First time build, UK based

[Penitent]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: As soon as possibly ideally - further research can be done though.

BUDGET RANGE: £600-700GBP

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming/Photo editing (CS4 and Lightroom), general purpose useage - work, music, internet, films, etc

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor (DVI/HDMI), speakers, OS (Windows 7 professional 64-bit)

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Ebuyer, Scan, Overclockers etc - will consider anywhere as long as they are reasonable.

PARTS PREFERENCES: I have no real manufacturer preference, I would side towards AMD/ATI due to their reputation for edging towards a better price/performance ratio, but will happily consider an Intel/Nvidia build if it gives better value for money.

OVERCLOCKING: No current wish to

SLI/CROSSFIRE: Again no current wish to but if I do get a sudden burning desire I can always get a new motherboard

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 - Currently one monitor with HDMI and DVI sockets - am aiming to possibly get another monitor at an indefinite point in the future with the same resolution.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

In terms of HDD I don't really need anything above 500Gb, I have nearly 1.5Tb of external storage options now and can shift around files as and when needed - this would hopefully also keep the cost down.

My previous system (laptop) had a Bluray disk drive built in and I was stupid enough to buy a couple of Bluray DVDs. However a Bluray drive is not necessary as I can replace them/buy an external or DVD player.

This is my first build and I may well be tempted to just pay someone to put it together for me if things get drastic.

Thank you for your help

 

[Penitent]

Ok it's not letting me edit my message for one reason for another:

Edit 1 - At current conversion rates this is about $900-$1000USD

Edit 2 - I will also need a wireless card of some sort or another.

Cheers again.

 

[Silvune]

CPU: Phenom II X4 955 MBox £130
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/190673

Mobo: Asus M4A785TD-V Evo £70
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/169532
You could get one for not too much more expenisve if you were interested in having the option to add a fast SSD next year.

RAM: Crucial 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333MHz/PC3-10600 Ballistix Memory Kit CL7 (7-7-7-24) 1.65V £90
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/179278

GPU: PALIT GTX 460 SONIC 1024MB GDDR5 £185
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/227182
I suggested this as is well outperforms a 5830, which is the ATI price equivalent. And doesn't have noise, heat or power issues like other Fermi cards.

PSU: Be Quiet 530W Pure Power £50
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/190751

HDD: One of these: ~£35
Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB http://www.ebuyer.com/product/146252
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB http://www.ebuyer.com/product/158860

Case: Antec 300 £45
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/143854
Unless you spot something else you like.

Optical Drive, bog standard SATA ~£15

Wireless: D-Link AirPlus Xtreme-G DWL-G520 £31
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/47674
I don't know much about wireless cards, except that getting a cheap one is probably not the best idea.

Total: £650
You probably have enough room in the budget to up the mobo & PSU to support CF or SLI. If you tell me which one you'd be interested then I can come up with a suggestion. If you want to look yourself, then for SLI you have to look for one with a Nvidia chipset.
The PSU would be XFX 650W XXX Edition http://www.ebuyer.com/product/191826 £70 Which would be able to do two 460s/5850s, probably 5830s as well (altho I am slightly skeptical about this as 5830s are almost as power hungry as 5870s). If you decide you really want an ATI card, then I'd recommend stretching for a 5850 over a 5830.