Finalising first gaming build for £800. Opinions.

[lastrider]

Hi everyone.

I'm looking to finalise my first gaming build. I've thought through what I want/need and I'm looking to start ordering my parts soon.

Approximate Purchase Date: This week, looking to order parts in a day or two.

Budget Range: Originally £800, though the max I'm willing to stretch to is £900ish all inclusive.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Watching Movies, Gaming, Web browsing, DVD ripping, Movie capture & editing, Image editing, Website developing/programming.

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon.co.uk Dabbs.co.uk Play.com eBuyer.co.uk Will take any suggestions for site that deliver to the UK.

Country: UK

Parts Preferences: Intel/Nvidia (Maybe Ati)

Overclocking: Eventually

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional comments: I'm only a casual gamer, but when I do I game, I usually don't go for the highest Res unless needed. Shooters I prefer good FPS where as MMORPGs I like highest res and detail possible (Max 1920x1080). Will most likely play games like BF3 and Skyrim. I will also use my system for watching a lot of Blu-rays. Otherwise a little bit of everything else, I do enjoy capturing and editing movies, rarely in HD. As well as the occasional Photoshop usage.

I've constructed a build that I'm quite happy with, though I'm highly open to suggestions if I need to make changes.

Case: Zalman Z9 Plus - £45.95 - I like the design, Should have good airflow and with options to add more fans. I believe everything will fit in there and its a decent price.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zalman-Z9-Plus/dp/B004FPQL0E/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329486841&sr=1-1

MoBo: AsRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 - £116 - Does what I need from a z68 board, reliable? Good value.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Z68-Extreme3-Motherboard-PCI-Express-ASRock/dp/B005FGQLQQ/ref=sr_1_1? s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329688100&sr=1-1

PSU: XFX P1-650X-NLG9 650W - £76.50 - Reliable, room to expand. Semi modular so great for a newb like me who doesn't want excess cables to manage.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/XFX-P1-650X-NLG9-Modular-Power-Supply/dp/B002WECXG6/ref=sr_1_2? s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329688605&sr=1-2

CPU: Intel i5 2500k - £165.98 - Looking to eventually overclock. Good value vs i7?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-Sandybridge-i5-2500K-Quad-Core-Processor/dp/B004FA8NX2/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329404287&sr=1-1

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus - £46.34 - For when I do OC.
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/11718775/Cooler-Master-Hyper-212-Plus-CPU-Cooler-Heatsink/ProductReviews.html

GPU: Asus Nvidia GTX 560ti 1GB - £157.44 - Good card for the price. 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-GeForce-560TI-DirectCUII-Graphics/dp/B004K8R8DA/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329867106&sr=1-1

RAM: Corsair 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 Vengeance - £37.80 - Popular and reliable?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9-1600MHz-Vengeance-Memory/dp/B004CRSM4I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329415629&sr=8-1

HDD: Seagate 500GB 7200rpm 16mb 6Gb/s - £59.98 - Good speed. Price?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digital-WD1002FAEX-Caviar-Internal/dp/B0036Q7MV0/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329411991&sr=1-2

SSD: Crucial 128GB SSD - £129.95 - For the OS and some of my most used programs to be installed on.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-CT128M4SSD2-128GB-M4-SSD/dp/B004W2JKZI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329868976&sr=8-1

Optical Drive: LG Blu Ray Drive - £72.52 - To watch my Blu-rays on. 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-BH10LS30-AUAR10B-Internal-Blu-Ray-Retail/dp/B0035FF066/ref=sr_1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329414718&sr=1-6

OS: MS Windows 7 Home Premium - £109.95 - Should I go for the OEM version?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Windows-Home-Premium-Version/dp/B002DUCMT2/ref=sr_1_1?s=software&ie=UTF8&qid=1329867745&sr=1-1

Well that's about it. Opinions please? Thanks!

 

[lastrider]

I realise I've gone just over £1000, I didn't solution in the price of the OS into my build.

 

[ltdan]

Everything looks good, but I have one question. You label your HD as 500GB, but the link leads to a 1TB version. Just wondering if you made a mistake, or if it's just a typo. Also, make sure your RAM will fit under your Cooler and won't interfere with your Video Card in case you have to turn it to allow room for the RAM. The Vengeance series is known for it's tall heatsink.

 

[lastrider]

Thanks for the reply. You're right, no idea how that happened. Must've copied the wrong link. It should be http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seagate-ST500DM002-500GB-Serial-ATA-7200RPM/dp/B005GOTMR2/ref=sr_1_4?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329871517&sr=1-4

I've heard issues of the coolers blocking the ram slots for RAMs with a tall heatsinks. I've read that with the AsRock Z68 Ex3 you can use the furthest and 3rd furthest slot as well as using the closest and third closest slot. So I'm hoping everything will be fine.

 

[ltdan]

It's no matter, even if it does block the RAM, you can simply turn it 90 degrees. Also, to answer your question about the i5. Is the i5 a good value? It depends. If you encode videos a lot, or have 20 programs open at once, the answer is yes. If you are a gamer, web surfer, or movie addict, the answer is no. I do see that you like editing videos, but unless you live off of it (like some YouTubers). It doesn't warrant enough of a performance vs. price increase.

 

[lastrider]

Thanks for input. I'm considering OC'ing and it seems to be a popular CPU for that purpose. Though I don't make a living off of editing videos, I would like a machine that can handle encoding fairly well.

 

[ltdan]

Don't get me wrong, the i5 is a complete BEAST at any type or encoding/encryption work. The i7 is just slightly more of a beast.

 

[Why_Me]

Hi everyone.

I'm looking to finalise my first gaming build. I've thought through what I want/need and I'm looking to start ordering my parts soon.

Approximate Purchase Date: This week, looking to order parts in a day or two.

Budget Range: Originally £800, though the max I'm willing to stretch to is £900ish all inclusive.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Watching Movies, Gaming, Web browsing, DVD ripping, Movie capture & editing, Image editing, Website developing/programming.

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon.co.uk Dabbs.co.uk Play.com eBuyer.co.uk Will take any suggestions for site that deliver to the UK.

Country: UK

Parts Preferences: Intel/Nvidia (Maybe Ati)

Overclocking: Eventually

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional comments: I'm only a casual gamer, but when I do I game, I usually don't go for the highest Res unless needed. Shooters I prefer good FPS where as MMORPGs I like highest res and detail possible (Max 1920x1080). Will most likely play games like BF3 and Skyrim. I will also use my system for watching a lot of Blu-rays. Otherwise a little bit of everything else, I do enjoy capturing and editing movies, rarely in HD. As well as the occasional Photoshop usage.

I've constructed a build that I'm quite happy with, though I'm highly open to suggestions if I need to make changes.

Case: Zalman Z9 Plus - £45.95 - I like the design, Should have good airflow and with options to add more fans. I believe everything will fit in there and its a decent price.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zalman-Z9-Plus/dp/B004FPQL0E/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329486841&sr=1-1

MoBo: AsRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 - £116 - Does what I need from a z68 board, reliable? Good value.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Z68-Extreme3-Motherboard-PCI-Express-ASRock/dp/B005FGQLQQ/ref=sr_1_1? s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329688100&sr=1-1

PSU: XFX P1-650X-NLG9 650W - £76.50 - Reliable, room to expand. Semi modular so great for a newb like me who doesn't want excess cables to manage.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/XFX-P1-650X-NLG9-Modular-Power-Supply/dp/B002WECXG6/ref=sr_1_2? s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329688605&sr=1-2

CPU: Intel i5 2500k - £165.98 - Looking to eventually overclock. Good value vs i7?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-Sandybridge-i5-2500K-Quad-Core-Processor/dp/B004FA8NX2/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329404287&sr=1-1

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus - £46.34 - For when I do OC.
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/11718775/Cooler-Master-Hyper-212-Plus-CPU-Cooler-Heatsink/ProductReviews.html

GPU: Asus Nvidia GTX 560ti 1GB - £157.44 - Good card for the price. 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-GeForce-560TI-DirectCUII-Graphics/dp/B004K8R8DA/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329867106&sr=1-1

RAM: Corsair 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 Vengeance - £37.80 - Popular and reliable?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9-1600MHz-Vengeance-Memory/dp/B004CRSM4I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329415629&sr=8-1

HDD: Seagate 500GB 7200rpm 16mb 6Gb/s - £59.98 - Good speed. Price?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digital-WD1002FAEX-Caviar-Internal/dp/B0036Q7MV0/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329411991&sr=1-2

SSD: Crucial 128GB SSD - £129.95 - For the OS and some of my most used programs to be installed on.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-CT128M4SSD2-128GB-M4-SSD/dp/B004W2JKZI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329868976&sr=8-1

Optical Drive: LG Blu Ray Drive - £72.52 - To watch my Blu-rays on. 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-BH10LS30-AUAR10B-Internal-Blu-Ray-Retail/dp/B0035FF066/ref=sr_1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329414718&sr=1-6

OS: MS Windows 7 Home Premium - £109.95 - Should I go for the OEM version?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Windows-Home-Premium-Version/dp/B002DUCMT2/ref=sr_1_1?s=software&ie=UTF8&qid=1329867745&sr=1-1

Well that's about it. Opinions please? Thanks!

You want a 750w to push two of those cards. 650w won't cut it.

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/700-950W/750W+OCZ+ZS+Series+80PLUS+Bronze+Power+Supply+?productId=45459 £62.39 inc. VAT
750W OCZ ZS Series 80PLUS Bronze Power Supply

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/cooling/cpucoolers/rr-212e-16pk-r1.html £29.99 inc vat
Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/harddrives-internal/solidstate/ <---- Also your paying too much for that SSD. Look for some cheaper ones on there.