Help with Spec

Sol18 · 23 Oct 2009 at 18:34

Hi

I want to build a computer from scratch but I don't need some components which I already have them on my current PC. May be I should call it an upgrade.

I like the Intel i7 960 processor, Rams modules, Case, cooler, Graphics card, mother board, Power supply and if possible a TV card to watch Sky.

I don't need sound card, monitor, Optical drives & HDDs.

The PC will be use for some gaming, net browsing, watch TV & multi tasking while also running a few databases. The PC would allow me with option to upgrade gradually with technology and time. My budget for now is between £800-£1000.

I would be gratful if someone could spec me a build please.

Many thanks

Sol

Sol18 · 23 Oct 2009 at 18:39

I forgot to mention I don't need Operating Software either.

Ast3r · 23 Oct 2009 at 19:19

This should be what you're looking for.

cmndr_andi · 23 Oct 2009 at 19:49

Here is my shot:

However, I would suggest having a look at some Intel i5 reviews for it's performance in the areas you want. In most cases it will be just as fast as an i7 and cost a lot less.

nightkhaos · 23 Oct 2009 at 20:21

They only ammendment I would make the Andi's spec is to go for CL8 RAM. Definitely worth the extra imho.

Hyper-X is good, and here is some of theirs. However it's outta stock at the moment.

Sol18 · 24 Oct 2009 at 15:09

Thanks very much for your help on this. A few of questions:

How much of a difference in performance between the i7 920 and the i7 960?

Do any of these motherboard quoted below have wifi on the board?

I have read some of the i5 reviews and it appears that the LGA 1366 socket will allow for more upgrade later on. I could be wrong. Then I could also wait for the i9 right?

cmndr_andi · 24 Oct 2009 at 15:23

I would heavily recommend against getting an i7 960. The only difference is the CPU multiplier - everything else is identical to the 920 but it costs double. The only reason to get the 960 is if you are completely incapable of overclocking.

However,overclocking these X58/i7 chips is so easy it should be criminal. And if you don't want to do it yourself OCUK actually sell bundles where they have already overclocked it to 4GHz for you.

Neither of the above boards have wi-fi (oh and please don't get the XFX board, it's terrible). If you want this, I would suggest looking at this wifi adapter (if you want wireless N capability) or this (if you just need wireless b/g).

Good to hear you looked at some reviews for the i5, its a very fast chip - it also costs less than an i7 rig and will likely run more than fast enough.

But as you say, s1366 does have the most certain upgrade path with the announcement of the i9. However, that isn't to say there won't be many new exciting chips for s1156, its just that intel hasn't shown them to us yet. But bear in mind, the i9 as it stands at the moment is an extreme edition chip and expected to cost over £700 on its own - so possibly not the best upgrade to be shooting for.

Sol18 · 24 Oct 2009 at 15:46

This is the kind of advice I need. Thanks. I am completely useless at overclocking but:
Now I have looked at this and come up with the following:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-030-OE&groupid=43&catid=339&subcat=

Product Name Qty Price Line Total
*OVERCLOCKED* Intel Core i7 920 D0 Stepping (SLBEJ) 2.66Ghz @ 4.00GHz Max / Asus Rampage II Extreme Intel X58 Motherboard / Corsair XMS3 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz DDR3 Bundle £649.99
(£565.21) £649.99
(£565.21)
Options applied to the above product:
4.00GHz Overclock £17.24
(£14.99) £17.24
(£14.99)
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5870 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £298.99
(£259.99) £298.99
(£259.99)
Antec 902 Nine Hundred Two Ultimate Gaming Case - Black (No PSU) £92.99
(£80.86) £92.99
(£80.86)
OCZ ModXStream Pro 700w Silent SLI Ready Modular Power Supply £74.99
(£65.21) £74.99
(£65.21)
Corsair H50 High-Performance CPU Watercooler (Socket LGA775/1366) £54.99
(£47.82) £54.99
(£47.82)
Sub Total : £1,034.08

cmndr_andi · 24 Oct 2009 at 15:57

I wouldn't go for that OC bundle you picked (which includes a megahalems cooler) then buy a Corsair H50 cooler separately. I suggest just going for this bundle, it comes with a great cooler, is situated on a great board (the UD5) and it costs less.

I would also suggest against the OCZ PSU, this one is a much higher quality PSU. It is more expensive, but it is definitely worth it.

I would also suggest getting a 5850 instead. The graphics power is almosts as good as the 5870, but it costs £100 less. You can always add a second at some point in the future should you want more power.

Sol18 · 24 Oct 2009 at 16:11

cmndr_andi said:
I wouldn't go for that OC bundle you picked (which includes a megahalems cooler) then buy a Corsair H50 cooler separately.

So if I stick with this one and don't buy the H50 Cooler does that mean cooler provided is sufficient to keep the PC cool and I wo't encounter any cpu explosion?

cmndr_andi · 24 Oct 2009 at 16:22

Sol18 said:
cmndr_andi said:

I wouldn't go for that OC bundle you picked (which includes a megahalems cooler) then buy a Corsair H50 cooler separately.

So if I stick with this one and don't buy the H50 Cooler does that mean cooler provided is sufficient to keep the PC cool and I wo't encounter any cpu explosion?

Click to expand...

That is an affermative. However, I would suggest slapping a couple of these fans either side of the H50 radiator. It's not required, but it will keep everything much cooler and quieter.

Sol18 · 24 Oct 2009 at 16:35

Thanks CMDR Andi. It's been very helpful.

Sol18 · 25 Oct 2009 at 20:14

Sorry...I forgot to ask: Where do I place the fans? Do I need to cut through the case?

cmndr_andi · 25 Oct 2009 at 20:31

The fans for the H50? Just attach them to the radiator like shown in this picture. No cutting required.

Sol18 · 25 Oct 2009 at 20:42

I am confused now. The 1 X Prolimatech Megahalems Performance CPU Cooler (Socket 775/1366)
1 X Akasa AK-FN057 Apache Super Silent 120mm Fan - 4 Pin PWM
1 X Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound

provided with the Overclocked bundle...isn't that sufficient. Or were you suggesting that if I get the Corsair H50 seperately instead of the cooling kit provided with the bundle then get Noctua cooling fans?
Sorry to sound so unknowledgeable on this.

cmndr_andi · 25 Oct 2009 at 20:45

I do apologise, I must have misread the bundle you wanted. I sugested going for this one because it is cheaper and just as good. But if you want to go for the other bundle - it is of course excellent and you won't need the H50 cooler also.

Sol18 · 25 Oct 2009 at 20:50

Oh don't apologise. You did mention that one, but I thought the ASUS rampage motherboard was better. I think it is a personal choice with the motherboard. I was always under the impression that ASUS make better motherboard than Gigabyte? I would be please to be told I'm wrong as i am learning compare to you experts. Thanks again

cmndr_andi · 25 Oct 2009 at 21:33

The gigabyte is a great board. The ASUS Rampage 2 is better for extreme overclocking, but I'm not sure that is what you are planning. At 4GHz (and beyond

), the gigabyte is as happy as larry and has loads of cool features.

Therefore, in your case, I think you will find the cheaper bundle with the gigabyte UD5 and the Corsair H50 the better bet.

I wouldn't say ASUS make better motherboards than gigabyte. They both make excellent motherboards (certainly at the moment) and both of these particular motherboard options will do you fine.

Sol18 · 26 Oct 2009 at 00:39

Great. I think I will still go th ASUS Rampage bundle. So quick question: The bundle is already overclocked? Al I do is buy and start building up the PC, correct?

cmndr_andi · 26 Oct 2009 at 02:57

Yes, the motherboard will be sent to you with the overclock applied. Just build it and you will see the speed in POST.