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Please help me build a gaming PC! €1000 - €1500
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28-11-2011 1:52pm#1Sup all!
I'm looking to get a kickass gaming PC built for myself.
Unfortunately I am not particularly knowledgable when it comes to the range of hardware available, so any advice that you guys can offer would be grand.
The price range that I am looking at is €1000 to an absolute max of €1500. I am expecting to pay around the €1200-€1300 range.
My buying philosophy is to have gear that is as upgradable as possible. I tend to buy high in order to get a computer that will last as long as possible, and have a backbone that allows me to add upgraded parts without losing performance over time.
I already have a great monitor, as well as keyboard, mouse, speakers and earphones, DVD-drive, so it's just the actual system itself that I need.
So what I need is...
Processor: A very good one that will last a long time. I understand that they don't need to be upgraded often, so the better I get now the longer it will last. I hear that those i5 2500k are really good bang for your buck, but I'm happy to go for something a bit more expensive if it means I can go longer without having to upgrade. I definately want to stick with Intel though. Also note: I don't overclock things unless it comes overclocked out the box. I am to scared to get into overclocking because I don't feel that I know enough about hardware to do it intelligently or safely.
RAM: I am looking at about 8gb of DDR3. I don't know anything about different Hz or different brands. I've been stuck with 2gb of DDR2 for too long now...so I'm happy to fork out extra to have high quality RAM to spare.
Motherboard: I suppose that this is where upgradability becomes a factor. I need something that looks forward, and won't choke components. Something ready for next-gen stuff. Don't want to land up with a situation like I had before where I got an awesome graphics card but it turned out my motherboard didn't have PCI-Express 2, so it was eternally choked.
HDs: I've been reading a bit about SSD drives, and it seems that a lot of people use them exclusively for their OS, and then have a HDD for their storage and game installs etc. Is that a good way to go? Maybe a 120gig SSD for the OS/Office/Browsers etc, and a good 1Tb HDD for everything else? What brand should I be looking at, and what specs on the different drives? I don't want to land up with an HDD that slows everything down because it has a slow read time.
Graphics Card: Seeing as this is going to be a gaming PC, a good graphics card is obviously a must. I prefer Nvidea over Radeon. I'm looking for something high-end that can handle the latest games (e.g. BF3) on max graphics, but not so high-end where the price goes through the roof, like they tend to do. I need something that has high specs, and proven to be stable. Having an HDMI slot as well would be nice, as my monitor has an HDMI slot that has remained unused for far too long.
Powersupply: I don't know what wattage is really needed here. Obviously depends on the other parts. I have an Odin 800w in my current PC (told you I don't know what I'm doing), but I don't know if it's worth trying to reuse it rather than get a new one. I hear that brand is quite important with PSU as a lot of PCs blow up from bad brands?
Case: Dust resistant + good flow + USB ports on the front, top and back. I'm quite care-free about the case. As long as it looks good, doesn't rattle, and has space for a decent amount of USB ports, it's all gravy!
Cooling: I have no idea if cooling is even required, but if it is...then I have no idea what to look for. I'm absolutely clueless when it comes to cooling tech.
So ya...assistance would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks all
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Processor: I hear that those i5 2500k are really good bang for your buck, but I'm happy to go for something a bit more expensive if it means I can go longer without having to upgrade.
The i5-2500k is all you need for games (right now) so it's a good choice. However if your definitely not going to overclock then keep in mind that the K processors are the unlocked versions and you could save money by going for a 2400. But I'd recommend getting an i5-2500k or i7-2600k because when you realise how easy it is to overclock them you might regret it!RAM: I am looking at about 8gb of DDR3. I don't know anything about different Hz or different brands. I've been stuck with 2gb of DDR2 for too long now...so I'm happy to fork out extra to have high quality RAM to spare.
8GB of DDR3 is fairly cheap anyway. You can get a good kit for 35-45e. Just watch out for the ones with large heatsinks because they might not fit depending on the CPU cooler you get.Motherboard: I suppose that this is where upgradability becomes a factor. I need something that looks forward, and won't choke components. Something ready for next-gen stuff. Don't want to land up with a situation like I had before where I got an awesome graphics card but it turned out my motherboard didn't have PCI-Express 2, so it was eternally choked.
Look out for the Z68 Gen3 motherboards, they support multiple graphics cards if needed and will also be compatible with the next Ivy Bridge line of processors from Intel, although you might not need or want to upgrade to those. All the major brands have good Z68 boards, like MSI, ASUS, Gigabyte..HDs: I've been reading a bit about SSD drives, and it seems that a lot of people use them exclusively for their OS, and then have a HDD for their storage and game installs etc. Is that a good way to go? Maybe a 120gig SSD for the OS/Office/Browsers etc, and a good 1Tb HDD for everything else? What brand should I be looking at, and what specs on the different drives? I don't want to land up with an HDD that slows everything down because it has a slow read time.
SSD's are magic. System boots and shuts down in seconds, programs launch instantaneously Definitely worth it if you can afford them. Larger hard drives are really expensive at the moment though because of floods in Thailand, so you're looking at paying 2 or 3 times the usual price for a 1TB drive.
Graphics Card: Seeing as this is going to be a gaming PC, a good graphics card is obviously a must. I prefer Nvidea over Radeon. I'm looking for something high-end that can handle the latest games (e.g. BF3) on max graphics, but not so high-end where the price goes through the roof, like they tend to do. I need something that has high specs, and proven to be stable. Having an HDMI slot as well would be nice, as my monitor has an HDMI slot that has remained unused for far too long.
With your budget I'd go for a GTX570 or a Radeon 6970.
Lower down the GTX560 Ti and Radeon 6950 are great value for money.
That's if you're buying right now, new Radeon HD7000 series rumnoured for end 2011, while the new Geforce are still a while away.
Powersupply: I don't know what wattage is really needed here. Obviously depends on the other parts. I have an Odin 800w in my current PC (told you I don't know what I'm doing), but I don't know if it's worth trying to reuse it rather than get a new one. I hear that brand is quite important with PSU as a lot of PCs blow up from bad brands?
You could reuse it if you want, but 800W is way more power than you need for just a processor and a single card + 2 HDD's.
Cooling: I have no idea if cooling is even required, but if it is...then I have no idea what to look for. I'm absolutely clueless when it comes to cooling tech.
There are plenty of different options out there. If you're definitely not going to overclock, the CPU cooler that comes with the processor should be fine. If not there are plenty of aftermarket ones that will keep your CPU nice and cool
I don't know how to use the basket script but I'm sure someone will make one up for you.0 -
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1) No. Simple as.
2) Not if you don't want to run more than one GPU. (I should mention that if you are, you'll want to get a more powerful PSU now, as the 600W I specced won't cope with a second 580.)
3) There are a bunch of reviews out there. If you need help with it, I can point you to some particularly good ones, or walk you through it. If you really don't want to bother, you can remove the H60 from the build; the stock cooler will be fine (though it won't be particularly quiet).0 -
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I would stick with the 120gb SSD as I have one and it is very easy to go over 64gb with only Windows, 1 game and office installed
the Caviar Black is nice but maybe not the best time to buy one as I have a 2tb which cost nearly the same price
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-( i )- Wicker wrote: »Check this 2TB drive which is cheaper
That's a caviar green, more suited twoards storage than everyday use. With the budget he has listed, the hdd price spike is almost a non-issue.
I'd go with the 1tb caviar black, unless you're storing tons of tv shows and movies, it'll take a long time to fill. a terrabyte is a LOT of storage space and the caviar black is high performance which is what you want in a nice high end machine like this.
Just my two cents 0 -
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Serephucus wrote: »Pffft. I filled a 2TB drive in less than a year, and that was being conservative. As is, I'm going to need another 3TB ASAP (stupid HDD price increases). Depends a lot on the user. I know people that get by with one 500GB drive, which I think is just nuts. (As is, I'm using 6TB).
Tell me about it :P I used to have 3.5tb of data stored on 1x 2tb, 1x 1tb and 1x 500gig.
Then the 1tb drive died on me...and then a couple of months ago the 2tb died on me, leaving me with only the 500gig drive I'm using now, and it drives me nuts having so little space.
Lost most of my stuff
But ya, I reckon I'll probably get the caviar black 1tb HDD and the 120gig SSD.
Gonnna have to sit down on the weekend and come to a decision 0 -
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Tell me about it :P I used to have 3.5tb of data stored on 1x 2tb, 1x 1tb and 1x 500gig.
Then the 1tb drive died on me...and then a couple of months ago the 2tb died on me, leaving me with only the 500gig drive I'm using now, and it drives me nuts having so little space.
Lost most of my stuff
But ya, I reckon I'll probably get the caviar black 1tb HDD and the 120gig SSD.
Gonnna have to sit down on the weekend and come to a decision
Let us know what you decide, if you've any more questions....we're all here like!0 -
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I'm trying to put together the build on that website but that 120gig SSD doesn't show up on the search Any ideas? Is another piece blocking it or something?
Also, how do I link a build from that site onto the forum?
It's 128 GB. Here's some linkage.0 -
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So stick with the Extreme4 and get the 570, and then dual 570 when its time to upgrade again?
Yeah, building a PC is hard, everyone (including me....oh how it affects me) suffers what I call "tech greed" where you buy way more than you need and it's pretty wasteful.
The new Ati cards come out in January, so along with the 580 being way overkill for what you need, they'll be kinda obsolete in a few months or so. by the time you reach a point where you need to upgrade in a year or two, they'll be a whole new line-up to choose from.
If you go with the 570 and plan to SLI in future. That setup will destroy ANYTHING you throw at it, the power of the higher end cards is immense, especially at this bracket!
You don't have to take my advice btw, it's your money so make your own decision, this is just how I'd look at it in your shoes 0 -
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Eamonn Brophy wrote: »Yeah, building a PC is hard, everyone (including me....oh how it affects me) suffers what I call "tech greed" where you buy way more than you need and it's pretty wasteful.
The new Ati cards come out in January, so along with the 580 being way overkill for what you need, they'll be kinda obsolete in a few months or so. by the time you reach a point where you need to upgrade in a year or two, they'll be a whole new line-up to choose from.
If you go with the 570 and plan to SLI in future. That setup will destroy ANYTHING you throw at it, the power of the higher end cards is immense, especially at this bracket!
You don't have to take my advice btw, it's your money so make your own decision, this is just how I'd look at it in your shoes
Makes sense.
Plus I make a bigger saving swapping the 580 for the 570 than swapping the Extreme4 for the Pro3.
Regarding the ATI cards...I was under the impression that ATI cards and NVidea cards need different motherboards. Am I wrong?
Also, is there a reason that you recommended the Phantom case? Does it have some advantage over the Fractal Design one?0 -
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Serephucus wrote: »No. A 280 is less than half the power of a 580.
And is DX10.
Straight, to the point.
Good man 0 -
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Ya, I went for the 600t case after reading up reviews on it. Highly customisable case with good wire space, good airflow and lots of dust guards. I also checked how it handles the big NH-D14 cooler and its all good.
So what I have ordered is:
- Extreme 4 motherboard
- i5-2500k CPU
- 8gig Corsair Vengeance RAM
- Palit GTX570 Graphics Card
- 1tb Samsung Spinpoint F3 HDD
- 128gig Crucial SSD
- Noctua NH-D14 cooler fan
- Corsair 600t Case
Left out the PSU because I plan to salvage the 800watt OdinGT that I've got in my current PC. Also have a DVD R/RW that I'm salvaging.
It arrives on Friday
Thanks to everyone who helped with this! Particularly Serephucus and Eamonn Brophy.0
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