Getting back to gaming

plurals

plurals

plurals

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24 Aug 2014
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Hi

Looking at parts for a new build and I haven't kept up with spec's since my last build (2007). After reading round this looks like a good deal to start with?

Powercolor Radeon R9 290 PCS+ OC 4096MB GDDR5 with FREE AMD 8GB 2400MHz Memory Kit

I have this case I'd like to re-use if the card/new parts would fit:

Antec Sonata III Quiet Black Case

Which hopefully would leave me needing cpu (and cooler?), mobo and psu*. I have a few old sata storage drives which I'm happy to use until I can next afford an ssd. Previous builds were all intel but I dont mind trying AMD, whatever is best for the budget. Main use of the Pc will be newer games, haven't played since UT2004, BF2 and a bit of UT3.

Trying to stay around £650ish (Hoping the case will work!) including the card above, so looking at around £350 for cpu, mobo and psu if possible. Already have monitor (1080p), mouse and keyboard etc, and will be sticking with windows 7 x64 for now.

*Have an older 580w psu, but after reading round guessing I need a new one. Have probably overlooked some thing's, arctic silver, sata dvd drive etc


Thanks for any help!
 
Welcome to the forum :)

The GPU is around 27cm in length, I have had a look around but can't find the max length of GPU the case can take so you need to get the tape measure out.
 
Max Gpu length for the Sonata is 10.5"(26.7cm). But, the distance from the rear of the case to the hdd rack is 28cm and with the PCIE cables fitting from the side of the Gpu, it may just fit.
 
Thanks for the welcome and the spec RJC!

Idleman said:
Max Gpu length for the Sonata is 10.5"(26.7cm). But, the distance from the rear of the case to the hdd rack is 28cm and with the PCIE cables fitting from the side of the Gpu, it may just fit.
Click to expand...

Thanks, bang on - 28cm, was thinking of just ordering and if need be get the dremel out for the rack, but...

lude1962 said:
that case has only 2 fans and no extra space for fans listed, may get a bit toasty inside
Click to expand...

... this reminded me of the nightmare I had trying to keep the vrm's cool on the 4870 inside this case so now thinking of going with this:

Zalman Z3-Plus Midi-Tower

I like the price! Should keep things cool and the white has grown on me after seeing some reviews! So I'm just about ready to click on this:

tCf3o0r.jpg


Thanks again!
 
Would it not be better to spend a fair chunk of money on PSU and case, as these are typically the parts of the build that can be reused again and again.

If you really get the gaming bug back then you may want to SLi or want better cooling (maybe that case is good fo cooling etc, I don't know)
 
craptakular said:
Would it not be better to spend a fair chunk of money on PSU and case, as these are typically the parts of the build that can be reused again and again.

If you really get the gaming bug back then you may want to SLi or want better cooling (maybe that case is good fo cooling etc, I don't know)
Click to expand...



Understood mate and thanks.

Unfortunately I cant really go much over £700, is there an all round better spec for the budget? I understand not skimping on a psu - this one seems to be well recommended on the forum except for maybe the length of the cables?

As said am well out of touch with Pc's, haven't looked at benchmarks or stuff just wanted something decent and the case is my lowest priority.

Originally I'd have probably gone for a card around £200, had a look round and saw this card with the free ram. My thinking was get a decent card, find out whats a decent cpu and motherboard these days and hopefully this would run recent games. If it runs things well enough for a couple of years I'd be happy and doubt I'd look at sli/crossfire. For the case it will only be me who see's it, zalman used to be pretty well thought of, its a budget case but looks to have decent space/fans (I like the idea of the bar on the inside to support heavy cards or put fans wherever they're needed)

Anyway waited til today to order because of the holiday, will have a read round - anything else I should be thinking about for around £700?


Thanks!
 
stulid said:
Hi.

You've not said what this is to be used for? but here is a gaming spec.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte Z97X-SLI - Devils Canyon Core i5 4690K Bundle **£14 Saving** £258.58
1 x Powercolor Radeon R9 280 TurboDUO 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £149.99
1 x Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-Bit DVD - OEM (WN7-00614) £74.99
1 x TeamGroup Xtreem LV 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C10 2400MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit (TXD38G2400HC10QDC01) £59.99
1 x SuperFlower Golden Green HX 550W "80 Plus Gold" Power Supply - Black £44.99
1 x Raijintek Agos Midi Tower - Black £39.95
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (ST1000DM003) HDD £38.99
1 x Antec Kúhler H2O 950 Liquid CPU Cooler £34.99
Total : £712.06 (includes shipping : £8.00).




Theres cashback offer at the moment - http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18618965 - meaning you get £17.50 back by buying that board+CPU.
Click to expand...

clipped from another thread, remove the windows 8.1 and spend the 70 quid else where, (had a wee bash myself)

YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte Z97X-SLI - Devils Canyon Core i5 4690K Bundle **£14 Saving** £258.58
1 x XFX Radeon R9 280 DD Black Edition 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (R9-280A-TDFD) with FREE Kingston 60GB SSD £169.99
1 x Phanteks Enthoo Pro Mid Tower Enthusiast Case with Window £89.99
1 x Kingston HyperX 8GB (2x4GB) PC3-19200C11 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black/Red (HX24C11BRK2/8-OC) £65.99
1 x Western Digital Caviar Red 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache WD10EFRX - OEM HDD £49.99
1 x SuperFlower Golden Green HX 550W "80 Plus Gold" Power Supply - Black £44.99
1 x Antec Kúhler H2O 950 Liquid CPU Cooler £34.99
Total : £724.12 (includes shipping : £8.00).





You get a descent case (I have it), a free ssd with the GFX card (also OCUK have a special arrangement with XFX if anything goes wrong they replace it 48hr turn around) so you can use that as your boot or game drive and use second one for storage :) if your worried about the length of psu cable chuck in a

YOUR BASKET
1 x BitFenix Alchemy Cable Bundle – Black £21.95
Total : £25.86 (includes shipping : £3.26).



or

YOUR BASKET
1 x SuperFlower Leadex GOLD 750W Fully Modular "80 Plus Gold" Power Supply - Black £79.99
Total : £89.59 (includes shipping : £8.00).



^ longer fully modular
 
Last edited:
Scotsdragon - thanks a lot mate for taking the time on that spec!

That case looks great quality, but after reading around today about the 290 I'm going to stick with that and just go with the cheaper case. Hopefully the cables on the psu will be long enough, going by this post the shortest cables may be 450-500mm. Looking at my old case that would be fine, I wont be routing the cables or anything.

Also decided to get the intel 120gb ssd on 'this weeks offer', I read it's sata2 and not the fastest but will be much faster than what I've used before. So basket now looks like this, will order tonight - thanks again all!

jtatjqh.jpg


Idleman said:
Don't forget, with certain mobos and Intel chips, you can claim cashback. So, you could save another £30 on a bundle deal.

https://toptechcashback.com/uk/en/pages/cashback/qualifying
Click to expand...

Thanks for that mate, had no idea!

Checked the qualifying products list and looks like the bundle has £30 cashback...

9F3htbd.jpg


... again, thanks a lot!
 
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