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.

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?

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

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?

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?

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.

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

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?

Sol18 · 28 Oct 2009 at 13:32

I bought these in the end, see below.

I don't know how to overclock and when I read the Overclocking forum the warning about overclocking killing the lifetime of the hardware just made me hesitate. Then I thought playing it safe until the warantee expires on the hardware could always give me the option to overclock in the future by which time I should make an effort to learn.

So I am now waiting for delivery and then start the building. I will probably be back for some help.

Thanks again for the advice you provided.

Product Name Qty Price Line Total
Asus Rampage II Extreme Intel X58 (Socket 1366) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard £255.99
(£222.60) £255.99
(£222.60)
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5850 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £221.98
(£193.03) £221.98
(£193.03)
Intel Core i7 920 D0 Stepping (SLBEJ) 2.66Ghz (Nehalem) (Socket LGA1366) - Retail £211.99
(£184.34) £211.99
(£184.34)
Corsair Dominator 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 (1600MHz) Tri-Channel (TR3X6G1600C8D) £148.99
(£129.56) £148.99
(£129.56)
Corsair TX 750W ATX SLI Compliant Power Supply (CMPSU-750TXUK) £95.99
(£83.47) £95.99
(£83.47)
Antec 902 Nine Hundred Two Ultimate Gaming Case - Black (No PSU) £86.99
(£75.64) £86.99
(£75.64)
Corsair H50-1 High-Performance CPU Watercooler (Socket LGA775/1156/1366/AM2/AM3) £59.49
(£51.73) £59.49
(£51.73)
Noctua NF-S12B ULN Ultra Low Noise 120mm Cooling Fan, 500/700 RPM £14.98
(£13.03) £29.96
(£26.06)
Sub Total : £966.43
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £13.75
VAT is being charged at 15% VAT : £147.03
Total : £1,127.21

Sol18 · 29 Oct 2009 at 12:21

All kit will be delivered next week. In the meantime I have a question.

I want to run 2 X 1TB HDDs so that I can back the main drive with another. I believe I need to use RAID 1. Should I buy a raid controller card or is this in built in the ASUS Rampage extreme motherboard and I can do the set up in the bios?

Thank you

Sol18 · 29 Oct 2009 at 21:45

Can someone please help me with the question above? Thank you.

Sol18 · 30 Oct 2009 at 12:02

All kit delivered this morning. That was quick>

It's going to be a busy week end! :-P

Sol18 · 30 Oct 2009 at 12:04

Could someone please advise me on the following: I want to run 2 X 1TB HDDs so that I can back the main drive with another. I believe I need to use RAID 1. Should I buy a raid controller card or is this in built in the ASUS Rampage extreme motherboard and I can do the set up in the bios?

Thank you

Sol18 · 30 Oct 2009 at 14:41

Thanks CMDR Andi again. Appreciate the advice and help.

So you think I've got a good build there?

Sol18 · 31 Oct 2009 at 17:15

Can someone please tell me how to secure thr hard drives in the base of the Antec902?

Sol18 · 1 Nov 2009 at 16:53

Please help: I cannot find the slots to place the c 97 and the hd audio on the motherboard. thanks

Sol18 · 2 Nov 2009 at 00:21

This is turning into a nightmare. Took all day today and three hours yesterday to build this thing. Checked all wiring and connections. Powered on and strong burning smell came on. I disconnected the power cable and checked again before powering up again. This time smoke came out of the Power Supply.

Does anyone know what could be wrong? Thanks

Sol18 · 2 Nov 2009 at 01:08

Ah you are back...thanks
I'm off to sleep now but I'll to post them tomorrow morning before I shoot off to work. As for the others I sort of sorted them out exactly as you've mentioned.

I'm really worried in case other components have been damaged or fried up. By the way my cable management is absolutely awful when you see the pictures tomorrow.