desktop refresh ;d

Teknodeamon · 22 Jul 2011 at 22:24

Hi guys, been a while, you can tell how long by the spec in my sig ;p

Have gone down the laptop route for last 4-5 years, but finally decided on upgrading my tower.

Im gonna use my 8800gt and OCZ psu for now, so wondered on your opinion on this spec please.

Not too bothered about overclocking anymore either ;p

1 x Corsair 60GB Nova Series 2 SSD - 2.5" SATA-II - Read 270MB/s Write 240MB/s
1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium w/SP1 - Licence and media - 1 PC - OEM - DVD - 64-bit - English
1 x Intel Core i3 2100 3.10GHz Socket 1155 3MB L3 Cache Retail Boxed Processor
1 x Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3-B3 Socket 1155 7.1 Channel Audo ATX Motherboard
1 x Coolermaster Elite 330 Black Mid Tower Case
1 x G-Skill 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz RipjawsX Memory Kit CL9 (9-9-9-24) 1.5V
1 x Samsung SH-B123L/BSBP 12x BD-ROM DVD±RW DL & RAM Lightscribe SATAII Optical Drive - OEM Black

Total price - 452 inc vat and shipping

Is this a good setup?

stulid · 22 Jul 2011 at 22:26

Its pretty good, but try and get a slightly better case such as a Zalman Z9, Antec 100, Coolermaster elite 430.

Teknodeamon · 22 Jul 2011 at 22:34

hmm is the case Im going for really that bad??

Also if I spent 100 quid on a gfx card,, what do you reccomend??

Want to play Diablo 3, starcraft 2, maybe some of the new unreal epic games due to be released and things like Witcher 2.....

panyan · 22 Jul 2011 at 22:38

Teknodeamon said:
hmm is the case Im going for really that bad??

Also if I spent 100 quid on a gfx card,, what do you reccomend??

Want to play Diablo 3, starcraft 2, maybe some of the new unreal epic games due to be released and things like Witcher 2.....

1) personally i think a case is VERY important, i like the cm-690 lite myself

2) i;d go for the 460 on special offer, or a 6790 perhaps

johnsparton10 · 22 Jul 2011 at 22:48

I think the case and the PSU are the most important parts of the rig, if you dont splash out on the long term parts you risk damage to the short term :S

stulid · 22 Jul 2011 at 22:50

Teknodeamon said:
hmm is the case Im going for really that bad??

Cheap cases have poor build quality, thin metal, poor air flow, the PSU is at the top in the hot zone, noisy/rattles because of the poor quality etc.

panyan · 22 Jul 2011 at 23:51

stulid said:
Cheap cases have poor build quality, thin metal, poor air flow, the PSU is at the top in the hot zone, noisy/rattles because of the poor quality etc.

+1 cases are highly underrated parts

Jony27 · 23 Jul 2011 at 00:55

you could save cash by using a H61/H67 mobo instead of a Z68.

spleenharvester · 23 Jul 2011 at 01:01

As above, but avoid H61, since it removes overclocking capability.

Jony27 · 23 Jul 2011 at 01:09

H67 doesnt allow overcloking, and you cant overclock the i3 2100 anyway.

Reaper 392 · 23 Jul 2011 at 01:13

i can tell you a good case is a very important thing. i've been regretting my choice of case since day 1.

a shiny new silverstone raven 2 is on the top of my upgrade list if the funds are available

spleenharvester · 23 Jul 2011 at 02:09

Jony27 said:
H67 doesnt allow overcloking, and you cant overclock the i3 2100 anyway.

Oh yeah, good point.

Teknodeamon · 23 Jul 2011 at 09:41

got the z68 for sata 3, usb 3.0 and in a year to slap in a 2600k or so, when they go cheaper...The i3 for 90 odd pounds seemed great bang for buck.

Ok, I ordered that case, but think I will return it and exchange for the zalman or antec.....

Cheers for the help guys, appreciated.

TD.

Teknodeamon · 23 Jul 2011 at 09:47

actually..

I like the look of this :

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-008-FD&tool=3

Good purchase?

Cheers.

Jony27 · 23 Jul 2011 at 11:59

good case if yours turns up in one piece, people have been complaining about FDs quality control with their cases turning up broken/missing a piece.

if you just want, sata 3 and usb 3 id get a p67 board
something like this
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-167-MS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1906

that z68 is the lowest of the Z68s
minimum z68 board id get is this
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-052-AK&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1990

J-FRO · 23 Jul 2011 at 12:09

I can vouch for the Z9 Plus being a pretty good cheap case. Great bang for buck.

Loads of airflow and cool little features. Quite sturdy too.

toon_mad · 23 Jul 2011 at 12:48

If you can stretch it get the i5 over the i3

Teknodeamon · 23 Jul 2011 at 13:49

So i bought the Fractal case and also bought a GTX 560 - turned out to be a Palit, which ive read are good.......I also bought n OCX steal stream 2 600 w psu. I just couldnt resist.....

So........all in all I spent 720 pounds inc vat and shipping and OS...

Good spec you guys reckon?? Looking at upgradability for the future...

Next Autum I could get a reduce priced i7?

Cheers for the help.

Teknodeamon · 23 Jul 2011 at 19:01

Just setup my machine, omg I thought it was DOA, but its soooo quiet!

Installing windows 7, amazingly quick.

Ummmmm, there is still noise, but I guess its from the stock i3 cooler?

DO you reckon I will get away with a fanless heatsink? Not planning on overclocking tbh.

Cheers.