Code:
I put together a quick template to work with but it's very much subject to change:
PCPartPicker part list: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/DwYsbv
Price breakdown by merchant: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/DwYsbv/by_merchant/
CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£197.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler (£59.95 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard (£121.57 @ More Computers)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory (£57.36 @ CCL Computers)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£70.89 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£39.95 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card (£394.92 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Corsair Carbide 400C ATX Mid Tower Case (£72.99 @ Ebuyer)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (£64.98 @ Novatech)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) (£71.88 @ CCL Computers)
Total: £1152.48
The budget is already stretched by throwing in a 980 over a 970, and I chose EVGA simply because it had the highest rating on PCPartPicker and the clock speed is higher by default. I'm not sure on the mobo (again the Asus seemed popular so I added it). The Z170-A seems like a pretty standard choice, just without extra features, but is there something better at a similar price and does Asus have a good record regarding service?
Of course there's the question of waiting for Pascal. A year ago I wouldn't be so fussed but if the new cards are being revealed very soon I know I'd regret using outdated tech so soon. Ultimately, I know there's always something new down the pipeline but it's an important question.
I've seen plenty of vendors on places like eBay advertising Win 10 for seriously discounted prices. Are those actually genuine and above board? Also, ditching the disk drive means I would need a USB version I guess. There's probably some way of getting a student discount if I buy directly from Microsoft with a student email too, so I should keep that in mind.
Thanks a lot.