First Time Builder Help

Velexis

Velexis

Velexis

Associate
Joined
25 Jun 2009
Posts
126
I have recently thought of building a system because I am bored of consoles. I have not used a computer for over 5 years as I have not had a need for a desktop computer, so I will be building from the ground up. I will be using the system for gaming (Diablo 3 when it's out and other games such as CoD4) and general uses, which may include video editing.

I am looking for a system that will be great now and great for a couple of years to come. I will be happy to upgrade in the future when needed, so the system will need upgradability. I am not really planning on overclocking either. I will be using a 22 inch 1920x1080 monitor. I have also chosen my mouse/keybord too.

Well, anyway, my budget will be between 500-750 pounds. I have created systems a number of times, either i7 systems or Phenom systems on the internet, but I am not really sure what works, so here I am asking for your help.

So, please feel free to show me some specs. Thank you in advance.

EDIT: I just quickly made a build. Tell me what you think:

Intel Core i7 920 D0 Stepping (SLBEJ) 2.66Ghz (Nehalem) (Socket LGA1366) - Retail + World In Conflict PC Game
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-280-IN

Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R Intel X58 (Socket 1366) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-159-GI

XFX ATI Radeon HD 4890 XT 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (Includes Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-126-XF

PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad-Crossfire PCI-E 750W Power Supply
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-004-PP

Coolermaster Storm 'Scout' Gaming Case - (No PSU)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-175-CM

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium 7.1 Sound Card (70SB088000000)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-062-CL

Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (WD10EADS)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-246-WD

OCZ Gold 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 Low-Voltage Triple Channel (OCZ3G1333LV6GK)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-151-OC

Akasa AK-967 Nero Direct Contact Heatpipe CPU Cooler (AM2/AM2+/939/LGA775/LGA1366)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-052-AK

Akasa AK-274CR-4RDS 120mm Red LED Fan - X2
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-046-AK

Pioneer DVR-216DBK 20x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-063-PO

Total price with shipping: £756.36

I am just wondering also. Is an AMD Phenom system worth looking at? Or should I just stay with an i7 system.
 
Last edited:
Velexis said:
I am just wondering also. Is an AMD Phenom system worth looking at? Or should I just stay with an i7 system.
Click to expand...
i7 is better for video editing. Though the Phenom II X4 955 is no slouch & an AMD rig would work out cheaper :)

The WD Green's are designed more for storage than use as main drive, i.e. get also a faster OS/boot HDD.

Rest of your spec is OK but to bring it down to budget suggest you go for this PSU instead.
 
Last edited:
hp7909 said:
i7 is better for video editing. Though the Phenom II X4 955 is no slouch & an AMD rig would work out cheaper :)

The WD Green's are designed more for storage than use as main drive, i.e. get also a faster OS/boot HDD.

Rest of your spec is OK but to bring it down to budget suggest you go for this PSU instead.
Click to expand...

Okay, thanks. I will be changing the drive for a Samsung Spinpoint F1 500GB, possibly the 1TB. Also I will get two drives; one for the OS and programs and also one for general storage? What drive would you recommend for the OS and programs?

While I mentioned video editing it will not be heavy, just occasional editing for entertainment really.
Also, would someone be kind enough to spec an AMD Phenom X4 955 based system for me? I am not sure what MoBo to get, except for the £98 pound Asus board.

Thanks for the replies so far.
 
AMD...
  • AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail£139.99
  • XFX ATI Radeon HD 4890 XT 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (Includes Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.) £122.60
  • Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard £93.90
  • Coolermaster Storm 'Scout' Gaming Case - (No PSU) £60.86
  • OCZ ModXStream Pro 700w Silent SLI Ready ATX2 Modular Power Supply £59.99
  • Samsung SpinPoint F1 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD103UJ) £58.25
  • OCZ Reaper 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C6 1333MHz Dual Channel (OCZ3RPR13334GKK) £41.73
  • Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (WD5001AALS) £39.12
  • Pioneer DVR-216DBK 20x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM £15.64
  • Sub Total : £632.08
  • Shipping : £13.75
  • VAT : £96.87
  • Total : £742.70
 
if you don't plan to overclock id give some thought about an AMD rig as for £60 less than the i7 you can get a quad phenom ii with a stock clock of 3.2ghz compared to the 2.6ghz on the i7.

Was just a thought, hope your build goes well.

I did put together a AMD list for you but hp7909 beat me to it with a pretty much identifiable rig :P
 
hp7909 said:
AMD...
  • AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail£139.99
  • XFX ATI Radeon HD 4890 XT 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (Includes Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.) £122.60
  • Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard £93.90
  • Coolermaster Storm 'Scout' Gaming Case - (No PSU) £60.86
  • OCZ ModXStream Pro 700w Silent SLI Ready ATX2 Modular Power Supply £59.99
  • Samsung SpinPoint F1 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD103UJ) £58.25
  • OCZ Reaper 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C6 1333MHz Dual Channel (OCZ3RPR13334GKK) £41.73
  • Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (WD5001AALS) £39.12
  • Pioneer DVR-216DBK 20x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM £15.64
  • Sub Total : £632.08
  • Shipping : £13.75
  • VAT : £96.87
  • Total : £742.70
Click to expand...

This build looks great for me. If in the future I were to add another GPU would the PSU manage the two? I presume it would, but I am fairly new to this kind of stuff.

siumatfung; You mentioned earlier that the Scout case will be a wee tight. Would it still be tight if I were to have an AMD build? I have looked into the Antec 902 and another case that seems popular with AMD builds, the CM-690 Dom case. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am not really sure as OC do not seem to note down dimensions.

I am guessing that all items ordered will come with the correct cables in order to connect everything up. Will I be needing any extra items to build this computer?

Thank you everyone so far with your contributions.
 
Mobo, PSU & the case come with all the necessary cables, bolts, nuts, etc that you need to build. Just get yourself a good screw-driver. At later date you could choose to change the CPU cooler & or case fans.

Going by this review, the Scout seems roomy too me.
 
hp7909 said:
Mobo, PSU & the case come with all the necessary cables, bolts, nuts, etc that you need to build. Just get yourself a good screw-driver. At later date you could choose to change the CPU cooler & or case fans.

Going by this review, the Scout seems roomy too me.
Click to expand...

Okay, thank you very much for your help. I have used your build that you posted and I believe I will be happy with it. I did add Creative 7.1 Sound Card for £70.
I also noticed on your list there was no CPU Cooler. Will I need to purchase one if I am not overclocking? I'm tempted to, as I do not really want to melt any of my parts.
 
Velexis said:
I also noticed on your list there was no CPU Cooler. Will I need to purchase one if I am not overclocking? I'm tempted to, as I do not really want to melt any of my parts.
Click to expand...

Aslong as you don't buy an OEM version of a cpu it will come with a cooler and thermal paste.
 
Dauthi said:
Aslong as you don't buy an OEM version of a cpu it will come with a cooler and thermal paste.
Click to expand...

Okay, thanks. I will purchasing this build either today or tomorrow. I just need to find time to build it on my day off work on Wednesday. I will post build pictures and pictures of the final build when it is done.

Thanks again everyone!
 
If overclocking, yes its better to go for a beefier cooler. Also can run much quieter than stock cooling.

Good luck putting it together ;)
 
Last edited:
Last edited:
Quixote said:
If you're not overclocking, then no need for a £100 + motherboard, could get a pretty fully featured one for about £60.
Also, while OCZ power supplies are decent, they're not in the same league as PC Power & Cooling, who are arguably the best of all
Click to expand...
The new range of OCZ PSU have improved quite a bit & guess who owns PC Power & Cooling :)

£60 AMD AM3 mobo :confused:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom