New I7 Build help. Need your opinions.

PStewart84

PStewart84

PStewart84

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Joined
30 Aug 2011
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8
Hi guys I could really do with your help. This is my first desktop build and having ran through what I want I came up with the following spec below.

My suggested build
- Sony AD-7261S-0B 24x Internal DVDRWRAM SATA Black Lightscribe - Optical Drive (x2)
- Corsair TX750M Watt - Power Supply
- Asus 1GB Ge-force GTX 560ti - Graphics Card
- Corsair 60gb Force3 SSD 2.5" SataIII 6gb/ps read - SSD
- Corsair 600T White - Tower
- G-Skill Ripjaw x DDR3 8Gb (2x4) 1600Mhz - Ram
- Asus P8P67 Pro R3 8 Channel - Motherboard
- Intel Core i7 3.4Ghz 2600k - Processor
- Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB - HDD
- Noctua NH-D14 - Fan

Having got some feedback from others the following spec was suggested which they felt would be more suited to my requirements.


Their suggested build
Core i7 2600K
GA-Z68A-D3H
8GB RAM
6870
650W PSU (or something cheaper if i can find it)
Spinpoint F3
Crucial M4
Cheap DVD burner
HAF 912


My initial query was whether the list i designed would have any compatibility issues or any conflicts (maybe unnecessary parts). Secondly I asked if maybe there was any ways to get the cost down with no lesser performance.

I appreciated there help but i just feel the suggested build was of a lower quality and i want another opinion.

My main requirements are as follows.

* In terms of performance id like a well rounded PC. Im looking for good value for money not just the cheapest for my requirements.

* I play the following games, Football Manager, Civilisation 5, Europa Universallis. All CPU hungry but not really graphics hungry. Id like to be able to confortably max out these games without any struggle.

* In about 2 or 3 years ill probably improve the RAM but im unlikely to upgrade anything else. Id trather sell it or use it up and buy/build a new PC.

Finally the 2 specs above id be happy with either i just want your impressions on them and maybe you could look at them and agree or revise them as i want to start buying the parts so i can start building them. If you think i need anything else please let me know.

Other smaller items such as keyboard, mouse, monitor, windows 7 i know i need to get but havent priced yet but will do as soon as i sort the rest out.

My budget will is open to the above requirements. That said i see no point in getting the very best. Just a good value/ quality build.

I will be overclocking it.

I really hope you guys can help me going forward with this any questions i will respond to as soon as i can. A short answer may be just a similar list of parts like above with what you think i require from the information ive given you.
 
The reason the Crucial M4 SSD was suggested is because there was been quite a few problems with the sandforce controller on the Corsair and OCZ SSDs. Drives freezing and drives disappearing fomr the BIOS. The M4 has also had a firmware update to get it to over 500MB/s read speeds.

Personally I would save some ££ and get an i5-2500K CPU. Games don't use hyper threading and from the sounds of it your not venturing into 3D modelling or hardcore video/image editing?

The spec is also missing a CPU cooler, other than the supplied intel one, which will be important when overclocking. The money saved on the CPU could go towards this.

How much were you looking to spend?
 
Is the noctua fan not appropriate for cooling? In regards to your suggestion of an i5 to be honest I'd really like to keep the i7 processor. I'm certianly not going to be hardcore gaming but I want something handy just in case allbeit not top spec. Maybe that's why the 6870 was suggested. Budget wise I just want to get good quality but value for money without putting a price on it.
 
I use an i5 and i haven't had anything that stresses it even slightly. As far as value against performance goes its at the top!
Sorry I was looking at the second list which didn't have a cooler. The Noctua is ace. But expensive.The Thermalright Silver Arrow is £20 cheaper and performs just as well, sometimes better.
If your never going to add another card then this PSU would be a good buy:
Corsair Enthusiast Series TX 650W V2

And also this motherboard: Asrock Z68 PRO3 Intel Z68 has had a lot less issues associated with it.
 
So you would favour the z68 over the p8p67 then? The Corsair tx650 is what was on the second list but that's ok. Is there anything else I should look at to improve CPU hungry games or software. Any thoughts on the case mate?
 
Thoughts on the white Corsair 600T? Yeah, big fan!
All those games above will be ripped apart either of the above. I play Civ5 a bit and it runs nicely on max settings.
If you want the ability to expand into a second graphics card down the line then stick with the pro (or this: MSI P67A-GD53 Intel P67 )(Also still with the 750W PSU in your spec aswell)
If that doesn't interest you then definitly go with the Z68.
 
Is there a benifit in having an additional graphics card though? Sorry if this a fact question just don't see the point in two. I'm pretty sure I'm not upgrading anyway which is probably the answer. So the 750w is only needed if I get the addional graphics card. Might just go with the silver arrow if not.
 
Its more power for gaming for example, you play Civ 5:
560Ti vs 560Ti Review

Now a normal 560Ti will give you a decent average of around 90fps. Say in a year or so Civ 6 is out and you only get 25fps then its normally cheaper to pop in another 560Ti than to buy a newer more powerful card.

Thats the long & short anyway.

Yup 750W is only needed if you are going to be using the additional card.

The RAM you have chosen will fit fine with the DH-14 but you will need to get some low profile RAM to fit under the Silver Arrow. (swings and roundabouts huh!)
 
That will depend on the resolution you game at.
So in your 1st post you mentioned you need to get a monitor but want to sort the tower out first.
Most monitors are 16:9, so run @ 1920x1080. but you can also get 1920x1200 up to 2560 x 1600. Then multiple monitors which can max out @ 7680x1600 (i think).

So your graphics choice will depend on that. the higher the resolution the better the graphics card you need. The 560Ti is a perfect choice for 1920x1080. Any higher I would personally think about the GTX570 or HD6950 2GB.
 
The 560ti and the HD 6950 2gb have little difference in price so between them? And the 650w psu would work right? Thanks for all this help! Can I ask you one last question. If I got one of these can you recommend a monitor. No clue on these. At all.
 
PSU would be fine for either.
They both have games with they best each other in. But both perform very well.
I would probably choose the 560Ti. It is pretty epic in the overclocking dept as well, should you fancy a go.

Would kind of need a budget to work towards for a monitor. As well as the kind of size you would like.
 
Ok well im not bothered about size more value for money and a good deal for what i get the price therafter doesnt matter but if your going to make me stick to a budget id say 200 quid but id like to pay less its all about complimenting what i have i suppose. Thankyou for all this!
 
Reason for asking for a budget is that there are monitors then there are Dells.
EG: Dell UltraSharp U2412M

The Dell U2312HM is due out very soon, we should see that closer to £200 than the above.
Dells are pricey but have a new good rep for having excellent picture and good warrantys.

BenQ G2420HDBL 24" Widescreen LED Monitor
Iiyama ProLite E2407HDS 24"
Samsung S24A350H 24"

All have very good write ups. The Samsung seems to be a very good choice for gaming, very low levels of ghosting and input lag!

Hope I've been of some help.
Good luck with it all!
 
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