I'm planning to build a brand new (mostly, there's a number of parts that if possible ill keep, and/or I can pick up potentially free if I ask the right people nicely ) desktop, however I'm not sure where to go with these components since the market, and my needs have changed dramatically since I last built anything.
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next month, as soon as Ive decided on the parts I need to buy.
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:
This computer will be used for gaming, but also and generally much more performance demanding I use want to do my software development on it. That means not having to wait 6 hours to compile say the boost C++ libraries (it took me that long with a 2Ghz Core 2 Duo the other day), and being able to run already performance intensive applications (e.g. games, although not up to AAA game intensive) in debug mode while still getting a tolerable performance. I also run a local-server (IIS, databases, etc) for development purposes, which obviously take up some resources and are a pain to start/stop every time i wish to play a game or something.
I'm a heavy user of multi tasking, often with many browser windows, several instances of Visual Studio, Flash Builder, MS Word, etc open at the same time.
PARTS NOT REQUIRED:
■Power supply I'm considering separately, there's a ton around here I could probably use for free or at a very low price from 300W up to like 750W, although obviously for that reason knowing what some good ones would be in relation to everything else is helpful, but its not included in my budget.
■2x HDD (SataII)
■Keyboard (USB), Mouse (USB)
■Speakers
■Case
■DVD drives, memory sticks, card reader, etc etc
■Ive got some old crappy monitor (VGA) which I'll use as a 2nd screen in some cases( eg debugging fullscreen apps).
PARTS PREFERENCES: No real preferences if its a good deal, am thinking that the LGA 1366 motherboards and i7 look nice, although I guess that's a question of being able to source them within budget.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Anywhere that will sell to the UK, preferable with free/cheap delivery so I don't have to arrange transport to stores (pretty much nothing local). I have no issue with ordering from 3 or 4 different sites if that will end up cheaper (including any shipping costs!).
OVERCLOCKING: Might have a go at it, if I can buy a CPU for £50 less than another one and over clock it to more I guess go for it, as long as there no serious risk of me breaking something doing it and loosing all warranties.
MONITOR RESOLUTION: see below
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
■Graphics Card must be D3D11 capable
■Multi monitor capable, however I only want 1 good new monitor right now. Looking at a fairly good 15" to 19". Main requirement is guarantee of no defective pixels since they seriously annoy me. I want the possibility of multiple monitors in future.
■Future proof, at least for a few years, I want to be able to easily upgrade single parts (eg extra RAM, better CPU, etc)as needed, and not have to get eg a new motherboard etc cause the newer CPU's use a different socket or something.
■Fairly quite, even under load.
■Runs fairly cool under load, I don't really like it when a CPU that's rated for say 71 degrees C seems to reach the mid to high 60's during the summer under load.
■Windows 7 64bit Home Premium, will be sourcing this separately unless you know somewhere i can get it for say £50 .
My budget for all parts is around £600, although I could possible spend upto £900 max if it's a really good deal and will be good for at least a few years without major upgrades (CPU, Graphics Card, etc).
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next month, as soon as Ive decided on the parts I need to buy.
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:
This computer will be used for gaming, but also and generally much more performance demanding I use want to do my software development on it. That means not having to wait 6 hours to compile say the boost C++ libraries (it took me that long with a 2Ghz Core 2 Duo the other day), and being able to run already performance intensive applications (e.g. games, although not up to AAA game intensive) in debug mode while still getting a tolerable performance. I also run a local-server (IIS, databases, etc) for development purposes, which obviously take up some resources and are a pain to start/stop every time i wish to play a game or something.
I'm a heavy user of multi tasking, often with many browser windows, several instances of Visual Studio, Flash Builder, MS Word, etc open at the same time.
PARTS NOT REQUIRED:
■Power supply I'm considering separately, there's a ton around here I could probably use for free or at a very low price from 300W up to like 750W, although obviously for that reason knowing what some good ones would be in relation to everything else is helpful, but its not included in my budget.
■2x HDD (SataII)
■Keyboard (USB), Mouse (USB)
■Speakers
■Case
■DVD drives, memory sticks, card reader, etc etc
■Ive got some old crappy monitor (VGA) which I'll use as a 2nd screen in some cases( eg debugging fullscreen apps).
PARTS PREFERENCES: No real preferences if its a good deal, am thinking that the LGA 1366 motherboards and i7 look nice, although I guess that's a question of being able to source them within budget.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Anywhere that will sell to the UK, preferable with free/cheap delivery so I don't have to arrange transport to stores (pretty much nothing local). I have no issue with ordering from 3 or 4 different sites if that will end up cheaper (including any shipping costs!).
OVERCLOCKING: Might have a go at it, if I can buy a CPU for £50 less than another one and over clock it to more I guess go for it, as long as there no serious risk of me breaking something doing it and loosing all warranties.
MONITOR RESOLUTION: see below
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
■Graphics Card must be D3D11 capable
■Multi monitor capable, however I only want 1 good new monitor right now. Looking at a fairly good 15" to 19". Main requirement is guarantee of no defective pixels since they seriously annoy me. I want the possibility of multiple monitors in future.
■Future proof, at least for a few years, I want to be able to easily upgrade single parts (eg extra RAM, better CPU, etc)as needed, and not have to get eg a new motherboard etc cause the newer CPU's use a different socket or something.
■Fairly quite, even under load.
■Runs fairly cool under load, I don't really like it when a CPU that's rated for say 71 degrees C seems to reach the mid to high 60's during the summer under load.
■Windows 7 64bit Home Premium, will be sourcing this separately unless you know somewhere i can get it for say £50 .
My budget for all parts is around £600, although I could possible spend upto £900 max if it's a really good deal and will be good for at least a few years without major upgrades (CPU, Graphics Card, etc).