First build

srobi

srobi

srobi

Associate
Joined
28 Aug 2012
Posts
11
Hi all, first post thanks in advanced for the feedback.

I'm looking to build a new PC that can handle most of the latest games, as well as day to day usage.

I was looking into perhaps an one of the Ivy Bridge i5s, but I dont see the need to spend more on the "K" version because I understand it mostly benefits those Overclocking, which I don't plan to do. As well as an accompanying Motherboard (and heatsink?)

I have an old Antec case at home (thing an old version of the 100 perhaps) but if there was a reasonably priced case that offered a few benefits I would purchase a new one, nothing fancy I don't like all the lights and stuff.

I also have a CD/DVD drive, 500W Coolermaster power supply from my old PC which I can salvage.

I'm also looking at around 8GB RAM, a 1Tb HDD, and decent gfx card (possibly a 560?) on top of this.

In total I'd like to spend max £500.

Thanks in advance for your help and feedback.

Srobi
 
Hii and welcome to the forum.

First off do you have an os and is your cd/dvd sata. What hdd have you got in your current PC?
 
 
Idleman's spec is great.

I have another idea for you though.


YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3550 3.30GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £164.99
1 x Sapphire HD 7850 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card w/ Nexuiz & Dirt Showdown PC Games £155.99
1 x Toshiba (7K1000.D) 1TB SATA 6GB/s 32MB Cache - OEM (DT01ACA100) £57.98
1 x Gigabyte H61MA-D3V Intel H61 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £47.99
1 x TeamGroup Elite 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED38192M1600HC11DC) £31.99
Total : £470.94 (includes shipping : £10.00).



What you lose:

Overclocking ability (did you need it?)
PCI-E gen 3.

What you still have:

SATAIII
USB3

Other:

Will need to BIOS update board.

Just saves you a bit of money, if you want the ability of OC (in the future) or ultilise PCI-E gen 3 ( i don't know how that works). Go for idle's.

The BIOS update is the thing that would put me off this route, if you feel conifent and want to put the money toward a mouse, or a few drinks, i wouldn't blame you.
 
Thanks for the quick replies.

OS isn't a problem, I already have Win-7 Pro 64bit.

DVD drive is from an old Dell TSSTcorp TS-H553A, I thinks SATA but how do I double check?

I have a 300GB Maxtor HDD which again I think is SATA 3Gb/s.

What is the process of updating the BIOS like?

Do i need to get a heat sink for the 3550 or is the stock one sufficient to run quietly?

EDIT:

Sorry should also have mentioned, that I often run two screens and the 7850 you have suggested only has one DVI slot, is there a work around this?
 
Last edited:
srobi said:
Thanks for the quick replies.

OS isn't a problem, I already have Win-7 Pro 64bit.

DVD drive is from an old Dell TSSTcorp TS-H553A, I thinks SATA but how do I double check?

I have a 300GB Maxtor HDD which again I think is SATA 3Gb/s.

What is the process of updating the BIOS like?

Do i need to get a heat sink for the 3550 or is the stock one sufficient to run quietly?

EDIT:

Sorry should also have mentioned, that I often run two screens and the 7850 you have suggested only has one DVI slot, is there a work around this?
Click to expand...

The way to check the DVD is to see what cable it's connected by. The Big Ribbon cables are IDE, the thin smaller (normally red) cables are SATA.

That HDD looks great aves you a bit of money, and gives me an idea (see spec)

The heatsink is okay, can get a little noisey but temps will be good.

Depending on what connections your monitors have got one fo these will work:

YOUR BASKET
1 x HIS Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter(MAC & PC Ready) £11.99
1 x OcUK Value Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter (HDMINIDP-DVI) £8.99
Total : £24.89 (includes shipping : £3.26).



New idea Spec:


YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI HD 7870 Hawk 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card w/ Nexuiz & Dirt Showdown PC Games £199.99
1 x Intel Core i5-3550 3.30GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £164.99
1 x OCZ Agility 3 60GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (AGT3-25SAT3-60G) £47.99
1 x Gigabyte H61MA-D3V Intel H61 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £47.99
1 x TeamGroup Elite 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED38192M1600HC11DC) £31.99
Total : £504.95 (includes shipping : £10.00).



Better GPU, (still needs adapter) can save money by going with the 7850 (still a good card).

SSD for super quick booting (and accessing).
 
@Doomedspeed My DVD Drive has a red wire so that should be fine.
For the SSD, I was planning on upgrading over the year when I have the money.

As regards to the BIOS, can you explain what exactly entails? or is it not worth worrying about and going for a different/the original motherboard.
 
srobi said:
*bump*

Any further advice would be amazing.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

In regards to the bios issue, you would need a SB Cpu in order to update the Bios. Without the Bios update, you cannot use an IV Cpu. So, unles you know someone who can loan you an SB Cpu, it is going to be difficult to update the Bios.
 
Depends which BIOS the board has shipped with, Ivybridge 22nm support has been for a while.

Also I believe Gigbayte will collect, flash and return the board.
 
Ah, okay I see now.
Its very unlikely I would be able to get my hands on an SB CPU, so I think I'm just going to go for your original spec motherboard.

Thanks for all your help guys.
 
Hi guys,
me again apologies.
Turns out the case I was planning to use I cannot use can you recommend one that is sub-£50, as simple as can be, I don't like having lights and all that malarkey.
 
srobi said:
Hi guys,
me again apologies.
Turns out the case I was planning to use I cannot use can you recommend one that is sub-£50, as simple as can be, I don't like having lights and all that malarkey.
Click to expand...

Would something like this be suitable.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Xigmatek Pantheon Mid Tower Case - Black £35.99
Total : £47.09 (includes shipping : £9.25).



If you are ordering this with the other parts the shipping cost will be reduced.
 
Like it, but looking at the dimensions it seems huge (206(W) x 543(H) x 500(D)mm), is this a normal size for a Mid-tower case?
 
Albiet a bit bigger than average but not compared to most Corsair cases.
If space is an issue then you need to look at MATX.
 
A lot of the better cases that would probably meet your needs are out of stock.
Have a look at some of these.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Fractal Design Core 1000 Midi Tower Case - Black £32.99
Total : £44.09 (includes shipping : £9.25).



http://fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=2&prod=61

YOUR BASKET
1 x Cooler Master Silencio 450 Midi Tower Case - Black £49.99
Total : £61.09 (includes shipping : £9.25).



YOUR BASKET
1 x BitFenix Shinobi "Core" USB3.0 Gaming Case - Black £46.98
Total : £58.08 (includes shipping : £9.25).

 
If they of out of stock its not a big deal as I'm planning on ordering today and then I'm away for a week so hopefully everything will have arrived by the time I get back, otherwise I think I will go for the Bit Fenix Shinobi one. Thanks
 
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