spiral-grooved). Four composite heat pipes pass through the massive fin stack: copper externally, ceramic granules internally.

The tubes directly contact the processor's surface through Direct Touch. A heat-spreading plate is justified only with six or more tubes. It supports the latest Intel LGA 1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets. The manufacturer claims heat dissipation up to 230 W, but only at maximum speeds (2000 RPM, 78 CFM).

Quiet enthusiasts should limit themselves to CPUs with TPD up to 150 W, and for hotter CPUs, choose the dual-tower super cooler Frozn A620 GDL. The ends of the pipes are covered with a decorative plate with a golden pattern. The pattern also decorates the fan blades and frame, and the corners are rubber-coated to dampen vibrations. As a result, the noise level does not exceed 30 decibels.

Apacer NOX TUF DDR5 (model code AH5U32G52C522UTAA-2) — a dual RAM kit with 2x16 GB capacity and 5200 MHz frequency. It supports both auto-overclocking technologies: Intel XMP and AMD EXPO, requiring a single button press in the BIOS settings menu. Timings are CL40, and the voltage is 1.25 V, so overheating concerns are minimal.

For further manual overclocking, the RAM is equipped with thick heat sinks that barely protrude over the PCB, minimizing conflict with large dual-tower coolers. Underneath the sinks lies the PMIC power controller, On-die ECC error correction, and SPD profile storage.

It's certified and decorated in TUF Gaming Alliance's black-orange colors. This ASUS initiative seeks to unify various computer components: motherboards and graphics cards, coolers and water cooling, RAM, and SSDs. Moreover, the RAM is specified in the QVL compatibility list with ASUS TUF motherboards. The check is repeated after each new BIOS version release.

2E Gaming R2723BV — a 1500R curved monitor that enhances immersion in games or movies. Based on a 27-inch VA panel with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, viewing angles of 178 degrees, and a refresh rate of 165 Hz. VA's advantage over IPS is the contrast ratio 4000:1 (versus 1500:1), but the downside is the response time 6 ms (versus 4 ms).

Fortunately, MPRT technology "boosts" the panel electronically and FreeSync synchronizes the refresh rate with the game's FPS. The frameless design and slim V-shaped stand give the monitor an elegant look, and the built-in power supply reduces cable clutter on the desk. Stereo speakers 2x3 W are integrated, or you can connect external speakers through a 3.5 mm audio jack.

Video interfaces include two HDMI and one Display Port, with only a DP cable provided. You can connect a desktop PC, laptop, and gaming console simultaneously. Video signal sources are switched via a convenient joystick on the back panel. If desired, the native stand with only tilt angle adjustment +5° -15° can be replaced with a flexible VESA 75x75 mount.

Lexar NQ790 — a fast, thin yet surprisingly affordable M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD. Its four-core Maxio MAP1602A controller, known as Falcon Lite, reads large files at 7000 MB/s and writes at 6000 MB/s. Small files are processed at speeds up to 800,000 IOPS, thanks to HMB technology.

Instead of a built-in SSD buffer, it uses part of the PC's shared RAM. But don't worry that Host Memory Buffer will consume too much RAM, only 64 MB is reserved for SSD needs. The flash memory used is 128-layer 3D TLC manufactured by YMTC, and the virtual SLC array combines three cells to enhance performance.

Lexar NQ790 is suitable for desktops, including all-in-ones, laptops, including ultrabooks, and the PlayStation 5 gaming console. In the latter case, it is recommended to purchase a heatsink as the SSD bay lacks ventilation. But most importantly, it meets the system requirements of PS5 and the updated Pro version — over 5500 MB/s.

Chieftec Vita BPX-750-S — a relatively affordable power supply with DC-DC Double Forward circuitry and a stylish grill design similar to higher-end ATX 3.0/3.1 models Atmos and Vega. It still belongs to the previous ATX 2.53 standard, without the modern 16-pin cable for GeForce RTX 4000/5000 graphics cards, but with a split 4+4-pin processor connector.

Even though the cables are non-modular, they are flat and long, aiding their hidden routing behind the PC case's back panel. The thickness of all wire strands is a solid 18 AWG, while many competitors economize, for example, on SATA — 20 AWG (a higher number is worse). There are two classic 6+2-pin graphics card connectors, and an adapter exists for the 16-pin.

80 PLUS Bronze, TUV Rheinland, and Interseroh certificates ensure high efficiency, electrical safety, and the absence of harmful substances. Globe Fan spins at 750-1850 RPM, and even the hottest component (transformer) heats only to 75 degrees Celsius. This justifies using a low-temperature capacitor Ltec 85°C.

ASUS Prime B760M-K DDR5 — a motherboard for Intel Core processors from 12th to 14th generation, built on the most balanced B760 chipset. It allows for RAM overclocking, in this case, DDR5, and supports two M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSDs. The VRM subsystem consists of 5+2+1 phases powering CPU cores, iGPU, and memory controller, respectively.

Only the lower VRM shoulder has a heatsink, which is typical for budget boards, yet the CPU power connector is reinforced 8-pin. The fan connectors are hybrid, allowing control of both 3-pin DC and 4-pin PWM fans. To avoid frequent BIOS access, the Fan Xpert 2+ application for Windows OS was developed.

For fans with lighting, Aura Sync's ARGB connectors provide color synchronization with other PC components. Video outputs of the integrated GPU, if present, include digital HDMI and analog VGA. The Ethernet port is ultra-fast 2.5 Gbps, a type that's challenging to find from ISPs.

AeroCool D502A — a spacious case with a brutal front panel featuring large holes for maximizing fresh air intake. Behind it hides three fans: in all official photos, they only glow in white, but in reality, they are ARGB with 16.7 million colors. A fourth similar 12 cm fan is installed at the back for heat exhaust.

Behind the back cover, there's nearly a 2 cm gap for cable management, with a hub for connecting five PWM ARGB fans. The case has eleven mounting spots for spinners, most with magnetic dust filters. Additionally, it fits a 360 mm liquid cooling system, a 17 cm tall CPU tower, and a flagship 40 cm long graphics card.

The D502A case is designed for ATX motherboards and comes in black or white color options, with a smaller Micro-ATX D302A version also available. The top interface panel features a USB Type-C port with quick 15 W charging and a combo Mini-Jack audio port since most headphones now have a single universal plug (for both PCs and smartphones).