System build with longevity

Thanks for all your help. I was about to become decided on the board but when I looked at the MOBO closely, and I did not specify this clearly but I would like to use the features in the H2 case. I'd definitely like to use the front USB (and I read there are no USB headers on the Gigabyte motherboard?), I assume AHCI will still work (reading various threads on the Web it seems like it is just a matter of updating the BIOS)?

I do have a USB hub but it likes to slide around the desk.

How much more would it cost to have a better motherboard?
 
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I read a comment on a product review, must have been misinformation?

Edit: No USB 3 header but I think I can live with it.
 
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GPU will be okay, but I can spend more money on the motherboard (perhaps around ~60 GBP + other parts (amalgamation between RJC and honosuseri)). What do you think of this build?

1 x Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £197.99
1 x Gigabyte Z87-D3HP Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £106.99
1 x Seasonic G series 550w '80 Plus Gold' Modular Power Supply £76.99
1 x TeamGroup Xtreem LV 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-21300C11 2666MHz Dual Channel Kit (TXD38G2666HC11CDC01) £65.99
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (ST1000DM003) HDD £51.95
1 x Thermalright True Spirit 120 REV A (BW) Performance CPU Cooler (Socket 775 / 1150 / 1155 / 1156 / AM2 / AM2+ / AM3 / FM1 / FM2) £24.98
1 x VTX3D HD 7870 Black Boost Edition 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £155.99
 
Build looks good, though I think you could save on the PSU personally, or spend the same on one that would allow crossfire at a later date.
 
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Thanks for continuously helping me out in this thread.

A PSU that would allow Crossfire? I think the motherboard allows this.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-118-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=2597 ?

It's marketing hype dude. The mobo doesn't run the PCI-E lanes in sync so adding a second GPU isn't really cost effective.

There is a great price this weekend for the Nvidia 670.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus GeForce GTX 670 DirectCU II OC Gamer 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £189.95
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £185.99
1 x **B Grade** Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £60.00
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 500w Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020059-UK) £54.98
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (ST1000DM003) HDD £51.95
1 x Patriot Intel Extreme Masters 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (PVI38G160C9K) £49.99
1 x Corsair Hydro H80 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler *Manufacturer Refurbished Unit - 90 Day Guarantee £35.99
Total : £640.85 (includes shipping : £10.00).



Only one of those B grade mobos (might need sata cables). Think I'm under budget enough to get a new mobo though if you wanted.
 
It's marketing hype dude. The mobo doesn't run the PCI-E lanes in sync so adding a second GPU isn't really cost effective.

There is a great price this weekend for the Nvidia 670.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus GeForce GTX 670 DirectCU II OC Gamer 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £189.95
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £185.99
1 x **B Grade** Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £60.00
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 500w Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020059-UK) £54.98
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (ST1000DM003) HDD £51.95
1 x Patriot Intel Extreme Masters 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (PVI38G160C9K) £49.99
1 x Corsair Hydro H80 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler *Manufacturer Refurbished Unit - 90 Day Guarantee £35.99
Total : £640.85 (includes shipping : £10.00).



Only one of those B grade mobos (might need sata cables). Think I'm under budget enough to get a new mobo though if you wanted.

I can't spend more money on the graphics card, if I can get a better motherboard the budget can be stretched (as I specified). £106 for the motherboard is okay.

Okay, so Crossfire isn't absolutely necessary but nice (especially since I could probably buy the same card again in six months for Crossfire!).

I still appreciate your input. Will the build I just posted work (with Corsair Builder Series CX 750W Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020061-UK)) ?
 
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Good spot, though for £10 extra this mobo should be very good (I think!), will run crossfire at x8/x8.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=mb-235-ms&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=2574

the 750w should be fine if you go crossfire.

this motherboard seems to fit the price point/features that i am looking (but the car salesman marketing was extremely off putting) at but i have no idea what memory to get. i remember having to look at the QVL years ago when I last attempted this and I had to get a very particular PC-xxxx but now it seems different.

What speed would I want? Do I want SS or DS? I want it to stay under £50.

I found this but I have no idea what I am really looking at.

Thanks.
 
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It's marketing hype dude. The mobo doesn't run the PCI-E lanes in sync so adding a second GPU isn't really cost effective.

There is a great price this weekend for the Nvidia 670.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus GeForce GTX 670 DirectCU II OC Gamer 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £189.95
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £185.99
1 x **B Grade** Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £60.00
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 500w Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020059-UK) £54.98
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (ST1000DM003) HDD £51.95
1 x Patriot Intel Extreme Masters 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (PVI38G160C9K) £49.99
1 x Corsair Hydro H80 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler *Manufacturer Refurbished Unit - 90 Day Guarantee £35.99
Total : £640.85 (includes shipping : £10.00).



Only one of those B grade mobos (might need sata cables). Think I'm under budget enough to get a new mobo though if you wanted.

honosuseri, You seem to really know your stuff so would like you to please give me some advice if you could,

I am currently researching for a completely new build, do you recommend I buy the Asus Geforce GTX 670 Pre Order before 9 am Aug 12th or wait for a similar price cut on the Asus HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP 3072MB?
 
honosuseri, You seem to really know your stuff so would like you to please give me some advice if you could,

I am currently researching for a completely new build, do you recommend I buy the Asus Geforce GTX 670 Pre Order before 9 am Aug 12th or wait for a similar price cut on the Asus HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP 3072MB?

The 670 is a cutdown 680 but they cut off very little, just OC the 670 to close the gap. They have dropped the price of the 670s as the 770 is now out, which is basically a "Super Duper" 680 but these new GPUs are over £300.

AMDs new GPU are due October'ish and I can't say what prices for the 7970 will be when the new GPUs do land.

The 670 would be a great GPU for the price, I'm pretty sure they are offering the new Splinter Cell game free with that 670 too. Don't forget to link your account if you are mainland UK for free P&P :D
 
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