Building a computer

Bobybobp · 16 Apr 2012 at 17:58

Hello, as of today i am going to start to try and build a new computer but have no idea of how to go about doing it, for example i don't know where to start as i have looked at different cases but don't know whether i have to take anything into consideration when choosing one. Anyway im looking for help on buying each part and on how to add that part to my build. If anybody could help me out on how to do this that would be great. Im looking to try and make a gaming computer with around a £1200 budget but would preferably not have to spend all of that.

Thank you Sam

Bobybobp · 16 Apr 2012 at 19:29

Thank you all for such quick replies

wasn't expecting such a good welcome

@beejjacobs
Would this sort of setup be able to play top end games such as
Shogun Total War 2:
Recommended Specs (Recommended for optimum game play of Total War: Shogun 2):

- 2nd Generation Intel® Core™i5 processor (or greater), or AMD equivalent
- 2GB RAM (XP), 4GB RAM (Vista / Windows7)
- AMD Radeon HD 5000 and 6000 series graphics cards or equivalent DirectX 11 compatible graphics card
- 1280x1024 minimum screen resolution
- 20GB free hard disk space

or Crysis:
Recommended System Requirements
OS – Windows XP / Vista
Processor – Intel Core 2 DUO @ 2.2GHz or AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+
Memory – 2.0 GB RAM
GPU – NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS/640 or similar

These are the sort of games i like to be able to play and maybe games coming out this year.

Thanks again,
Sam

Bobybobp · 16 Apr 2012 at 20:36

Could you do me a favour and post the same checkout without the keyboard, mouse,monitor and OS please?

Bobybobp · 16 Apr 2012 at 20:55

Thank you, I was looking at the graphics card that you have picked out in that list and i know that im going to sound like a idiot but what is over clocking and are there any cons to doing it?

Bobybobp · 16 Apr 2012 at 21:05

OK thank you, I may post back here later once i have some of the components. Thanks for all the help

Bobybobp · 16 Apr 2012 at 21:52

Would it be worth me getting a HD7950 rather that a HD7850?

Bobybobp · 16 Apr 2012 at 22:10

Also can somebody explain to me what the Crucial RealSSD M4 128GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT128M4SSD2) is and what it does. Just interested.

Thanks

Bobybobp · 16 Apr 2012 at 22:24

So in the checkout at the top of the page i have storage and this SSD which do the same job?

Bobybobp · 16 Apr 2012 at 22:34

beejjacobs said:
This shows a comparison so you can decide
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/550?vs=549

Yes essentially they do. But the SSD is really good as a boot drive [i.e. it'll have Windows on it] as it'll decrease boot/loading times, then the hard drive is just for storage as a 128GB SSD can fill up quickly

With your budget I wouldn't consider a build without one to be honest.

Ok thanks

Bobybobp · 17 Apr 2012 at 08:00

olivier renault said:
If you do a build log thread, we should be able to help you out.

Thank you for the tips and yes i will probably do that build log just to make sure.

Bobybobp · 17 Apr 2012 at 08:02

olivier renault said:
IMO, with a single 1080p screen, a 7850 will do a very good job. With triple displays, you need all the horsepower you can get, hence the drop off in performance once the resolution increases.

It's usually a law of diminishing returns after a high-midrange card (7850 and equivalents). If you have the budget for it, why not. Also to consider, is that the more expensive cards are bigger in size, so you need to make sure they will fit in the case.

Ok ill probably just stick with the 7850

Bobybobp · 17 Apr 2012 at 15:45

Would any of these cases be compatible with the components i have at the top of the page?

and also are these of better or worse quality than the case that is already in the checkout?
Sorry for asking so many questions :confused:

Bobybobp · 17 Apr 2012 at 16:29

OK sorry didn't realise

I think i will stick with that case in the checkout anyway

Bobybobp · 17 Apr 2012 at 17:26

Thanks Dervious

All in all which one of those cases would you go for?
I'm not really worried about what it looks like as long as it isn't stupid looking, or pink. More just looking for practicality.

Bobybobp · 17 Apr 2012 at 17:48

Cool i might go for that one then

.
Also i was just looking at the "how to build..." videos and i think i understand the hardware ok but the software looks really confusing, is it complicated as he makes it or am i being simple :confused:

Bobybobp · 17 Apr 2012 at 18:03

beejjacobs said:
Don't worry about asking loads of questions, that's what we're here for!

Thanks

Bobybobp · 17 Apr 2012 at 18:09

What about installing the drives? I think that was the bit that was confusing me.

Bobybobp · 17 Apr 2012 at 18:26

Yes, sorry i should have been more clear, i did mean on the software side.

Bobybobp · 17 Apr 2012 at 21:03

SO what do i need to install drives for? the SDD and the hard drive? because in the video he has a massive list of stuff that he needs to install drives for at 15:14 on the part two video.

Bobybobp · 17 Apr 2012 at 21:25

Can i download all of these now and put them on a memory stick for use later when i have the parts?