My First Build. Mistakes, suggestions?

[PC Noob Theo]

Hello everyone, I am new to PC building and this will be my first build. I've been using a lot of guides and friends advice to put together a build list and I will be ordering it all soon.

I just wanted it to be looked over by people who know what they are doing before I do .

If anyone has any suggestions, concerns about compatibility or ANYTHING please say!

CPU: i5 2500k £163.71
GPU: XFX ATI Radeon 6950 XXX £179.99 link
MOBO: Asrock P67 PRO3 £89.46
RAM: G-Skill 4GB £35.99
HDD: Samsung HD103SJ Spinpoint F3 1TB £40.98
CDR: Sony Optiarc AD-5260S £14.99
CASE: Coolermaster Elite 330 £0.00 Bundle with the PSU
PSU: Coolermaster eXtreme Power 500W £56.99
DISP: Hanns-G HH221DP £92.99

Total: £675

I wanted the K version of the CPU combined with the motherboard so I can overclock in the future but for now I won't to save myself the cost of an extra fan. The main use of this build is for gaming, I don't play too many high graphics games but I want to be able to run Battlefield 3 at an acceptable level when it comes out.

My biggest concern right now is the PSU, everyone I spoke to said it would be fine until recently when I was told it wouldn't even work due to the Wattage being too low for the GPU! Is this true? If so it will be kinda devistating to my budget (Which is already streatched at £675) if I have to buy a more expensive one.

Any help appreciated!

Edit: Ah, I see a certain E merchant where I would be a BUYER isn't very popular here as all but one of the links are broken. Don't worry I will look around this site for better deals if they exist! Any links for better deals would also be appreciated. Thanks!

EDIT: REVISED BUILD

Phew, Ok then. Thanks so much guys! Only a few hours ago I was stressing out but it seems like with the other savings you lot have helped me with the price barely goes up even with the PSU and Case!! Unless I have added it up wrong.

So here we go, revised build.

CPU: i5 2500k £163.71 Other Website
GPU: XFX ATI Radeon 6950 XXX £179.99 link
MOBO: MSI P67A-C45 Intel P67 £89.98 link
RAM: Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 £29.99 link
HDD: Samsung HD103SJ Spinpoint F3 1TB £40.98 Other Website
OPTICAL DRIVE: Sony Optiarc AD-5260S £14.99 Other Website
CASE: Xigmatek Asgard All Black Interio/Exterior Mid Tower Case £28.99
PSU: BeQuiet Pure Power L7 530W £44.99 link
MONITOR: OcUK V-Line 221V2SB 22" £83.99 link

Total: 677.61

I forgot to add that Windows 7 I already have avaliable.

What do you all think now? Looking better?

 

[PC Noob Theo]

Thanks, I removed the offending links.

Also, that Corsair memory does look like a much better deal!

The PSU stuff though, agghh! Frustrating. Problem is that the PSU bundled with the case looked like such a good deal. Buying a PSU on it's own for the same price is really going to mess with my wallet. Do you think I can get by with the 500W for the time being then upgrade later? By adding a hard drive you do mean adding an EXTRA hard drive right?

 

[PC Noob Theo]

Well the card has been something else I've been torn over but after quite a bit of research I think I will prefer the HD 6950.

As for PSU, will this be enough then? OcUK Rage GT 700W PSU 80+ Dual Rail "80 Plus" Efficient Power Supply.

Thanks for that list oliver I can probably save some money with some of those. Though I don't like the look of that case.

Can anyone one suggest another dirt cheap? (<£25) case that would be suitable?

 

[PC Noob Theo]

Also can the overclock feature on the Motherboard you suggested (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-167-MS) overclock the i2500k?

 

[PC Noob Theo]

So this case minus the PSU: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-043-OP&tool=3 (I like the look of that case aswell).

I thought a 500W PSU wasn't enough?

 

[PC Noob Theo]

MSI Boards come with OC Genie II so at the press of a button it would OC to 4.0/4.1GHz from 3.3GHz on a 2500K and also fine if you want to OC it yourself.

http://www.msi.com/product/mb/P67A-C45.html

Awesome! Thanks.

 

[PC Noob Theo]

How about this? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BG-026-BQ. It's BeQuiet, the brand everyone seems to reccomend , it has an 87% efficiency and it is 530W. Could this be enough? Perhaps even enough for a bit extra?

 

[PC Noob Theo]

I just checked that case it only takes matx board, you might need increase your budget by a few pounds and get the coolermaster below:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-155-CM&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=29

That looks great, thanks!

 

[PC Noob Theo]

Yes, Would be my minimum requirements. You'll be pulling 350W when really stressed (I pull that with a 1055T and a 560ti Twon Frozr II with furmark and Prime95 at the same time). And that's at the plug. So that will do that job. It has 35A on 12 V iirc.

Sorry, there is a reason I am called PC Noob Theo XD. You have lost me a bit there. Are you saying that it will be good enough or only just good enough?

 

[PC Noob Theo]

spot the difference

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-042-BQ&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1083

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BG-026-BQ

Ah, I guess I should splash out and spend the extra £2.40 then .

 

[PC Noob Theo]

Phew, Ok then. Thanks so much guys! Only a few hours ago I was stressing out but it seems like with the other savings you lot have helped me with the price barely goes up even with the PSU and Case!! Unless I have added it up wrong.

So here we go, revised build.

CPU: i5 2500k £163.71 Other Website
GPU: XFX ATI Radeon 6950 XXX £179.99 link
MOBO: MSI P67A-C45 Intel P67 £89.98 link
RAM: Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 £29.99 link
HDD: Samsung HD103SJ Spinpoint F3 1TB £40.98 Other Website
OPTICAL DRIVE: Sony Optiarc AD-5260S £14.99 Other Website
CASE: Cooler Master Elite 330 Midi Tower £28.99 link
PSU: BeQuiet Pure Power L7 530W £44.99 link
MONITOR: OcUK V-Line 221V2SB 22" £83.99 link

Total: 677.61

I forgot to add that Windows 7 I already have avaliable.

What do you all think now? Looking better?

 

[PC Noob Theo]

i dont like that case
ever considered the £30 asgard or midgard white?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-002-XG

This one? I must admit it does look nicer. Is it just as good? Will the 6950 fit ?

 

[PC Noob Theo]

that or this
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-008-XG&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=1572

I think I prefer the black, it's a bit boring but the white just doesn't feel right to me.

What do you think about the build in general now? Good to go?

 

[PC Noob Theo]

yes, solid spec

Music to my ears!

 

[PC Noob Theo]

How much is shipping with overclockers? I see it's free for loyal forum members but is it also free if you spend enough? Otherwise how much does it come to?

 

[PC Noob Theo]

This is going to be of no help to your build but may I suggest different colour choices for your fonts? My eyes are still readjusting.

Sorry . I was attempting to make it easier to read but failed.

 

[PC Noob Theo]

Having just spent over £1800 I can tell you I didn't get free shipping, though when you're spending that much money £16 to have it all arrive the next day is a drop in the water.

Ok That doesn't sound too bad.

 

[PC Noob Theo]

OK, I think I may aswell order everything tonight. Thanks everybody for your help! If I wake up tommorow and anyone has some devistating news about a mistake I have made then there should still be time to cancel the order.

Once again. Thanks all so much.

 

[PC Noob Theo]

edit:my bad double post.

 

[PC Noob Theo]

if you order tonight, it should be with you tuesday morning.

post the final spec your going to order to make it easier for people to see.

The exact same as before just with the Asgard case. I'll update it in the OP.

Ok, I have ONE more question .

Which motherboard should I get?

An Asrock P67 PRO3 SE or a MSI P67A-C45 link.

Both are the same price, support overclocking, have USB 3.0 and everything. The Asrock supports crossfirex but I probably won't use it.