€1000 Gaming Build

RobertFoster

1. What is your budget?
€1000

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer?
Gaming (Skyrim, Spec Ops, Watch Dogs, anything and everything really, building instead of getting the new consoles) / Web Development / General workhorse

3. Do you need a copy of Windows?
No, I have Windows 8

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer?
Samsung 840 Series 250GB. DVD Drive. Wireless card.

5. Do you need a monitor?
No, not right now.

5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future?
1080p - Dell ST2410. Not the best, so I'll keep an eye on the Korean monitor thread...

6. Do you need any of these peripherals?
On the look out for a new mechanical keyboard (doesn't have to be part of this build, but open to suggestions).

7. Are you willing to try overclocking?
Yes. Not overclocked in the past, but I'll give it a go if there's a guide.

8. How can you pay?
Bank Transfer, Visa Debit, PayPal.

9. When are you purchasing?
Ready now.

10. If you need help building it, where are you based?
Should be OK on my own.


I'll be upgrading from this Aldi PC that I got as a stopgap (over 3 years ago ). I plan to pass that machine on to my dad for Peggle and web browsing, so a small SSD for him can be added to the build.

I'm on the fence about the monitor. It'd be cool to game and work at 1440, but what's the overall expense? Would it be best to get 1 high end card now, and then SLI + Korean monitor it up when I can afford to? Would the build suffer if I was to do it now, even if I could get a little extra budget?

I have a DVD drive I can use, and a wireless card too. I could take the HDD out of my current machine, but I'm not sure how wise that is? It's not given me any trouble (Seagate ST31000528AS 1TB), but all HDDs die eventually don't they?

Any recommendations appreciated.

BloodBath

This should do nicely with left over to get a decent Mechanical keyboard. There is a big selection on Ebay and Amazon. Only you can choose what's right for you as there are so many variations. I'd go with a newer faster 1tb drive for your new system and leave the old 1tb drive in the old rig.

You have lot's of power there for your current monitor and when you want to upgrade you can just add a second 7950 to go with your 1440p monitor. The board and power supply will support dual cards.

I'd maybe grab a couple of 140mm Nanoxia deep silence fans now while they are in stock for your eventual upgrade. You can get them later either when you get the second card.

Item|Price
Intel Core i5-4670K Box, LGA1150|€210.54
Thermalright True Spirit 140 BW|€37.29
MSI Z87-G55, ATX, Sockel 1150|€116.12
8GB-Kit G.Skill Ares PC3-12800U CL9-9-9-24|€66.03
WD Caviar Blue 1TB 6Gb's|€54.81
Nanoxia Deep Silence One Dark Anthracite, ATX, ohne Netzteil|€94.08
be quiet! SYSTEM POWER 7 700W - bulk -|€80.52
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€678.38

Sapphire 7950 Vapor-x €250

Total €928

RobertFoster

Just a query about Hardwareversand - when things go to "Delivery date unknown" are they gone for good? I ordered September 20th, they received payment on the 24th, and I've not heard anything since.

I think the Thermalright was out of stock by the time payment cleared, but since then the case and fans (back tomorrow) went out of stock. Today the RAM and motherboard have gone to "Delivery date unknown" too

At least Amazon were prompt with the GPU (but no free games - Booo-urns!) shipping on the 23rd and arriving on the 25th.

BeerWolf

RobertFoster wrote: »

Just a query about Hardwareversand - when things go to "Delivery date unknown" are they gone for good? I ordered September 20th, they received payment on the 24th, and I've not heard anything since.

I think the Thermalright was out of stock by the time payment cleared, but since then the case and fans (back tomorrow) went out of stock. Today the RAM and motherboard have gone to "Delivery date unknown" too

At least Amazon were prompt with the GPU (but no free games - Booo-urns!) shipping on the 23rd and arriving on the 25th.

Did a search: LINK.

Seems they'll forward the item once it's in stock.


I'm in a similar boat, ordered a full list of 12 PC Components... most of which were in stock, or date of new stock... but the GFX card, a Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition, was listed as such in my order.

BloodBath

It was probably the Nanoxia case which have been out of stock for a while. They are selling like hot cakes. They reserve any parts that were in stock when you ordered.

You could email them and ask them what the hold up is and possible change to a different part depending on what is holding it up.

RobertFoster

BeerWolf wrote: »

Did a search: LINK.

Seems they'll forward the item once it's in stock.

I saw that thread too. The way I read it, they're getting their computer built for them, I'm doing it myself.

BloodBath wrote: »

It was probably the Nanoxia case which have been out of stock for a while. They are selling like hot cakes. They reserve any parts that were in stock when you ordered.

You could email them and ask them what the hold up is and possible change to a different part depending on what is holding it up.

You say they reserve parts, so they might be waiting on one thing to arrive instead of 4 before sending it? That's not as bad I suppose. I dropped them an email last night, just waiting on a reply.

BeerWolf

RobertFoster wrote: »

You say they reserve parts, so they might be waiting on one thing to arrive instead of 4 before sending it? That's not as bad I suppose. I dropped them an email last night, just waiting on a reply.

I've tried giving them a call to query with regards to the Unknown Delivery Date thing, all attempts no one picks up the phone -.-;

RobertFoster

Finally, a week later and a second email and they've replied. They're missing the Nanoxia case and the Thermalright (though the site currently says it's available...). They asked if they may change them for something else, but didn't suggest to what. I replied to them asking if they'd any suggestions (i.e. give me something better for the same price ) or do they want me to choose.

What would be good alternatives to the case and heatsink? The FRACTAL DESIGN Define R4 Black Pearl looks good. I take it the two 140mm Nanoxia fans will play nice with it? The Fractal branded 140mm fans are out of stock.

BeerWolf wrote: »

I've tried giving them a call to query with regards to the Unknown Delivery Date thing, all attempts no one picks up the phone -.-;

Did you get through eventually? It'd probably mean a faster response given how slow they are with email.

BloodBath

The R4 would be a good choice to replace it. It's a similar case and the fans will be fine with it.

Change the cooler to this.

Should be around the same price with the changes.

RobertFoster

I emailed them requesting the R4 as an alternative. Heard nothing back, but received a tracking number email on the 17th. Happy days, everything's sorted now I thought.

Got a 1 line reply to my R4 email yesterday telling me my order shipped on the 18th.

Phone call from UPS this morning, followed by delivery 45 minutes later... of the Nanoxia case, all on its own, box 1 of 1. Checked the tracking email, sure enough "the shipment consists of 1 package", so nothing gone missing on the UPS truck.

Why don't Hardwareversand like me?

BloodBath

That's a pain in the arse. Get on to them and see what the story is.

SterlingArcher

Wait they have sent you just a case? When you were expecting all your parts? Keep posted please.

RobertFoster

Missed call from UPS this morning. Rang the driver back an hour later and he's on his way to Dundalk. I think whatever he has for me is on the truck with him, but he won't be back at the depot until after 18:30. I'm not expecting anything else, so I can only assume it's from Hardwareversand.

I emailed Hardwareversand yesterday, but of course no reply yet. No second tracking number or shipment email either. The order status on the website says "the goods were delivered to you."

BloodBath

Well that should be the rest of it then. Happy days.

RobertFoster

Picked it up from UPS yesterday evening and put it together last night/this morning

A couple of things bugging me - I think the HDD is DOA. It buzzes and ticks ~6 times (2x3) at POST and then it's not detected in either the BIOS or Windows. Changed the SATA and power cables and no joy. I'll try it in the old rig before I attempt to contact HWVS for a RMA... I don't look forward to it. Speaking of HWVS, I got an email from them 45 minutes ago telling me they sent two packages and here are the tracking numbers. Timely!

The other issue I'm having is connecting to my NAS to get some backups and installs. The transfer speed is terrible, so there might be conflict somewhere. It's still faster than my Internet connection, so I may just struggle on with the essentials.

Cheers for your help, BloodBath. Now, off to do more tests, and by tests I mean firing up some games to see if they run pretty

BloodBath

Unlucky. At least you have the ssd to tide you over.

Get overclocking

RobertFoster

HDDs aren't meant to sound like maracas when you move them, are they? :pac: Device Manager could see it as "other devices" briefly, so more testing required just to be sure.

I'll get overclocking the next few days... I've to install updates and make sure everything is working smoothly hardware wise before I start to tinker