Advice sought please on first computer build £600 - £750

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
T

Timbs

Reputable
Jun 24, 2015
16
0
4,510
So my current computer is now 6 years old and is getting a bit long in the tooth - Intel Core2 Quad Q9300 @ 2.50GHz, ATI HD 7700 - (upgraded 2 years ago from HD 4650), 4GB RAM

I have always bought pre-made systems before but would like to now build my own
I need the base unit plus windows.

I don't really play first person shooters. The main games I play are as follows:
MMO's- wow, lotro, guild wars 2
RPG's - Skyrim, Oblivion, Dragon age
City building / Strategy games - Anno series, Cities Skylines, Tropico, Civ

The above games play ok. But I would like a new system whereby the graphics are maxed out for the above games. Especially for the MMO's as if I play wow on ultra, currently I get hideous FPS in both 5 man's and out and about questing. I would like a system whereby I can take advantage of the steam sales to try out new games and enjoy the higher end graphic settings.

I have two screens, use one for gaming the other for watching netflix/movies, web, itunes etc. I don't do any photo/video editing or 3D graphics modelling.

I was thinking of Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor & 8GB RAM. I wasn't sure of the graphics card. Was thinking of maybe re-using the HD 7700 in my old system and seeing how it goes or maybe getting a GTX 970 if my budget allows, but that maybe overkill?

I already have an SSD which I would like to re-use for OS and a couple of games

I heard that there is going to be new Intel CPU's in August and Windows 10 is due to be released in July. Should I just wait for that? Are they normally at a premium price when released as wouldn't want to pay over the odds to be one of the first to try out one of the newer CPU's

I would appreciate any help / feedback

I am also kind of clueless about motherboards so if anyone has any suggestions I am all ears.

Thanks!


 
Solution
infamousIlusionist


You wont need an after market cooler unless you overclocking.
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/bghHt6
Heres the same build with a better Motherboard and you can choose your case.

In this one i put the same mother board but the Z97 so that you can...
Sort by date Sort by votes
logainofhades

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator
Apr 27, 2009
37,559
3,224
143,290
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£178.00 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£24.25 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: MSI Z97S SLI Krait Edition ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£89.99 @ Novatech)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury White 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (£40.24 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£37.44 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (£270.74 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Zalman Z3 Plus White ATX Mid Tower Case (£28.30 @ CCL Computers)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (£64.98 @ Novatech)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer (£9.96 @ Aria PC)
Total: £743.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-24 19:33 BST+0100
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
infamousIlusionist

infamousIlusionist

Reputable
Feb 25, 2015
305
0
4,810


This will do great, the PSU is a tier 1. I put in an average to decent motherboard other wise i would of gone a little to far over budget.
If you playing those games I don't think it is needed to overclock.
You could wait for that or keep this build for a few years or so and then just see how the prices go. Windows 10 will be free to upgrade and I was reading that it might actually be free to any one withn a T&C's
The GTX 970 will be a little overkill but you will It will last you and you will be able to make the most of it.
Hope this helped, give me feedback so I can try help more or If I didnt answer want you wanted
BUILD:
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/MjhHt6
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

Timbs

Reputable
Jun 24, 2015
16
0
4,510


Thanks for taking the time to do this. Looks good.

Don't like the case tho (I know it's personal taste and it met my budget ), not really a black and white fan and would prefer a black case, liked the look of the 'Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case'

to get what I want, think I may have to increase my budget by £100

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

Timbs

Reputable
Jun 24, 2015
16
0
4,510


Thanks for your suggestion. I like the black and red vibe. Don't plan to overclock atm but would like the facility to do it in a couple of years time if need be. Like I said to logainofhades may increase budget by £100 to get the case I want, have windows included and have a decent motherboard. I take it I don't need an after Market CPU cooler unless I do actually over clock.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
madmatt30

madmatt30

Titan
Ambassador
Jan 1, 2013
24,574
650
91,240
Essentially easier to include a cooler when you build mate as the decent ones necessitate backplate removal.

The themis is a great buy at £20
raijintek 0P105255 - Raijintek Themis Direct Contact CPU Cooler https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E5YTGIY/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_6MWIvbNQ76QVQ

I understand wholeheartedly why hades recommended the zalman z3 - itcsint the best looker but you get great value for money & very very good preinstalled cooling.
There is a solely black version available & its cheaper.


Zalman Z3 Plus ATX/M-ATX Tower Case - Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DDC214K/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_kPWIvbS89HJCS
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
infamousIlusionist

infamousIlusionist

Reputable
Feb 25, 2015
305
0
4,810


You wont need an after market cooler unless you overclocking.
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/bghHt6
Heres the same build with a better Motherboard and you can choose your case.

In this one i put the same mother board but the Z97 so that you can facilitate overclocking later, a better motherboard would be the Z97 MSI Gaming 5.
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/HFPCnQ

In the future you can also add an SSD for fast load times and getting your pc running faster.
Hope all this helps
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
T

Timbs

Reputable
Jun 24, 2015
16
0
4,510


Thanks for pointing out the back case. I do prefer it over the white. Had a look at the reviews and they do comment on how good the fan's are. Think I will add an aftermarket CPU cooler, they are not that expensive.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

Timbs

Reputable
Jun 24, 2015
16
0
4,510


Thanks mate that's near enough the build I want and thanks for the motherboard suggestions. Now to buy the parts
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom