First build gaming pc, parts compatbility would be helpul :)

[col_ashton]

Hello, I am going to build a gaming pc on a budget. My journey started about 2 weeks ago when my laptop fell out of my bag on my way to a lecture and smashed ito thousands of pieces. After sccoping up the remains and binning them (luckily all my work was on a flash drive!) I then began to consider what I was going to do about a new machine.

The main purpose of course, is gaming. The main games I a interestedin are Empire and Napoleon Total war (and future total war titles) and the rcent Guild Wars 2.

I've copied the guildlines to this sort of thread below:

Approximate Purchase Date: within the next month

Budget Range: between £500-£600

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, interent research, uni work.

Are you buying a monitor: Yes but thats not included in the budget.



Parts to Upgrade: (e.g.: CPU, mobo, RAM) **Include Power Supply Make & Model If Re-using**

Do you need to buy OS: Yes. So far I think Windows 7 is my only option due to the games?? I don't know if for example Linux can play games?)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: cheapest?
Location: Manchester, United Kingdom

Parts Preferences: I don't know?

Overclocking: If it's possible?

SLI or Crossfire: Neverheard o it?

Your Monitor Resolution: Whatever is best to play the games in high setting?

Additional Comments:be nice for it to be quiet? not to bothered as its staying in my living room.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: old laptop smased....i want a desktop now to play games mainly.


List of pats I have selected so far (this is what I need help with...will thy work wll together? Are they compatible? Will they lay guild wars in highest setting?

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61MA-D2V Intel H61 LGA1155 DDR3 Motherboard
http://www.advancetec.co.uk/acatalog/Gigabyte-GA-H61MA-D2V-Intel-H61-LGA1155-DDR3-Motherboard.html#a150733

Case: Blaze Case Black/Red no PSU
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Home/Product/54128/Blaze-Case-Black-Red-no-PSU

CPU: Intel CPU Core i7 2600K Sandybridge LGA1155 Retail boxed with cooler (3yr Manufacturer's Warranty)
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Home/Product/50065/Intel-CPU-Core-i7-2600K-Sandybridge-LGA1155

RAM: Corsair memory 4GB XMS3 Kit (2x2GB) DDR3 1333MHz 240 pin DIMM Unbuffered 9-9-9-24 RAM
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Home/Product/44709/Corsair-memory-4GB-XMS3-Kit--2x2GB--DDR3-1333MHz

PSU: Coolermaster PSU 600W GX Lite (This i one I'm not sure about, how do you know ow much Wattage you actually need??)
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Home/Product/54360/Coolermaster-PSU-600W-GX-Lite

GPU: VTX3D 2GB Radeon HD 6950 (I have no idea about GPU's!?)
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Home/Product/52999/VTX3D-2GB-Radeon-HD-6950-with-Dirt-3-game

Other things I haven't considered....sound card? mouse, keyboard, additional fans?

Apart from all that is there anything I have missed? I hope the post is not t 'lengthy'.

Thank you

 

[col_ashton]

Oh mygod...I am so sorry for the spelling errors. This laptops keyboard s just awful. It wouldn't let me edit the post.

 

[orposer]

is there a reason you need a 2600k and not a 2500k? due to the 2500k costing less, but getting around the same fps as the 2600k. you could get the 2500k and upgrade to 8 gigs of ram, or maybe a better video card. and for the game you are playing you do not need a sound card on board audio should be good.

 

[col_ashton]

Hi,
ok I just did some searching, and does that mean something like this?

Intel Sandybridge i5-2500K Unlocked Core i5 Quad-Core Processor (3.30GHz, 6MB Cache, Socket 1155)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-Sandybridge-i5-2500K-Quad-Core-Processor/dp/B004FA8NX2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349347592&sr=8-2

That is much cheaper but will the i5 processor be okay for empire total war? I know the recommended specs say 2.4Ghz but to a newbie like me, that could mean any old processor with a clock speed of 2.4Ghz.

Thats why I aimed for the most recent intel proessor (the i7) that was within budget but if you say that the i5 would do the job then that would be splendid

 

[lighter17]

A 2500k, and really all Intel quad core CPUs are too expensive for your budget. Something like this will give you the best gaming performance for your money:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor (£92.52 @ CCL Computers)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (£62.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£31.99 @ Scan.co.uk)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£45.48 @ CCL Computers)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card (£187.89 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case (£49.98 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£49.98 @ Novatech)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer (£13.98 @ Novatech)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) (£69.48 @ CCL Computers)
Total: £604.29
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[diellur]

Don't mix a 'K' CPU with an H61 board...the motherboard won't support overclocking, which is the purpose of the 'K' CPUs. My system specs are in my sig and I've been playing Empire: TW recently on max settings at 1080p, and it's flawless. I would imagine an i3 would perform similarily...the GPU helps with the heavy-lifting, so that's where you want to focus your build.

Have a look at this:

CPU: i3-3220 (£94.19)
GPU: EVGA 2GB GTX 660Ti (£246.78)
RAM: 2x2GB Corsair XMS 3 (£19.25)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G41 (£64.52)
HDD: 500GB Seagate (£43.00)
Optical: Samsung DVD-ROM (£11.75)
Case: Fractal Design Core 3000 (£54.36)

TOTAL: £598.35 (not including postage)

For a gaming system, a quad-core i5 would be ideal but your budget doesn't allow it...however, you could pop an i5 in at a later date. I'd also prefer 8GB of RAM, but 4GB is fine. You may not need an optical drive if your games are based from Steam etc, and you can load your OS on a flash drive.

 

[diellur]

Should have added that these prices are from the Scan.co.uk website...

 

[lighter17]

Have a look at this:

CPU: i3-3220 (£94.19)
GPU: EVGA 2GB GTX 660Ti (£246.78)
RAM: 2x2GB Corsair XMS 3 (£19.25)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G41 (£64.52)
HDD: 500GB Seagate (£43.00)
Optical: Samsung DVD-ROM (£11.75)
Case: Fractal Design Core 3000 (£54.36)

TOTAL: £598.35 (not including postage)

A 660Ti isn't going to fit in his budget. You left out a PSU and Windows.

 

[col_ashton]

Decisions...

But the cases you guys have suggested so far.....why are they so expensive?


The original case I put in my list cost £14.50

It has spaces for three additional fans (2 rear and one front) now what would be the effect of buying this cheaper case and adding three 'cheap' fans...

 

[diellur]

A 660Ti isn't going to fit in his budget. You left out a PSU and Windows.

I did...but I didn't. Just forgot to copy it in. I went for the Corsair 600W System Builder, around the £50 mark. It was included in the total price.

I missed you needing an OS, however. Switch the 660Ti to a 7870, reduces the cost by circa £70, then get an OEM version of Windows 7. Should keep you within the £600 mark.

 

[diellur]

But the cases you guys have suggested so far.....why are they so expensive?


The original case I put in my list cost £14.50

More expensive cases come with better interiors, cable-management, airflow etc. They will also be made to a better finish and probably be a lot quieter than a cheaper case. Apart from that, it's entirely on preference. You want to make sure that you have good airflow, but it's not that important...you could definitely knock a few quid off the overall price if you went for a low-end case.