First attempt at building my own

Jaffar

Jaffar

Jaffar

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Joined
30 May 2011
Posts
455
Hi Forum,

I've been looking into putting together a PC (which is something I've never done before). I would like to build a decent gaming PC, which doesn't cost too much and has upgrade potential (not asking for much, eh?)

I'm planning on buying bits and pieces from different on-line stores to keep costs low, including buying second hand.

Before I buy any components, could you have a look at my propsed set-up and let me know if I've made any major errors or oversights?


MOBO :Asus P8P67 PRO Motherboard (hoping to get a second hand one from *auction site* to save £££)

CPU: Intel Core i5 2500k Unlocked Retail CPU 1155 Processor (also thinking of getting second hand)

RAM: 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3 10600 1333MHz RAM Memory

Hard Disc: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 - 1TB (1000GB) SATA-III 32mb

GPU: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 560Ti OC 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
Core: 900MHz, Memory: 1024MB 4000MHz GDDR5, 1x HDMI, 2x DVI-I

Optical: Sony Writer 24X Black Internal SATA DVD±RW DL CD DRIVE

Case: ‘Vantage’ Black ATX Computer Gaming PC Case With 700W PSU


Will these components work together? Any thoughts on this proposed build?
And do you have any advice about purchasing a CPU / Motherboard second hand?

I really appreciate the time anyone takes to reply to this.
Thanks.
 
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sounds fine - except you'll want 1600mhz ram

fyi - you're not allowed to mention competitors, in any case, i would advise you not to buy second hand pc gear, especially from said auction site - you'll end up with faulty gear
 
I would never buy any components second hand. Any piece of hardware has a lifespan and so you do not know how long each peace has left in it. Also, there a lots of problems that may not be present as the moment of purchase, but might completely break after a week. I think that in the long run, buying it new will be a lot cheaper.

Also, are you going to overclock? If not, then you do not need the i5 2500K. Just get the 2500. All the 'K' model does is propose an unlocked multiplier for easier overclocking.

Other than that, its not a bad build. I think that you will be able to get a lot out of it.
 
Buying a second hand Sandybridge board is also risky as it may be someone dumping a potentially faulty B2 board.

As this is your first build don't get an Asus board.

They've had more problems than the other makes. Get an MSI or Gigabyte.
 
Thanks for replying so quickly. Yeah, I was slightly concerned about buying a second hand CPU, but am trying to keep this build as close to £500 as possible (minus Operating System and peripherals).

Surveyor: regarding the motherboards you suggest - are they Sli compatible? I chose the Asus P8P67 Pro because it will allow me to slot in another GPU down the line, thereby allowing me to keep playing new games without spending too much on upgrades.
 
Personally I think that Asus are fine. I had an Asus M4A78LT-M for my first build and I didn't have any problems.
 
Jaffar said:
Thanks for replying so quickly. Yeah, I was slightly concerned about buying a second hand CPU, but am trying to keep this build as close to £500 as possible (minus Operating System and peripherals).

Surveyor: regarding the motherboards you suggest - are they Sli compatible? I chose the Asus P8P67 Pro because it will allow me to slot in another GPU down the line, thereby allowing me to keep playing new games without spending too much on upgrades.
Click to expand...

There are plenty of SLI compatible MSI and Gigabyte boards.

This board is SLI compatible:

MSI P67A-GD53 Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) ** B3 REVISION ** £109.99

As is this one:

MSI P67A-G45 Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard (Sandybridge) ** B3 REVISION ** £99.98

The GD45 & 53 have been confirmed to work with SLI by MSI themselves:

ScottiB said:
*cough*licensing*cough*

SLI works fine on G45, GD53, GD55, GD65, GD80 and Marshal ;)
Click to expand...
 
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to get what your after (i5 2500K, SLI compatable motherboard and PSU, 560Ti graphics) without gong second hand your looking at £650 minimum from here:


YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor £173.99
1 x Asus GeForce GTX 560 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £149.99
1 x MSI P67A-GD53 Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) ** B3 REVISION ** £109.99
1 x XFX Pro 750W Core Edition Power Supply £72.98
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 32MB Cache - OEM (ST31000524AS) £43.99
1 x Antec 100 One Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case - Black £43.99
1 x OCZ Platinum 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C7 1333MHz Dual Channel Kit (OCZ3P1333LV4GK) £29.99
1 x Sony Optiarc AD-5260S 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £15.98
Total : £655.91 (includes shipping : £12.50).


with a budget of £500, it would probably be best to go down the AMD route if your gaming:


YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus GeForce GTX 560 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £149.99
1 x AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 955 Black Edition "125W Edition" 3.20GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail £89.99
1 x Gigabyte GA-MA78LMT-US2H 760G (Socket AM3) DDR3 Motherboard £49.99
1 x Antec High Current Gamer 620W Power Supply £49.99
1 x Antec 100 One Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case - Black £43.99
1 x Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9AD3B1K2/4G) £35.99
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (ST3500413AS) £28.99
1 x Gelid Tranquillo CPU Cooler (Socket 754/939/940/AM2/AM2+/AM3/LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366) £25.99
1 x Sony Optiarc AD-5260S 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £15.98
Total : £505.91 (includes shipping : £12.50).
 
‘Vantage’ Black ATX Computer Gaming PC Case With 700W PSU
Click to expand...

eeeew... :/

Reaper 392 said:
to get what your after (i5 2500K, SLI compatable motherboard and PSU, 560Ti graphics) without gong second hand your looking at £650 minimum from here:
Click to expand...

I like the first one. If you drop SLI requirements, you can save a lot (well, £60, 10%).

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor £173.99
1 x Asus GeForce GTX 560 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £149.99
1 x MSI P67A-C45 Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) ** B3 REVISION ** £89.98
1 x Antec High Current Gamer 620W Power Supply £49.99
1 x Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX4GX3M2A1600C9) £39.98
1 x Cooler Master Elite 430 Windowed Case - Black £33.98
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (ST3500413AS) £28.99
1 x Sony Optiarc AD-5260S 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £15.98
Total : £595.49 (includes shipping : £10.50).



£600 would be the budget. You may save a bit shopping around or waiting for the 2500K to drop, however unlikely (at least until Bulldozer).

A little segway, but since there has been doubt about the availability of Bulldozer in June, did Intel raised its prices on Sandybridge? Or is just an influx of demand? :) Cheeky...
 
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olivier renault said:
eeeew... :/



I like the first one. If you drop SLI requirements, you can save a lot (well, £60, 10%).

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor £173.99
1 x Asus GeForce GTX 560 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £149.99
1 x MSI P67A-C45 Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) ** B3 REVISION ** £89.98
1 x Antec High Current Gamer 620W Power Supply £49.99
1 x Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX4GX3M2A1600C9) £39.98
1 x Cooler Master Elite 430 Windowed Case - Black £33.98
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (ST3500413AS) £28.99
1 x Sony Optiarc AD-5260S 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £15.98
Total : £595.49 (includes shipping : £10.50).



£600 would be the budget. You may save a bit shopping around or waiting for the 2500K to drop, however unlikely (at least until Bulldozer).

A little segway, but since there has been doubt about the availability of Bulldozer in June, did Intel raised its prices on Sandybridge? Or is just an influx of demand? :) Cheeky...
Click to expand...

im liking that modification too, but the OP did say as close to £500 as possible, and the Phenom II 955 BE is still good (hell, ive got one myself)

i have also noticed some price hiking on the intel chips. same with the 5800 series graphics cards.
 
Am I correct in thinking you would recommend a Cooler Master Elite 430 windowed case and Antec high current gamer 620w psu over the Vantage Black ATX Computer Gaming PC Case With 700W PSU?

If so, what's better about those choices?
 
Jaffar said:
Am I correct in thinking you would recommend a Cooler Master Elite 430 windowed case and Antec high current gamer 620w psu over the Vantage Black ATX Computer Gaming PC Case With 700W PSU?

If so, what's better about those choices?
Click to expand...

That "700W" PSU is crap.

Only around 450W is available on the 12V rail. This is where you need the power on a modern system.

It only has a 4 pin power connector for the CPU. It should have an 8 pin.

It only has one 6 pin PCI-E power connector for the GPU. The 560 mentioned previously requires 2.

It's basically a cheap and nasty £25 PSU which is likely to go pop sooner or later.

The Antec has 576W on the 12V rail, an 8 pin connector for the CPU and three 6/8 pin connectors for GPU's.

It will also be made with better quality components.
 
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