Budget Sandy bridge gaming PC

danzhang16 · 7 Jan 2011 at 19:31

Hi guys, I was wondering if you could give me some advice on components in a PC I plan to build, I've made a thread like this already, but now sandy bridge has come out I want to build a PC that will last longer for my cash.
I've already got a GTX460 768mb and a Coolermaster GX550w PSU, but was wondering what other components I should choose? I was thinking about the i5 2400 or 2500? What motherboard and case should I choose? I was thinking the Zalman Z7 for the case. Also, what about the other components like the hard drive and optical drive? I'm aiming for some budget items in the last two categories, and I won't be needed anything like a 1TB hard drive.
Thanks

95thrifles · 7 Jan 2011 at 19:35

Do you plan to do any OCing?
Also what is your actual budget? If its flexible give us a ballpark figure

danzhang16 · 7 Jan 2011 at 19:39

Oh, I'm not sure, that would just mean a new aftermarket cooler right? Maybe I could do that at a later point?

And oh damnnn sorry, I meant to put it in, for all the other componenents something like £400? That would be nice

95thrifles · 7 Jan 2011 at 19:47

If you plan to OC later then you want a K series CPU and a P67 board, add in the other bits its coming to £420ish plus P&P

Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor with FREE Lost Planet 2 PC Game - Retail £184.99
Asus P8P67 LE Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) £107.99
Zalman Z7 Plus Midi Tower Case - Black £43.91
GeIL 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz VALUE PLUS Dual Channel (GVP34GB1600C9DC) £38.39
Samsung SpinPoint F3 500GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (HD502HJ) £32.66
OcUK 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £11.99
Sub Total : £349.94
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £11.75
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £72.34
Total : £434.03

danzhang16 · 7 Jan 2011 at 19:51

Nice thanks! One question though, is the K version the only cpu that overclocks? and a P67 motherboard is required to do that? :S Is the 2500K a worthwhile upgrade to the 2400 or standard 2500?

95thrifles · 7 Jan 2011 at 19:59

Yes, you need a K chip to OC, and you need a P67 board to OC, non K chips dont clock, neither do the H67 boards

danzhang16 · 7 Jan 2011 at 20:02

Sweet, thanks man. I'm just a bit disappointed only the more expensive P67 motherboards come with the option to SLI, as I might with the 460 in the future

95thrifles · 7 Jan 2011 at 20:09

Yeah but tbh by time you need to youre as well selling that 460 and just getting a new single card

danzhang16 · 7 Jan 2011 at 20:10

Okay, thanks for all your help!

Btw how do you +1 people on here?