Please build me a system...

Timpey

Timpey

Timpey

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Joined
26 Feb 2012
Posts
28
Hi guys,

It has been a long time since i've built my own PC. I did it probably 10 years ago in my first year of uni and it was when the 2500 Bartons had just come out. Since then i've just used work pc's, my laptop I use for work and I use my consoles for gaming.

My current pc/laptop is a Dell 11z connected to a kb/mouse and 21 inch widescreen.

The time has come when I now have the itch for a super quick desktop to replace my work laptop with. I am now massively out of date with the current components, cores and pci-express type things and don't want to make a costly mistake so this is where you guys come in.

Must be:

Pretty quiet - my last PC was overclocked to the max etc and had a billion fans etc. This is a no go really. I don't mind a few but its main location at the moment is our lounge as I work from home and if its really noisy it will become a nuisance.

Fast - CPU/RAM etc must be plentiful and quick. It will primarily be a work PC but I will also use it for video editing and streaming my xbox etc. I only had a 1.6mb upload so I want it to be able to handle as much video encoding as possible so that it frees up some upload. I also do some graphic design etc. which is intensive. I run lots of applications from work and while my laptop (Dell 11z) is okay for this, I would like a bit more.

Storage - I have a small PC acting as a storage server but would like that built into here for convenience. Thinking at least 4TB. Is a solid state worthwhile for the OS and apps? Is the performance worth it?

Graphics - Not bothered about this at the moment but would like the option to stick something decent in, in the future if I like. I use my consoles for gaming.

Network - 10/100/1000 is fine for me and I have my own wireless card.

What do you suggest and thanks for helping. I don't want the VERY latest and greatest as I know you pay top dollar for this but whats the very best bang for buck at the moment?
 
Budget i'm not sure about. As always, as little as possible for the fastest kit out there right? :P

Good call on the HDs. I have a 1TB and a 500GB SATA in my storage server so can re-use those for the time being.

Would you suggest AMD or intel? I always favoured AMD in the past as you got the same or similar speeds for less cash.

I'm fine with actually putting it together if you mean that. 16GB memory I think would be very nice.
 
Yeah no HDMI in on the monitor unfortunately. Only DVI and VGA.

Would a simple HDMI to DVI convertor/cable work without losing quality?

Is the difference in motherboard worth it?
 
Good info guys, very helpful.

The video editing is more of a luxury really. Would just be doing montages from gaming when I get round to it. The graphic design is really only web based so as long as it can kick photoshops arse at website sized graphics i'm happy.

I'd rather spend more money on the mobo etc than graphics at the moment but would like the option to chuck in a decent card in a year or so.

What would you suggest now?

P.S. I have a XFX GeForce 6800 XTreme 256MB DDR3 AGP in my old PC if its worth anything?? Prob useless now but you never know.
 
Yeah i've just been looking at the 2500K and would probably go with that and overclock it to unlock the 3000 graphics.

This is what I have so far I think:

http://gyazo.com/137302cd2d371d12b10ef2cac4ac8258

Which power supply to go for? One suggested 650 and the other 550.

What advantages do you get going for the retail CPU over OEM? All I can see is the longer warranty...

Also what about this SSD: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-021-CS&groupid=701&catid=2104&subcat=1427
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the cable advice, also good shout on the thermal paste.

Yeah i'll just use an HDMI to DVI cable. should be cheap on eBay and means I can just use a nice HDMI cable when I upgrade my screen in the future although its an old viewsonic screen its still working well - touch wood.

Not buying HDDs at the moment as I have 1.5TB storage at the moment which will suffice for a while. Plus the 120GB for the SSD.

Now to work out the full cost and press the big button. Will keep you guys updated and thanks again.
 
Just been dreaming about it (lol).

Think i'd try and dual boot the SSD, half Win 7 and half the latest Apple OS. *goes googling*
 
Sorry to bump an old thread but I'm now in a position to purchase my system now that I've returned from honeymoon. Is the spec still correct? I know it's not been too long since posting.

Thanks again
 
Thanks for the quick reply. What about the difference between OEM and Retail CPUs? Is it worth it?

Also i'm itching to play Diablo 3 on some nice settings. What graphics should I put in without breaking the bank on cutting edge gear?
 
Maybe I'm missing something but I thought OEM was the same CPU but without the cooler etc which would be ideal as I'll get a different cooler.
 
Won't be selling it on as this rig is one for a number of years. My current pc is pretty much only good for the tip if I'm honest. The warranty is attractive but is this affected by overclocking?
 
Hmm I'll have to look at the difference in price. Stuck on iPad at the moment.

What about the budget graphics mentioned above? Good choice? The price is okay keeping me around £700
 
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