Gaming/video build from scratch for £1000?

nesbitt

Honorable
Nov 28, 2012
6
0
10,510
Hi, all,

Been lurking for a while here, and I have to admit I'm still baffled by a lot of the content - there's a lot to learn! I'm new at this but have watched two builds from scratch and have upgraded the occasional component. To be honest, though, I'm hoping to get a system that can be built for me, with components suggested by you guys, perhaps using a site like pcspecialist.co.uk or overclockers.co.uk. I do not have fond memories of watching the struggle with thermal paste.

I know I'm a n00b and I'm eager to learn so if there are primers or sites I should explore (aside from this one), please recommend!


Approximate Purchase Date: in time for Christmas, so I have time over the holidays to get settled into it

Budget Range: neighbourhood of £1000 before monitor. Money does matter, so if something is nearly as good and cheaper, I'm likely to choose cheaper.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Video and photo editing (currently using CS6), gaming (I have to admit to playing WoW?),
The rest is low-level stuff: multitasking office-y things (word, spreadsheets, SPSS), E-prime 2.0 (on a 64 bit OS)

Are you buying a monitor: Yes, additional budget for that. I have two monitors at work and love it, so would like capacity for multiple monitors (unless you convince me otherwise!). I might buy the second monitor after Christmas, depending on cost.

Parts to Upgrade: I even need a case!

Do you need to buy OS: No, I can buy cheap through a deal at work. But if it makes it easier on me (with others building the system would they do the install too?) I'd buy it.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Anything UK, ideally that will build for me (e.g., overclockers, pcspecialist)

Location: England

Parts Preferences: Whatever is compatible with Adobe CS6.

Overclocking: unlikely

SLI or Crossfire: I like the idea but I'm probably not serious enough of a user to need it

Your Monitor Resolution: Beautiful gaming monitor suggestions would be very welcome! This would be on top of the £1000 budget.

Additional Comments:
I am likely to keep my system a long time (current PC is over 7 years old) so if it's something we can plan for, upgradeability would be grand.
I don't do mega-complex stuff with video editing but anything to speed up the rendering process will be great!
I'm imagining 1 SSD (program files), 2 HDD (RAID, video files), 1 HDD (export files).
I'm currently playing WoW off a netbook, so anything will probably knock my socks off :)

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Did I mention I'm playing WoW off a netbook? And that my current PC is over 7 years old? I would also really like a project to get stuck into over the holidays.

Any and all advice will be warmly appreciated - even if it's to tell me I'm completely wrong! Thanks :)
 

nesbitt

Honorable
Nov 28, 2012
6
0
10,510
Given no replies, I have been considering getting a prebuilt system (so I know I'm on the wrong page now, but am still interested in building my own!)

If I add two HDDs for my video files, how does this system (for the price) line up?

System Specification (incluing build, overclocking, and shipping £980)
- Case: Antec 300 Gaming Case - Black w/ x2 Xigmatek Crystal LED Fans - Purple
- Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling 600w PSU
- CPU: Intel Core i5 3570K 3.40GHz @ 4.50GHz Ivybridge CPU
- Motherboard: Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard
- Cooler: Alpenfohn K2 Mount Doom CPU Cooler
- RAM: GEIL Black Dragon 16GB DDR3 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit
- Hard Drive: Samsung 840 120GB SSD & 1TB HDD
- Graphics Card: OcUK GeForce Nvidia GTX 670 2048MB GDDR5
- Sound: Realtek 7.1 Channel Sound (On-Board)
- Optical Drive: OcUK 24x DVD+/-RW SATA Drive

I'd try to change the case if I could. (happy to take suggestions too)

Linky