Gaming pc build - comments

[eballard]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted any comments on my new gaming pc build. This will be the second machine I have built and just want any comments on my hardware selection and any improvements or incompatibilities.

Intel i5 3570k chip
MSI MPower Z77 mobo
Corsair H100i cooler
Avexir Mpower Yellow 2x4GB RAM
MSI GTX 660 ti PE 2GB (SLI in a few months) graphics card
Corsair 650D case
Corsair AX850 watt PSU (I know its probably too large but its the same price as the ax650/750 and thinking the 850 will last if I upgrade in the future).

Trying to keep a budget of around £1000.

Thanks all

 

[realchaos]

Drop down the expensive mobo to an ASRock Z77 Extreme4.
What ram is that? Never heard of it. The Corsair XMS3 is going cheap on amazon: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmx8gx3m2a1600c11
Up the gpu to a EVGA gtx670 FTW 2gb
Switch to a xfx psu: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1750bbefx The 850w version is $10 more.

 

[eballard]

Thanks for the response,

I like the MPower as it has bluetooth and wifi built in and also because of the testing they go through for overclocking. Plus I think it looks pretty sweet so I guess I'm willing to pay a little extra for the aesthetics.

I found the RAM on overclockers uk which matches the Mpower mobo - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/search_results.php?sortby=&groupid=&search=Avexir+Mpower&e=0

I will look into the 670 - might be a bit too expensive to sli and again I want to SLI not just for performance but also as I am trying to make this build aesthetically pleasing.

I haven'y heard much of XFX PSU's before is there any reason to choose this over the corsair being the same price?

Thanks again for your help

 

[realchaos]

Ahh I wasn't sure where you were buying so I wasn't sure about the prices on your components. Can you list the prices for each component in your build at this moment?

 

[eballard]

Hey,

Planning on buying in the next few weeks, I want to upgrade to SLI later on but need to wait for some more cash to flow in.

CPU - intel i5 3570k - £160
Mobo - MSI MPower - £150
Cooler - Corsair H100i - £90
RAM - Avexir Mpower 2x4GB - £38
Video Card - MSI GTX 660 ti PE - £240
Corsair 650D case - £150
Corsair AX850 PSU - 125
Random SSD? - £100
Windows 8 OS - £70

Something along that price line. comes out around £1100 with prices fluctuating every now and then.

 

[realchaos]

XFX psu is a seasonic oem. If you don't plan for SLI then a xfx 550w can save you a lot of money. http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9
If you plan to SLI, then the xfx 750w is a bit cheaper. http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1750bbefx A 750w can handle SLI 660ti
IMO, you're spending too much on the case. If you really like it, then go ahead and buy it. But to get the best performance out of your money, you should cut down on the case and spend more on the gpu.

 

[eballard]

Hey,

I will more than likely SLI (95% sure at the moment). I'm a sucker for the case, I know I'm spending too much on it but I just can't seem to bring myself to get a cheaper one...and the 650D has great reviews and IMO is an awesome looking case.

I will look into the PSU's.

Also do you have any suggestions on SSD's? I was looking at the 128GB Corsair Force GS. Should I just be looking for a high read/write speed?

Thanks again for your help and will update you when I decide what to go for!

 

[realchaos]

For the SSD, you should find a fast one that is reliable. The Samsung 840 pro is one of the best SSD out there: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7pd128bw
But if it's expensive at where you are buying it from, check out Samsung 830s, OCZ Vertex 4, Samsung 840. The sandisk and kingston SSDs are decent, cheaper ones.

I can try to help with the case. I tried to find some cases similiar to the corsair 650d at a lower price. Here's what I came up with:
NZXT Phantom 410 Black: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-caph410b1
Fractal Design Define R4 Black w/ window: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcadefr4blw
NZXT Switch 810 (Full Tower): http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-casw810b1
Lian-Li PC-8N (no side window): http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/lian-li-case-pc8n
Lian-Li PC-8NWX: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/lian-li-case-pc8nwx

If you buy from places other than overclockers.net, you could potentially save a lot of money.

 

[eballard]

Hey,

Thanks again dude, I looked at the cases and while they are all great (and cheaper!) I think I'm going to be silly and get the 650D.

As for the SSD I think I'm going to go with the 840 pro as you say they are great SSD's.

I've been looking at other places other than ocuk and bought from a few different places, but in general OCUK has competitive prices if you buy more than 1 part from them because of the delivery charges.

Thanks for giving me help with my build. I'm in Canada at the moment and will be back in the UK in 4-6 weeks so will give you an update when I get home and build it! I have had the luck of being able to get a few bits in canada as well as the UK - have to watch out for them duty and taxes though!