£750 HTPC/Gaming i5 build

[fruees]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: a.s.a.p
 
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Watching movies
 
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor
 
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: overclockers.co.uk (UK)
 
PARTS PREFERENCES: None
 
OVERCLOCKING: Yes
 
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not likely
 
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1080p HD Tv, so 1920x1080
 
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: As quiet as possible
 

Hi Guys, I'm building a machine for a guy at work who wanted "Something he can plug into his TV and play Empire on".
 
I have already selected a list of parts, please give me your advice - especially on the Mobo and RAM.
 
I will probably overclock the CPU to 4ghz given the cooling I chose (and to make up for the GPU).
 
Parts so far:
 
CPU: Intel i5 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-301-IN
GPU: 4890 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-124-XF
MOBO: GA-P55-US3L http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-207-GI
PSU: OCZ Modstream Pro 700w http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-032-OC
Case: LianLi PC-9NB http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-174-LL
RAM: OCZ Platinum PC£ 10666C7 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-109-OC
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-082-SA
CPU Cooler: Corsair H50-1 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-002-CS
DVD: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-038-OT
 
Total is £711 inc VAT (tax)
 
Budget is £750 and i still need an operating system - so any cost-cutting plans would be much apprecciated.
 
Let me know what you guys think - Many thanks

 

[gkay09]

^ Some places where you can save some money -
CASE - Antec 300 - This is also a very good case and had good plain looks...
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-101-AN&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=160

PSU - This would suffice for any single chip graphics card and can also handle the overclock that you have planned to do...
Antec TP550
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-118-AN&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1088

RAM - That RAM wont be compatible with the P55 - Reason - Operating voltages - 1.8-1.9V where P55 supports only RAM stick which operate at 1.65V or less...
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-041-GS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

 

[fruees]

Thanks for the advice, I'll choose some different RAM. My main concern is the motherboard and whether it will be able to handle a big overclock since it isn't an ATX?

 

[gkay09]

^ Overclocking doesnt depend on the form factor...the Rampage II Gene(a mATX board can overclock better than a P6T(ATX board)...
It depends on the VRM and the power circuits...And the board you have chosen is a low end board and I doubt it would allow a very high overclock...But say 3.6GHz should be gettable though...If you are planning for more, then you would have to choose better boards...

 

[fruees]

Ok, I heard that the low end P55 Gigabye boards should all be good enough for a 4ghz overclock? If not pls could you recommend me one?

How about this RAM for a p55:
OCZ Obsidian 4gb
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-181-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

Many thanks for the help!

 

[gkay09]

^ You might be able to hit 4GHz with that board...but the main question here is whether it will be able to run the CPU at that speed with full stability...And also notice that the VRM dont have any heatsinks too...
You would have to spend about 20-30 pounds if you want a better mobo...
The better options would be either Gigabyte P55-UD3R or ASUS P7P55D
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Gigabyte-GA-P55-UD3R-Intel-P55-Motherboard-LGA1156
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-P7P55D-Intel-P55-Motherboard-LGA1156
And here is a good article that you can check out...
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/budget-p55-motherboard,2436-16.html

And also for a HTPC/ Gaming build, 4GHz 24/7 ? I dont think it is needed...
3.6-3.8GHz would be the sweet spot...It will have a good balance of speed, power consumption and temps...

RAM - Definetly this one...
Corsair
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-P7P55D-Intel-P55-Motherboard-LGA1156

 

[fruees]

+1 for the advice, here is my revised build, coming in at around £808 now (damn rise in V.A.T!!)

CPU: Intel i5 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-301-IN
GPU: 5850 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-122-PC
MOBO: GA-P55A-UD3 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-225-GI
PSU: OCZ Stealthxstreamsilent 500w http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-026-OC
Case: LianLi PC-9NB http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =CA-174-LL
RAM: OCZ Platinum http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-177-OC
HDD: 2x Seagate Barracuda (for RAID0) http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-206-SE
CPU Cooler: Arctic Freezer RevB http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-035-AR

DVD: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =CD-038-OT


I am looking to order today or tomorrow so please tell me what you think guys!! I think the PSU should be enough and these 2 HDDs in RAID should be beter that 1 F3.....
I'm sure the Arctic will be enough for a 3.6ghz overclock...

The only thing I am worried about is cooling - I would have got a 4890 instead if it wasn't so loud and didn't run so hot - I need low power draw and quietness/coolness due to the tiny case and limited airflow...

Thinking of cutting a hole to put another intake fan in for that case..

Thanks so much for the help guys

 

[gkay09]

These PSUs would be better...
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-037-OC&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-118-AN&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1088

And as for the graphic card, HD 5770 - DirectX 11 card, but not as powerful as the HD 4890, but certainly is a good one...

 

[Silvune]

Nothing wrong with the StealthXStream line of PSUs. http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/power_supply/ocz_stealthxstream_600_watt_psu/1

 

[gkay09]

^ True...but the newer PSUs are slightly better and also modular cabling is a plus...

 

[Silvune]

Yea, if he wants to keep it down even tho he's gone over budget already then the StealthXStream would be the better option for that, but as he's already gone over, it can certainly be argued that it's better to spend £10 more getting a modular PSU from an even better range of PSUs.

 

[fruees]

Thanks for that guys - I have decided to go with the antec modular 550w - given the small size of the case i think it is a good shout.

I may also remove one of the Hdds from the list: List doesn't include win 7, 2 hdds would be almost blocking out the only source of intaking air in that case and finally RAID0 wouldn't make a difference to bootup times so probs better to hang off the 2nd hdd and get an ssd later down the line. Could save £40 tat way too ; )