OK guys –first post – but been a ‘lurker’ for some time. I just really wanted some honest advice about a new PC I’m looking to build but its been that long since I built my last one, I’ve sort of been out of the loop technology wise!
I have around £1000 to spend on a decent gaming rig which I also want to ‘moderately’ future proof. Ideally, I want to buy the main parts now, get it all setup and perhaps add to it as and when I have some more money (i.e. the ‘nice to haves’ like additional RAM, Bluray drive etc.)
It’s my intention to be playing Battlefield 3 on my new machine as well as going down the ATI Eyefinity route for my Sim racing on iRacing, rFactor etc. (I use Dell WFP2408’s at the moment) I’m also a heavy Photoshop and Lightroom user for my photography business so the requirement for a bit of RAM always helps those apps fly a bit better.
I’d also be interested to know if I can use my existing case – just worried about the size of some of these Noctua type coolers fitting in there with RAM also.
My current PC that I’m upgrading from is spec’d as follows:
Antec 900 case (wondering if I can re-use this in my next build or should I update?)
Asus P5W DH Deluxe
Intel C2D E6600
Arctic Freezer Pro 7
2GB DDR2 RAM (PC2-6400/400MHz)
XFX Radeon HD 5770
SB X-Fi Sound card
WD 500GB SATA 7200RPM Hard drive partitioned for OS drive and Storage Drive
PSU I’m not sure but around 500W I think...
I really do want to get a decent gaming rig with plenty of future ability and it’s my intention to try and retain the case and the current Hard Drive to use a storage only drive. Therefore I’m looking at something like:
Intel Core i7 2600k 3.4GHz Socket 1155
Noctua NH-D14 CPU Cooler
Suitable Motherboard (really not sure which to go for as so many!)
12GB Corsair Vengeance 12GB (3x4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz Memory Kit CL9 1.5V Non-ECC Unbuffered
OCZ 850W ZX PSU
Seagate 1TB 3.5" SATA-III Constellation Hard Drive - 7200RPM 64MB Cache
PowerColor Radeon HD 6970
Obviously I’m looking for advice on what you think I may have missed or need to be looking at as well – perhaps a new DVD-RW drive or something? Was just going to use my old one for now... Perhaps you think I’m overkill on the spec and I can get some different RAM or slower processor that has unnoticeable difference for less money. Obviously I’d like to save any money where I can and re-invest that into something else or just bring the cost of the rig down slightly.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated and I’ll try respond where I can to get a solid spec list together with the help of you guys. Cheers!
I have around £1000 to spend on a decent gaming rig which I also want to ‘moderately’ future proof. Ideally, I want to buy the main parts now, get it all setup and perhaps add to it as and when I have some more money (i.e. the ‘nice to haves’ like additional RAM, Bluray drive etc.)
It’s my intention to be playing Battlefield 3 on my new machine as well as going down the ATI Eyefinity route for my Sim racing on iRacing, rFactor etc. (I use Dell WFP2408’s at the moment) I’m also a heavy Photoshop and Lightroom user for my photography business so the requirement for a bit of RAM always helps those apps fly a bit better.
I’d also be interested to know if I can use my existing case – just worried about the size of some of these Noctua type coolers fitting in there with RAM also.
My current PC that I’m upgrading from is spec’d as follows:
Antec 900 case (wondering if I can re-use this in my next build or should I update?)
Asus P5W DH Deluxe
Intel C2D E6600
Arctic Freezer Pro 7
2GB DDR2 RAM (PC2-6400/400MHz)
XFX Radeon HD 5770
SB X-Fi Sound card
WD 500GB SATA 7200RPM Hard drive partitioned for OS drive and Storage Drive
PSU I’m not sure but around 500W I think...
I really do want to get a decent gaming rig with plenty of future ability and it’s my intention to try and retain the case and the current Hard Drive to use a storage only drive. Therefore I’m looking at something like:
Intel Core i7 2600k 3.4GHz Socket 1155
Noctua NH-D14 CPU Cooler
Suitable Motherboard (really not sure which to go for as so many!)
12GB Corsair Vengeance 12GB (3x4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz Memory Kit CL9 1.5V Non-ECC Unbuffered
OCZ 850W ZX PSU
Seagate 1TB 3.5" SATA-III Constellation Hard Drive - 7200RPM 64MB Cache
PowerColor Radeon HD 6970
Obviously I’m looking for advice on what you think I may have missed or need to be looking at as well – perhaps a new DVD-RW drive or something? Was just going to use my old one for now... Perhaps you think I’m overkill on the spec and I can get some different RAM or slower processor that has unnoticeable difference for less money. Obviously I’d like to save any money where I can and re-invest that into something else or just bring the cost of the rig down slightly.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated and I’ll try respond where I can to get a solid spec list together with the help of you guys. Cheers!
) I would say go for 
