First time builder/Improve Build

timb1226 · 22 Nov 2010 at 23:26

Hi guys, This will be my first time building a computer, so ease up on me. After countless hours of scouring the internet about computer building, I decided to build my own. The rig will be a gaming one, planning to game on mid tier resolution perhaps max games but not in terms of graphic whoring like crysis. At the moment, I'm stuck between two rigs, would like to get some suggestions/improvements from you guys:

Option 1

Option 2

Also should I go for 470 for both? or do 6870 if going amd route. Any suggestions for first time builder would be great. Please do say if I'm missing anything like thermal compound, cables, cooling fan, etc.

Budget: £900, including monitor hopefully.

Thanks!

stulid · 22 Nov 2010 at 23:32

for the first build,

the 970 cpu is the same price - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-275-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1328

Antec 650w psu is cheaper/modular and has pci-e connectors for two gpu's - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-117-AN

timb1226 · 22 Nov 2010 at 23:36

stulid said:
for the first build,

the 970 cpu is the same price - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-275-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1328

Antec 650w psu is cheaper/modular and has pci-e connectors for two gpu's - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-117-AN

So do you suggest I go for the AMD route? Also will the antec 650w allow me to go crossfire/sli if I choose to or would I have voltage problems? I'm still confused between 6870 and 470!

Thanks!

stulid · 22 Nov 2010 at 23:39

timb1226 said:
So do you suggest I go for the AMD route? Also will the antec 650w allow me to go crossfire/sli if I choose to or would I have voltage problems? I'm still confused between 6870 and 470!

Thanks!

for crossfire, you would need a 890GX/FX chipset motherboard.

such as - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-251-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1782

or the 790GX/FX chipset without SATA and USB3.0 - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-339-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1481

P>S, I also think the lite version of that case is a good buy - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-212-CM&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=29 it only differs by a fan and the internal SSD mount I believe.

timb1226 · 22 Nov 2010 at 23:46

Any suggestions for a good GPU(thinking of either 6870/470) and also a possible PSU that could help me in the future if I do decide to crossfire/SLI?

Also what kind of RAM should I get? Or have I picked a right one?

I'm also planning to OC if I am able to learn how to? any other things I should consider if I do so?

Thanks!

stulid · 23 Nov 2010 at 00:17

you got nearly everything right with that AMD build,

just change the psu and if you want crossfire, then swap the motherboard.

for the intel spec, for sli/crossfire you really need a gigabyte UD4, 5, 6 motherboard.

and a better psu with about 750w, as SLI GTX470 use more power than 6870's

timb1226 · 23 Nov 2010 at 00:24

Thanks for everything!

I'm definitely going with the AMD route. Getting the mobo with USB3.0 and SATA just in case for future stuff. Also might go for 6870 and crossfire it in the future. Thinking of getting this PSU. Any opinions?

Thanks again!