Advice for new gaming machine

Alwightmush

Alwightmush

Alwightmush

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Joined
10 Jan 2011
Posts
24
Hi, I've been looking to build a long-term PC for what seems ages now, and after finishing Uni I feel like treating myself. :D
I've been reading up since September last year, and eventually decided to wait until Sandy Bridge came out before I pounced!
As the title says the system is going to be used for a whole variety of games, with standard web browsing and watching some films too.

Build is as follows, with a few missing bits...
(Already have a Logitech G15, Logitech MX 620, Boogiebug mousepad, Goldring NS1000 headphones + FiiO E5 so just need the PC/monitor to go with it!)



I like the styling of the Phantom and I've read good things about the airflow/noise/cable management so quite happy with that choice.
For the monitor, I've gone 3D with the thoughts that I can enjoy some games/films in 3D, and even if I'm not using the 3D, I still have the 120hz to give it a nice little edge.
With the other choices being quite straightforward.


The areas I'm looking for advice about are (although if there are any thoughts about the previous feel free to say):

  1. SSD
    My thoughts were that I'd use the SSD as a boot drive with my mostly-used programs on, with the HDD as the storage drive - with most games installed on. Is 60 enough, or is it worth looking at 120?
  2. RAM
    Here I'm not sure whether to go 4 or 8 Gb. I've read that for most use 4Gb will be more than adequate but was wondering where 8Gb would come into play, and if its worth going for 8?
  3. GPU
    Looking at going for a 570 as it seems a solid card and I don't fancy paying the premium for a 580. Plus for the 3D it seems the right choice. Just wondering which to go for?
  4. PSU
    As I'm looking to overclock both the CPU and GPU, plus possibly add a 2nd card in SLI in at a later date, which modular PSU/s should I be looking at?
  5. Win7
    I'm not 100% on whether I need a copy as I have previously purchased a Windows 7 Home Premium copy when I was still a student to replace Vista on my laptop.
    Through checking the Product ID there is no OEM within the code, only numbers, which I think, proves it is retail? However it is 32-bit on my laptop and not sure if this means anything, so am I ok with this copy?

Cheers.
 
1). W7 takes up around 30GB max, so you'll still have enough space for your top 5/6 games on a 60GB SSD :) I would however change the SSD to a Crucial RealSSD C300 SSD as they have stupidly fast read speeds (more so than the Vertex).

2). 4GB will be more than adequate for your uses - 8GB only really comes into play when doing editing or really intensive tasks. Best bet would be Corsair XMS3 ram, as the heat sinks are low enough to allow the Fenrir to sit properly whilst still being great overclocking ram.

3). I wouldn't get a GTX570 if I were you, I would buy a HD6950 and flash it to a HD6970, as a 6970 out-performs a GTX570, runs cooler, uses less power and can be Crossfired at a later date for amazing performance.

4). PSU wise, it's either a Antec TruePower or one from the XFX range

5). Check the case to see if it has two disks, if it has two then it's a retail copy and includes a 64-bit OS (which you need to utilise your 4GB RAM and 2GB ram on graphics card :p)

(N.B. All bold underlined words are clickable :p)
 
Cookeh said:
5). Check the case to see if it has two disks, if it has two then it's a retail copy and includes a 64-bit OS (which you need to utilise your 4GB RAM and 2GB ram on graphics card :p)
Click to expand...

Sweet cheers for your reply.
Issue with the W7 is that when I bought it I received an email with a download link and the Product Key, but no disks.

Just looking back at the email actually, and it says:

Product Name: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade - 32 bit

Seems like I do indeed need to get it, so can I buy an upgrade to 64 bit?
 
stulid said:
such as? Antec new truepowers are made by Seasonic.
Click to expand...

I've heard rumours that their power supplies seem to go a bit funny when overclocking but that came from a friend so he probably did something wrong with the setup not the power supply.... But at the end of the day i'd still recommend XFX, Im on one and it's never let me down, even on full pelt and im overclocked on 3.5Ghz and its solid.
 
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