First Build, Gaming PC

yaiu

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Aug 26, 2010
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Hello.

This will be my first build. It is aimed around £1000. Posting for help/knowledge of others.
If there are any parts I can replace and such, please let me know, thanks.


CPU: Intel Core i5 760 2.80ghz (Overclocked) @ 4.00ghz

Motherboard: Asus P7P55D-E Intel P55

RAM: Corsair XMS3 (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel

Main Cooler: Titan TTC-NK85TZ/V2 Fenrir CPU Cooler

Case: Antec 1200

Power: Corsair TX 650W ATX

Graphics Card: Asus ATI Radeon HD 5850 DirectCU TOP 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache

Drive: LG GH22NS50 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter

Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Auigy SE 7.1

I will be running Windows 7 64bit

The CPU, Motherboard, RAM and Cooler is a package on Overclockers.
 

rikishi19

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Jun 29, 2010
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Yeah, they are pretty similar from what I remember, but I thought it was the other way round, with the 470 edging it by 5-10% on most occasions. Comes down to personal preference in the end.

Is this just going to be used for gaming?

Update:

I had a quick look at your RAM and at the moment I usually advise people against corsair, not because of quality, as undoubtedly they are right up there, but they are riding on their rep at the moment and charging a premium. I usually go for G Skill or Kingston, especially G Skill, as they are just as good with the premium knocked off.

I found this G Skill on that site:

http://overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-048-GS

Much better timings than the corsair for just 5 quid more.

Again, this will be an issue that comes down to personal preference.
 

yaiu

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Yeh that RAM is better but the CPU, MB, RAM & Cooler are part of a Package and i'm quite sure i can't find those parts @ that price, also being overclocked.



Yeh looking at some research the 470 is better.

I'm thinking 460 SLI? any thoughts?
460 SLI is cheaper and performs better then 5850 XF. It's basically futureproof, could last a long time with the drivers constantly scaling.

Though i'm not sure about the power usage and temperature?
 

rikishi19

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Ah OK, well in that case, it looks like a pretty stable and good build to me with the deals you get, but I would seriously consider the GPU before you order. I'm sure the 470 is the better card and is a better. Also, do you ever plan on adding a second GPU to crossfire? If you do, I'd recommend going up to the corsair 750 TX, otherwise stick with what you have. Looks good.

Oh, and also, any reason why you are going for that large a case with your build?
You can definately save some money by going for a mid-tower case such as this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-176-CM

I have this case and it has plenty of room and excellent air flow.
 

rikishi19

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460 Sli is an excellent set-up, so if you're wanting the best performance now, then yes, this would be the way to go. Also 460's are much better than the other 400 series in power/heat consumption, so you will have no issues there, although there aren't any issues with the other 400 series either really, they got blown out of proportion.

Other alternative would be to go with one 470 now, as this is plenty good enough for todays games, and then you can sli later down the line.
 

yaiu

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The case is just a pref. It's big; lots of room for upgrades down the line whatever they may be and the best cooling possible.
I like your thinking. Plan is now to go with x1 470. I can upgrade later and i'm away for 6 months soon (afghanistan) Army.

Problem is my MB from the package; mistake me if i'm wrong but does not support SLI only XF. Causing me problems here!
 

rikishi19

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Not sure, I'll check on the mobo now. I would def consider upgrading to the 750 corsair psu, if you are going to plan on sli 470's at some point. Would be a safer bet for just a little extra cost.

Update:

You are correct ont the mobo, that one won't support Sli, the P7P55D-E Deluxe or P7P55D-E EVO versions of that mobo do support sli, however I can't see those on the site you are using to buy your parts.
 

rikishi19

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Ok, I just did a quick build for you from that site:

GPU (GTX470): http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-088-MS
CPU (i7930): http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-320-IN
Mobo (Asus P6X58D-E): http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-399-AS
RAM (6GB G Skill): http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-051-GS
PSU (750TX): http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-011-CS
Case: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-102-AN
HDD: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-354-WD
Cooler: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-009-TI
Sound: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-040-CL
Optical: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-090-LG

It comes in at £1,051.27

A little over budget, but in my opinion I would switch the Case for:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-157-CM

It saves a little and I feel its a better case overall.

This does however change you from an i5 1156 socket build to a i7 1366.

Was their a particular reason you were going for an i5 over i7 build?
 

yaiu

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That all looks very nice, though on the graphics card I'm not that aware of MSI but Asus I see alot.
Just to confirm there is no difference apart from manufacture and +1 year extra warranty on the Asus; doesn't matter anyway as I will most likely OC it and the games don't matter to me.

Asus 470
MSI 470

I chose the Antec 1200 due to it's "apparent" superiority over other cases. In cooling espcialy and size to upgrade.
Also the blue led lights are quite nice!

I've never used intel before, always been an AMD guy. Wasn't really a reason no, just different prices. i5 bundle suited me.
I am asuming 750w is enough to power 470 SLI.

I was looking at the same MB, CPU and was about to post it but you beat me :)

I'm not sure about the CPU cooler though. Again I keep going on about temperatures.
I want to overclock but not at the cost of to much loss of stability. Any thoughts on Prolimatech then a 2 way Quiet Viper or are they basically the same?

***Edit***

Also changing the RAM, just purely based on reviews. 0 vs 14.
Specs appear to be the same; compatible with mobo just slight apparence differences.

Patriot Viper 6GB - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-008-PA
 

rikishi19

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As regards the card, then if ASUS give a better warranty then go with them, I didn't look into the details of the different brands, MSI is just one I know do quality products, but ASUS are also producing top quality cards now. However I have just noticed that there is a ZOTAC card, which is also very good and they have an even bigger 5 year warranty at just a fiver extra, so maybe that one will be the way to go, they also are very good (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-032-ZT).

As for the cases, I don't know much about the 1200, so just did a quick look to compare your case vs mine. It seems that the general view is that if you ever want to go down the watercooling route then go for the HAF932, apart from that then they are very similar cases with the HAF932 seeming to edge out. You can't really go wrong with either case.

With the RAM, I wouldn't make a decision based on the reviews on the site, I would look elsewhere for comparisons, although having said that, Patriot are also pretty good, I'd put them just behind G Skill in my preferences.

In terms of cooling, I don't overclock, so I'm not so sure, the 930 is an excellent overclocker from what I've read though, and I've also come across that Prolimatech before and it comes highly recommended.

750w is plenty to sli two 470's. Some sites recommend 600w minimum, some recommend 650w to sli 470's, however I never like being too close to the edge of recommendations for power supplies, thats why I suggest the 750w, as it will give you plenty of power with that extra breather gap.
 

yaiu

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Aug 26, 2010
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Basically have got all I wanted now, very much thanks to you!

Last thing I've got my mind on. Came across a Palit 470, dual fan; looks quite interesting, very hard to get hold of though.
http://www.audiovisualgifts.co.uk/palit-gtx470-128gb-hdmi-geforce-pci-e-graphics-card-2736-p.asp

Instead of the ZOTAC - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-032-ZT&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1810

Any thoughts? can't seem to find many websites that have it in stock or reviews.
 

rikishi19

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Here's an extensive review about that particular card to help you decide if it is worth getting over the others.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/palit-geforce-gtx-470-dual-fan-review/1

Just so know, all the ones on the overclockers site are just standard models, so they are pretty much all the same but with a different branded sticker on, this PALIT one is where the brands decide to implement their own cooling method.

If you go to page 6 on that review, that is where you will see heat and sound performances. I haven't read any further than that, will leave that up to you, then you can make your decision.