My First Build

Bax

Bax

Bax

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Joined
23 Oct 2012
Posts
8
Hello, I'm building my first computer. Been wanting a gaming computer for awhile and finally will have some funds to get one. I'm not the best technologically so I thought I would post what I was thinking of getting and hopefully you more knowledgeable guys could give me some reassurance or better ideas.

Intel Core I5-3570k
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-404-IN

Sapphire HD 7850 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-295-SP

MSI Z77A-G43 Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-202-MS

Tower
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-006-AE

OCZ ZS Series 550W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-055-OC

Samsung Green (MV-3V4G3D/US) 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz 30nm Dual Channel Kit
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-017-SA

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-364-WD

Samsung SH-S222BB/RSMS 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-126-SA

Corsair AF120 Quiet Edition Low Noise High Airflow
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-003-CS

This comes up to 750. I don't really want to spend any more than 800.

Seriously though I would really appreciate any comments or better suggestions. I've been reading up on how to build a computer for a few months now but there is always the chance I have chosen something silly.

Edit:

SSD
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-026-KS&groupid=701&catid=2104&subcat=
 
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What cooler you getting for your CPU ? Or are you going stock ? If you are going stock, then I really recommend getting a third party cooler to do some good overclocking :)
The dark rock 2 comes to mind (I have the pro version of the dark rock 1 and that was awesome)
 
First I've heard mention of a CPU cooler to be honest. I wasn't planning on overclocking anything anyway. I was just going to focus on building the computer and then later on down the line looking at overclocking. I don't really have a good understanding of it to be honest.
 
Bax said:
First I've heard mention of a CPU cooler to be honest. I wasn't planning on overclocking anything anyway. I was just going to focus on building the computer and then later on down the line looking at overclocking. I don't really have a good understanding of it to be honest.
Click to expand...

In that case the standard cooler will do just fine. Can run up to around 4Ghz on it anyway :).

Just make sure you order the retail and not OEM one!
 
Just looked up what you meant by retail and OEM. Thanks for the advice will definitely make sure I buy it retail.
 
If no overclocking, the stock One should be fine. although the k version of the processor (the one you chose) has multipliers unlocked, which basically means it's built for overclocking.
considering that to mount a cpu cooler you often need to take off the mobo, it might be worth doing it in the first place. You also have the issue of noise, although iI haven't used the more recent cooler, they used to be much noisier that aftermarket models.
In the end though, since this is your first build, it's good to give you space to grow and add bits and pieces to your build later on
 
Bax said:
Just looked up what you meant by retail and OEM. Thanks for the advice will definitely make sure I buy it retail.
Click to expand...

Yeah one has the cooler, the other doesn't ;).

I'm in the same boat as you, just bought my first proper system and I'm running the processor at 3.8Ghz and for now it's more than fast enough coupled with an SSD.

If you could try squeeze a half decent SSD for just intalling Windows and programs on, you won't regret it....trust me:)

Building the PC is easy, doing it step by step and not rushing is key. Saying that i had mine up and running about 2hours of starting lol I've spent a bit of time then since doing some cable management to hide it away.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I think I will research deeper into overclocking at some point and see if I can make sense of it.

So are you suggesting get an SSD instead of a Interal hard drive or, to get an SSD with the hard drive?
 
add an ssd extra to your build. you can get a 120gb for around 70 pounds (iI think) and that's well enough for all your software and a few games. Simon_89 is right, that's what will give you the most noticeable speed difference, as the hdd is a bottle neck for all of the loafing of windows, office etc etc
 
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Oh nice I didn't know that.
I've added this onto the build then.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-026-KS&groupid=701&catid=2104&subcat=

I've looked a little more into overclocking and remembered why I stopped looking at it before. At this stage it's just a little too confusing and I would be too worried about messing it up. So for now I think I won't try that out.

Thanks for all the advice, so this system seems good for the job then? If anyone has any better ideas for CPU or Graphics card I am all ears. The main thing is it all fits together lol.
 
The ssd doesn't need to be anything special for smart response. And as long as you have a Z68 or Z77 chipset you should be set for smart reponse.

However, smart reponse technology is more for smaller ssd (around 40gb say), where windows decides by itself what it wants to precache on teh ssd. Here you don't need that, as you will have enough space to install everything on the ssd directly. Simply connect both your ssd and hdd in different sata ports on your mobo, and make sure teh ssd is connected in a sata 3 port (a white one). Also try and connect the ssd in a lower number port (say port 1 for the ssd, and port 2 for HDD).
In the bios, before installing windows, set the ssd as first boot device. When installing windows install it directly on teh ssd. Then when windows is all installed, use your hdd to store your pictures, videos and the games that don't fit on the ssd, and all the software can be installed directly on the ssd.

I have no experience with the kingston ssd. I've used all OCZ vertex in the past, and I know that samsung 830 and crucial M4 are supposed to be very good as well. Maybe someone else could comment.
The processor is more or less the best value for money you can get, so thats the one I would have gotten as well.
The GPU is also very good. Sapphire is a great brand, and I see you got the 2048MB model which is good for games with large amounts of tecxture to load, and allow you to keep playing for the next couple of years. Now I saw they also have the MSI IceQ 2048 Mb reduced on overclockers, and the msi twi freezer III at the same price as the sapphire. I've never used the IceQ models or twin freezer models, but MSI is also a very good brand and I would look into reviews to check what the noise + overclocking potential + cooling efficiency is for those three
 
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On another note, this was posted by Jamsames in the silent build thread about your corsair fans:

"I wouldnt bother with the corsair fans unless you really want them for colour coding

apache is a little more expensive but a lot better fan"

Maybe you should go with apache fans ?
 
Thanks a lot chulz that answered everyone of my questions I had after looking into SSD's.
I am shocked that I picked correct stuff as well, thanks for the suggestions and feedback.
Thanks everyone. Should be building this in a months time after I start working again :D
 
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