Gaming system wanted.

Andr3w

Andr3w

Andr3w

Soldato
Joined
6 Oct 2004
Posts
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Location
England
Hi,

I'm looking at getting back into PC gaming and just using my PS3 for the console favourites such as FIFA/GTA etc.

I have been out of the PC hardware 'loop' for a fair few years. Looking around the OCUK website i've not got a clue what to go for!

I'm trying to decide if I should just buy one of the prebuilt systems or buy all the parts and build myself. Although I haven't built a system for roughly 7/8 years i'm pretty sure I could manage it.

I'm looking at spending around £1000-£1300(only if it's really 'worth' it to future proof)- the only downside being I don't have ANYTHING! No monitor/keyboard/mouse/Operating system etc as i've been using my Macbook for years!

I'm not interested in overclocking.

Ivybridge/Sandyridge - which is the one to go for?
No idea which gfx card is currently 'future proof'

Any advice you can give is appreciated, thanks!


P.S PC Gaming is back on the up isn't it? :p
 
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It does look like it's going to be significantly cheaper to build it all myself. Is it still Windows 7 over Windows 8?


I really would not be able to spec myself a full system so I'll have to decide on one that you guys do for me and just hit the 'buy now' button and hope it's correct :p

I could just use my Astro a40's instead of speakers.
 
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[WU-TANG]GZA;23517501 said:
You would save a lot by buying components separately and building youself and is more fun :D

I will provide a spec soon, don't need i7 with gaming rigs :D
Click to expand...

i7 not needed with gaming rigs? I would have though the bigger the 'i' the better :p


Lemin said:
Something like this pre oc ...
....etc
Click to expand...

Thanks Lemin - i'm going to build it myself now (and hope to god it works) but the advice about the monitor/mouse etc is noted thanks.
 
Thanks for that [WU-TANG]GZA I just have a couple of questions.

1) A friend of mine mentioned that the ATI cards are lacking being the NVIDIA's recently and mentioned a 670 would be worth a look - how does the 7950 rate against the 670 and will it still be able to handle future games? How about the 7970?
2) Do the Processor's come with everything needed to keep them cool such as the heatsink and thermal paste?
3) I'm not a fan of that case - would everything fit easily in this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-174-AN&groupid=2362&catid=160&subcat= ?
4) Don't worry about speakers for now i'll use my Astro A40's to begin with - could that £50 be spent elsewhere?
5) Should that £50 be spent on another HDD as you only mention a SSD. Is it basically keep the OS/Programs on the SSD and games/music etc on the separate drive?
 
I don't think I'll be looking to crossfire in future so could I get an even cheaper PSU and mobo then put the money saved into a cheaper GFX card like a 680?
I'll select the HDD you've suggested. Once I've added the £70 windows 7 OS I'm looking at around £1200 does this look like a good capable system for that price?
 
Could somebody please check the below spec:

EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £299.99

Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £179.99

Samsung S24B300BS 24" Widescreen LED Monitor - Glossy Black £129.95

Asus P8Z77-V LX Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £84.98

Zalman Z9 Plus Tower Case with Fan Controller - Black £52.99

Corsair Builder Series CX 500w Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020059-UK) £49.99

TeamGroup Elite 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED38GM1600HC11DC01) £35.99

Gigabyte Force K3 Gaming Keyboard £29.99

Logitech G400 3600DPI Gaming Mouse (910-002279) £25.99

Asus Xonar DG 5.1 PCI Sound Card with built in Headphone Amp £25.99

LG GH24NS95 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £18.98

Crucial RealSSD M4 128GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT128M4SSD2) £93.98

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (ST500DM002) £44.99

Total : £1,073.81


1) If I spend £100 more are there any major upgrades I could do that would really make a big difference?
2) Is everything compatible? I'm hoping it is but i'm not 100%
3) I have a copy of windows VISTA -OEM at home, is it worth buying the windows 8 upgrade kit at £49.99 or sticking with vista?
 
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Windows 7 over windows 8?

Why do I need another CPU cooler if I won't be over clocking, surly the stock one is ok?

Finally those PSU extension cables... whats wrong with the ones that come with the PSU?

I'm thinking about pressing the 'buy' button tonight but I want to be 100% sure everything is as good as possibly can be for the money, I've also had to go for a sound card as the motherboard doesn't have an optical port and my Astro A40's need an optical port.
 
Ok i've taken what all of you have said into consideration and draw another one up - with a couple of tweaks.

MSI GeForce GTX 680 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £353.99

Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £179.99

Samsung S24B300BS 24" Widescreen LED Monitor - Glossy Black £129.95

Crucial RealSSD M4 128GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT128M4SSD2) £93.98

Asus P8Z77-V LX Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £84.98

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-Bit - OEM (GFC-02050) £79.99

Xigmatek Midgard II Gaming Tower Case - Black £51.98

Corsair Builder Series CX 500w Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020059-UK) £49.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (ST500DM002) £44.99

TeamGroup Elite 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED38GM1600HC11DC01) £35.99

Logitech G400 3600DPI Gaming Mouse (910-002279) £25.99

TT eSports Challenger Gamers Keyboard £24.98

LG GH24NS95 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £18.98


Total : £1,175.80
 
Really only 5%? I've had a look online and the 680 seems loved. I did change the 670 for a 7970 but since the 680 was about £30 I went for that instead.
 
Ok thanks i'll mostly likely swap out for a 7950 then - would the stock cooler handle a small over clock? Is it worth going for a 7950 'boost' or the normal 7950 such as MSI HD 7950 Twin Frozr III OC V2 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card [R7950 Twin Frozr 3GD5/OC (V2)] (since it comes with loads of free games ;))

Other than the GFX card which I need to decide on - is everything else 100% sort to the best it can be - and will it all fit together :p
 
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You said you don't like the boost but you quoted one :D!

I'm going for pretty much the same as what you quoted but with the TFIII 7950 card and a different HDD - oh and without the extra CPU cooler. If it runs hot/gets loud THEN i'll purchase one, but for now the stock will be fine for my needs as its tucked away where I won't hear it anyway.


AHHH i'm actually going to press buy :O!
 
Ok it makes sense to go with the card you suggested!


Ordering time - if there is anything wrong when it all turns up i.e not compatible then it's your fault :D
 
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