Skyrim on a budget

UXB said:
oops sorry didn't realise, links now gone, anyway as far as i can tell the Western Digital one is IDE, and the Seagate one is Sata :confused: could i use them ?
Click to expand...

IDE has been dropped from pretty much all mobos now fella. You can buy an adapter for IDE to sata if you really wanted to use it.
 
Ok cool, figured the IDE one was obsolete, so i can use the sata one then and stick with the original plan and only get the SSD, no need to purchase another hardrive if i don't need to.

Can you buy a cradle for the IDE one to use as an external drive, seems a shame to scrap it ?
 
UXB said:
Ok cool, figured the IDE one was obsolete, so i can use the sata one then and stick with the original plan and only get the SSD, no need to purchase another hardrive if i don't need to.

Can you buy a cradle for the IDE one to use as an external drive, seems a shame to scrap it ?
Click to expand...

Cant see that they are sold here anyway.....i can't link to competitors though. I would guess you would be paying £20ish to reuse the drive either by adapter or an enclosure (you'd have to google it), not really worth the payout in my eyes.......unless you need stuff off it.
 
After many hours web browsing, more heated discussions with the misses (women never really mean what they say lol) and reading this article,

http://www.techspot.com/review/467-skyrim-performance/

i have decided to stick with my original plan, keep my beloved ps3 and games, and save a bit of money :D so here is the build, i have changed a couple of things, slightly better CPU, one stick of 4gb ram, and a different case, i like the look of the Zalman Z9 but seeing as this rig is going in the bedroom next to the TV, and i play at night when my missus is asleep next to me i don't really want neons glaring at me :eek:

The only other thing i was thinking of changing was the PSU as there are a few cheaper alternatives, do i need 500w ? if i am going budget might as well go the whole hog lol but i am not sure about this :confused:

Also the case i have chosen there is the same case slightly cheaper here B grade, whats the difference ?

YOUR BASKET
1 x **B Grade** Xigmatek Pantheon Mid Tower Case - Black £29.00
Total : £40.10 (includes shipping : £9.25).




YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i3-2120 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £95.99
1 x MSI HD 6850 OC 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £83.99
1 x SanDisk Ultra SSD 120GB 2.5" SATA II Solid State Hard Drive - (SDSSDH-120G-G25) £62.99
1 x Gigabyte H61MA-D3V Intel H61 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £47.99
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £43.98
1 x Xigmatek Pantheon Mid Tower Case - Black £33.98
1 x GeIL Dragon 4GB (1x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Single Module (GD34GB1600C11SC) £19.99
1 x Samsung SH-D163C/BEBE SATA 16x DVD-ROM (Black) - OEM £14.99
1 x TP-Link 300Mbps Wireless-N USB Adapter (TL-WN821N) £12.98
Total : £430.98 (includes shipping : £11.75).

 
B grade is returned items, under law the retailer cant sell them at full price. They have a shorter warranty and can be missing items from the box.

The RAM you want in pairs ie dual channel or the performance suffers.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i3-2120 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £95.99
1 x MSI HD 6850 OC 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £83.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77-DS3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £74.99
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £43.98
1 x Adata XPG Gaming v1.0 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (AX3U1600GC4G9-2G) £38.99
1 x Xigmatek Asgard Pro Gaming Case - Black £31.98
1 x Samsung SH-S222BB/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.99
1 x TP-Link 300Mbps Wireless-N USB Adapter (TL-WN821N) £12.98
Total : £413.99 (includes shipping : £11.75).



The Z77 mobo makes more sense. You could use 4GB of RAM to save a few quid, you still have space to add more. On the Z9 case if you set the fan controller to low it dims the LEDs of the fans attached. I own one as im sure I said and the glow isnt that bad but ive given you an alternative case. Yes 500W is the minimum output you should be looking at.

I left out the SSD as you can reuse your sata HDD, ideally you want to add a sataIII SSD later.
 
olivier renault said:
Go Z77-D3H is you can stretch. Or else don't bother and go with your build and H61 (Gigabyte H61MA-D3V).
Click to expand...

Tricky balancing builds isn't it. A line has to be drawn somewhere and we all have different opinions.

I think the Z mobo makes more sense. I've used the H-61 mobo but I see that more as a office PC than a home build myself.....nothing wrong with it mind. I think having the 4 RAM slots is an advantage and of course the lucidMVP software on the Z77 mobo.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i3-2120 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £95.99
1 x MSI HD 6850 OC 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £83.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £82.99
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £43.98
1 x Xigmatek Asgard Pro Gaming Case - Black £31.98
1 x Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/4GX) £23.99
1 x Samsung SH-S222BB/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.99
1 x TP-Link 300Mbps Wireless-N USB Adapter (TL-WN821N) £12.98
Total : £406.99 (includes shipping : £11.75).



Just to show you can spend less on the RAM but still be able to add more. I used the slightly dearer mobo Olivier mentioned aswell.

I also noticed a DVD-ROM was in the spec. That won't write disks and the saving isn't massive, so a burner (DVD-RW) would be sensible in my opinion bud.
 
honosuseri said:
Tricky balancing builds isn't it. A line has to be drawn somewhere and we all have different opinions.

I think the Z mobo makes more sense. I've used the H-61 mobo but I see that more as a office PC than a home build myself.....nothing wrong with it mind. I think having the 4 RAM slots is an advantage and of course the lucidMVP software on the Z77 mobo.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i3-2120 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £95.99
1 x MSI HD 6850 OC 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £83.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £82.99
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £43.98
1 x Xigmatek Asgard Pro Gaming Case - Black £31.98
1 x Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/4GX) £23.99
1 x Samsung SH-S222BB/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.99
1 x TP-Link 300Mbps Wireless-N USB Adapter (TL-WN821N) £12.98
Total : £406.99 (includes shipping : £11.75).



Just to show you can spend less on the RAM but still be able to add more. I used the slightly dearer mobo Olivier mentioned aswell.

I also noticed a DVD-ROM was in the spec. That won't write disks and the saving isn't massive, so a burner (DVD-RW) would be sensible in my opinion bud.
Click to expand...

this is a solid skyrim machine. the i3 will eat through it and i have a 6850 and have all settings on skyrim max'd out with decent frame rates. i would go with this any day of the week
 
honosuseri said:
Tricky balancing builds isn't it. A line has to be drawn somewhere and we all have different opinions.

I think the Z mobo makes more sense. I've used the H-61 mobo but I see that more as a office PC than a home build myself.....nothing wrong with it mind. I think having the 4 RAM slots is an advantage and of course the lucidMVP software on the Z77 mobo.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i3-2120 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £95.99
1 x MSI HD 6850 OC 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £83.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £82.99
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £43.98
1 x Xigmatek Asgard Pro Gaming Case - Black £31.98
1 x Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/4GX) £23.99
1 x Samsung SH-S222BB/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.99
1 x TP-Link 300Mbps Wireless-N USB Adapter (TL-WN821N) £12.98
Total : £406.99 (includes shipping : £11.75).



Just to show you can spend less on the RAM but still be able to add more. I used the slightly dearer mobo Olivier mentioned aswell.

I also noticed a DVD-ROM was in the spec. That won't write disks and the saving isn't massive, so a burner (DVD-RW) would be sensible in my opinion bud.
Click to expand...


Ok this is the build i will be going for thanks for all your help guys, just one thing is there any reason for the Asgard case over the Pantheon, although they are very similar i think i prefer the look of the Pantheon lol

oh and do i need to purchase any cables or anything else ?
 
UXB said:
Ok this is the build i will be going for thanks for all your help guys, just one thing is there any reason for the Asgard case over the Pantheon, although they are very similar i think i prefer the look of the Pantheon lol

oh and do i need to purchase any cables or anything else ?
Click to expand...

You're welcome bud. Case is personal preference, i still think the Z9 is the better buy. it has 4 fans (3 blue led), even if you removed the LED fans the case still has a fan controller and the digital temp display. The included p4/8 extension lead is handy so you can route the aux power out of sight behind the mobo ;) If you really hate the LEDs even set to low then you can just use the normal exhaust fan and maybe add a 140mm fan at the front sometime down the line.....it's really down to you bud.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Xebec HTPC/Console Handheld Keyboard £34.99
1 x Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller - PC / Xbox 360 (JR9-00010) £27.98
1 x OcUK Value 2m Male - Male Gold Plated Swivel Head HDMI Cable (CDLHD-902) £4.79
Total : £77.66 (includes shipping : £8.25).



Some items there that maybe of interest. Mini keyboard with trackpad, the xbox controller comes with the wireless receiver to use on the PC. I included a HDMI lead but there are plenty to choose from depending on length needed.
 
UXB said:
Ok this is the build i will be going for thanks for all your help guys, just one thing is there any reason for the Asgard case over the Pantheon, although they are very similar i think i prefer the look of the Pantheon lol

oh and do i need to purchase any cables or anything else ?
Click to expand...

there is no storage device (HDD, SSD)
 
Changing my plan yet again got to get it right haven't i lol

Anyway i am love with this case so thats staying, here the new proposed build, will it all fit, and should i consider a better psu ?

YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI HD 7850 Twin Frozr III OC 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Cards w/ Nexuiz & Dirt Showdown PC Games £194.99
1 x Intel Core i5-2550K 3.40GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £179.99
1 x Asus P8H77-I Intel H77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 MiniITX Motherboard £83.99
1 x BitFenix Prodigy Mini-ITX Cube Case - Midnight Black £64.99
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £43.98
1 x Adata XPG Gaming v1.0 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (AX3U1600GC4G9-2G) £38.99
1 x Samsung SH-S222BB/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.99
Total : £638.02 (includes shipping : £11.75).

 
UXB said:
Changing my plan yet again got to get it right haven't i lol

Anyway i am love with this case so thats staying, here the new proposed build, will it all fit, and should i consider a better psu ?

YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI HD 7850 Twin Frozr III OC 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Cards w/ Nexuiz & Dirt Showdown PC Games £194.99
1 x Intel Core i5-2550K 3.40GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £179.99
1 x Asus P8H77-I Intel H77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 MiniITX Motherboard £83.99
1 x BitFenix Prodigy Mini-ITX Cube Case - Midnight Black £64.99
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £43.98
1 x Adata XPG Gaming v1.0 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (AX3U1600GC4G9-2G) £38.99
1 x Samsung SH-S222BB/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.99
Total : £638.02 (includes shipping : £11.75).

Click to expand...

Don't get the 2550K it is basically a 2500K with a duff IGP. If you read up on the case it actually takes mATX mobos, use a Z77 mobo and it will exploit the IGP. The H77 mobo wont let you overclock the K series CPU either, mini-itx mobos are expensive.....clever of bitfenix to allow mATX mobos :)

The 500W PSU is the minimum really but you did say you were on a budget.

YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI HD 7850 Twin Frozr III OC 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Cards w/ Nexuiz & Dirt Showdown PC Games £194.99
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £169.99
1 x ASRock Z77 Extreme4 M Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £97.99
1 x BitFenix Prodigy Mini-ITX Cube Case - Midnight Black £64.99
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £43.98
1 x GeIL Dragon 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (GD38GB1600C11DC) £39.95
1 x Samsung SH-S222BB/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.99
Total : £642.98 (includes shipping : £11.75).

 
Last edited:
UXB said:
I am confused now just asked over on this thread, and they say that board won't fit ?

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18406992&page=5
Click to expand...

I just checked the official webpage for the case. It is Mini-itx. I was WRONG, I do apologise.....I swear it did take the mATX mobos :( I know it's not exactly tiny as I did watch a video review quite a while back on youtube.

YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI HD 7850 Twin Frozr III OC 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Cards w/ Nexuiz & Dirt Showdown PC Games £194.99
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £169.99
1 x ASRock Z77E-ITX Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Mini ITX Motherboard £123.98
1 x BitFenix Prodigy Mini-ITX Cube Case - Midnight Black £64.99
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £43.98
1 x Adata XPG Gaming v1.0 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (AX3U1600GC4G9-2G) £38.99
1 x Samsung SH-S222BB/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.99
Total : £668.02 (includes shipping : £11.75).



That is the mini-itx version of the same mobo. It has THX rated audio, onboard wifi, it will allow overclocking of the i5K CPU and has a single slot for your GPU. I do apologise once again for my mistake
 
Last edited:
Awesome thanks, no need to apologise dude you have helped me so much.

Just wondering is overclocking a good idea in such a small case, if not then i could go for the i3 and cheaper motherboard ?
 
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