Getting off the ground: First-build.

GtotheD

Hi all.
I've been agonising over the last few months over building a computer, and I've finally decided to do it.
This will be my first build, and a project, taking weeks or months, however long it takes to get it done right, and around work. This will be primarily a gaming pc; something to run the latest fps', for example.

At the minute, I've settled on this as my starting point: http://www.dabs.ie/products/asus-intel-performance-bundle--includes-p8z68-v-lx-motherboard--intel-core-i5-2500k---8gb-ddr3--7VJG.html

With this to follow:
http://www.dabs.ie/products/sapphire-technology-ati-radeon-6850-hd-775mhz-1gb-pci-express-hdmi-7783.html

I was going to house my build in an Antec 900 case, which can be seen here: http://www.dabs.ie/products/antec-900-nine-hundred-ultimate-gamer-case--black--49XS.html

Other parts, at the minute, are still a decision to be made, but the motherboard/processor bundle is a definite.

I would greathly appreciate your help and advice; am I going about this in the right order? What size of a PSU do you think would suffice?


My first post, and I appreciate you taking your time in reading and replying to this.
Flattery will get me everywhere.

(Also, I am not advertising for dabs here; I've just decided to stick solely with them for the sake of having everything i need to see in one place- even if I can find certaing things cheaper elsewhere).

deconduo

Your best bet would be to fill out the form in my sig. However just a few things to start:

-The 2500k will be bottlenecked by the 6850. If you want to max out the latest games you'll need to get a much more powerful card

-The Antec 900 was a good case 4 years ago, but its very dated now. There are better, cheaper cases out there.

Without knowing your budget its hard to give advice, but probably something like this would be what you're looking for:

Item|Price
Total build cost: €869.08 + €30 shipping
Intel Core i5-2500K Box, LGA1155|€197.91
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3, Sockel 1155, ATX|€121.37
8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€32.53
Samsung SpinPoint F3 1000GB, SATA II (HD103SJ)|€99.90
FRACTAL DESIGN Gehäuse DEFINE R3 Black Pearl|€93.72
Samsung SH-222AB bare schwarz SATA|€15.97
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 650W|€68.90
Sapphire HD 6950, 2GB GDDR5 PCI-Express|€238.78


Then depending on your budget you could:
-Get a 7970 instead of the 6950
-Get a 64GB or 128GB Crucial M4 as a boot drive
-Get a more flashy case if the R3 isn't your style
-Get a cooler for some decent overclocking

GtotheD

deconduo.

Thanks for the reply. I have already purchased the bundle that I mentioned previously, just awaiting delivery. I won't be buying all of the components straight away, but rather over the coming weeks. So that's the motherboard, processor and RAM covered..

I'll be using Windows 7, and my budget, I'd place ideally around 900/1000, but I wouldn't be too upset going over by up to 200.

Regarding monitor, I have a HDtv I was intending on using?

Admittedly I overlooked a boot drive, do you think a 64GB would suffice?
That case looks just fine, I like it's minimalist look.

How do you think the 6950 would fare against the use I intend it for? As for sound card, do you think inbuilt is up to the job?
Your thoughts on a a wireless card?

Again, I am very thankful for your help.

deconduo

Onboard sound is fine unless you are into music production/editing or you have an expensive set of speakers.

The 6950 is decent enough, but if you want to max the latest games I'd consider getting a 7970.

A 64GB SSD is probably worth considering on your budget, its plenty for Windows + a couple of games. I'm running fine off a 30GB drive.

GtotheD

Motherboard package arrived today, as well as the all important anti-static wristband..next on the list.. hard drive, and disc drive I think.