First Build, Suggestions Please.

Tanlaeion

Tanlaeion

Tanlaeion

Associate
Joined
11 Feb 2012
Posts
13
With this computer, I don't plan to overclock it or constantly play games on the maximum setting, though I would like the ability to do so. I plan on playing mostly recent games like Skyrim and would like to get a solid 60 FPS in most games.

As far as budget goes, I don't really have one since I plan to buy each part seperately once I get the right amount of money for it.

I had recently picked up a GPU and RAM during the Christmas sale so I don't plan on changing either of those now.


GPU - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-254-SP


RAM - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-094-KS


I need pretty much everything else except for the above and the keyboard / mouse.
 
Don't think this is the way to go tbh. Get some money, buy as many components in one go. Each component is useless on its own. Unless of course you have one massive drop in price on one particular item (for example, Antec HCG 620 under £60).
 
I agree with olivier, did you ever think... "wait maybe by the time I buy my last piece my gpu will be cheaper, out of date or I will be able to get a better one for the same price" (GPU just an example)

So stick with your GPU and RAM then save up for the rest and buy it all at once.
 
Well, it is pretty difficult to get all pieces at once on a student's budget.

I would definately need to settle for a less expensive computer, though I don't really think it would properly be able to play the games that I had in mind.
 
Tanlaeion said:
Well, it is pretty difficult to get all pieces at once on a student's budget.

I would definately need to settle for a less expensive computer, though I don't really think it would properly be able to play the games that I had in mind.
Click to expand...

I was using a Q6600 with a HD5770 and getting ~30fps on Skyrim, highest settings @ 1920x1200. You don't need to spend a fortune to play current games.

And it's easy to buy them at once if you save for a couple of months (by which time the prices may have come down and new stuff will be out)
 
im also interested to know your specs please cyanide... i recently just picked up a cheap second hand Q6600 to upgrade my rig for skyrim as currently only playing on medium settings and i WANT high :)
 
YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £167.99
1 x Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £84.98
1 x OcUK E2250SWDA 22" Widescreen LED Monitor - Black £79.99
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 600W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £69.98
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (ST500DM002) £58.99
1 x Cooler Master HAF 912 Case - Black £52.99
1 x Microsoft SideWinder X4 Gaming Keyboard - Retail (JQD-00006) £29.99
1 x Cooler Master Xornet 2000DPI Gaming Mouse £19.99
1 x Sony Optiarc AD-7280S 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.98
1 x Logitech S-220 2.1 Speaker System - OEM (980-000022) £14.99
Total : £613.38 (includes shipping : £13.75).



this is not the cheapest. Not sure if the CMdouble code works for £20 rebate with the Coolermaster case and PSU. And I'm not sure if a i3-2100 will do skyrim as well as a quad-core. But a full rig for £1000 sounds about right for a competent gaming PC.

Since you are a student, look around for Microsoft software on offers.

If you already have a HD TV, you can use that in the meanwhile, and get a 24'' monitor later. Gaming mouse and keyboard optional as well. Can get away with much cheaper gear. And for the case, a Bitfenix Merc should fit a 6970.

So here would be the barebones

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £167.99
1 x Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £84.98
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 600W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £69.98
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (ST500DM002) £58.99
1 x Cooler Master HAF 912 Case - Black £52.99
1 x Sony Optiarc AD-7280S 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.98
Total : £464.52 (includes shipping : £10.50).

 
Last edited:
Thank you very much for the suggestions.

I could probably do with the barebones build since I already have a HDTV, gaming mouse / keyboard and a decent pair of speakers.

I'm just curious though, are there any AMD processors which are similar to the Intel one you suggested?
 
Not really. You will be going back a generation. Then new AMD FX are not competitive. The 2500K is the best gaming CPU you can get on the market, whether you look at gaming performance, general tasks, price vs performance, overclocking potential, and efficiency. It ticks all the boxes, with a good Z68 / P67 motherboard. Add a £30 cooler, and you get yourself a chip that will overclock way past 4GHz no problem.

Bar the i7 and SandyBridge Extreme CPUs, which are overkill for gaming anyway and waaay out of your budget.

I'd also rather have a i3 and a Z68 motherboard over any AMD quad-core, octo-core, or whatever they call it. I wish Intel made an overclockable i3, for say, £100-£110. It's no fanboysim, I used to have a 1055T 6-core and it was a really nice chip, once overclocked. Intel just makes more sense right now.
 
Last edited:
I had already thought that, though I just wanted to make sure.

Part of me wanted to try and find an AMD processor/motherboard because I do have a bit of a personal preference for them.

Still, I would have to agree with what you said, right now it just seem to make more sense to go with Intel.

Thanks again for all the advice.
 
virdee2 said:
im also interested to know your specs please cyanide... i recently just picked up a cheap second hand Q6600 to upgrade my rig for skyrim as currently only playing on medium settings and i WANT high :)
Click to expand...

I had a Q6600 @ 3.2, 4gb DDR2 ram and a 5770 with a mild oc (can't remember how much but I got Catalyst to do an auto-tune so it wasn't anything huge)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom