Ed Cryer wrote:
I want a box that can handle all the latest games; the ones that demand everything of the
best.
I've been looking around now for a few weeks, but the market is so confusing.
Money is not much of an object; well, let's say 5k GBP max.

Should I get one purpose-built? Or a new year bargain?

My gut feeling says 16GB RAM (DDR7); 500GB SSD with 2TB spinner; good video card; i7
quad-core CPU.

Who knows better?

Ed

My old LGA 1366, 970, burned up due to over-clocking and I assembled this one
six months ago. The new one barely gets warm.
Currently Overclocked to 4.3 mhz.
Win 7 Pro. It will do everything that you want.
Total cost including monitor about $2,000.

MB: GA-Z270-GAMING 7, Socket 1151, 7 internal temp sensors,
2 external temp sensors that I stuck on the HDD,s,
8 fan headers - I am using 7 of them.

HDD's: are a pair on WD black 500 GB. A third 500 is for bi-weekly cloning and
stays unplugged until needed. Doubt if I will ever need more than 500 GB.
The MB has 2 slots for NVMe HDD's but the specs don't look that good vs. cost.

Vid: MSI Geforce GTX 1070 w/ 8 GB GDDR 5.
***NOTE: This vid card will do everything you need.
The 1080 is slightly better but not required. NO need for 2 vid cards.

CPU: i7-6700K, Sky Lake, LGA1151, unlocked,
***NOTE: due to a cabal bewteen Intel and Windows, the new Kaby Lake will
NOT support Win 7, so if you want to use Win 7 then the Intel CPU must be Sky Lake.
Supposedly there is a hack to get around this but I am not willing to try it.
Same for AMD Ryzen - Needs win 10.

RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX, 16 GB, 3600 mhz, has it's own cooling fan.

CPU cooler: Cooler Master Masterliquid PRO 120,
***NOTE: Use liquid cooling if you over-clock or seriously game.

PS: Seasonic Prime Titanium 80 Plus, 750 w.

Monitor: Samsung C24FG70FQN, Curved Screen, 144 hz,

Case: I reused my aluminum, 3/4 server size case.