Building A Gaming PC

[Guest]

Hello all,

I'm looking to purchase parts for a new gaming PC. My current PC (e6420, ASUS P5N32-E SLI 4GB DDR2-800, 8800GTS) is getting a bit old in some departments and since i've come into a bit of money, i've decided to upgrade.

I have a budget of around £1200-ish. Maybe a little more, maybe a little less. I've been seeing some deals on sites like eBay (where I purchased the parts for my last PC), the below being an example.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/INTEL-920-CORE-I7-QUAD-RAMPAGE-2-GENE-6GB-DDR3-BUNDLE_W0QQitemZ400069713600QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motherboards_CPUs?hash=item5d26035ec0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Unfortunately, I have really no idea on the best parts for the job these days, i'm very out of the loop and am looking for a little assistance to point me in the right direction to build a decent gaming PC that's going to last for some time (as I may not see this kind of money again for a while!).

When I saw the above deal, I thought something like an Intel 920, 6GB of DDR3, the Rampage 2 Gene motherboard and with the rest I could purchase 2x GTX 280's instead of just one 295, and look at a new power supply capable of handling it all. I already have an Antec 900 case which i'm happy with (at least so far), so I don't think I need to be in the market for a new case at the moment. I'm also happy with my current HDD (although I may get a Raptor later).

I would like to overclock, and SLI would be nice, so that factors in. I have a Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer that I use for overclocking the e6420 and it works very well in conjunction with the fans on the case, but if a new cooler is needed for the job then so be it.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you for your time.

 

[hunter315]

What resolution monitor are you using? And does that 1200 pound limit include VAT? Im in the US so i dont really know how it works, but i just did the math on that deal, if you do not have to pay VAT you can save 80 by getting the parts from ebuyer but that is really much more expensive of a motherboard than you need. All of the prices i list will include VAT

I7 920 D0 $202
http://overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-280-IN

ASUS P6T $165
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-320-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1283

Corsair XMS3 6GB CL7 1600MHz $119
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-188-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1389

Corsair 750TX $90
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-011-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

XFX 4890 w/ HAWX $150
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-141-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1403

500GB Seagate 12 $40
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-206-SE

That only comes up to 766 total right now, with the remainder you can pick up the mounting bracket for the CCF and upgrade the graphics a bit if you want, do not get the GTX280, the GTX275 is faster, cheaper, and cooler, but a single GTX275 or 4890 should be sufficient for 1920x1200, if you are running 2560x1600 then you might need 2 GTX285s but its unlikely.

 

[Guest]

I have a Samsung SyncMaster T220, which has a max resolution of 1680x1050.

As for VAT, I would say yes, from items in the UK. However, importing them often incurs more on the shipping than it would on the VAT here, especially since Import Tax comes to play as well.

I've never really had an ATI card for some time, it's usually been nVidia, so I have really no experience when it comes to ATI. Thank you for the tip on the GTX280 though, I never saw that coming.

So, basically, I should just stick to one card and only upgrade/get two when I upgrade my monitor? I was kinda looking to upgrade it to the best I could get now while I have the money, so I don't have to upgrade for quite some time. Saying that though, should I still stick to one card?

Also, my current PSU is an Antec NeoPower 650, with (of course), 650w. Would that handle the job or would the Corsair be necessary?

Thank you.

 

[Guest]

I obviously didn't read the forum enough. Allow me to post the profile to make things easier. Sorry about that!

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: September/early October
BUDGET RANGE: £1200-ish

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Internet, Movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: OS, Case, HDD.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: UK websites if possible.

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel CPU preferred, everything else open game. I do like ASUS motherboards though.

OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1650x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Noise doesn't bother me as I usually wear headphones/don't care. I usually have my fans maxed all over the shop for the cooling potential and the PC sounds like a plane hangar, but it doesn't bother me in the least.

 

[hunter315]

For that resolution a GTX260 Core 216 or an ATI HD 4870 would be sufficient, a GTX275 or 4890 would max everything out easily. You can get a GTX275 for slightly more than the 4890.

With the next generation of graphics cards due out in a couple of months i dont see the need to drop that much on graphics now when you can save it and get a single card in a few months that will out perform any dual card setup out there, for about the same amount.

The NeoPower will handle a single card fine or even 2 GTX260s or 4870s, you would need the 750 for 2 GTX275s or 4890s.

The reason behind the weird performance and naming with the GTX280 is that it is an older card made with 65nm process instead of the 55nm process used on the GTX275 and 285, so the die shrink came with less heat which allowed them to raise the clocks, nVidia naming schemes get really confusing at times.

 

[Guest]

Ugh, I messed up on the monitor resolution and can't edit it, but I already posted the correct one up above.

So a GTX275 or 4890. May I ask your opinion as to which is better?

 

[hunter315]

They both perform similarly but some games show an affinity towards the G200 architecture and nVidia has CUDA. Since you have the budget i would suggest the GTX275, i normally recommend 4890s because they provide a bit better value especially if the budget is tight but your budget is large enough that the minimal cost savings dont really matter. Overclockers doesnt have a good selection but this one from ebuyer is good, XFX offers a lifetime warranty if you register it within 30 days of purchase.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161700

 

[Guest]

Thank you very much, hunter315. I'm going to grab most of this stuff you mentioned when I can. However, i'm going to get a GTX 295 instead of the 275, as I got a really good deal on a shop-window model from a friend who works in a store nearby. At least that way I can probably get a bigger monitor and still be fine.

Would the Neopower still be enough for this? I also think i'd better find a better cooler for the CPU too, due to overclocking. Oh well, time to start looking!

 

[obsidian86]

the neo power should be ok just confirm but you gonna have to use adapters to power the 295 and wait till the ati 5xxx series release mid october there will be price drops on all graphics cards as for the cooler the thermalright ultra , XIGMATEK Dark Knight, Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 , Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000, Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer all good choices

 

[hunter315]

The GTX295 is 2 underclocked GTX275s so it has about the same power requirements, if you got a deal on it then definitely go for it. I would suggest upgrading the PSU since its a good long term investment and its better to have a bit more than you need and not enough.

As for the CPU cooler, consider the Prolimatech Megahalems, it is currently the top rated cooler on frostytech, and doesnt cost a ton
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-000-PL&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

 

[stevensl2]

Agreed, It's always better to have and not need, than to not have and need.

Thats exactly my thoughts when I bought my 4870x2 for my 22 inch 1680x1050..
I am not on my 24 inch 1920x1080 and that is why I am glad I bought the 4870x2