New gaming build advice please

[shifter101]

Hi guys,

I'm after some advice about my new gaming build that I would like to complete before Christmas. I am from the UK and am open to buy from any well known supplier. Just want to make sure that everything will be compatible and that I am on the right track to building a decent gaming PC. Thanks in advance for any help.

So far I have bought the following: Links should work now.

mobo

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-GA-Z68XP-UD3P-SKT-1155-Z68XP-UD3P-Motherboard/dp/B0055054T2/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1323381031&sr=1-1

cpu

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-Sandybridge-i7-2600K-Quad-Core-Processor/dp/B004FA8NOQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323381194&sr=8-1

memory

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9-1600MHz-Vengeance-Memory/dp/B004CRSM4I

For graphics I am most likely going to buy the card below. It is the cheapest 6870 that I could find. I am prepared to spend up to £150 if there are better alternatives perhaps a different make haven't really ever used powercolor more a saphire man??

http://www.ebuyer.com/248745-powercolor-hd-6870-1gb-gddr5-dual-dvi-hdmi-dual-mini-displayport-pci-e-ax6870-1gbd5-2dh

For power I am hoping to get away with using my old PSU which is a Corsair HX520W modular power supply. It's a few years old but still going strong. Will this PSU be ok for the above build? Link below:

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/corsair_hx520w

To keep the costs down I would also like to use my trusty Lian Li PC60 case although I do need to buy some new fans for it as the case is about 10 years old and they are making hell of a racket. I will buy a new case after xmas. Will this old case be ok fitting all the new gear in?? Link below:

http://www.dansdata.com/pc60.htm

After Christmas I would like to get a new case any recommendations for a decent case with good ventilation that won't break the bank??

For cooling I am looking to get the coolermaster hyper 212 evo or plus not sure which to get any ideas?? Whats the difference??

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/11718775/Cooler-Master-Hyper-212-Plus-CPU-Cooler-Heatsink/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518%7Ccat:11718775%7Cprd:11718775

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-035-CM

I also already have a 500Gb sata drive and DVDRW.

So hows all that look? Cheers for any advice.

Matt

 

[longpig]

Links to mobo & cpu not working as you said. So what are they? It will help us to help if we know.

Case: buy some new fans if you like it - why rebuild twice in a month?

Perhaps this will help with the GPU.http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/42796-hd-6870-roundup-diamond-powercolor-msi-sapphire-xfx-12.html

 

[shifter101]

Links all working now.

Longpig just wanna keep the case for now to keep costs down before xmas I really would like to get a new one as its getting quite battered so just after some ideas to keep an eye out for in January sales

 

[longpig]

I7 is overkill. i5 2500k is gold standard for gaming at the moment. So that's a saving of £50+ to buy a case although decent cases will set you back more.
Corsair cases are good but expensive and I like Lian Li. But cases are so individual - most cases people buy I wouldn't have in the house.

 

[shifter101]

I have already bought the mobo, cpu and memory as I got a very good deal on the combo saved about £150ish. But thanks for the advice.

 

[geofelt]

For a gaming pc, spend more on the graphics card than on the cpu. In this case, a 2500K will game just as well as a 2600K and cost 1/3 less. Few games use more than 2 or 3 cores, so the extra hyperthreads will not be much used. If you overclock, (and that is why you are getting a "K"), then the 2500K will reach the same sane levels as the more expensive unit.

Use the funds saved to buy a better graphics card. Perhaps a 6850 or GTX570. Your psu should be able to handle either.

Go ahead and use the case. The cooling is not what you might want, but as an interim, it should be ok. If you really have a problem with cooling, just take the side cover off.

I can't tell the difference between the coolers either. Buy the cheapest, as either should be good. Another equally good cooler is the Xigmatek gaia which is a bit cheaper:
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/23142665/Xigmatek-Gaia-SD1283-H-D-T-CPU-Air-Cooling-System/Product.html?searchtype=allproducts&searchsource=0&searchstring=xigmatek+gaia&urlrefer=search

I would look for low profile ram. 1.5v ram does not need any fancy heat spreaders, which are mostly marketing. High heat spreaders can interfere with cpu coolers.

How many expansion slots do you need past the pci-e x16? My guess is none.
A Full ATX motherboard has 7, a micro-atx has 4. The reason I ask is that you can get m-atx motherboards for less, and the smaller m-atx form factor will fit in some very nice lian li cases like the V354.

 

[shifter101]

Hi Geo thanks for the info. Like I said though I have already got the mobo, cpu and ram got them very cheap or I would have gone for a 2500K could never afford the 2600k at full price

Graphics wise it looks like I will be getting the 6870. So you think the 520W corsair will be ok?

Cheers

Matt

 

[geofelt]

Hi Geo thanks for the info. Like I said though I have already got the mobo, cpu and ram got them very cheap or I would have gone for a 2500K could never afford the 2600k at full price

Graphics wise it looks like I will be getting the 6870. So you think the 520W corsair will be ok?

Cheers

Matt

You are good there. Here are the amd requirements:
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6870/Pages/amd-radeon-hd-6870-overview.aspx#3

 

[shifter101]

You are good there. Here are the amd requirements:
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6870/Pages/amd-radeon-hd-6870-overview.aspx#3

Great thanks Geo.