Looking to attempt my first build.

JedDestroyer

JedDestroyer

JedDestroyer

Associate
Joined
27 May 2012
Posts
38
Location
London
Hi there.

I've decided to start using my laptop for only uni stuff, and build myself a desktop. This will be my first build and I am looking for some help in what to spend my cash on :)

My budget will be £750. I can maybe go up to £800 if I really need to.
However, I will be needing everything, OS, screen, keyboard mouse, possibly speakers etc.

I will be using as a replacement to the laptop and will probably use it for my Dissertation etc, but I also decided I want to get back into PC gaming. I would be looking to play for example, Dishonored, Max Payne 3, Battlefield 3..that kinda stuff comfortably..I obviously dont expect to be able to play them on extreme settings or anything, but would hope the machine can handle any games for the next few years.

I will be in a flat next year with 3 others and so it will also need to be able to wirelessly connect to the net :)....

other than that, I would appreciate folks suggestions and help...I probs wont be buying this for at least another week, maybe 2...but thought I would start getting the info together.

Thanks. :)
 
Have you considered sourcing any parts second hand?

New parts (esp. graphics card and monitor) will take a big chunk out of your budget. I can see you don't have access to the Members Market though :(
 
Hi and Welcome :)

Pushed towards £800 so you can get a decent cooler and things.


YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £173.99
1 x OcUK E2250SWDA 22" Widescreen LED Monitor - Black £99.95
1 x MSI HD 6850 "Dual Fan Edition" 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £89.99
1 x MSI Z77A-G43 Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £77.38
1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-Bit - OEM (GFC-02050) £72
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (ST500DM002) £56.99
1 x OCZ ZS Series 550W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £44.99
1 x Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX8GX3M2A1600C9) £41.99
1 x BitFenix Merc Alpha Gaming Case - Black £31.99
1 x Akasa AK-CC4007EP01 Nero 3 CPU Cooler (Socket LGA775/1155/1156/1366/2011/AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3/FM1) £23.99
1 x Logitech S-220 2.1 Speaker System - OEM (980-000022) £15.49
1 x Samsung SH-S222BB/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £14.99
1 x Logitech MK120 Desktop Set (920-002552) £13.98
Total : £787.04 (includes shipping : £24.45).

 
Random Guy said:
Have you considered sourcing any parts second hand?

New parts (esp. graphics card and monitor) will take a big chunk out of your budget. I can see you don't have access to the Members Market though :(
Click to expand...

Wish I did, believe me..:(

Ive only ever had the Laptop, and my dad's older computers...well, they old :P
 
How much extra do you think it would add to increase the storage capacity?...I seem to eat away at my storage space quite easily...Laptop is basically full at 320Gb, and just wondered if increasing the 500G would make much of a difference?

Thanks for your fast reply :)
 
Good spec above from beejjacobs but I'd drop the speakers and cooler for the time being. Use the integrated speakers in the monitor, yes they'll be **** but save up a bit more for something actually worthwhile. And similarly with the cooler, no need for it unless you'll be overclocking from day 1, just install it later. Put the extra towards a better video card such as one of these.

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 560Ti OC WindForce 2X 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
Sapphire HD 6950 OC "Dual Fan Edition" 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
 
Yeh, I'm just looking into the Student Windows **** atm actually, seeing what its saying. Yeh, i have a pair of half decent I-pod speakers here atm that I could use for the time being, and I will be able to get my hands on a mouse and keyboard for the time being...so I guess those could be removed yeh.

Also, I would not be intending to do any sort of Overclocking any time soon, thats beyond me :P, and if i did, wouldnt be for a good couple of years anyway :)
 
Hey, As a uni student you should be able to get a free copy of windows 7, vista, xp and a whole load of other Microsoft software im not sure if im allowed to link so ill send you a PM of the url. :P
 
Dreamspark Premium is what I was on about and im pretty sure all uni students are entitled to an account? I don't remember how i went about getting mine but i have to use my university email address in order to log in.
 
yeh, according to the microsoft website, i can get a copy of windows 7 professional (upgrade) 64 bit for £70.99. However, im not quite sure how this would work for a new comp?...

Anyone done this and know?
 
With an account you should be able to get full windows 7 for free its just a case of getting an account try contacting someone at your university to ask about it. or see if you can register with your university email address
 
It depends. The standard student deal is an upgrade. My Uni pays for an MSDN license so we get it free. So you'll have to look into it.

Bare in mind also, that deals will change often so the spec might be quite different in a few weeks. Give you an idea of what to get at least.
 
Thanks yeh, the student one seems to only be an upgrade, but I will look into it some more, and when im ready to actually go ahead and let loose the cash, I will check back and do a last minute check :).

Thanks guys, seem to be soo helpful to everyone on here :)
 
Sooooo, been having a wee look round for the last couple of days at bits and bobs and mainly deciding what case I was thinking about....Kinda decided balls to it, and i'l just throw a bit more money at it...

The Windows 7 student thing....I looked into it yeh buuut, personally id rather play it safe and just do it as is with normal windows 7 :D

If someone could comment on these parts, recommend better components etc etc or if it would actually all be compatible, this would be appreciated. Think i will end up buying it in the next week before the deals change again....of course, that depends on if I can borrow some money of the parents and pay them back when I get paid :D....sure I can make dinner a couple of times when Im home.

Thanks...but now Im away to bed :D

viewcart.php
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom