Compatibility / General Assessment

Jhaemes · 5 Dec 2011 at 22:33

I'd be grateful if some of you could check out my planned rig and pick out any wrong parts, compatibility issues etc. I'm still saving at the minute, so for now I'm just pouring over parts and considering other options here and there. Here's the current planned rig:

OCZ 750w PSU
Intel Core i5-2500 (k, maybe)
Biostar H61MGC (considering other options, but I don't want to spend too much here)
8gb RAM, haven't really decided on a particular brand yet.
GTX 580 graphics card (might be getting one from a friend)
Case doesn't matter too much, but it's an advance 8808KP, also got a Samsung SH-D163C drive on there, hard drive will probably be salvaged from the old desktop.

It'll be mainly for gaming, at the minute since it's the first build I'm not going to be overclocking straight off the bat. I'll most likely overclock it when the pc starts to get outdated.

OthersideGI · 5 Dec 2011 at 23:00

A z68 mobo is a must really.

Jhaemes · 5 Dec 2011 at 23:03

Any specific model in mind?

If I absolutely have to then I can't really put if off.

95thrifles · 5 Dec 2011 at 23:07

PSU - OK
CPU - Yes you need/want K
mobo - Z68, even the cheapest one, here will do
RAM - get PC12800 stuff, cheapest brand, though be aware depending on cooler you may want low profile stuff rather than stuff with big heatsinks
GFX - great choice, especially if you get cheap off friend (cheap being def less than £300 pref less than £250)
Case - does matter, you want good airflow for high spec components, look at a HAF 912+ as an example

Jhaemes · 5 Dec 2011 at 23:28

Any other case recommendations? Not too chuffed at the case linked since it's £60 upwards ; my Brother said he'd get me a case for Christmas around the £30 mark, that'd chop a bit off my build price too. It'd be a bit cheeky just asking for the £30, in my opinion anyway.

Found some RAM for what you've said, still searching for a case though. Probably going to have to splash out the £60+ on the one you've mentioned though.

95thrifles · 5 Dec 2011 at 23:29

Bitfenix Merc Alpha (or Beta) £32
The HAF is significantly better, but if youre on a budget the Bitfenix is decent enough

Jhaemes · 5 Dec 2011 at 23:32

Checking it out, probably going with that. It's a tad plain for my liking, but I've been favouring sensibility over looks =D

Buchanan0204 · 6 Dec 2011 at 02:28

Jhaemes said:
Checking it out, probably going with that. It's a tad plain for my liking, but I've been favouring sensibility over looks =D

Try the Coolermaster 430 then. It's got some cool looks. Can accomodate large cards like your 580 and it's only 40 quid.

I've built in the case a few times. It's plenty good enough.

fowler002 · 6 Dec 2011 at 02:39

antec, corsair, xfx psus ove the ocz for me
you don't need 750w, a 600/650w will be enough for even the 580.

new graphics cards are just around the corner now, within the next couple of months.

make sure the hard disk/s and DVD drive are sata as there is no IDE connectors on new motherboards.

Jhaemes · 6 Dec 2011 at 13:25

Checking out the Cooler Master 430, looks good so far.

I think I'll stick to the 750w psu though, this is the only part that my friend is adamant on.

fowler002 · 6 Dec 2011 at 14:28

unless you plan on sli in future you DON'T need more than 600/650w, if you do want sli then you want a much better motherboard than the 1 you've speced in the first post or the gigabyte z68ap-d3 suggested as neither of the 2 supports sli and you'll be looking at spending £100+ on the motherboard. also if you want to go 580 sli then you'll want 850w psu.

I'm sure I'm wasting my time typing all this but what the hey, it's not like I have anything better to do.

Jhaemes · 6 Dec 2011 at 15:56

Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to ignore it nor is it a waste of time.

Having been researching for a few weeks, I've had very different opinions on the PSU, ranging from 500w to 750w. I don't want to get everything, turn it on and find the 500w cuts out on high end gaming, for example. However, if you are 100% certain I won't need 750w, I'll drop it down.

95thrifles · 6 Dec 2011 at 17:31

IMO Id be looking at 650 for a high end machine, but I certainly dont think 750 is OTT, 1000 would be, 750 is slightly more than you need but not excessively, still in comfort zone for me

Jhaemes · 6 Dec 2011 at 21:13

Sorry to bump, but will any Z68 mobo do?

I'm looking at a Gigabyte XKT-1155 Z68AP-D3 since it seems to be the cheapest, do I 100% need the z68 stuff? I was happy with the £40 biostar mobo, but this new one whacks my budget up to over £350 ; which I'm not thrilled at.

OthersideGI · 6 Dec 2011 at 21:18

Mobo is very important if you want to upgrade/overclock in the future, its not worth skimping on it so much (you don't need to go over the top either)

Jhaemes · 6 Dec 2011 at 21:21

Hmm, for now I'm not planning to overclock. If or when I do, it'll be because I 100% need to in order to continue gaming.

What sort of price range should I be looking into for the mobo?

strumpusplunket · 6 Dec 2011 at 21:46

It depends on your budget, of course, but it does seem a shame to have such a good CPU and gfx card and limit the whole system by choosing a motherboard that can't overclock at all.

The cheapest Z68 board I've seen recommended widely is this £84 Gigabyte.. I've not used it personally, but several users here vouch for its reliability and ability to overclock on a budget.