Advice on new build

[iron_nerd]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week

BUDGET RANGE: £1000-£1200

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, music & videos, transcoding media, surfing the internet, molecular modelling on GPU (would be nice but not essential)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitors, keyboard, mouse, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: overclockers.co.uk is preferred

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: U.K.

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: Possibly in future

SLI/Crossfire: Not intially but very likely in future

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I would like the system to be as quiet and efficient as possible

I've already selected these parts and I think they'll all work together but I wanted to ask the community's opinion:

CPU: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-320-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1272

Motherboard: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-235-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1692

Memory: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-151-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1390

Graphics Card: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-147-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1502

HDD: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-067-HI&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=1279

Optical Drive: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-099-SA&groupid=701&catid=10&subcat=951

Case: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-101-AN&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=160

PSU: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-031-OC&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1098

OS: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SW-127-MS&groupid=33&catid=1555&subcat=

This system appears to be pretty powerful, but if anyone can make suggestions for an alternative system with similar performance that is cheaper it would be greatly appreciated. I was also wondering if the PSU is sufficient to power this system given that I intend to upgrade to a Crossfire or SLI system and overclock the CPU in future and would prefer not to have to replace the PSU.

Thank in advance.

 

[Somebody_007]

Mostly looks good I'd make a few changes though:

get a different set of ram OCZ ram is often said to be bad. I think corsair should be greatly availbale in the UK. This kit is a good choicehttp://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-270-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=

I don't know about how that HDD performs but I know this one is fast at a good price http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-082-SA

The case is on the cheap side for a system like this. my friend has one and the paint job really sucks. I'd go higher maybe an antec 900 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-065-AN&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=

And the psu is to small for CF you'll need a 750w or something likewise. Corsair and antec make good PSUs maybe get one of those.

 

[dndhatcher]

I have an antec 300 and a 900. I prefer the looks of the 900, but the lack of dust filters is really a major drawback now that Ive seen the benefits of them from my 300. Look at the Antec 902, which is the size of the 900, but has dust filters for the front fans.

The 300 will not fit a 5870 unless you are willing to do some dremel work on the HDD rails to make space. It will fit a 10.5inch card easy enough, but that leaves slightly less than 1/2 inch before it hits the rails.

I unfortunately bought OCZ RAM for my last computer and now do not recommend it. It will barely run at the rated timings and voltage and has been problematic to get stable every time I decide to tweak the CPU overclock.

 

[iron_nerd]

Thanks for the input!

 

[iron_nerd]

I've taken another look at various parts. What do people think about this set up?

CPU: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-267-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1328

Memory: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-030-PA&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1516

Motherboard: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-251-GI

HDD: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-082-SA

Case: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-110-AN&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=160

All other components remain the same. Will this perform similarly to the first system.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Somebody_007]

MMmmmm

Actually that 6-core blows for gaming and all else aswell really compared to something like a 930. And the memory is pretty slow.

So I'd change the mobo/memory/cpu but it seems you went far cheaper then at first so how much are you willing to pay for those 3?

 

[iron_nerd]

MMmmmm

Actually that 6-core blows for gaming and all else aswell really compared to something like a 930. And the memory is pretty slow.

So I'd change the mobo/memory/cpu but it seems you went far cheaper then at first so how much are you willing to pay for those 3?

Ideally I'd like my budget to be closer to £1000, but I can stretch further if it means getting better parts.

Would this CPU be better for gaming http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-253-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1328

And this Memory http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-203-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

I'm not sure about the motherboard though.

Ideally I'd like something based around a core i7. Originally I was looking at a 920 but Overclockers don't appear to sell it any more so the 930 is the alternative unless you can recommend another site where I could find a 920.

Thanks

 

[Somebody_007]

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161171 pretty cheap but you will need a heatsink. But the one that comes with the 920 normally is POS anyways so it doesn't really matter.

And yes the cpu you mentioned would be better and so would the ram.

I don't know anything about amd mobos though you'll have to ask someone else if you want AMD.

 

[Somebody_007]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-398-AS I know that is a good mobo but if you want a cheaper one sorry I can't help you :s.

 

[iron_nerd]

No problem. Thanks for all your help.