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Here at CCL HQ, we’re all about providing you with the best possible PC experience, and that includes giving you the inside scoop on the hottest products flying off the shelves. So, we thought we’d put together a little staff picks blog, showcasing some of our current favourites, with a little bit of expert insight sprinkled on top!
We’ve got a cracking selection this week, from CPUs that’ll leave the competition in the dust, to graphics cards that’ll crank up the eye candy to max settings, and super stylish cases to show off all your amazing components. Whether you’re a seasoned PC builder or a total newbie, we’ve got something for everyone, so let’s dive in!
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU
This isn’t just Darren’s pick, it’s topping benchmark charts everywhere right now. When it comes to pure gaming muscle, the 7800X3D is king of the castle. It trades blows with the best of them performance-wise, but what really sets it apart is its insane power efficiency. That means keeping your electricity bills down while still getting frame rates that’ll make your jaw drop. Plus, compared to its rivals, it can often be found at a sweeter price point – bonus! Gamers, this is the CPU you’ve been waiting for.
Picked by: Jason C – Component Buyer.
ASUS GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER ProArt OC 16GB Graphics Card
Now, let’s talk about turning up the visual fidelity a notch (or ten). John, our resident graphics card aficionado, is loving the ASUS GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER ProArt OC. It packs a serious punch for the price, meaning you can experience stunning visuals without absolutely breaking the bank. Plus, the ProArt edition comes with this sleek, modern design that’ll look incredible in any build. It’s a win-win!
Picked by: John M – Systems Builder.
Samsung Odyssey 34″ 165Hz Curved Gaming Monitor
Let’s face it, a good monitor can make all the difference to your PC experience. Mike, our monitor maestro, recommends the Samsung Odyssey for a reason. This curved marvel boasts a massive 3440×1440 resolution, lightning-fast response time, and a buttery smooth 165Hz refresh rate. It’s perfect for those immersive gaming sessions, but it’s also a fantastic choice for anyone who works from home and needs to juggle multiple windows and files.
Picked by: Mike H – Marketing.
Horizon Core i5-13400F RTX 4070 RGB Custom Build Gaming PC
This one’s a bit of a crowd-pleaser around the office. Our very own custom-built Horizon Core i5-13400F RTX 4070 is flying off the shelves, and for good reason! It offers fantastic value for money, packing a serious punch with the latest 14th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and an NVIDIA RTX 4070 graphics card. You can play any game you throw at it with ease, all at maxed-out graphical settings. Plus, it looks absolutely stunning with its tasteful RGB lighting – a real looker that won’t take up too much desk space.
Picked by: The CCL Crew!
1TB Crucial P3 Plus M.2 2280 PCI Express 4.0 x4 NVMe Solid State Drive
When it comes to storage we only want three things, speed, capacity and reliability and that’s exactly what the P3 Plus from Crucial deliveres at an exceptional price-point. Jason advocates for Crucial because they’re one of the world’s leading manufacturers of storage and their expertise is why we utilise the P3 plus in so many of our system builds, but also why so many of our customers choose this SSD when building their own PCs, making it a top choice for anyone looking to expand their storage.
Picked by: Jason C – Components Buyer.
ASUS TUF Gaming A15 Ryzen 7 16GB 512GB GeForce RTX 4060 15.6″ Gaming Laptop
If you’re looking for great gaming on the go, then the ASUS TUF is a fantastic choice. Packed full of power with an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and NVIDIA RTX 4060 graphics, this laptop will be able to play all of the latest titles with ease, while the impressive 15.6″ display that features a QHD resolution and up to 165Hz refresh rate will leave you in awe at the stunning visuals you’ll be experiencing.
Picked by: Al B – Head of Product Innovation.
Corsair Vengeance RGB 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MHz DDR5 Memory Kit
We find a 6000MHz CL36 or better kit is just a great combination of price & performance without any meaningful compromise and that is why we’re recommending the Corsair Vengeance kit above. It’s compatible with both Intel & AMD systems making it extremely versatile and a clear winner in our opinion.
Picked by: Steve F – System Builds Manager.
Deepcool CH560 DIGITAL WH Mid Tower Case – White
The Deepcool CH560 DIGITAL WH PC Case is quite stunning looking in the flesh. It has a clear tempered glass side panel combined with mesh at the bottom so you can see your components clearly whilst ensuring there is plenty of airflow. The real centerpiece is the dual status digital screen on the PSU shroud, which can show CPU and GPU temperatures, utilization, or both. Its blend of aesthetics, functionality, and versatility have made it a popular choice with our customers.
Picked by: Matt R – Systems Configuration Manager.
Corsair RMe Series 850W Modular Power Supply 80 Plus Gold
The Corsair RM850e power supply stands out as the number one choice our customers go for when choosing a good PSU for their PC. With an 80 Plus Gold efficiency rating, it ensures stable power delivery while minimizing energy waste, making it both eco-friendly and cost-effective in the long run. Its fully modular design simplifies cable management, and it has a Zero RPM fan mode ensuring a quiet computing experience. Its a trusted choice for powering our high-end gaming rigs and workstation setups.
Picked by: Matt R – Systems Configuration Manager.
Chillblast Aero Ultimate X Customisable Wireless Gaming Mouse
Garnet is all about taking things to the extreme with his liquid cooled PCs and there’s nothing he loves more than high end peripherals to accompany them. That’s why he’s chosen the chillblast Aero Ultimate X due to it offering total customisation. You can change the palm wrests depending on your preferences, through to the switches of which Chillblast provide a choice of three, including ultra quiet click, to ultra-response. With an impressive 40 hours battery life and rechargable while playing with the included braided USB-C cable. You’ll never have to compromise with the Chillblast Aero Ultimate X gaming mouse.
Picked by: Garnet H – Watercooled PC Specialist.
Rounding up the best: The rest of our Staff Picks!
We don’t want to keep you all day, so let’s take a quick snapshot of the rest of our staff’s favourites:
- Cooler Master GM2711S 27″ QHD Gaming Monitor – Perfect size and ultra fast 0.5ms response time coupled with a 180Hz refresh rate makes this a superb choice. Picked by: Jordan S – Paid Marketing Specialist.
- Logitech MK540 Wireless Combo Keyboard and Mouse Set – A great keyboard and mouse combo set from one of the most trusted names in the PC peripherals game. With a familiar feel, great quality and wireless connectivity, this is a great option for those looking to input and control with ultimate accuracy. Picked by: Mike H – Marketing.
- Chillblast Opal AMD Ryzen 5 RTX 4060 Ti 2TB SSD RGB Gaming PC – A bold and ultra-modern look, the Opal has been one of the best selling systems we’ve sold. Customers love how the stylish looks and high-end performance combine to make a fantastic PC that’s a showstopper in all senses of the word. Picked by: Sean O – Systems Product Manager.
- ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 WiFi 6E Wireless Gaming Router – When every second counts, make sure you have a wireless router that can keep up with demand. The blazing fast WiFi 6E speeds and the incredible range make for the ultimate gaming router to power the entire house. Picked by: Liam O – Lead IT Developer.
- Logitech M185 Wireless Mouse – One of the most understated yet best value and most popular items on the site, this mouse from Logitech is the perfect travel companion for your laptop. Small and compact with wireless connectivity, it’s a joy to use in meetings, on the train and at home. Picked by: Joy M – Brand Content Manager.
That’s all folks!
That’s it for this week’s Staff Picks crew! We know choosing the right components and kit can be daunting, but hopefully, this little insider look has been helpful. Our staff are passionate about all things PC, and they’ve picked out a fantastic selection of gear to suit all budgets and needs. Whether you’re a seasoned system builder or a total newbie, we’ve got you covered.
So, how do we decide what makes the cut? It’s a combination of factors, from raw performance and cutting-edge features, to fantastic value for money and that all-important aesthetic appeal. We also keep a close eye on what our customers are loving, so you can be sure these picks are tried-and-tested crowd-pleasers.
This blog will be updated weekly, so be sure to check back next week for a fresh batch of staff favourites! In the meantime, you can see the full set of recommendations here, or if you have any questions about any of the products we’ve mentioned, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly customer service team. Happy building and gaming!
