High End Gaming PC Build

[cheesenz]

Hi there all.

I am a University Engineering student from New Zealand and I came to this site after many recommendations from friends who have a lot of help from the great people of these forums.

I am in the process of looking to buy/build a PC system for the primary use of gaming and Computer-Aided Design.

At this stage I have approximately $3000UK (pound), but there is one drawback. I am limited to only purchasing from Amazon UK online store.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/

I was looking at the Acer Predator G7760, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Predator-Desktop-i7-2600k-Blu-ray/dp/tech-data/B005ZCX7AS/ref=de_a_smtd, but as I don't personally know a whole lot about PCs, I am not sure whether purchasing a pre-made computer is the way to go.

I am made to believe that personally selecting parts is the best way to go, and have an person experienced in PC systems, build the computer out of the parts selected.

As I stated, I am looking to spend maybe $2500-3000 pounds on this system, and these are some of the specs I am after:

CPU: high-end, Intel i7
RAM: 12-16gb
GPU: reasonably high-end, approx $500UK, either single or dual
HDD: SSD for Windows, maybe also gaming and CAD, 1-2TB HDD for movies etc...
Cooling: If there is a water cooler anyone can suggest, that would be great
Case: Good cooling
Monitor: 24-27", HDMI/DVI compatible
Keyboard and Mouse: Is Razer the way to go nowadays?
Mobo: Im not too sure what would be good... Help??

Any help or input would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to throw all the recommendations and opinions you can at me, as it is all helpful!

Thanks in advance guys!!

 

[FinneousPJ]

I'm confused, is it dollars or pounds since you're using both units?

 

[cheesenz]

I'm confused, is it dollars or pounds since you're using both units?

Sorry mate.

It is all in pounds. I couldn't find the pound symbol. My bad.

Have been given a tonne of amazon vouchers to use for the UK store that is why It is only for the one store.

Cheers.

 

[perishedinflames]

CPU: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-Generation-i7-3770K-3-50GHz-Technology/dp/B007X1JM30/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344854475&sr=8-1

Mobo: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-Maximus-Motherboard-PCI-Express-SupremeFX/dp/B008H0T8CG/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1344855378&sr=1-2 (the Z77 chipset high end mobos of asus, msi, asrock and gigabyte should do the trick)

RAM: 2x http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-1600MHz-DDR3-Memory-Module/dp/B004K328EO/ref=sr_1_16?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1344855076&sr=1-16 (well that or any other DDR3 with 1600 or more speed actually. no big difference)

PSU: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seasonic-X-760-Watt-Power-Supply/dp/B004F0AQ8C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344855278&sr=8-1 (any 80+ gold certified beyond 650W would do just fine)

CPU Cooler: http://www.amazon.co.uk/noctua-NH-D14-SE2011-NOCTUA/dp/B0062K6BIC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1344855517&sr=8-2 (have no clue about watercooling so i just linked an air cooler)

HDD: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digital-Caviar-SATAIII-Internal/dp/B00461LT6S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344854711&sr=8-1

SSD: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-Technology-HyperX-inch-240GB/dp/B007R67FTY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1344854805&sr=8-5

GPU: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Palit-GeForce-JetStream-Graphics-Architecture/dp/B0082A60ZE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1344854752&sr=8-5 (or any other gtx670 . not sure if it's worth aiming for a pricier one at this point)

Case: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fractal-Design-Define-Computer-Black/dp/B005M17ETC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344854863&sr=8-1 (after i bought my first Fractal Design i believe it's the way to go. brilliant build quality and features on all their cases)

Monitor: http://www.amazon.co.uk/VE247H-Widescreen-Response-Intelligence-Technology/dp/B004T2LMP2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1344854900&sr=8-2

Keyboard: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Steel-Series-SteelSeries-7G-Keyboard/dp/B001FSKN1M/ref=pd_sim_sbs_computers_3

Mouse: http://www.amazon.co.uk/SteelSeries-Sensei-Grade-Laser-Mouse/dp/B005HGCNU2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344855111&sr=8-1

that would suffice and it'd be at the 2000 mark so you can keep the rest 1000. no need to do buy something more expensive to be honest.