Another 'Build me a Gaming Desktop thread'

[davejh666]

Hi all. 1st time poster here, was recommended to give you guys a visit from someone else you gave advice to a little while ago.

Okay, basically I would like to build me own gaming desktop. I currently have a Dell XPS laptop, but I will be getting rid of that. I would like to spend somewhere around the £700 mark. The system does not have to include an o/s or monitor/keyboard/mouse as I am going to get them from another source.

I basically get really confused with what is compatable with what.

Also can someone reassure me how easy it is to build one of these? My concerns are what happens when I first turn it on? Will it just realise that all the components are there? Basically I am a complete noob when it comes to all this - and I really can't afford to get it all wrong!

I started off with these:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-360-IN
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-212-CM

And then I just got confused with what motherboard, memory etc would be compatable.

Thanks in anticipation of your help.

 

[fowler002]

did you read any of the other million spec me threads? would have given you an idea of what the recommended mb etc is.

but basically

i2500k
gigabyte z68ap-d3(motherboard)
gelid tranquilo(CPU cooler)
6870/gtx560ti(depending on if you are amd/ati or nvidia fanboy)
dvdrw(£150-£20 just pick one not huge differences)
hard disk(can you get hold of an old sata one? else it's £70-£80 off your budget for only a 169-320gb drive)
case your choice
4gb pc3-12800 1600mhz of whatevers cheapest, currently Kingston hyperx genesis grey £20 or crucial ballistix sport also £20
missed anything?

 

[Alex74]

Have a read of the stickies at the top. Lots of good info and suggestions in there to get you started, and even some pre-specced machines at different price points

 

[davejh666]

This is what I have come up with. I know it is over what I said, but only because I have added the monitor as I thought it was a good price.

Any issue's, anything anyone would change? The only thing I wasn't sure on is whether or not I need a sound card? I guess I do that's why I added it.

 

[fowler002]

FIRSTLY ram, you've chosen triple channel. yoi want dual channel, also the fins on the ram will interfer with the cooler so you want low profile such as the kingston, corsair xms3, crucial or corsair vengence lp.

The Silver Arrow should be fine because it's the same size as the Noctua D14 which I managed to use with tall Corsair Vengeance.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=20558635#post20558635

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-311-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

couple of examples

next you've chosen the 550ti, you want the 560ti like the asus directcuii £162

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-247-AS&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1341

or with games www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-267-AS&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1341

missing a psu, looks like I misseed it of my list above

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-117-AN&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

optical http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-075-PO&groupid=701&catid=10&subcat=951 faster and retail box

 

[davejh666]

FIRSTLY ram, you've chosen triple channel. yoi want dual channel, also the fins on the ram will interfer with the cooler so you want low profile such as the kingston, corsair xms3, crucial or corsair vengence lp.



http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-311-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

couple of examples

next you've chosen the 550ti, you want the 560ti like the asus directcuii £162

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-247-AS&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1341

or with games www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-267-AS&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1341

missing a psu, looks like I misseed it of my list above

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-117-AN&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

optical http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-075-PO&groupid=701&catid=10&subcat=951 faster and retail box

Thanks for the help.

With regards to the graphics card, would it be okay to get this one:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-140-MS&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1341

Is it a better card? All I know from reading the 2 is that one is a 1gb card and the other is a 2gb card Does it make a lot of difference?

 

[fowler002]

not much difference at the resolution of the monitor you've chosen, but harmony will be in going on about the vram 'issue' if you're not careful(just be careful if you make a thread in the graphics card section)

upto you really if you want to spend the extra.