First Build (Gaming)

MrSteven

MrSteven

MrSteven

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Joined
4 May 2011
Posts
114
Location
Burnley, Lancashire
Hello

I've come to these forums for a few years now looking at topics and finding out some very useful information. Up until now I've only ever upgraded my current PC and never done a new build, and I was wondering if I could get some of your opinions on what I should do next.

-I have about £1000 to spend but could stretch to £1200 if its needed.

-Its going to be mainly for Gaming, but I also do some streaming as well.

-I currently have a EVGA 480GTX so I don't think I need a graphics card included in the budget unless you think SLI would be a great gain.

-I also have a corsair 750w Power supply so again not think it needs to be included in budget. (Unless going SLI I guess)

-I run 2x Dell 2408 monitors, both 1920x1200 res. A third would be awesome for the future but I know I would have to go with an SLI setup then.

----------

- I don't want a water cooling build, so I was thinking about going with the HAF X, I personally find it a bit ugly but if it keeps things cool I'm happy with that.

- If there are better fans out there please include then in the budget if there not mega expensive.

- Is it worth getting one of them new PCI SSDs (sorry if thats the wrong name) I saw they have a lot better read and write times but the prices are quite steap and I dont want it to eat too much into the budget but I would like a quick OS and to put say one or two main games on it.

- Probably one you get a lot here but Ive been informed recently about the new Ivy Bridge CPU's. Are they out soon, if so they worth the wait?


I've had a quick look at making some builds up myself but I dont pay attention too much to what getting the best benchmarks etc, thats why I would like your guys better opinion.


So the need list if I have made it too clear is:

-Case (HAF X preferred)
-CPU (Was thinking the i7 2600k as I don't want to ever feel like the system is slowing down especially when streaming and editing videos, atleast not for a year or so)
-CPU Cooler
-Motherboard
-Memory
-SSD
-Secondary HDD
-Optical Drive

Optional:

-Upgraded Fans if needed.
-Secondary 480 for SLI.
-Better PSU if going SLI


Thanks for taking your time to read this and I'm grateful for any input and specs.
 
Last edited:
A comparison of a GTX 480 and 480 SLI; http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/309?vs=310

You can see that there is a big gain, but at 1920x1200 the FPS you would get with the one 480 will be enough to play games with. I think the lowest FPS score on there for about your resolution on there is about 36. The money can be spent in better places (like going for the i7 2600k instead of the i5 2500k).

And you say that you will probably be doing a bit of streaming. What capture card will you be using?
 
Thanks for the quick response! Yeh it does seem a nice upgrade to SLI but like you say it would probably be better to spend the money on the i7.

Currently streaming games from the PC using Xsplit, I have a Ps3 but don't play on it much so haven't got a capture card for that reason. Might try it at a later time though.
 
MrSteven said:
Thanks for the quick response! Yeh it does seem a nice upgrade to SLI but like you say it would probably be better to spend the money on the i7.

Currently streaming games from the PC using Xsplit, I have a Ps3 but don't play on it much so haven't got a capture card for that reason. Might try it at a later time though.
Click to expand...

Although with most of the parts in a basket, there is still a good amount of money left. I'll have a little look around more. I would say though if you do go SLI a better PSU will be needed from the looks of it.

And fair enough, forgot about PC, instantly thought of consoles. Xsplits a great program, know many streamers who use it.
 
Thanks look forward to seeing what you come up with. I suspected a better PSU would be needed if I was to go SLI.

Only just started messing around with streaming and I was told about Xspit, very easy to use and set up. Internet connect is good for it just my computer that lets it down. Only upgraded the Graphics card and PSU in the last 4 years.

You stream yourself?
 
MrSteven said:
Thanks look forward to seeing what you come up with. I suspected a better PSU would be needed if I was to go SLI.

Only just started messing around with streaming and I was told about Xspit, very easy to use and set up. Internet connect is good for it just my computer that lets it down. Only upgraded the Graphics card and PSU in the last 4 years.

You stream yourself?
Click to expand...

Intel Core i7-2600K 3.40GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor with FREE Operation Flashpoint Red River Game
£249.98
(£208.32)

MSI P67A-GD65 Intel P67 (socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) ** B3 REVISION **
£139.98
(£116.65)

OCZ Agility 3 60GB 2.5" SATA-3 Solid State Hard Drive ** PRE ORDER PRICE ** (AGT3-25SAT3-60G)
£99.98
(£83.32)

Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD103SJ) £43.99
(£36.66)

Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX4GX3M2A1600C9)
£39.98
(£33.32)

Akasa AK-CCX-4002HP Venom CPU Cooler (Socket LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366/AM2/AM3)
£38.99
(£32.49)

Sub Total : £510.76
Shipping : £9.50
VAT : £104.05
Total : £624.31

Couldn't find the EVGA 480GTX, I think the one will be enough, an extra would probably be a bit overkill. You culd get a bigger SSD, HDD, 8GB of RAM, a bigger PSU for if you want an extra graphics card in the future, or all. Might be best to see if someone else with moer knowledge offers their thoughts.

And I don't cast (yet anyway, will probably start next month / summer) but I go on JTV often.
 
Thanks for your suggestions they seem good to me. Will wait to see if anyone else comes up with some suggestions.
 
Imo an i7 isn't needed if your not using apps which take advantage of hyperthreading (which most games don't) so if your not video editing or sound editing, etc then an i5-2500k is more than enough and will save you £100. +1 on the rest of lolwithtim's suggestions though.
 
sk82jack said:
Imo an i7 isn't needed if your not using apps which take advantage of hyperthreading (which most games don't) so if your not video editing or sound editing, etc then an i5-2500k is more than enough and will save you £100. +1 on the rest of lolwithtim's suggestions though.
Click to expand...

+1
 
YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i7-2600K 3.40GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - OEM £239.99
1 x MSI P67A-GD65 Intel P67 (socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) ** B3 REVISION ** £139.98
1 x Coolermaster HAF X Gaming Tower Case - Black (RC-942) £129.98
1 x Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive £91.99
1 x Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX8GX3M2A1600C9) £71.99
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (ST31000528AS) £42.98
1 x Corsair A50 High-Performance CPU Cooler (Socket AM2/AM3/LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366) £24.98
1 x Sony Optiarc AD-5260S 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £15.98
Total : £774.38 (includes shipping : £13.75).

This basically.

The A50 is better than the Venom (damn site easier to fit as well!), included 8GB to help with the video editing the the opening post seems to hint as, also explains why I went with the i7 :)

The Agility 3 SSD in previous spec is faster, but won't be available for 2 weeks. Barracuda is the fastest mechanical HDD around atm.
 
Yeh I will be doing some editing not loads and notin great detail but somenon the less. I quite like the looks of your build thanks Cookeh. With that I could probably get a second 480 and better PSU, reckon its worth it?
 
Cookeh said:
I wouldn't recommend dual 480s however as you don't need them at this stage and the heat they put out will be astronomical.
Click to expand...

I had a feeling it might be warm wwith SLI but would the HAF X not be good enough to cool them with air cooling? As if i dont SLI now I would like to in the future.
 
I'm not a great fan of SLI at all really.

Driver issue; Micro-stutter; much greater heat generation; insane power consumption; poor performance in triple monitor set-ups (something you again hinted at in the opening post).

Most of that applies to Crossfire as well, however.

If you want to in the future, the HAF X will cope as it has good airflow and the spacing on the motherboard is adequate - you will however need a new PSU.

For the time being, I would stick to just the one GTX480 as it will cope easily with what you want with none of the drawbacks associated with several cards.
 
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