Spec me please :)

[SBouzyk]

Hi guys I'm in the market for speccing a computer

- I really want something that can dual boot Mac OS Mountain Lion (and maybe the next generation OS) and Windows 8. So i need a motherboard that can do that WITHOUT lag (I HATE LAG)

-I would like this to be in a BitFenix Prodigy or something of the same size. Or something that looks like a Mac Pro

-My budget is £750

- This PC/Mac would be for general use i.e my school studies, however I want this to be future proof (Haswell processors etc...)

Cheers!

 

[SBouzyk]

Rofl.

Unfortunately I don't believe we are supposed to discuss the running of Mac on non-Apple hardware on these forums.

However, melvis is right, Haswell is not a good choice at the moment and probably wont be for a while.

With that in mind this is what I'd build.
You didn't mention gaming so I haven't included a graphics card.
This will also only be capable of a minor overclock as the board doesn't have any manual voltage control.
The fans are to replace the stock H80 ones because they are loud.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - OEM £179.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77N-WIFI Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Mini ITX Motherboard £103.99
1 x Samsung 120GB SSD 840 EVO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7TE120BW) £86.99
1 x Seasonic G series 550w '80 Plus Gold' Modular Power Supply £79.99
1 x Microsoft Windows 8 64-Bit DVD - OEM (WN7-00403) £79.99
1 x BitFenix Prodigy Mini-ITX Cube Case - Midnight Black £69.95
1 x Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX) £53.99
1 x Corsair Hydro H80 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler *Manufacturer Refurbished Unit - 90 Day Guarantee £39.95
1 x LG GH24NSB0 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £19.99
2 x Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm 1850 RPM - 3 Pin £14.98 (£29.96)
Total : £758.88 (includes shipping : £11.75).



If you have no intention of overclocking or aren't fussed because the above wont over clock very far then you could do it slightly cheaper.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3470 3.20GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £155.99
1 x Gigabyte H77N-WIFI Intel H77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Mini ITX Motherboard £89.99
1 x Samsung 120GB SSD 840 EVO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7TE120BW) £86.99
1 x Seasonic G series 550w '80 Plus Gold' Modular Power Supply £79.99
1 x Microsoft Windows 8 64-Bit DVD - OEM (WN7-00403) £79.99
1 x BitFenix Prodigy Mini-ITX Cube Case - Midnight Black £69.95
1 x Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX) £53.99
1 x Corsair Hydro H80 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler *Manufacturer Refurbished Unit - 90 Day Guarantee £39.95
1 x LG GH24NSB0 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £19.99
2 x Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm 1850 RPM - 3 Pin £14.98 (£29.96)
Total : £720.88 (includes shipping : £11.75).

Thanks for the help! I'm not too fussed about having the latest processor. Is it possible to be able to change from IVY Bridge to Haswell with these boards when I want? Also is there room and can I put a graphics card in if I need to?

Cheers