UK £700 Gaming PC Build request

I note there is a similar post to this for a similar amount, while the system suggested looks good we have a few requirement differences which might provoke a different build.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Now, fed up with my 6 year old p3 based system
BUDGET RANGE: £700 about $1,100 (or slightly over)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, don't need it for anything else.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: mouse, keyboard, speakers, monitor, OS. Monitor used is a Samsung SyncMaster T220

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Any big reknowned and respected sites, i have dealt with www.dabs.com and http://www.overclockers.co.uk/
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:UK

PARTS PREFERENCES: No real preference, but would like to aim for maximum performance at this price. Will need Case, PSU, Mobo, Processor, RAM, Graphics Card(s), Coolers/fans, HDD and DVD reader.

OVERCLOCKING: I would prefer not to have to overclock myself. In terms of SLI and crossfire again i would like maximum performance but would definitely consider the option of going for a SLI or crossfire capable mobo just getting one graphics card for now and doubling up in around 6 months. I would prefer not to get 2 graphics cards right now as i expect to be able to buy the second in a few months time.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680*1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I would prefer the PC to be as quite as possible but don’t want a massive proportion of the budget spent on this. I don’t need a big Hard disk i tend to only have 2-3 games on my system at any one time.

Great, thanks for the VERY quick response why me! I note also the price keeps dropping with your edits

I have spent the last few hours trying to get back to grips with computing technology since i built this rig 6 years ago! I hope you don't mind i have a quick question. The Mobo supports a FSB upto 1600Mhz but the processors FSB controller only goes upto 1333Mhz, will the 1600MHz ripjaw ram be capped at 1333Mhz?

I had actually spent the last few hours trying to work out my own rig and got something fairly similar to your set up but you have managed to squize in a more powerful graphics card and compose a complete system where as i was missing a few components. I had:

Antec 300 Case ~ £45
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =7&subcat=

Cooling: I had not worked that out yet!

Mobo: I think it's the same one but you found it cheaper:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =MB-359-AS

Processor: Again the same but you found it cheaper!
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] ubcat=1272

Same RAM, i could not find a 1333MHz version (still a bit confused on this)

Similar priced optical drive just Samsung

Gfx: The big difference i had opted with the XFX ATI Radeon HD4890
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =GX-124-XF

Oh and i had opted for a £60 Samsung Spinpoint HDD just because i read it was good somewhere else
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =HD-082-SA


Thanks for you invaluable help Why_Me, was nice to see i was slowly getting on the right track but great to have a really solid looking rig posted

Thanks again for clearing the RAM query up, you have MORE than sold that rig to me. I had not noticed the DX11 compatability on the new XFX card so that is icing on an allready sweet cake!!

Thanks again, time to sleep and then to order

I had to delay this build for a while but am now ordering the parts. I have decided to use only www.overclockers.co.uk for parts. I have 2 little problems.


Mainly the PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad-Crossfire PCI-E 750W is no longer available and i really have no clue which alternative to use. Bearing in mind the build above from Why_Me could anyone suggest for me a good alternative that is showing in stock?

Also the Sony Optical drive is out of stock on that site and i was hoping for a suitable instock alternative.

Any help would be grateful.

If you are still only using overclockers.co.uk, then this is the cheapest DVD drive and from a good brand Samsung 22x DVD±RW SATA £17
Looks like you'll have to spend over £90 to get a PSU from overclockers that is in stock. If I was you I'd get the Corsair TX 850W, as it gives you more leeway when adding another card, altho 800 would be enough if you were worried about overtaxing your PSU.