Building My Own Computer.
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Soldato
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How about this case. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-164-CM&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=
If your not into the futuristic gaming cases and want to keep things simple and sleek... sticking to the same style as the antec 300 is the Sileo. It seems to get good reviews. Personally never used it or built with it. However I've built in three different coolermaster cases and all were excellent.
I've used the elite 430 in two seperate builds and unfortunately I wouldn't use it again. The cable management is non existent. There's no room what so ever behind the motherboard to hide cables and no routing holes anywhere.
However, it is a pretty looking case (IMO) and is pretty easy to build inside, everything is tool-less, which is great
As mentioned. The more expensive cases offer better ventilation, better cable management (it really is important). Not to mention the overall feel and look of them. Nothing worse than a cheapy looking plasticky case at 20 quid. They're great for housing refurbished 100 quid computers, but for something like yours. You want it housed in style. You wouldn't put the queen in a caravan would you
If your not into the futuristic gaming cases and want to keep things simple and sleek... sticking to the same style as the antec 300 is the Sileo. It seems to get good reviews. Personally never used it or built with it. However I've built in three different coolermaster cases and all were excellent.
I've used the elite 430 in two seperate builds and unfortunately I wouldn't use it again. The cable management is non existent. There's no room what so ever behind the motherboard to hide cables and no routing holes anywhere.
However, it is a pretty looking case (IMO) and is pretty easy to build inside, everything is tool-less, which is great
As mentioned. The more expensive cases offer better ventilation, better cable management (it really is important). Not to mention the overall feel and look of them. Nothing worse than a cheapy looking plasticky case at 20 quid. They're great for housing refurbished 100 quid computers, but for something like yours. You want it housed in style. You wouldn't put the queen in a caravan would you
Right guys, I'm off to bed. Will consider the case more carefully, I am going to stick with an Antec, just because my friend who is going to help me used one, and also because I hear their cooling is very good. What actually is the difference between the 100/300? Are they the same physically inside? I know they look slightly different comsmetically outside and the front layout is different.
Still undecided on the 1/2GB version of the GPU. I've also been told I don't need so high cooling on my CPU.
What do you lot make of it?
Night. Cya tomorrow. Thanks for the help.
Still undecided on the 1/2GB version of the GPU. I've also been told I don't need so high cooling on my CPU.
What do you lot make of it?
Night. Cya tomorrow. Thanks for the help.
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Soldato
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Nah, they don't really change. They are all a standard size. The motherboard always goes in the same place and is always fixed in the same way. The PSU is sometimes at the bottom rather than top. But it makes no difference, you wouldn't get confused by this. It's not rocket science.
Optical drives and HDD's always go in the same way... there's not much else to it really. So regardless of what case you get. It will still be built the same way.
However as mentioned. The more expensive models offer better cable management, this helps for improved airflow, which keeps temps down and of course it keeps it all looking nice and tidy.
With regards to the cooler question. I thought you had decided on the stock cooler that came with the CPU? That's not overboard is it?
The cooler you can keep the CPU the better. Even if you're not overclocking I would always opt for an aftermarket cooler as they keep things cooler, are far less noisy and once again, they always look better. Not to mention sometimes easier to fit than the stupid Intel stock coolers. I can never seem to click the 4 pegs into place, takes me like 5 goes. AMD stock coolers are much easier to fit.
Sort of went off topic there... sorry.
Haha, no worries. Well as stated in my op, I am literally clueless about the majority of this stuff. I'm posting on 2-3 forums to get a general idea and a few opinions on this. However, this is by far the most help out of all the forums
. But anyway, that cooling question was brought about by "as far as a CPU cooler goes you don't really need to spend that much on one unless your planning to overclock it". I have no idea whether the cooling is good or not.
Soldato
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Haha, no worries. Well as stated in my op, I am literally clueless about the majority of this stuff. I'm posting on 2-3 forums to get a general idea and a few opinions on this. However, this is by far the most help out of all the forums
Ahh. You first had selected an OEM version of the Intel 2500K. This one didn't come with a cooler. It's been changed to the Retail version, which does. As much as I hate them. They do the job obviously, otherwise it wouldn't be provided with it. Like said, if you don't overclock, it'll be fine.
If you do plan on overclocking in the future. Then an aftermarket cooler is required as these are much larger and offer a lot better cooling. Usually made out of copper, which is an excellent conductor of heat.
Do you plan on overclocking? It's genuinely not all that hard. If you don't fancy it. OcUK sell pre overclocked bundles with a 12 month warranty on the overclock... so you don't need to bother with all the hard work. Everything is setup for you. You pay a small premium. Not all that much, a few quid. However to have an overclock guaranteed for a year and have someone do it for you. I'd go for it if I was you.
You might not need all the extra juice. However, no one needs a ferrari, but you would much rather know the power is there if you ever needed or felt like using it.
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Not for awhile to be honest. I'm VERY nervous of just putting all of this together haha. I don't think I will need it at least for a few years.
I'm currently running an Interl Core Duo E8400 @3.00GHz (x2), a Nvidia 8500 GT with 2GB of RAM and it's also three years old. I can play most of the games I play on min spec with no problems. Med spec becomes a little laggy with a slight frame rate drop. So with what I'm buying now I hope should last AT LEAST 3 years before I even consider doing anything to it. Would you agree?
I've got a bit of spare cash and have started gaming on PC a bit more recently. So I decided this would be cool and a bit of fun. Although it seems a lot more nerveracking than fun at the moment. I've been told to wear an anti-static wrist band, as well as touching a radiator and wearing powder-free latex gloves. That should rid me of any static I have. But I'm literally bricking it at the thought of breaking a £200 piece of equipment just buy touching it, let alone trying to get it into the ports.
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Anandtech got to ~4.4GHz stable with the stock cooler so it's not too shabby
If you've got a spare £25 then get a Corsair A50 or Gelid Tranquillo but if you don't stock will be fine. Just get one when you do have spare money.
If you've got a spare £25 then get a Corsair A50 or Gelid Tranquillo but if you don't stock will be fine. Just get one when you do have spare money.
Soldato
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To be honest then. If you have no intentions of overclocking. Don't bother getting an expensive P67 board, as they are designed for overclocking. The H67 aren't and that will save you a few quid. Overclocking isn't for everyone and that's fine. I personally like to push whatever I have to the limit, not always the smartest thing... but hey ho.
The 2500K is also really designed for overclocking. The "K" means it's unlocked to allow it to be overclocked. The non "K" version doesn't. You would ideally couple a non "K" with an "H67" board... for no overclocking.
Personally though looking at the price difference, the savings are only 6 quid on the "K" and non "K" version. So you might as well get it for the price of two pints, it's a no brainer even if you don't overclock it.
By choosing an H67 board you could save around 30 quid. Might be worth a think.
Soldato
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Touching the radiator just grounds yourself. The same can be achieved by touching the metal case you're working on. I really wouldn't worry to much about static, unless your on a fluffy carpet, wearing a wooly jumper and rubbing balloons off your hair. The chances are pretty slim of you frying anything.
I do all my repairs/builds on a large anti static mat. It was around a fiver, and is huge. It doubles up as a protective layer for the desk, incase you scratch it.
The wrist straps are good, if anything a little annoying. Better safe than sorry though. If you wear a wrist strap, touch the radiator and still manage to fry anything by touching it I'll send you a cheque for the price of the component. Hows that for a deal
Soldato
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Buchanan that did make me chuckle. I couldn't agree more, 10 plus years I have worked with computers/consoles and never fried anything with a static discharge.
The wristband I find a nuisance, they don't magically absorb static you clip them to the case. When working on the system you will almost constantly be in contact with the case, grounding yourself along the way.
If it gives the guy piece of mind fair enough, on a side note the underside of mouse mat is an anti-static surface to work on. I'd sooner buy a large mouse mat than spend out on a wrist strap, rubber gloves and a bible to pray on that the static stays away
Good luck with the build fella, what you need more than anything is patience. Take your time and double check your connections, any issues give us a shout.....it's why we are here.
The wristband I find a nuisance, they don't magically absorb static you clip them to the case. When working on the system you will almost constantly be in contact with the case, grounding yourself along the way.
If it gives the guy piece of mind fair enough, on a side note the underside of mouse mat is an anti-static surface to work on. I'd sooner buy a large mouse mat than spend out on a wrist strap, rubber gloves and a bible to pray on that the static stays away
Good luck with the build fella, what you need more than anything is patience. Take your time and double check your connections, any issues give us a shout.....it's why we are here.
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keep the XFX unit.
I agree with stulid.
+1 i went with xfx due to stulids advice... now i see why
its rare stulid is wrong.. he picks things for very good reasons.. (he aint a fan boy neither)
You really want the full fat 2GB.
The case will keep the PC nice and cool, you can easily add a aftermaket "Big Momma" heatsink later without having to take off the motherboard to fit it as the case has a nice large whole on the motherboard tray to gain access to the back of the board.
The stock supplied Intel heatsink with the retail CPU is very good and will allow just over 4GHZ easily if you ever decide to squeeze more performance out.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/...-core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/3
http://www.guru3d.com/article/core-i5-2500k-and-core-i7-2600k-review/11
Soldato
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People are going to tire of me posting and praising stulid. However i'm willing to wager he is far more experienced than who ever else is advising you off this forum ( I mean no disrespect)
If you are clear and concise about what the rig is for, he will spec you a very well good system for that purpose in the budget. Questioning his choices is on the whole futile.
I would also definately agree that purchasing a 2GB over a 1GB gfx card now makes sense, the price difference isn't usually massive (does vary between cards). Remember it is a one of purchase, it's more cost effective to get the best you can now rather than replace or add an additional card later.
If you are clear and concise about what the rig is for, he will spec you a very well good system for that purpose in the budget. Questioning his choices is on the whole futile.
I would also definately agree that purchasing a 2GB over a 1GB gfx card now makes sense, the price difference isn't usually massive (does vary between cards). Remember it is a one of purchase, it's more cost effective to get the best you can now rather than replace or add an additional card later.
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Good choice on the case, so just swap it into your basket in post #42, and you have a great PC.
P.S, just noticed where you are, if you get stuck, just give me a holla, im always passing by.
Haha, cheers mate. Your help is much appreciated, as is everyone elses. Probably look at buying later tonight.
Soldato
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Nice components Good luck with the build.
Good luck with the build.