Custom PC UK

Custom PC is the UK’s best-selling magazine for PC hardware, overclocking, gaming and modding. Every month, Custom PC is packed with in-depth hardware reviews, step-by-step photo guides and informative features, all with a focus on tinkering with your computer’s insides. Along the way, you’ll also find hard-hitting tech opinion, game reviews and all manner of computer hobbyism goodness, from small Pi projects to extreme PC mods.

Machine of steel

Custom PC

B550 IS TOO EXPENSIVE • The cost of AMD’s latest chipset undermines the company’s perception of affordability, argues Richard Swinburne

ARE LOOT CRATES GAMBLING? • There are attempts to classify loot crates as gambling in the House of Lords, but Tracy King asks if the evidence stacks up

Incoming

Letters • Please send us your feedback and correspondence to letters@custompcmag.org.uk

AMD RYZEN 5 3600XT/ £240inc VAT • SUPPLIER scan.co.uk

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AMD RYZEN 7 3800XT/ £390inc VAT • SUPPLIER overclockers.co.uk

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AMD RYZEN 9 3900XT/ £480inc VAT • SUPPLIER overclockers.co.uk

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INTEL NUC 9 EXTREME/from £1,640 inc VAT • SUPPLIER simplynuc.co.uk

BENCHMARK RESULTS

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GIGABYTE B550 AORUS PRO/ £185 inc VAT • SUPPLIER ebuyer.com

ELGATO WAVE 3/ £160inc VAT • SUPPLIER ebuyer.com

Elgato Key Light/ £189 inc VAT • SUPPLIER scan.co.uk

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PC SPECIALIST MAGMAR2 / £1,199 inc VAT • SUPPLIER pcspecialist.co.uk

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WIRED2FIRE REACTOR/ £999 inc VAT • SUPPLIER wired2fire.co.uk

Custom kit • Phil Hartup checks out the latest gadgets, gizmos and geek toys

Extreme definition • 4K still rules the roost when it comes to providing crisp, immersive images for your PC. Mike Jennings tests six options for all budgets

ASUS ROG STRIX XG438Q/ £1,079inc VAT • SUPPLIER amazon.co.uk

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ASUS TUF GAMING VG289Q/ £345 inc VAT • SUPPLIER ebuyer.com

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BENQ EW3280U / £710 inc VAT • SUPPLIER overclockers.co.uk

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IIYAMA G-MASTER GB2888UHSU-B1 / £329 inc VAT • SUPPLIER amazon.co.uk

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IIYAMA PROLITE XB3288UHSU-B1 / £350 inc VAT • SUPPLIER scan.co.uk

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PHILIPS 328E1CA/00 / £380 inc VAT • SUPPLIER laptopsdirect.co.uk

DACs against the wall • Looking to upgrade from on-board audio? K.G. Orphanides puts to the test some of the best external DACs under £200

AUDIOQUEST DRAGONFLYRED / £169 inc VAT • SUPPLIER advancedmp3players.co.uk

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO DACMAGIC 100/ £169 inc VAT • SUPPLIER cambridgeaudio.com

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CREATIVE SOUND BLASTER X3/ £110 inc VAT • SUPPLIER uk.creative.com

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FIIO Q1 MARK II/ £89 inc VAT • SUPPLIER advancedmp3.com

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IFI ZEN DAC/ £129 inc VAT • SUPPLIER amazon.co.uk

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How we test

CUSTOM PC AWARDS

Elite • Our choice of the best hardware available

COMPLETE NONSENSE • Rick Lane thinks most games are too long. Is he alone?

Disintegration / £39.99 inc VAT

Desperados III / £49.99 inc VAT

WEST OF DEAD/ £15.49 inc VAT

WILDFIRE/ £ 11.39 inc VAT

PHANTOM: COVERT OPS / £22.99 inc VAT • Stealthy kayaking, virtual Shakespeare and X-Wing cockpits. It’s Rick Lane’s monthly roundup of VR goodies

THE UNDER PRESENTS: THE TEMPEST

STAR WARS: SQUADRONS

BUILD YOUR DREAM PC • ANTONY LEATHER TAKES YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTING A VISUALLY STUNNING RIG, FROM RIGID-TUBE WATER COOLING TO...