A beginners first build...

lukefinch

lukefinch

lukefinch

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A beginners first build... Components Now Ordered!

First off, this is my very first post on this awesome forum, so if I have posted this in the wrong place, please forgive me and feel free to move this thread to the appropriate thread.

Secondly, I am hoping to soon build my first gaming pc. I am very new to this, all I have previously done is change the HDD and RAM in an Apple MacBook.

I was hoping to find out some of your opinions about how hard it is for a complete beginner to build a PC. Does everything just screw into place and plug in, or is it harder than that?

Also, if I post the hardware I am hoping to use in this thread, would you be able to tell me if everything is comparable?

Thanks in advance;)
 
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Admiral Huddy said:
Hi Welcome to the forums. Greywolf done this superb post in the sticky section that should answer all your questions:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18046396

PC building is easier than what it once was. The difficult part is the selection process; compatibility, best value for money, needs -v- requirements etc. With a little patience and homework, you'll be off.. The best place to start, is pick a budget, then what components you are going to buy (we can help you there), then think about and research how your are going assemble them.
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Thanks for your help, that thread looks great and very informative.

For my first build, i want to keep it as close to £550 as possible. I also want to get the best graphics i can for that money. In addition, I also want the build to look good as well as performing well. I am thinking of using some cold cathode lighting and a cool looking case with a clear side panel.

This is currently the hardware i am thinking of using. Is this all compatible? Would you recommend changing any of this?

Motherboard - Asus P7H55-M - £65.99

Processor - Intel Core i5 650 3.20GHz - £158.99

RAM - Patriot G Series 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 - £88.99

GPU - GeForce 9500GT 1GB - £49.98

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 320GB - £38.99

DVD - LG DH16NS10 16x DVD-ROM Drive - £9.48

Case - NZXT M59 ATX Midi PC Case - £54.99

PSU - CiT 650UB Black Edition - £29.99

Tool Kit - £19.99

TOTAL COST - 517.39
 
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Redmint said:
This will be massively faster/more reliable than the spec you've listed:

550spec.png


You could skimp on other components a bit more to get a 5770 graphics card (which are very nice for the money). But I think that's a nice all around spec. Avoid CIT power supplies, they're pretty terrible.
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Those are good specs. I have never really contemplated the idea of an AMD build. What is the main difference between AMD and Intel?

Also, wouldn't i need a better PSU than that with a higher wattage?
 
flowone_uk said:
Hi there, i remember my first build when all the components arrived i was so excited but when i started putting it together i got really nervous, especially when i first booted and for some reason it didnt work! turned out that the motherboard was faulty and had to return it, my pooint really id this. take your time, keep a cool head and if you have any questions the guys on this forum are excellent and very well knowleged (this forums helped me out no end in the past). im sure what happend to me wont happen to you but my advice would be to buy your parts from a reputable company with an established rma policy should the need arrise (again ocuk are excellent) should anything go wrong just keep a cool head and dont be affraid to post a community such as this get enjoyment from helping fellow rig builders especially first time ones. also i agree with the kit above the phenom2 x4 is excellent and should you decide to go down the road that leads to the art of overclocking its a very easy processor to clock! good luck mate keep us posted :)
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Thanks for that info, i will definatley be buying all of my parts from Overclockers UK now. I am also glad that the CPU can easily be overclocked as this is something else i eventually want to do.

So, now i have the specs that i am going to use, the ones from Redmint, how easy do you think it will be to put together?
 
danewesley said:
hey i would really go for this instead, after a week or so you can get an aftermarket cpu cooler and some cathodes, maybe venture into custom case modding and cut your own window? the case is so cheap it wont hurt too much if you have to replace in the future.

buildd.png
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The price isn't bad on this. I think i would spend a little extra and get a case i like in the first place because it will only cost about another £30 or so.

Something like this maybe? a CIT MARS GAMING PC CASE...

cscitmarsb.jpg
 
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Mak3R said:
Toolkit isnt't really required. I've built several PC's all with the same single screwdriver ;)
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It would come in handy for me as i dont really have a proper set of screwdrivers, just some small ones here and there that would take me ages to find. Also the anti-static band would come in handy, you can never be too careful!

Thanks for the input Ryan-3, but if theres not much difference between AMD and intel, i might as well save myself £54 for extra things like fans, lights etc.

On another note, has anyone ever build a PC with these components before? And if so, how did it go and do you have any pictures?

Once again, thanks for all of your help, i can see myself getting quickly addicted to this forum as i have with a few others on different subjects:D
 
kieves1 said:
I built my 1st rig last week and followed greywolfs guide that is pinned in this forum.

It was very similar to this spec just with a different 5770 and a 500w stealthxstream2 and a F3 500gb

It only took 45 mins to build and touch wood everything seems fine.

I need to go run some stress test and what not though at some point soon.

Good luck :)
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Thanks for that info. Have you got any pictures of the PC wile you were building it and when it was finished that i can see? That would be great!
 
kieves1 said:
I couldn't take any pics because my camera on my phone wasn't working. :(

The guide is really easy to follow.The only thing i had to change was to put the Hard drive in before the ram so that the 5770 didnt get in the way.
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Have you got any pics of the finished PC now?
 
NathWraith said:
Best spec yet, +1 to this. It is very important to have a good power supply. Don't go for a CIT like in yyour 1st post.



You will not make things easier for yourself with this case. Prepare to cut your hands, a lot.
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Well what other cases would you recommend for about £40 with a clear side panel or window that will make the build easier for me?
 
These are my two favourite cases so far, do you think these will be OK for a beginner?

NZXT M59 Mid-Tower Windowed Case - Black

CA-020-NX_400.jpg


Or...

Thermaltake VI1000BWS M9 Windowed Case - Black [VI1000BWS]

CA-103-TT_400.jpg
 
Rexton said:
Personally in terms of cases I've always gone for quality over looks, the case is the whole housing for your PC. So just be careful that you don't chose a bad quality case just because it has some cheap pretty looking glass side panels and nice colours.
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That is a good point. I think i am going to go with the NZXT M59 case as it has very good reviews that say it is very good quality. I also really like the look of it and you can install 5 fans in it.

I have almost finalised the hardware I am going to be using, I'll let you know what it is going to be soon.

Once again, thanks for all of your help.
 
Here is the hardware that i have finally chosen to use...

Motherboard - ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO - AM3 Socket - 785G Chipset - ATX

£63.23

CPU - AMD Phenom II X4 955 - 3.2 GHz, 6 MB L3 Cache, AM3 socket - 125W

£111.99

RAM - Patriot G Series 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Dual Channel

£88.99

GPU - SAPPHIRE TECHNOLOGY Radeon HD5570 HyperMemory - 1GB DDR3

£65.70

HDD - Already have a hard drive

£0.00

DVD Drive - LG DH16NS10 16x DVD-ROM Drive

£9.48

Case - NZXT M59 ATX Midi PC Case / No PSU / Black

£54.99

PSU - Corsair CX 400W ATX Power Supply

£38.99

Total Cost - £433.37 - Much cheaper than my original budget, which is great!

Will all of these components work together?
 
Well the game i will be playing mostly on this PC is Microsoft Flight Simulator X, as far as i know it is one of the most graphically intense games out there.

Will I see a big difference between the Intel i5 and AMD X4 when playing this game? Also, will my GPU be able to handle the graphics well?
 
Thanks for that info.

I think i am going to go down the AMD route as it will be cheaper to upgrade in the future and it appears that AMD CPU's are easier to overclock than Intel's.
 
SlugForAButt said:
I assume you have an OS already?
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Yes i have an install disk for Windows 7 Ultimate that is ready for use.

Dsteviedee said:
I would seriously consider changing that graphics card (5570 hypermemory),
to at least a 5770 . I think a few people have mis read your spec and thought you had
one listed.
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Is there much of a difference between the two besides the 60 pounds price difference?
 
regulus said:
Some excellent choices for components here by the members. As for building it, you will soon notice that it cannot be easier. I found the most challenging part to be managing the cables properly which tend to go everywhere. Once your mobo is placed in the case and hooked up to the PSU, there is a few more cables to plug in (5-6 cables, takes 2min), GPU to plug in and HDD and CD-ROM to situate. Greywolf's guide is excellent. If you get stuck, just ask.
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When connecting these cables, are they all labeled or colour coded? Otherwise i would have no idea what plugs into what!

Once again, thanks for everyones help. When i start the build, i will post pics of my progress.
 
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