Advice for new gaming build with re-used components

jakeslim

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Jul 18, 2014
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Hello, looking for some advice on a new(ish) build.
Using the suggested template here with a bit more info below it.

Approximate Purchase Date: within next few days

Budget Range: around £400-500 all in

System Usage from Most to Least Important: first and foremost gaming, also a bit of sound recording but that is secondary

Parts Not Required: I am re-using a lot of components, namely (more details below):
  • GPU
    PSU (need advice, see below)
    SSD
    HDD
    RAM
    DVD drive
    Peripherals
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: no preference

OS: will be reusing Windows 7 copy

Location: London, UK

Parts Preferences:
  • Intel CPU (unless convincing alternative), probably i5 with my budget??
    Would love to be able to use a SFF case, but depends on advice RE cooling, compatibility etc with the build. Otherwise Midi tower is max size I would consider.
    Would probably stick to fan cooling.
Overclocking: maybe

SLI or Crossfire: not for now, and unlikely in future anyway

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Why am I upgrading: current CPU hasn't been upgraded for years and is lagging behind rest of system. Mobo also starting to show signs of ageing and seems to have developed problems with audio connections.

So as you can see what I need now are a Mobo, CPU (+cooler), and case (+fans)
Please advise! My main issues are making sure of compatibility and sufficient power and cooling.
I'd also most likely be putting it together by myself, and although I've messed around inside my pc before and know the basics I've never started putting together a system from scratch. So if some parts are more newbie friendly in some way or another then that's a bonus.

The components I will be re-using are:
  • GPU: HIS AMD Radeon HD7870 (2GB, PCI-E 3.0, fan-cooled) GHz edition Link
    PSU: Seasonic M12 II Bronze 520W Link
    SSD*: OCZ Vertex 128GB
    HDD*: Samsung 500GB
    RAM*: 2 x4MB
    Also DVD drive and all peripherals

    *not sure of exact type for these, can find out if it's important
Many thanks in advance
 
Here is my suggestion:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£174.00 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£24.99 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£109.16 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case (£82.99 @ CCL Computers)
Total: £391.14
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-03 11:56 BST+0100

Everything is compatible, and your PSU is made by Seasonic, a top quality manufacturer. Excellent choice there.
 
Not with that board, no. You would need a micro ATX board. Besides, you will likely have to give up on overclocking of any kind with most small cases except the expensive ones, they usually have mediocre to bad airflow and are cramped once you put all the stuff in.

This is an alternative build with micro ATX case (although it is still a mid tower), a micro ATX board and non-overclockeable CPU (it is fast enough so you really don't need to OC it anyway):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.49 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($78.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 350D MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $377.22
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-03 08:27 EDT-0400
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£174.00 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK THEMIS 65.7 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£19.99 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£107.96 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: Aerocool DS-Cube MicroATX Mini Tower Case (£56.38 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £358.33
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-03 13:37 BST+0100

the aerocool ds is quite simply the best matx case Ive ever used - comes with ample cooling so no extra expenditure necessary & does support 240mm water cooling should you ever want to.Its understated but comes in a myriad of colours should you be the flamboyant type ;)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=aerocool+dead+silence

the themis is better than the evo & cheaper.

 

jakeslim

Reputable
Jul 18, 2014
10
0
4,510
Thanks both for really good suggestions.
Going to have a more detailed look through them before I decide.
Main thing I will struggle with is mobo. For example I wouldn't know which of the three suggested so far is best.
Are there any things in particular I should look out for apart from obvious compatibility stuff? Or maybe you could tell me why you recommended the boards that you did?
For the i5, should I just go with highest clock speed I can afford within my budget?
 
Build I suggested is purely because you asked about matx options.

With a £400 budget there's no reason not to ho with an unlocked k series .
Decent z97 matx boards on thin on the ground but the gigabyte is a thoroughly decent one.
The aerocool ds is simply one of the best matx cases around - flat down motherboard layout & segregated PSU/hard drive area.
This means you can fit literally any GPU & CPU cooler you could care to mention.

What you lose with an matx board is the ability to use a dual graphics setup.

 

jakeslim

Reputable
Jul 18, 2014
10
0
4,510
OK, think I'm going to go for a mATX mini tower build. Funnily enough it might actually give me better airflow than with a "normal" size atx mid tower due to restrictions in the PC compartment of my desk (max height case is 17.5" or 45cm, and that gives very little room above the case).

So with that in mind, I'm looking at the parts below.
GPU may be a little tight in the case, but should fit ok*, especially according to this review on TH: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fractal-design-arc-mini-r2-review,3729-4.html

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£174.00 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£24.99 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: Asus Z97M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£102.08 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card (Purchased For £0.00)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Mini R2 MicroATX Mini Tower Case (£64.99 @ Novatech)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For £0.00)
Total: £366.06
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-04 15:12 BST+0100

Any thoughts or advice?

*the compatibility issue flagged by pcpartspicker seems to be incorrect - HIS lists card length as 25.6mm and I've just measured mine at 25mm