Associate
- Joined
- 23 Apr 2012
- Posts
- 16
Hey all, I'm planning on building a new PC from scratch and it is my first time doing so, so I think I'll need a hand. First off – I know that lots of you will have seen this type of post before so if you can’t be arsed with my uninformed questions then you need not read any further. I am also enlightened to the fact that my PC hardware is old... bear with me please I’m trying to learn
Basically, I feel my current PC is outdated for my needs. Right now, I want to be able to run top-end games on highest settings with full performance and the best possible server connectivity. I’d also like to be able to set up a dual monitor system and run multiple applications at once including games, music, downloads, streaming etc... Ideally, I want my new build to be able to handle everything for the next 5 years until I upgrade. I am not, however, planning on running heavy duty graphic design software or suchlike, nor am I planning on overclocking (until I know enough about it to do it).
Why do I think I need an upgrade? Well my PC is slow to handle multiple applications at a time. However, I notice the real problems in gaming (for which I use my PC the most). Most recently, I find that Diablo 3 beta cannot handle top settings and slows down even further with multiple players on-screen and online. Games like BF3 and COD: MW3 barely work or do not work at all and the problems will keep coming as newer, more demanding software is released.
So I’m looking to try and build my own. I know this is possible and I’ve been reading up a fair bit about how to do it. It will be cheaper than buying the usual store-made **** that I usually end up with and be faster and longer-lasting to boot. But I’ve never done this before so I need your input into the best price, hardware and compatibility for that hardware.
Here’s my current set-up and the reason for my problems:
1. Motherboard – Dell Dimension 5150
2. CPU - Intel Pentium D 2.66GHz (Dual Core)
3. RAM - 3GB
4. Graphics Card - Nvidia GeForce 9600 GSO 512
5. HD – Western Digital (500GB) (WD5000AAKS) ATA Device
6. PSU – Dell H305P-00 (305W
7. Case - Dell Dimension 5150
9. DVD-ROM optical drive, Blu-ray/DVD-RW optical drive, floppy drive
10. Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Noob questions inc...
- I know I don’t have enough RAM to play these games. I would like 8GB but my MOBO doesn’t support it so I’ll need a new one. Am I right in saying that my MOBO speed needs to be compatible with both CPU and RAM speeds? Will I need 16GB of RAM or is this overkill?
- I don’t think my CPU is cutting it either, Intel core-i7 range seems overkill? Is cache size relevant? Do I need quad-core over dual-core? Will I need anything other than the stock heatsink?
- Graphics Card is outdated too. GeForce GTX 680 looks sick but way expensive ATM. Can I get something else that will last me and save me pennies? I’m looking at something with at least 1GB vRAM and ability to handle multi-screen.
- Can I transfer my current Hard Drive, optical and floppy drives? Will they be compatible or would I be better off buying a bigger HD? Again, is HD cache size relevant? What about SSD’s and RPMs?
- What PSU wattage/voltage am I looking at for this?
- Suggestions for a solid and easy to use case? Again, will I need to choose one for cooling purposes?
- I’ll need to re-purchase another copy of Windows 7 right? And this will need to be 64-bit to be able to handle 8GB RAM is this right?
OK this is what I’m looking at At the moment (to be edited upon finding more suitable parts). I’d like to set a budget of 800 pounds, nearer 6/700 if possible but I know certain prices = best quality for some parts and, as I said, I want some longevity before I need to upgrade again:
MOBO: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-483-AS
CPU: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-368-IN
RAM: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-299-CS
GFX: Enlighten me please, I assume I don’t need a GTX 680
PSU: Again, what do I need? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-022-CS
Case: Suggestions? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-250-CM
Current Total: 451.95 not including GFX. Room for a cheaper PSU and case possibly.
If you’ve read through all this, thank you! I really appreciate your help!
Basically, I feel my current PC is outdated for my needs. Right now, I want to be able to run top-end games on highest settings with full performance and the best possible server connectivity. I’d also like to be able to set up a dual monitor system and run multiple applications at once including games, music, downloads, streaming etc... Ideally, I want my new build to be able to handle everything for the next 5 years until I upgrade. I am not, however, planning on running heavy duty graphic design software or suchlike, nor am I planning on overclocking (until I know enough about it to do it).
Why do I think I need an upgrade? Well my PC is slow to handle multiple applications at a time. However, I notice the real problems in gaming (for which I use my PC the most). Most recently, I find that Diablo 3 beta cannot handle top settings and slows down even further with multiple players on-screen and online. Games like BF3 and COD: MW3 barely work or do not work at all and the problems will keep coming as newer, more demanding software is released.
So I’m looking to try and build my own. I know this is possible and I’ve been reading up a fair bit about how to do it. It will be cheaper than buying the usual store-made **** that I usually end up with and be faster and longer-lasting to boot. But I’ve never done this before so I need your input into the best price, hardware and compatibility for that hardware.
Here’s my current set-up and the reason for my problems:
1. Motherboard – Dell Dimension 5150
2. CPU - Intel Pentium D 2.66GHz (Dual Core)
3. RAM - 3GB
4. Graphics Card - Nvidia GeForce 9600 GSO 512
5. HD – Western Digital (500GB) (WD5000AAKS) ATA Device
6. PSU – Dell H305P-00 (305W
7. Case - Dell Dimension 5150
9. DVD-ROM optical drive, Blu-ray/DVD-RW optical drive, floppy drive
10. Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Noob questions inc...
- I know I don’t have enough RAM to play these games. I would like 8GB but my MOBO doesn’t support it so I’ll need a new one. Am I right in saying that my MOBO speed needs to be compatible with both CPU and RAM speeds? Will I need 16GB of RAM or is this overkill?
- I don’t think my CPU is cutting it either, Intel core-i7 range seems overkill? Is cache size relevant? Do I need quad-core over dual-core? Will I need anything other than the stock heatsink?
- Graphics Card is outdated too. GeForce GTX 680 looks sick but way expensive ATM. Can I get something else that will last me and save me pennies? I’m looking at something with at least 1GB vRAM and ability to handle multi-screen.
- Can I transfer my current Hard Drive, optical and floppy drives? Will they be compatible or would I be better off buying a bigger HD? Again, is HD cache size relevant? What about SSD’s and RPMs?
- What PSU wattage/voltage am I looking at for this?
- Suggestions for a solid and easy to use case? Again, will I need to choose one for cooling purposes?
- I’ll need to re-purchase another copy of Windows 7 right? And this will need to be 64-bit to be able to handle 8GB RAM is this right?
OK this is what I’m looking at At the moment (to be edited upon finding more suitable parts). I’d like to set a budget of 800 pounds, nearer 6/700 if possible but I know certain prices = best quality for some parts and, as I said, I want some longevity before I need to upgrade again:
MOBO: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-483-AS
CPU: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-368-IN
RAM: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-299-CS
GFX: Enlighten me please, I assume I don’t need a GTX 680
PSU: Again, what do I need? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-022-CS
Case: Suggestions? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-250-CM
Current Total: 451.95 not including GFX. Room for a cheaper PSU and case possibly.
If you’ve read through all this, thank you! I really appreciate your help!
Last edited:
