New (Gaming) Build - advice needed on GPU etc.

[john1212]

Hi all,

I'm looking to build a new PC for gaming and media work. One key requirement is that the build should be as future proof as possible really. Also I'm looking to get it all under £1k (the less the better, really), excluding all the peripherals, monitors etc. which I already have.

So what I have in mind (currently - subject to advice!) is:

Case: Fractal Design R3 - I want a silent case, although are there any better alternatives for the same price/less?

Motherboard: Asus P8P67 Pro

CPU: Intel i5 2500k

RAM: 8Gb (2x 4Gb) - if 1600Mhz is compatible(?), then probably the Cosair XMS3 or the G-Skill Ripjaw; any suggestions?

PSU: 850W - not too sure on this one, perhaps the Cosair TX 850 W?

HDD: standard 1TB Seagate or WD black
SSD: OCZ 60GB Vertex 2E SSD

GPU (my main dilemma!): GTX 560Ti vs GTX 570? Looking at the MSI Twin Frozr II of both vs. the Asus DirectCU II - or are there other (quiet) cards that I may have missed?

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[genghiskron]

hard to say without uk prices.
in the us, the gtx 560 ti is the clear value winner.
the msi and asus models both have great cooling systems, although the msi seems to have a bad rep for failing after a few months, although this doesnt happen to everyone.
EVGA models are always a good choice as well.

750w will suffice for dual 560 ti's, 850w for 570's. again its hard to give specific recommendations without knowing the prices.

 

[john1212]

Hi - thanks for your help.
I was trying to edit my spec to add prices in but the site won't let me edit my post (newbie status perhaps).
Anyway as requested here are the price breakdown of the spec:

Case: Fractal Design R3 - £70
Motherboard: Asus P8P67 Pro - £124
CPU: Intel i5 2500k - £162
RAM: Cosair XMS3 1600Mhz (£48) vs G-Skill Ripjaw 1600Mhz (£44) - ~£45
PSU: Cosair TX 850W (£85) vs TX 650W (£73) - ~£80
HDD: 1TB WD Black/Seagate - ~£40
SSD: OCZ 60GB Vertex 2E SSD - £78
GPU: GTX 560Ti: MSI Twin Frozr II (£180) vs Asus DirectCU II (£175)

I've now decided on the 560Ti, because I couldn't really justify the extra £80-100!

Any advice on spec - in particular case (silent pref.)/RAM/PSU, or anything else!
Thanks!

 

[AdrianPerry]

Since you would like to future proof as much as possible, id recommend sticking with a 570. The option to add another 570 in the future will nicely out perform x2 560ti's.

Since your fairly under your 1k budget, it might be worth considering going for a z68 motherboard (about £20-30 more ~£150) and buying a 60GB SSD for SSD caching feature. Or stick with the p67 and get an SSD as a boot drive.

Just a couple of things worth considering.

--

Also, if your not already using SCAN.co.uk to buy components, i strongly recommend checking it out. They do some really good "today only" deals which can save you a fair whack when building from scratch.