Spec help

Z e e b R a a

Z e e b R a a

Z e e b R a a

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6 Oct 2010
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Ok, so I'm looking to build up a cheap gaming computer that hopefully can play most games at a reasonable setting.

I already have;
Fractal arc 2 midi
SSD
H100 cooler once they arrive.

Looking to pick up an i5 2500k S/h
7950 card
unsure on ram
and this mobo

YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £45.95
Total : £55.85 (includes shipping : £8.25).



Will this be a reasonable spec or can I get better for a similar price?

Will it also be worth getting a second 7950 at a later date?

Second hand parts arent a problem.
 
That motherboard is very good, especially for the money and will get your 2500k overclocked to 4.5-4.8Ghz easy. :)

It won't run 2 x 7950's well.. as its x16/x4 not x8/x8..

For a single card setups it's great :)
 
Ah, missed that. :P

Which is the best 7950 to go for? As far as I can tell they just have different coolers?

Any suggestions for ram and a psu?

"Due to Windows 32-bit operating system limitation, when more than 4 GB of physical memory is installed, the actual memory size displayed will be less than 4 GB."

Would this support 8gb of ram just show as 4? or would anymore than 4 be pointless?
 
Z e e b R a a said:
Which is the best 7950 to go for? As far as I can tell they just have different coolers?
Click to expand...

Different coolers and some are pre-overclocked, id go for this one: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-190-MS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1673

The cooler is very effective and quiet. the overclock is big too and its one of the cheapest at the moment.

Z e e b R a a said:
"Due to Windows 32-bit operating system limitation, when more than 4 GB of physical memory is installed, the actual memory size displayed will be less than 4 GB."

Would this support 8gb of ram just show as 4? or would anymore than 4 be pointless?
Click to expand...

I would go for 8GB, You should get the 64 bit operating system, that will regonise 8GB.. (upto 64GB i think)
 
If you already have the 32 bit OS then there is no point getting more than 4GB RAM - but if you've not got the OS then get a 64-bit OS. In fact, if I already had the 32-bit OS I'd look to replace it to be honest.

64-bit windows max ram varies by version, its not a limit of the number of bits (doubling the number of bits would theoretically square the max! 16 million terrabytes anyone?).

Win 7 versions: home basic = 8GB, home premium = 16GB, pro+ = 192GB
Win 8 limits: basic = 128GB, pro+ = 512GB

Edit: Though you'll be limited to some number by your hardware too of course!

Edit2: Also note that the graphics card memory needs mapped too, so excluding PAE you are seriously restricted!
 
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I'm looking to pick up what I can S/h, so it's a little harder to pick and choose which card. Is there much difference between all of the 7950s?

Will be going for 8gb ram, OS isn't a problem. I have access to 64bit W7 ultimate.
 
Z e e b R a a said:
I'm looking to pick up what I can S/h, so it's a little harder to pick and choose which card. Is there much difference between all of the 7950s?

Will be going for 8gb ram, OS isn't a problem. I have access to 64bit W7 ultimate.
Click to expand...

Z e e b R a a said:
Also hoping to build up a custom WC loop in the future so the card cooler doesn't need to be the best straight out of the box.
Click to expand...

No real difference, id suggest going with a good brand like MSI, gigabyte or ASUS though due to RMA (gigabyte is UK based)
 
That mobo is ok but it's no good if you want to run dual GPUs down the line. Have a look at THIS. It's Xfire/SLi capable so long as your PSU can hack it and you can update the BIOS to UEFI which the D3 can't do.

You could download and use the windows 8 (64bit) trial and that's free for 3 months. As 7950s go I'd look at the MSI TF which is £240 and comes with a load of games (offer expires on the 31st)
 
David Bisset said:
Edit2: Also note that the graphics card memory needs mapped too, so excluding PAE you are seriously restricted!
Click to expand...

Could you elaborate on this? Not sure what you mean.

Doomedspeed said:
No real difference, id suggest going with a good brand like MSI, gigabyte or ASUS though due to RMA (gigabyte is UK based)
Click to expand...

Perfect. Will keep my eyes peeled.

honosuseri said:
That mobo is ok but it's no good if you want to run dual GPUs down the line. Have a look at THIS. It's Xfire/SLi capable so long as your PSU can hack it and you can update the BIOS to UEFI which the D3 can't do.

You could download and use the windows 8 (64bit) trial and that's free for 3 months. As 7950s go I'd look at the MSI TF which is £240 and comes with a load of games (offer expires on the 31st)
Click to expand...

This board looks good, just as good for an OC as the other one but ability for SLI? Being B grade what am I missing? Just some sata cables? What's warranty like on that too?

I have W7 ultimate so OS is no bother.

Looking to buy second hand if possible. Also the games that are left aren't much interest to me as I've already played them.
 
B grade warranty is 90 days with OCuk and whatever is left for the manufacturer to honour (better than buying 2nd hand really). You'd have to ask in customer services what's missing but yes I'd wager sata cables.

You could sell the unwanted game codes to recoup cash. Can't see you finding many 7950s 2nd hand cheaply. Maybe consider the Tahiti cored 7870LEs new as they can be OC'd to match a 7950.
 
Will have to ask about the board.

There's a couple I've seen for a reasonable price.

Will sort this board and then just find a processor and gpu when I can.

Any ideas on what Ram and PSU to go for?

Blue ram would be nice. As we all like pretty things. ;)
 
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