Gaming upgrade spec request

Mockingbird · 30 Aug 2012 at 18:15

Right, this follows on from the following thread:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18424858

I'm coming into some money soon, but not loads.
I need to keep the upgrade under £300 I reckon, and am going (as advised in that thread) with a mobo/CPU/RAM upgrade.

Having reviewed what I have, what I want, and my budget, I've decided to knock the idea of a Bitfenix Prodigy on the head, because as gorgeous as it is, it means buying the case, and the premium for a mini-ITX mobo.

OK, so here's the spec I'd like:

CPU, motherboard, RAM. Can go all the way up to full ATX.
Max £300

Would prefer to go for an i5-3570K for o/c potential, which means Z77 (right?) and 4-8Gb of DDR3.

Any recommendations for exact parts, different processor, or bundle deals?

I don't need a cooler (have an Antec Kuhler 620 with the 1155 mounting hardware that I plan to use).

Mockingbird · 30 Aug 2012 at 19:31

Gigabyte Z77-D3H is a popular pick, eh?

Thanks folks.

Mockingbird · 30 Aug 2012 at 19:44

Doomedspeed said:
The 620 will be perfect to cool it.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £179.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £84.98
1 x GeIL Black Dragon 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (GD38GB1600C11DC) £31.19
Total : £307.56 (includes shipping : £9.50).

If you get upto 250 post, you'll get free shipping, bringing it under £300.

Why do I have the feeling that a 180-post spamtastic marathon wouldn't go down too well?

Mockingbird · 31 Aug 2012 at 10:30

One followup question - I appear to have over-calculated how much of my overtime I was going to lose to tax deductions, meaning I have an extra £20 ish (total £320) to spend now - does that relatively small increase make any difference to the motherboard or RAM that folks would suggest? Or does it put me in range of any recommended do-without-beers-this-weekend-and-add-another-tenner type options?

thanks.

Mockingbird · 31 Aug 2012 at 10:57

Marvellous, beers it is. Many thanks as always for the advice.

Edit - wasn't thinking of the i7 (no real benefit for gaming that I can see, would just be indulgent) but wasn't sure if there was better featured/more reliable motherboard or slightly better timing RAM just out of reach, as it were.

I can't imagine I'll notice the difference, as long as everything works

.

Mockingbird · 4 Sep 2012 at 13:34

Bought the setup suggested by Doomedspeed.

Installed last night (Centurion C5 case, Kuhler 620 cooler) and seems to be working flawlessly.

thanks all!

P.s. removing the backing bracket of a Khuler is a huge pain.