Hello again! New build advice please :)

RooBoonix

RooBoonix

RooBoonix

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Hello again everyone! Some of you may remember me... after my delayed original build I want some more advice!

I would like this computer to be max of £600 and I would like it to be a general internet and video pc but I do want a GPU good enough to play most games at 720p... at a playable frame rate.

Plus, Intel please :)

I have a couple of ideas for components... (i will give more info tomorrow when I am at home on my laptop, not in the pub on my phone ;) )

Case: BitFenix Merc Alpha

PSU: BeQuiet 550w (got good reviews in CustomPC mag)

CPU: Intel Core i3 of some sort? (suggestions?)

GPU: Thinking something like a 7800 series card.. but I don't have a very good knowledge of which different cards can play what

more ideas tomorrow but I don't have a very good idea now my budget is higher... open to all suggestions as long as they are suitable and it will all work :D SSD isn't a major factor so its not something to try and squeeze in, a decent HDD will be fine (like 500gb -1tb?)

I would definitely like it to be Intel for CPU but I am not too bothered for GPU as long as it works ;)

So like I said I will add more tomorrow but I thought I would post now :)

Thanks in advance!
Cam :D
 
Thanks for the reply,
No monitor as I will use my TV :)

Mouse, keyboard and windows is a yes but that is not included in the £600 budget.

That looks like a nice build with the I5 processor etc... but it may need tweaking as I need all the fans etc... but there is more time yet :) I will see what I can do

Overclocking is a yes as long as I get a nice cooler and all my kit can do it, nothing major though.

Will that GPU be sufficient for a lot of games? Will it play Skyrim? (Just thought I would throw it out there)

Thanks again,
Cam :)
 
Awesome, so a 550w power supply... will it have a fair bit of head room for that sort of kit? I don't really want to have a PSU that will need upgrading in the future so is it worth going for something more beefy like a 650-700w just incase ? Never know what I might want to add in the future...

I will have a look tomorrow when I make a spreadsheet of prices etc on my laptop and post again with my results and see what I can find!

Thanks again mate really appreciate the help
Cam
 
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Oooh thanks for the replies,

I did look at the Zalman before but I like the BitFenix better as it seems to get really good reviews :D Plus, after having a think, fans aren't included in the £600 budget as I have another plan for that side of things... So that gives me more money for better components! Might see if I can find a nicer case with more options??

That PSU looks nice though, will have to look into it! I have a free day today so I will probably spend a lot of time looking about and generating a list :)

Again thanks for the help, will reply again later with my list of parts

Cam
 
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Thanks for the reply,
Just read your review on the Hydra Pro, looks nice!

I do like the Shinobi... better then the Z9 and the BitFenix Merc... So I will try my best to try and work my way towards that. Would be better for cable management too...

I have a fair bit of time as I am getting it for christmas so...

Thanks,
Cam
 
Idleman said:
So, what this "plan" you have?
Might help us spec you a better case suited to your needs.
Click to expand...

My plan, might sound wierd to you, but I am going to ask my nan to buy me Windows, Keyboard and mouse (£113 for them 2, well 3, and I can get £150 for christmas from her) so the extra can be spent on fans for the PC... it's just a way to get the most out of the budget...

Does that make sense?
Cam
 
Hono, thanks yes it did help me and I am 90% going for the Z9 over the Shinobi. Like you said, it has loads of goodies that will be great for a starter like me. I know what you are saying about the offers, I am making a list now and am listing the non offer price (eeek!!!) I will find a way around it :D

Bacon? (mmmm :P ) Sounds like the Z9 is doing good to you too, always good to hear. Dust filters are a nice extra and cable management of course. I wouldn't worry about the Ghost details mate as they are quite expensive!! :P

So, trying to save a bit of money, how easy is it to hide the unused cables from a non-modular PSU in the Z9?

Thanks,
Cam
 
Ok then mate, I will look around for some nice modular ones. Ones that are not too expensive without an offer :) I will report back.

Will an Arctic Cooing Freezer 7 allow me to get a half decent OC on the 3570K?? Not looking to go mad as I don't want to ruin my chip but I may want a small OC.

At the moment, my list is at £550 (after looking around...) and I just need to add on a PSU then I will post up on the stuff I have found!

Thanks,
Cam
 
So I am now getting a monitor too... (Damn this is getting expensive)

I hear BenQ make some good panels and I have one in mind, and I am also getting a Corsair 600w PSU, non-modular unfortunately, but I know Corsair make good stuff so I am willing to sacrifice... :P

The processor has gone up to £184 so that's another thing that's making it more expensive... Only thing I am stuck on now is cooling..

Can anyone help me as to which fans and fan controller to get? and what layout please :) (and a cheap CPU cooler that would allow a tiny OC just incase ;) )

Sorry for all the questions
Thanks,
Cam
 
:p Yeah it's the Corsair Builder Series CX 600W V2 '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply

Are they alright? or are they not that good??

Thanks Remote Zero, I did see that cooler.. does look nice. Thanks!

Any recommendations on fan layout? I like the look of the BitFenix Spectre fans, £6.50 each and LED, plus airflow is ok :)

My plan was to have a Scythe in the front, and one in the back to whack up when it's hot then Spectre's on the top and bottom (one on each) for extra help?

Thanks,
Cam
 
Ok well, what do you recommend, modular or not, which is around 600+ Watts and is under £60... I reckon that is the best way to put it :)

Cam
 
I saw that, I'll probably go for it if it's on offer when I order. If not then it will probably be the Corsair... The reason I chose the Corsair is because of their great reputation for parts so even I am surprised if they use cheap parts, but anyway I'm a noob :P

Edit: Saying that, I could buy that PSU now with my money instead of other parts I was planning on buying. Just to take advantage of the offer! I'll see.

Cam
 
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Thanks Stulid, gives me peace of mind that I have a half decent backup :) Plus a 3 year warranty helps.

EDIT: So what would you recommend that is the same price not on offer Bacon? ... Just out of interest :)

Cam
 
Oooh nice, thanks! That OCZ looks good, heard good things about them too!! Thank you :)

Is it ok if I make another thread about fans and fan layout in the cooling section or should I stick to this thread?

Thanks,
Cam
 
Oh sorry stulid, missed your post. That Corsair Enthusiast looks nice, another on the list to consider!

Thanks,
Cam
 
Hi again,

Just a quick question, how good is the cooling/airflow in the BitFenix Shinobi?

Is it something to worry about? Coz the front is mostly solid and all I was wondering :)

Thanks,
Cam
 
Well, I kinda had a fit last night... when my mum and dad said I could order it TONIGHT!!!!!

Wooo, also, I'm going for a Corsair HX650 PSU and getting 4 Corsair AF120's. Should be good!!

Thanks so much to everyone for your help.

Cam.
 
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