My first ever Build

JGibson · 12 Dec 2011 at 20:25

I have never build a PC before, but for some reason I convinced myself that it might be interesting/fun to try. My current PC (an Athlon X2 3800+ with a GeForce 7600GT GPU) is beginning to feel like it’s on its last legs. So with a bit of spare cash, a couple of weeks ago I took the plunge a bought a few items.

I wish I had found this site earlier, as I would have posted my planned purchases first for your advice.

Anyway, Back in the days when my current PC could play games I did play mainly on a PC, the last few years I have been playing on consoles. With this machine I hope to get back into PC gaming (I would love to show my console gaming friends how games like BF3 & Dirt3 should look). On the side, I will use the new machine for some light CAD work, office documents and general web browsing. Finally I hope this machine will be quiet, as I will also be watching films through it.

These are the items I have gathered together: -

• Gigabyte Z68X-UD3P-B3 S1155 Intel Z68 Express DDR3 ATX (USB 3.0)
• Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail
• Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 6950 "Dual Fan Edition" 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
• Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX)
• Corsair Enthusiast Series TX 650W V2 High Performance '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CMPSU-650TXV2UK)
• Samsung SH-B123L/BSBP 12x BluRay ROM / 16x DVD±RW Lightscribe SATA-II Optical Drive - Black
• Corsair Force Series 3 120GB SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Drive (CSSD-F120GB3-BK)
• Cooler Master Silencio RC-550 Silent Tower Case - Black [RC-550-KKN1]
• Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit

Added to this list I will add a 500Gb SATA internal hard drive I already own.

On top of all that I also purchased this: -

• Samsung S27A950D 27" 120Hz 3D Widescreen Ultra Thin LED Monitor - Glossy Black [LS27A950DS/EN]

The monitor was a bit of a major overindulgence, having said that, I have been using it for a couple of weeks and I love it! The PS3 through it looks amazing. Cannot wait to play BF3 on this new machine and monitor.

I managed to purchase all the parts (excluding the monitor) for £823.08 by buying offers and bundles over the last few weeks. I thought this was good although being cheap some of it isn’t the latest version:-
• Mother board is only version 1.0 (no PCI 3.0 support)
• The case has a normal USB3 External lead that runs onto the back connector (I know I can buy a separate header cable if I see fit)
• Not sure the PSU is big enough for future GPU upgrades. (came bundled with the case)
• Not sure if the Sapphire 6950 will upgrade to the 6970 with the switch. (Guess its not the end of the world if is doesn’t)

I haven’t purchased a CPU cooler yet as I am currently not going to Overclock it, this is mainly because I don’t know how yet. I am sure I will be heading back here soon for advice.

I haven’t started building yet as I am waiting on a few of the parts. Hopefully everything will arrive soon; I might even make it a “Boxing Day Build”.

Sorry you had to read all that, basically what do you think? Will this be suitable now, am i building something that has a bit of head room for future updates when money allows.

fowler002 · 12 Dec 2011 at 20:36

all looks fine tho the case isn't to my taste but then its a personal thing

the psu will be fine for upto a single gtx580, it will prob be ok with 6950 xfire tho for that you'll want a bit of 'headroom' with a 750w psu.

I would say you'll be lucky if the 6950 does unlock, tho someone on here bought 1 a few months back and it unlocked so you never know.

depending on how far you plan on pushing the overclock you have a few options of coolers.

if its to 4.6ghz then the gelid tranquilo, coolermaster hyper 212+/evo or corsair a50 cost about the same(~£25) and perform similary.

shadow_boxer · 12 Dec 2011 at 20:47

Very nice system. Will be a massive upgrade from your old one. Overclocking SB is very easy and would agree with fowler022's recommendations for a CPU coolers too.

95thrifles · 12 Dec 2011 at 20:51

As above really
I'd pick up the Gelid cooler now though, it'll run cooler n quieter even if you're not over clocking, which is really easy btw, check the subforum for info
Overall excellent components though, gj

JGibson · 12 Dec 2011 at 20:57

Thanks,

I quite like the case, hopefully it will be relatively quiet.

I thought the PSU might limit my future updates when it came to Xfire. I can always replace it in the future.

As for coolers, the height in the case looks limited due to sound absorbing material, I will build as is, then I can measure and upgrade later.

Anyone else?

honosuseri · 13 Dec 2011 at 02:13

I think you have done well fella.

It would make sense to put on a aftermarket heatsink now. General practice is to fit the cpu, heatsink and ram then drop the mobo into the case. Overclocking it will be simple as the other guys have pointed out. You really wont fancy pulling it all out and clean the cpu to fit another heatsink later.....well i wouldn't lol

Your mobo does do SLI and Xfire but more importantly it does it properly (X8 for each lane). You have a good gaming GPU, wether you want to double it up or swap it out later is upto you but it's nice to have the option to Xfire the cheaper z68 mobos remove that choice.

Hope the build is trouble free. Any probs or questions come back to us

JGibson · 13 Dec 2011 at 22:20

Thanks people,

Good point, had not thought about needing to remove the mobo to fit a new cooler, I have purchased a tranquillo. According to the specs I should have about 1mm spare in the case.