New to Custom PC's

CrimsonBishop · 17 Dec 2012 at 18:37

Hey everyone! I'm new to the world of building computers and I need some help as to whether or not I've chosen the right parts etc. My current budget is around £750 and with the help of my friend I've managed to pick some stuff I like and is compatible but I'd like to have some more views about my choice of parts and any help people can give me =]

So far this is my build:

Mother-board: EVGA Z68 SLI Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard
CPU:Intel Core i5 2500K 3.30GHz @ 4.40GHz Sandybridge CPU
RAM:TeamGroup Elite 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel
Cooler:Zero Infinity Phantom CPU Cooler
Heatsink:(I think) ArticSilver 5 Thermal Compound
(All that is a bundle from OverClockers UK Link here - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-063-OE)

PSU:OcUK Battle 650W Dual Rail High Efficiency Modular '80 Plus' Power Supply Link:http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-045-OK
Graphics Card:MSI HD 7850 Twin Frozr III OC 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Cards Link:http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-154-MS
Case:BitFenix Shinobi XL Full Tower Gaming Case - Black Link:http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-020-BX
Hard Drive:Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache Link:http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-252-SE

If anyone could maybe help me improve my build/make it cheaper and better it would be greatly appreciated. If there are any key components I'm missing please do say. Thanks =]

Woden · 17 Dec 2012 at 18:40

If you can stretch to it add an SSD for windows and your most used applications. The speed increase is fantastic.

LukieBoy007 · 17 Dec 2012 at 18:40

The PSU is a no-no, especially with this sort of build. Also, the motherboard chipset and CPU is Intel's last gen, so you should be looking at a Z77 chipset and a i5 3570k.

Bacon? · 17 Dec 2012 at 18:41

Two things stick out to me.

One is the CPU picked is last gen, its by no means worse but I would pick the Ivy CPU's.

Also the PSU you have picked is horrible, we always try to spec decent branded PSU's like Corsair, XFX, Seasonic etc

Will do a quick spec up now for you.

LukieBoy007 · 17 Dec 2012 at 18:44

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £179.99
1 x MSI HD 7850 Twin Frozr III OC 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Cards w/ FARCRY3 & Sleeping Dogs PC Games £149.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £89.99
1 x Samsung 128GB SSD 830 Desktop Series SATA 6Gb/s KIT with Norton Ghost - (MZ-7PC128D/EU) £83.99
1 x Seasonic S12II 520W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £54.98
1 x BitFenix Shinobi USB3.0 Gaming Case - Black £49.99
1 x Toshiba (7K1000.D) 500GB SATA 6GB/s 32MB Cache - OEM (DT01ACA050) £43.99
1 x TeamGroup Elite 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED38GM1600HC11DC01) £35.99
1 x Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler (Socket 775 / 1155 / 1156 / 1366 / AM2 / AM2+ / AM3 / FM1 / FM2) £26.99
1 x OcUK 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £14.99
Total : £745.88 (includes shipping : £12.50).

Here you go

Bacon? · 17 Dec 2012 at 18:45

Heres my spec for £750

YOUR BASKET
1 x HIS HD 7950 IceQ BOOST 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (H795QC3G2M) with FREE FARCRY3, Hitman Absolution, Sleeping Dogs & 20% off MOH Warfighter PC Games £239.99
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £179.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £89.99
1 x PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk III Series 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular Power Supply - White £56.99
1 x Toshiba (7K1000.D) 1TB SATA 6GB/s 32MB Cache - OEM (DT01ACA100) £51.98
1 x BitFenix Shinobi USB3.0 Gaming Case - Black £49.99
1 x TeamGroup Elite 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED38GM1600HC11DC01) £35.99
1 x Thermalright True Spirit 120 REV A CPU Cooler (Socket 775 / 1155 / 1156 / AM2 / AM2+ / AM3 / FM1 / FM2) £24.98
1 x OcUK 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £14.99
Total : £759.89 (includes shipping : £12.50).

CrimsonBishop · 17 Dec 2012 at 18:46

LukieBoy007 said:
YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £179.99
1 x MSI HD 7850 Twin Frozr III OC 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Cards w/ FARCRY3 & Sleeping Dogs PC Games £149.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £89.99
1 x Samsung 128GB SSD 830 Desktop Series SATA 6Gb/s KIT with Norton Ghost - (MZ-7PC128D/EU) £83.99
1 x Seasonic S12II 520W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £54.98
1 x BitFenix Shinobi USB3.0 Gaming Case - Black £49.99
1 x Toshiba (7K1000.D) 500GB SATA 6GB/s 32MB Cache - OEM (DT01ACA050) £43.99
1 x TeamGroup Elite 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED38GM1600HC11DC01) £35.99
1 x Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler (Socket 775 / 1155 / 1156 / 1366 / AM2 / AM2+ / AM3 / FM1 / FM2) £26.99
1 x OcUK 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £14.99
Total : £745.88 (includes shipping : £12.50).

Here you go

Thank you sir, i'll have a look at it now =]

CrimsonBishop · 17 Dec 2012 at 18:50

I'll take a look at Bacons build too, thanks for your help both of you. I'm really quite new to all this and its definitely confusing me a lot so any guidance is awesome. =]

CrimsonBishop · 17 Dec 2012 at 19:00

LukieBoy007 said:
YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £179.99
1 x MSI HD 7850 Twin Frozr III OC 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Cards w/ FARCRY3 & Sleeping Dogs PC Games £149.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £89.99
1 x Samsung 128GB SSD 830 Desktop Series SATA 6Gb/s KIT with Norton Ghost - (MZ-7PC128D/EU) £83.99
1 x Seasonic S12II 520W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £54.98
1 x BitFenix Shinobi USB3.0 Gaming Case - Black £49.99
1 x Toshiba (7K1000.D) 500GB SATA 6GB/s 32MB Cache - OEM (DT01ACA050) £43.99
1 x TeamGroup Elite 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED38GM1600HC11DC01) £35.99
1 x Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler (Socket 775 / 1155 / 1156 / 1366 / AM2 / AM2+ / AM3 / FM1 / FM2) £26.99
1 x OcUK 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £14.99
Total : £745.88 (includes shipping : £12.50).

Here you go

With the case for this would i be able to use the other case in case i ever wanted to buy new parts or would that case be have enough room for expansion anyway?

Bacon? · 17 Dec 2012 at 19:00

Theres pretty much 3 differences between the above specs.

Mine has a better GPU and a bigger HDD.

Lukie's had an SDD.

Idleman · 17 Dec 2012 at 19:00

No ssd, but maybe someone can get you one for Xmas.

YOUR BASKET
1 x HIS HD 7950 IceQ BOOST 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (H795QC3G2M) with FREE FARCRY3, Hitman Absolution, Sleeping Dogs & 20% off MOH Warfighter PC Games £239.99
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £179.99
1 x Asus P8Z77-V LX2 Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £74.99
1 x Corsair Carbide 300R Mid Tower Case - Black £64.99
1 x PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk III Series 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular Power Supply - White £56.99
1 x Toshiba (7K1000.D) 1TB SATA 6GB/s 32MB Cache - OEM (DT01ACA100) £51.98
1 x TeamGroup Elite 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED38GM1600HC11DC01) £35.99
1 x Thermalright True Spirit 120 REV A CPU Cooler (Socket 775 / 1155 / 1156 / AM2 / AM2+ / AM3 / FM1 / FM2) £24.98
1 x OcUK 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £14.99
Total : £759.89 (includes shipping : £12.50).

CrimsonBishop · 17 Dec 2012 at 19:03

Bacon? said:
Theres pretty much 3 differences between the above specs.

Mine has a better GPU and a bigger HDD.

Lukie's had an SDD.

HDD is hard drive right?

LukieBoy007 · 17 Dec 2012 at 19:04

The main difference between mine and Bacon's builds is that mine includes an SSD, which means super-fast boot times and loading times. In game, there won't be much of a difference (FPS wise) but the system as a whole will be generally much more responsive.
Bacon's build drops the SSD, but has a quite significant GPU upgrade as well as more storage and a modular power supply. The modular PSU will help with cable management.

CrimsonBishop · 17 Dec 2012 at 19:06

Well i'm more of a gamer and FPS is important to me and again with my before question about upgrading it in future times would the case you both chose enable me to upgrade my rig in the future?

Addicted · 17 Dec 2012 at 19:08

I'd personally say get a stronger GPU first, and an SSD after.

GPU's are more expensive than SSD's by quite a way, so if you come to upgrade your GPU down the line, you'll end up having to fork out a lot more!

CrimsonBishop · 17 Dec 2012 at 19:12

Well i'd like to play Planetside 2 =D

Idleman · 17 Dec 2012 at 19:12

All the cases specced will enable you to upgrade.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6055/corsair-carbide-300r-case-review-corsair-for-the-masses

LukieBoy007 · 17 Dec 2012 at 19:16

The case will be fine for upgrading in the future. Of course, you could always extend your budget to get the case you chose first.

CrimsonBishop · 17 Dec 2012 at 19:18

LukieBoy007 said:
The case will be fine for upgrading in the future. Of course, you could always extend your budget to get the case you chose first.

Ahh ok thank you =]

areksnumbr1sxylady · 17 Dec 2012 at 21:17

SSD is an add on... Like many times I said.. get the best cpu/GPU you can afford and invest into SSD on a later date.