Gaming/Media Centre PC Build - Help Please

richiebox · 20-05-2013 12:43pm #1

Hi,

Looking for some recommendations for a gaming/media center PC build:

1. What is your budget? €1000 (approx.).

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? Gaming (MMOs, Far Cry 3, BF4, Bioshock etc.).

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? Yes.

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? No.

5. Do you need a monitor? Yes

5a. If yes, what size do you need. I don't mind. I'd like a nice big monitor though.

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? Keyboard/Mouse/Wireless Card.

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? Yes.

8. How can you pay? Credit Card/Laser/Bank Transfer

9. When are you purchasing? Immediately

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? South Dublin City

First time buying & building a PC. A little bit lost to say the least!

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

richiebox · 20-05-2013 4:08pm

Minor updates: Payment method and OC.

Monotype · 20-05-2013 4:23pm

When you say media centre, do you mean something compact, or do you want something that has stacks of hard drives? Or both?

richiebox · 20-05-2013 4:50pm

Good question, sorry my title is possibly a bit misleading. I would like to hook my computer up to my TV and use it for streaming etc. I think that I would still hold the majority of the files on external hard drives though...

Gaming would most likely be the motivating factor for the purchase.

Monotype · 20-05-2013 6:43pm

How about something like this:

Item|Price
8GB G.Skill RipJaws-X PC3-12800U CL10|€54.48
LiteOn iHAS124-04 schwarz SATA|€16.50
LG 22EA53VQ-P|€134.16
BitFenix Shinobi Midi-Tower USB 3.0 black, ohne Netzteil|€53.03
Samsung SSD 840 250GB SATA 6Gb/s|€148.00
Thermalright True Spirit 120 Rev. A BW|€27.19
HIS HD 7870 GDDR5 2048MB DVI/HDMI/2xMini DP|€187.94
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit (SB-Version)|€80.84
Gigabyte GA-970-UD3, AMD 970, AM3+, ATX|€79.79
ASUS PCE-N10|€14.90
AMD FX-6300 Prozessor, Boxed, Sockel AM3+|€101.97
Logitech G400 Gaming Mouse|€33.31
Corsair CX Series Modular CX500M, 500W|€58.15
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€1009.25

You need a keyboard on top of that - don't buy a keyboard from there as you'll end up with a German layout.
I've added in a wireless card but I would definitely consider homeplugs (~€40 from amazon.co.uk for a pair) if you can't get a proper wired connection.
Is 250GB enough? It's a solid state drive so it's fast... but perhaps a smaller one + a 1TB hard drive might be better depending on your needs.
That's a German windows - you can get an English disc image in the Windows guide in my signature. Or go for Windows 8 instead, if you prefer. I have Windows 8 on a HTPC and it's a bit of a pain in the hole in ways, especially when it starts messing around with the resolution in standby.

BloodBath · 20-05-2013 7:24pm

Monotype · 20-05-2013 8:02pm

Good stuff, especially the card. The only thing is that I would be reluctant to invest in an Intel system with a new socket just around the corner - despite the fact that you wouldn't need to upgrade for a long time with that CPU. It's just no fun being on a dead socket. 'Course if you have the extra money to spend and can wait a few weeks, I'd just get the new platform when it comes out. ETA ~ 3 weeks.

richiebox · 20-05-2013 8:08pm

Thanks so much for getting back to me guys, food for thought there. Good point mono, in your opinion I should hang on for ~3 weeks? I'd be more tempted to go intel to be honest.

Monotype · 20-05-2013 8:23pm

Yeah, if you want Intel and are willing to spend the extra money, then wait the few weeks. Sure, the 3570K is extremely powerful, but you'll have a small bonus in power with the 4670K and you would have the option to upgrade with the next generation too, which should remain on the same socket.
The only thing is that the motherboards are quite likely to be a bit more expensive. Going by previous generations, they tend to start at €100 when released and the CPU might be a similar amount extra. Maybe €30 extra in total, so overall not too bad, given the advantages.

BloodBath · 20-05-2013 8:28pm

To be honest I wouldn't see a 3570k needing to be upgraded for at least 4-5 years at which stage there will be new lines of 10nm processors and new board sockets.

No harm waiting for haswell I guess but performance wise there is not much in it and the upgrade options for haswell's socket won't even be worth upgrading to, like sandys and ivys now.

Monotype · 20-05-2013 8:34pm

You never know, Broadwell might be amazing (;)) and these new boards will hopefully support it when the the time comes.

I like keeping options open. I've bought at the end of a socket's life and it's not really worth your while unless you're getting a heavy discount. However, these recent generations have been a little different in that they overclock so well and the needs of games are relatively low, that the demands are not as great.

BloodBath · 20-05-2013 8:41pm

It makes 0 difference. You won't upgrade from haswell to broadwell anyway. Unless you don't mind spending 200+ for a 10-15% performance boost.

I wouldn't put off building a pc for a month to do it anyway.

richiebox · 21-05-2013 6:20am

Cool, good stuff. Thanks again. I'm going to make a decision by the end of the week, most likely will go with you're suggestion Bloodbath. Do I need any more fans etc, or will cooling be sufficient with that spec.? Sorry, my previous PC had a big problem with overheating.

Monotype · 21-05-2013 8:31am

€200 is a bit misleading since, you could sell the old CPU. Also, across two generations, even an increase in 12% each time would be over 25% which is hardly insignificant.
I wouldn't be inclined to upgrade from a 2500K to a 3570K, but I'd say there's many who upgraded from the previous generation, Westmere, to a 3570K, and there would be more if it wasn't for the board change.
The 3570K has oodles of power right now as it is, but in a few circumstances, I've read some people saying that they could still do with more processing power in a few games. I think it was SWTOR that was especially hard on the CPU at times, so upgrade options are always welcome. Bear in mind, that we expect a jump in quality with games in the next year with the release of new consoles - not that the consoles are going to be very powerful, but they tend to be highly optimised, so it's good to stay far ahead on the curve when you can.

Anyhow, that's just my opinion. As it stands, richiebox, that is an excellent build. These Intel CPUs run cool enough and the coolermaster 212 Evo recommended by BB or the True Sprit in my post are far superior to what Intel supply you with.
The true spirit is a little better a cooling, but slightly noisier. Here's some results comparing.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/coolermaster-hyper-212-evo_5.html

To be fair, about two fans in your average case is fine. Location of the system has a bigger impact - e.g., if you're stuffing it into a cupboard, in a corner, putting it on a carpet or against a wall that somehow impedes its airflow, then you'll need to compensate. If you want a really quiet system, more fans working at a slower speed works too.

BloodBath · 21-05-2013 10:15am

No harm waiting for Haswell if you can hold out another 2-3 weeks I guess. Then you have to hope for stock of a decent mainboard to go with it.

The true spirit is noisey. The 212 evo isn't even what I'd call quiet but it's a lot quieter than the true spirit and a better cooler for the money.

The case comes with 3 fans. That should give you decent airflow. You could add 2 more if you wanted. The 120mm arctic F12 fans are only about €3.50 each.

richiebox · 22-05-2013 4:18pm

OK so I think that I'm going to pull the trigger and order the PC recommended by Bloodbath above, but I have two small questions:

1. Do hardwareversand provide formal receipts with the purchase?

2. I have read numerous times throughout these forums that I should not have the PC assembled then shipped. I haven't ever built a PC before. Is it realistic that I will be able to build it when I receive it, or should I look into getting someone else to do it?

Thanks again, help is really appreciated.

Gaming/Media Centre PC Build - Help Please

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