£1000 For First Time Build

Lancer888

Lancer888

Lancer888

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12 Jul 2017
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3
Hello,

My current, 5 year-old PC is on its last legs (frequently crashing, signs of regular overheating) so I need to replace it. It's used for general day to day stuff and some gaming. Mouse, keyboard and monitor (1920x1080) are all ok so those aren't required atm.

The closest I've come to building a PC is upgrading the RAM in my current pre-build system, so consider me a newcomer to all this. So, recommendations for a case (I'm fine switching to a mid-sized case rather than holding onto full tower I have now), CPU and cooler, GPU, RAM, motherboard, SSD for the OS and probably a HDD for storage would be great. I'm also wondering about adding additional case cooling/fans because the overheating issues I'm currently experiencing is something I'd like to avoid in future.

Also, as I used the free upgrade from Windows 7 to 10 (64-bit), am I right in thinking I can just transfer the OS to a new PC and avoid the cost of buying the OS again?

£1,000 is the max I can comfortably afford to spend right now.
 
Last edited:
Quartz said:
Quite the reverse, actually. Which games do you play?
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So I will need a new copy of Win 10?

As to games, I've been playing some Guild Wars 2 lately as there's a new expansion incoming, it would be nice to finally play Witcher 3 on decent settings, also I'd love to play a well modded Skyrim SE as I had a good time modding original Skyrim back in the day. With gaming I'm not so interested in maxing every possible setting, I just want them to look decent while running at acceptable FPS.
 
Unfortunately prices for both GPUs and RAM have gone up recently.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £1,034.93
(includes shipping: £13.20)





You shouldn't need any extra fans.​
 
Quartz said:
Quite the reverse, actually. Which games do you play?
Click to expand...
Have you had recent experience of this Quartz?

So far I've swapped Windows 10 from approx. 8 systems - even oem window upgrades - to new systems.

All that was required was a quick web chat - one guy didn't even have his key or his old system to identify his licence (On a recent thread) - I was almost certain that MS wouldn't activate that one but they did. I was amazed...

If it's tied to your MS account it's been very straight forward process - to date.

I only ask in case MS are starting to change their stance in this - as it wouldn't surprise me :/
 
Hi,

Schedule's been all over the place (hence being up at gone 2:40 a.m.) or I would have replied sooner - the help is appreciated.

I have some comments on the spec posted above, but right now a bit of clarification on this would be a huge help:

no_1_dave said:
^^ I've done this and it's worked perfectly, there is no reason to re-buy Windows.
Click to expand...

I've got the licence linked to my MS account, but what I'm unclear on is how do I install windows onto the new SSD? There's no Windows easy transfer with Windows 10, so how do I get it on to the new hardware in order to activate it?

If I'm missing something obvious and that's a silly question, put it down to the lateness of the hour.
 
Lancer888 said:
I have some comments on the spec posted above, but right now a bit of clarification on this would be a huge help:



I've got the licence linked to my MS account, but what I'm unclear on is how do I install windows onto the new SSD? There's no Windows easy transfer with Windows 10, so how do I get it on to the new hardware in order to activate it?

If I'm missing something obvious and that's a silly question, put it down to the lateness of the hour.
Click to expand...

No, good question if it's your first time using this method.

You need a USB stick with about 5GB space on it. Anything else on it will be deleted when you create the media.

Then go here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Have a quick read of: "Using the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) to install Windows 10 on a different PC (click to show more or less information)".

Then download the tool itself, and follow all the prompts.

When that's done, you just need to plug the USB stick into your new system (any issues with USB 3.0 port, try USB 2.0). And then boot from the USB stick to install Windows. Sometimes the motherboard will automatically give you the option to boot from USB and you can easily select it while it's booting. Other times you'll need to first enter BIOS and select the USB stick as first boot priority (if the latter, just change it back to your OS drive afterwards).

Follow all the prompts during installation, and either activate with your digital license password during the process or activate later.

Only have one drive plugged in - the OS drive, while installing Windows. Add on any other drives afterwards.
 
In passing, buy an anti-static wrist strap! A lot of people don't seem to think that they are required because they didn't use a strap and their PC works fine! Problem is though that static often is so mild you can't even feel it and it may not destroy your chips but it will damage them and can greatly reduce their life. ALWAYS wear a wrist strap and always avoid touching anything on cards and components that's conductive ( avoid touching the back of boards and connector strips and so on. ). Buy a wrist strap they only cost a few £. You put it on, make sure the metal is in contact with your skin and plug it in to the mains ( then you are earthed ).
 
Pocah said:
In passing, buy an anti-static wrist strap! A lot of people don't seem to think that they are required because they didn't use a strap and their PC works fine! Problem is though that static often is so mild you can't even feel it and it may not destroy your chips but it will damage them and can greatly reduce their life. ALWAYS wear a wrist strap and always avoid touching anything on cards and components that's conductive ( avoid touching the back of boards and connector strips and so on. ). Buy a wrist strap they only cost a few £. You put it on, make sure the metal is in contact with your skin and plug it in to the mains ( then you are earthed ).
Click to expand...


I used one many years ago when I built my 1st pc. I took it off after about 10 mins as it just got in the way. Never used one since and never had a problem. As long as you handle things correctly i.e Hold the motherboard by the edges and don't touch the top/bottom of the cpu etc then you should be fine. Also components these days are a lot more robust than they used to be.

Just ground yourself at the beginning by touching a copper radiator pipe etc.
 
lee32uk said:
I used one many years ago when I built my 1st pc. I took it off after about 10 mins as it just got in the way. Never used one since and never had a problem. As long as you handle things correctly i.e Hold the motherboard by the edges and don't touch the top/bottom of the cpu etc then you should be fine. Also components these days are a lot more robust than they used to be.

Just ground yourself at the beginning by touching a copper radiator pipe etc.
Click to expand...

No disrespect intended here but people who don't wear a wrist strap are just being lazy!! A wrist strap is insurance policy against damage. It's true that most chips these days have some ESD protection, but there are limits and you can't always tell when you have damaged something. Worse, there is always the one time you get a bad discharge and it can take out the entire PC. I have worked in the electronics construction industry all my life and one time I deliberately removed my ESD protection and grabbed a cable that was supposed to be fully optically isolated from the circuits connected to it - I destroyed £120,000 of electronics. ( It was a test, and it failed, lol ).
 
Pocah said:
No disrespect intended here but people who don't wear a wrist strap are just being lazy!! A wrist strap is insurance policy against damage. It's true that most chips these days have some ESD protection, but there are limits and you can't always tell when you have damaged something. Worse, there is always the one time you get a bad discharge and it can take out the entire PC. I have worked in the electronics construction industry all my life and one time I deliberately removed my ESD protection and grabbed a cable that was supposed to be fully optically isolated from the circuits connected to it - I destroyed £120,000 of electronics. ( It was a test, and it failed, lol ).
Click to expand...

Not being lazy. I still have the wrist strap in a drawer but I still wouldn't use it for any future builds. If you want to wear one then that is fine, but to say you have to wear one is incorrect.





Also 1 min in Jay mentions ESD and building on carpet.

 
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