CCL Recommends: This Week’s Smart Buys for Gamers

We recently built a gaming rig using the Fractal Meshify 3 Ambience Pro RGB, and it was a joy from start to finish. This mid-tower case screams high airflow – the front panel is a distinctive angular mesh that not only looks aggressive but feeds plenty of cool air to your components. Fractal includes four 140mm ARGB fans (three at the front, one at the rear), so out of the box our temps stayed low even under heavy gaming. The ambient RGB lighting built into the case adds a gorgeous glow (with a funky startup effect too!), and you can customise it without any extra software thanks to the built-in Adjust Pro hub.

Building in the Meshify 3 was a hassle-free experience. The interior is spacious enough to fit up to E-ATX motherboards and long GPUs, and we had ample room to route cables cleanly. The side panels pop off tool-free, which made installing our hardware and doing cable management a breeze. Speaking of, the cable management features are excellent – plenty of tie-downs and channels to keep things tidy, so the finished build looks showroom neat behind the tempered glass side panel. We also appreciate the thoughtful touches like the PSU shroud (hides the clutter of the power supply and cables) and easy-to-clean dust filters on the bottom and top.

Of course, this is a premium case at around £204.99 inc VAT, so it’s not the cheapest option. But you absolutely get what you pay for in quality. The build is rock solid, with steel construction and no flimsy bits. Our only minor nitpicks: it’s a fairly large and heavy case (not something you’ll want to lug around often), and the top mount only supports up to a 280mm radiator – a 360mm rad has to go in the front. Neither are deal-breakers for us. In fact, the Meshify 3 Ambience Pro has quickly become our favourite case of the year for a high-end gaming build. If you value airflow, aesthetics, and ease of build, this case is worth every penny.

2. AMD Ryzen 5 5500 6 Core/12 Thread AM4 CPU

We swapped out an ageing air cooler for the Deepcool LE520 240mm AIO in our system, and the difference was immediate. Installation was straightforward – Deepcool provides brackets for all the latest Intel and AMD sockets (yes, AM5 and LGA1700 are covered), and we had it mounted on our CPU in minutes. The 240mm radiator and dual 120mm fans fit nicely at the top of our mid-tower. Once fired up, this cooler kept our Ryzen 7 temps far lower under load than the stock air cooler ever did. Even during heavy gaming and multi-hour stress tests, the LE520 handled a 120W chip without breaking a sweat, thanks to a cooling capacity rated around 220W TDP.

What’s really impressive is that Deepcool manages to deliver ARGB lighting and premium features at a bargain price. The two included 120mm fans have bright ARGB LEDs and provide strong airflow through the rad while staying pretty quiet (at lower RPMs we barely notice them). The pump block itself has a subtle illuminated Deepcool logo and a low-profile design, which avoided any clearance issues with our RAM. A standout feature is Deepcool’s Anti-Leak Technology – an internal pressure valve that releases excess pressure if needed. It adds peace of mind that this liquid cooler won’t spring a leak, especially during long gaming sessions when the fluid warms up.

For value for money, the LE520 is phenomenal. It was on sale for around £39.99 inc VAT (down from ~£70), making it one of the most affordable 240mm AIOs out there from a reputable brand. To put that in perspective, many big-name AIOs cost double without necessarily cooling much better. There are a couple of minor cons: at maximum fan speed you’ll hear a bit of whoosh (as expected for any cooler’s fans at full tilt), and the included manual was a little sparse on details. But honestly, these aren’t deal-breakers. Once set up, the Deepcool LE520 has been keeping our CPU cool and quiet, and it adds a nice touch of RGB flair inside our case – all for a fantastic price.

3. XFX Radeon RX 7900 XTX Speedster MERC 310 24GB Graphics Card

Upgrading to the XFX Speedster MERC 310 RX 7900 XTX was like strapping a rocket to our gaming PC. This beast of a card delivers top-tier gaming performance – we’re playing everything at 4K ultra settings and getting silky smooth frame rates. In fast-paced titles like Apex Legends and Battlefield V, we’re easily pushing well into high refresh rate territory at 1440p (hundreds of FPS), and even demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 run beautifully at 4K with tweaked settings. With 24GB of GDDR6 memory on board, the 7900 XTX laughs at texture-heavy mods and future-proofs our system for any upcoming games. In fact, in many rasterized (non-ray-traced) games it trades blows with or beats NVIDIA’s RTX 4080, which often costs more for only 16GB VRAM.

The XFX MERC 310 edition itself is a stellar piece of hardware. It’s a massive triple-fan, triple-slot card with an all-black design and sturdy metal backplate. The build quality feels very premium – no flex, and it has a nice clean minimalist look (no gaudy RGB, which we personally prefer for a sleek build). The cooling solution is excellent: during long gaming sessions, GPU temperatures remained well in check, and the fans are surprisingly quiet thanks to XFX’s use of double ball-bearing fans for longevity and low noise.

We also like that XFX includes a dual-BIOS switch; we’ve been using the default performance BIOS, but there’s a quiet mode BIOS available if you want an even lower acoustics profile. Just make sure your case has room – this card is huge (over 30cm long), so it may require removing some drive bays or rethinking fan placement in smaller cases, and it needs at least 2×8-pin (in fact, this model uses 3×8-pin power connectors) with a quality PSU to feed it.

At £785.99 (inc VAT) on sale (marked down from around £989), the 7900 XTX MERC 310 offers tremendous bang for your buck for high-end gaming. You’re getting near-flagship performance for a lot less money than the competing top-tier cards. AMD’s drivers have also been solid for us; features like Radeon Super Resolution and AMD’s answer to DLSS (FSR 2/3) work well to boost frame rates in supported games. The only real downsides: ray tracing performance, while decent, still isn’t as strong as NVIDIA’s very highest-end, and you don’t get DLSS-specific features (if those matter to you). But in practise we’ve played plenty of ray-traced games on this card and they run smoothly with a few settings tweaks – and the sheer performance and extra VRAM make this a non-issue for the vast majority of games. Overall, the XFX 7900 XTX MERC 310 is an absolute powerhouse that has taken our 4K gaming to the next level, without the wallet burn of an RTX 5090.

4. AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-Core/16-Thread AM5 CPU

We got our hands on the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, and as gamers we couldn’t be more impressed – this CPU is an absolute monster for gaming. It’s the successor to the legendary 7800X3D, packing the same 8 cores and 16 threads but on the newer Zen 5 architecture and with second-gen 3D V-Cache technology. In practical terms, that means it has a whopping 96MB of L3 cache stacked on the chip, which supercharges game performance by keeping more data on the CPU die. We’ve tested this chip in a variety of titles and saw it consistently churn out higher frame rates than anything else we’ve used. In fact, independent tests have shown the 9800X3D beating Intel’s latest 24-core flagship by a significant margin in gaming – we’re talking noticeably higher FPS, especially in CPU-intensive or 1080p scenarios. In our own setup, the 9800X3D boosted minimum frame rates (1% lows) nicely, giving us ultra-smooth gameplay even in massive open-world games and busy multiplayer matches.

What’s great is that you don’t sacrifice versatility with this CPU either. Those 8 Zen 5 cores bring strong single-threaded performance (boosting up to ~5.2GHz) and improved IPC, so beyond gaming we’ve found it snappy in everyday tasks and content creation. We often game, stream, and run Discord simultaneously, and the 9800X3D handles it without breaking a sweat – no stutters or slowdowns. It’s also relatively power-efficient; it’s rated 120W TDP, and with a decent 240mm AIO cooler (like the Deepcool above) our temperatures stayed very reasonable even after hours of play. AMD’s done some clever engineering this generation, like inverting the cache-on-die layout to improve thermal transfer, so this chip actually runs cooler and boosts higher than previous-gen X3D CPUs.

One thing to note: like other X3D chips, overclocking is limited – you won’t be manually tuning much due to voltage constraints protecting that stacked cache. But honestly, it’s so fast at stock with Precision Boost that manual OC isn’t needed.

For a high-end CPU, the value for money is solid. The 9800X3D is currently around £470 inc VAT (give or take, depending on sales) – not cheap, but considering it outperforms even pricier 12 or 16-core chips in gaming, it’s the go-to for enthusiast gamers. Plus, it drops into the AM5 platform, which means if you’re already on a Ryzen 7000 series system, it’s a simple BIOS update and CPU swap to upgrade. And if you’re building new, you’re getting longevity (AM5 will support future chips) and cutting-edge tech like DDR5 and PCIe 5.0.

The only “downside” we can mention is that if you do a lot of heavy productivity or rendering, an outright 16-core (like a 9950X) will be faster in those multi-threaded tasks. But even then, the 9800X3D holds its own thanks to Zen 5’s efficiency – and in any case, this processor is built for gaming dominance. In short, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is an easy recommendation for gamers who want the best – it has truly earned its reputation as one of the fastest gaming CPUs on the planet.

5. Horizon Ryzen 7 9700X RTX 5090 Gaming PC

Unboxing the Horizon Ryzen 7 9700X RTX 5090 Gaming PC was like waking up on Christmas morning for a PC enthusiast. This pre-built is an absolute beast that’s been expertly assembled and tuned by the CCL team. Let’s talk performance first: with an AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (8-core Zen 5 CPU) and the mighty GeForce RTX 5090 (yes, the brand-new flagship NVIDIA GPU with 32GB VRAM) inside, this rig chews through every game we throw at it. We’re playing Cyberpunk 2077 with path-tracing in 4K, and it’s smooth; flight sims, VR titles, competitive eSports at 360Hz – you name it, this PC handles it without a hiccup. The combo of the 9700X and RTX 5090 is balanced nicely for gaming – the CPU easily keeps up with the GPU at high resolutions, and it’s also got plenty of multi-threaded grunt for streaming or content creation on the side. In benchmarks and real gameplay, this Horizon system delivered frame rates on par with (or better than) what we’ve seen from custom builds that cost significantly more.

The build quality and design of this Horizon PC really stand out. It’s housed in a CiT DS360 case with wrap-around tempered glass – which means you get a panoramic view of the gorgeous internals. And there’s a lot to show off: the interior is packed with RGB fans and lighting on the components, making it a real showpiece (the 32GB of DDR5 memory even has RGB, bathing the inside in colour). The cable management is top-notch – everything is neatly routed and tied down, which not only looks clean but also helps airflow. An AIO liquid cooler is mounted for the CPU (as listed in the specs), keeping the 9700X nice and cool, even under sustained loads. During extended gaming marathons, we observed stable temperatures and very reasonable noise levels – the fans ramp up when needed but are never obnoxious. And because this is a Horizon build, it came with Windows 11 Home pre-installed and all the latest drivers, so it was truly plug-and-play. We had the PC out of the box, powered on, and were already downloading games within minutes.

Now, value-wise, this is a high-end machine with a price around £3,609.99 inc VAT. It’s a serious investment, but frankly, for the hardware you’re getting, it’s justified – building an equivalent rig yourself with an RTX 5090 and new-gen CPU would be in the same ballpark or more. Plus, with the Horizon, you’re also getting a 3-year warranty and the peace of mind that experts assembled and tested it. We love that there are no corners cut: a quality PSU (1000W+ Gold, to support that GPU), a high-performance Gen4 SSD (2TB, so plenty of fast storage for games), and even Wi-Fi built in.

Minor downsides? It’s a big, heavy tower, so once you set it up, you won’t be moving it easily – not unusual for a build of this calibre. And while the 8-core CPU is perfect for gaming, some extreme users might wonder about 12 or 16 cores – but honestly, the 9700X handles everything we’ve thrown at it, and the AM5 platform means there’s an upgrade path if we ever really need more cores down the line. As a cherry on top, at the time we got it, NVIDIA’s RTX 50-series promotion included a free copy of DOOM: The Dark Ages Premium Edition, which was a sweet bonus.

All told, the Horizon 9700X RTX 5090 PC is an absolute dream for any gamer – blistering performance, beautiful craftsmanship, and ready to rock right out of the box.

6. ASUS ROG Gladius III Gaming Mouse – White

As a team that spends hours playing FPS games, a good mouse is crucial – and the ASUS ROG Gladius III has quickly become our go-to pointer. First off, the ergonomics: this mouse feels just right in our hands (medium-large, right-handed). The white edition looks sleek, and the build quality is solid – there’s no creaking or flex when we give it a squeeze. At ~79g weight for the wired version, it’s not an ultra-light, but it’s definitely light enough for rapid flick shots while still having a bit of heft for control. We noticed our aim in games like CS:GO and Valorant felt consistently on-point with the Gladius III; the combination of its high-precision optical sensor (up to 19,000 DPI native, customizable to 26,000 DPI via software) and the 1000Hz polling rate results in smooth, lag-free tracking. In real gameplay, that means every swipe and micro-adjustment is translated accurately on screen with no spin-outs.

One standout feature of the Gladius III series is the hot-swappable switch design. ASUS enables you to literally pull out the main switches for the left and right click and replace them – no soldering required. As enthusiasts, we love this because it means you can customize the click feel (ROG even includes a pair of extra switches in the box) or easily replace a switch if it wears out down the line. The mouse buttons themselves are crisp and responsive; the stock ROG micro-switches have a satisfying tactile click with no wobble. We also appreciate the little details: the scroll wheel is smooth and nicely notched, and there are three side buttons (two thumb buttons and a DPI shift button on the bottom) which we’ve mapped to in-game functions. The PTFE feet on this mouse are super smooth too – it glides effortlessly on our mouse pad, making quick turns easy.

For a premium gaming mouse, the Gladius III offers great value – it’s usually around £60 here in the UK, which is competitive given its feature set. The ROG Aura Sync RGB is there if you want it: the logo and scroll wheel can light up in any colour, and we synced it with our ASUS keyboard for a uniform look (or you can turn it off for a clean white-on-white vibe, which actually looks great). The included ROG Paracord cable is another plus; it’s very flexible and virtually drag-free, so it almost feels wireless when we’re playing.

If we had to find a downside, we’d say the software (Armoury Crate) is a bit heavyweight – it offers tons of customization for DPI stages, lighting, macros, etc., but can be clunky. The good news is you only really need to set it up once; the mouse has on-board memory for profiles, so we set our DPI and lighting and haven’t had to open the software again. Also, for left-handed gamers, keep in mind this mouse’s shape is ergonomic for right-hand use.

For us, the ROG Gladius III has been fantastic for gaming – comfortable for long sessions, deadly accurate, and built to last. It’s a perfect example of ASUS ROG delivering on what serious gamers need in a mouse.

7. AOC U27G4R 27" 4K 160Hz / 1080p 320Hz Dual-Mode Gaming Monitor

We were seriously impressed when we got our hands on the AOC U27G4R – it’s one of the most versatile gaming monitors we’ve seen in a while. What makes it special is the dual-mode capability: you can switch between 4K at 160Hz for jaw-dropping single-player visuals, or drop to 1080p at 320Hz for lightning-fast response in competitive games like CS2 or Apex Legends. It’s like having two monitors in one, and it really shines no matter what style of game you’re into.

Visually, it delivers in spades. The Fast IPS panel has vibrant colour reproduction (over 95% DCI-P3) and VESA DisplayHDR 400, so everything from bright landscapes to dark interiors looks punchy and detailed. And the 1ms GtG response with Adaptive Sync means your gameplay stays smooth and tear-free, even in fast-paced action.

Design-wise, it's clean and minimal, with an adjustable stand (tilt, swivel, height, pivot), so getting your setup just right is easy. You also get a generous selection of ports including 2x HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, and a 4-port USB hub for your gear. At around £299, it's a fantastic deal for a 4K/320Hz hybrid display. Whether you're all about visuals or chasing every frame, the U27G4R is a brilliant all-rounder we highly recommend.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading this week’s Staff Picks! We hope you found something exciting among our favourites. Remember, CCL’s Staff Picks are updated every week with new top-rated gear and deals, so be sure to check back regularly. If you don’t want to miss out, consider subscribing to our newsletter and follow us on our socials – that way you’ll never miss future picks, exclusive deals, and awesome competitions. Happy gaming and see you next week!