New gaming/home pc build

[kw905]

Hi all, I'm building a new pc to replace my old AMD X2 machine which is showing its age. I've never really gamed on the PC before but have decided to build a (semi) powerful machine which can handle today's games whilst allowing for standard use.

Approximate Purchase Date: Now that I've decided to build a machine, ASAP!

Budget Range: Around £550-£700 (preferably the lower end though)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Moderate gaming (I like it too look nice but I'm not crazy about it. I'm happy to play at 720p), Virtual machines, Standard PC stuff like Office and watching videos

Parts Not Required: Just bought 16GB (4x4gb) of Corsair Vengence 1600Mhz RAM as an impulse buy. I've also got a 20"1680x1050 monitor which I can re use. I'll find a pc case my self.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: UK based but I prefer Novatech.co.uk, Amazon.co.uk, Ebuyer.com however any reliable retailer is fine

Country: England

Parts Preference: I have my heart set on a 3570k (~£177) and a Z77 motherboard (~£100?). I'd like to do some mild over clocking to ~4GHz. Perhaps a 500/600W Corsair PSU (~£53-£62) with a smallish SSD (~60GB). Storage is not a problem as I have a file server and spare hard drives. I'm most torn in regards to the graphics card. Perhaps a HD 6850 or a gtx 560 TI? I wouldn't want to spend more than £130 on the card.

Summary of parts required: CPU, Motherboard, Graphics card, CPU cooler (for overclocking), small SSD

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050 but intending on switching to a dual 1080p screen setup.

Additional Comments: As long as it doesnt sound like a chainsaw I don't care much about sound/looks.

 

[malbluff]

Probably the best board, to go with i5-3570K, in terms of performance/price is the ASRock Z77 Extreme 4. For CPU cooler the Coolermaster Hyper 212EVO. (don't forget to use low profile RAM). For power supply, whist Corsair are good, their offerings around 500w, aren't their best (ok though). Antec Basiq are pretty good budget PSU's, Seasonic are probably the best, if a bit pricey. Don't go much below 500w. 500-550 gives you plenty, but not too oversized. Try to find an extra £20 from somewhere, and get a HD7850, well worth the extra.

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ASRock-Z77-Motherboard-Socket-Intel/dp/B007P709Q6/ref=sr_1_43?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1347796565&sr=1-43 £79.38 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery
ASRock Z77 Pro3 Motherboard (Socket 1155, Intel Z77, DDR3, S-ATA 600, ATX)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0068OI7T8/ref=s9_simh_gw_p147_d3_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0S1E25MY4EDM21FG3X4R&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=317828027&pf_rd_i=468294 £24.99 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO (120mm)

 

[kw905]

Thanks for the comments, I've done some research and think that I can fork out a few more quid for the motherboard and graphics card. Here's my current build idea:

CPU: i5-3570K £177.10 @ Amazon UK
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M £100.99 @ Amazon UK
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO £24.99 @ Amazon UK OR Corsair H60 £49.25 @ Ebuyer
RAM: Corsair CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9B 16GB £61.34 @ Amazon UK (Already bought but can be cancelled if necessary)
GFX: HIS HD 7850 IceQ X 2048MB £149.99 @ Overclockers UK
PSU: Antec 520W High Current Gamer PSU £53.76 @ Ebuyer


Current total: £568.17 with Coolermaster Cooler or £592.43 with the Water Cooling solution

SSD/Case to get yet but I imagine I'll need at least £120 more for those. So total build is £690-£730

I'm concerned about the height of the cooler, the corsair would probably be a lot less hassle?

 

[malbluff]

The hyper EVO will fit in virtually any ATX size case, no problem. I quite like closed loop water coolers, but they're a bit pricey, and there is (admittedly minute) risk of a leak. Bit "nicer" installation, though, and you don't have to use low profile RAM, to fit. With PSU, I KNOW their Basiq is quite good, that may be, as well, but don't KNOW that. Perhaps someone else will advise.
I think you'll find HD7850 much better. MSI do a couple of good versions, but again not sure any better than that one. Again, someone else may advise.

 

[Why_Me]

Thanks for the comments, I've done some research and think that I can fork out a few more quid for the motherboard and graphics card. Here's my current build idea:

CPU: i5-3570K £177.10 @ Amazon UK
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M £100.99 @ Amazon UK
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO £24.99 @ Amazon UK OR Corsair H60 £49.25 @ Ebuyer
RAM: Corsair CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9B 16GB £61.34 @ Amazon UK (Already bought but can be cancelled if necessary)
GFX: HIS HD 7850 IceQ X 2048MB £149.99 @ Overclockers UK
PSU: Antec 520W High Current Gamer PSU £53.76 @ Ebuyer


Current total: £568.17 with Coolermaster Cooler or £592.43 with the Water Cooling solution

SSD/Case to get yet but I imagine I'll need at least £120 more for those. So total build is £690-£730

I'm concerned about the height of the cooler, the corsair would probably be a lot less hassle?

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/363304-31-computer#t2742024 <---- I stuck a reasonably priced SSD and a case with front 3.0 USB ports in that build (amazon.uk).

 

[kw905]

I've purchased the parts, I'll let you know how the build went! Many thanks for your assistance.

 

[malbluff]

I like a man, who's decisive, but which parts? If you've gone with Why_Me's full build, you'll be fine. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been world's worst idea to double-check it.

 

[malbluff]

The one thing I notice with that build, is that PSU was originally sized for SLi, that you said you didn't want. If you don't, you only need 500w, maximum 550. 750w would be much more than you want.

 

[kw905]

Right heres my final part list:

CPU: i5-3570K
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
RAM: Corsair CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9B 16GB (Massive heat spreaders but if the cooler fan doesn't fit I'll just switch its configuration)
GFX: HIS HD 7850 IceQ X 2048MB
PSU: Antec 520W High Current Gamer PSU (I checked some reviews and it seems solid)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222BB 22x DVD±RW DL & RAM SATA
Case: Sharkoon T9 - Green Edition
SSD: SanDisk 128GB (and also an adaptor)


Total price £696.30

By the way, for anyone else looking at this thread, the graphics card gained me free delivery and three games (Nexuiz, Sleeping Dogs and Dirt Showdown) with code QUIDAMDGFX with a price tag of £149.99