How do I computer (First Build, ~€750 budget)

Raphael

So, this is my first build and I want to make sure I don't **** it up. Have upgraded and messed with all my machines, just never gone from scratch before.

Need a new machine for gaming as my current laptop is both A) a little tired and at imminent risk of not being mine anymore. Obligatory questions ho!

1. What is your budget? €750, could probably stretch a bit if it was worth it.

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? Gaming, want to do whatever a new gen console can do. Doing it better would be nice.

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? Yes, can get student copy if that works out cheaper - don't need to count this in budget, since I can pay for it in 3 months time if needs be.

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? Have a USB external Bluray drive.

5. Do you need a monitor? No

5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future? 1280x1024, crappy 17" Dell thing. Will be upgrading in next couple months, want a dual monitor setup. Doubt I'll spring for 1440 in the life of the graphics card.

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? Nope, have all them knocking around

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? Eh, probably not, tbh. Too much effort

8. How can you pay? Credit or Debit Card.

9. When are you purchasing? Some time next week.

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? Clonskeagh, but I'll probably be grand.


From looking around, something like this build seems to be about right, unless I'm missing something.

BloodBath wrote: »

Total build cost: € 709, + €11.99 shipping
Intel Core i5-4460 in-a-Box € 158,
ASRock H81M-HDS, LGA 1150, mATX € 41,
PowerColor Radeon R9 290 TurboDuo OC with MANTLE and Gaming Evolved client, 4GB GDDR5, 2x DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort € 257,
8GB Kit Crucial Ballistix Sport Series DDR3-1600, CL9 € 62,
Cooler Master N200, mATX Mini-Tower, black, no power supply € 32,
Corsair Builder Series CX500 V3 Non-Modular 80+ Bronze, 500 Watt € 52,
Crucial 128GB SSD MX100 2.5 "(7mm) € 58,
WD Blue 1TB 6Gb's € 46,

Ninjah Tigah

That's perfect if you're looking for a mATX build.

Raphael

I'll be honest, I just pulled a build with decent looking numbers and a similar budget from the last month, didn't even notice that it was an mATX, or really even know what that was. As I said, my previous experience has been switching in and out graphics cards, hard drives and RAM.

Having now done some reading, though, I reckon an mATX build is in fact what I want. Thanks for making me actually properly look at things!

Simi

Raphael wrote: »

I'll be honest, I just pulled a build with decent looking numbers and a similar budget from the last month, didn't even notice that it was an mATX, or really even know what that was. As I said, my previous experience has been switching in and out graphics cards, hard drives and RAM.

Having now done some reading, though, I reckon an mATX build is in fact what I want. Thanks for making me actually properly look at things!

You might as well up the ssd to 250Gb http://www.hardwareversand.de/Solid-State-Disk/169179/Crucial+MX100+SSD+256GB+%282%2C5%2C+7mm%29.article
120gb runs out awfully quick.

Ninjah Tigah

Simi wrote: »

You might as well up the ssd to 250Gb http://www.hardwareversand.de/Solid-State-Disk/169179/Crucial+MX100+SSD+256GB+%282%2C5%2C+7mm%29.article
120gb runs out awfully quick.

If he upgraded his hard-drive to 2TB also for €25 and the ssd as you said, would that not be even better?
- http://www.hardwareversand.de/en/7200+RPM/53881/Seagate+Barracuda+7200+2000GB%2C+SATA+6Gb+s.article

He'd be nearly smack on his budget too.

Raphael

It would be a shame to let any of the budget go to waste...

Ninjah Tigah

Only suggesting if you're maximizing your budget.

Serephucus

Also remember to run the build through Geizhals.de to get some off.*

* It's a price comparison site. Search for whatever component it is, then scroll down to the HWVS logo and click. You'll be brought to HWVS with the new, slightly cheaper price. It'll auto-update if the item is already in your basket.

Raphael

Simi wrote: »

You might as well up the ssd to 250Gb http://www.hardwareversand.de/Solid-State-Disk/169179/Crucial+MX100+SSD+256GB+%282%2C5%2C+7mm%29.article
120gb runs out awfully quick.

Looking to order this tonight, but this SSD is out of stock - may drop back to the 128 and take my chances, since the only other ones there are a bit more pricy.

BloodBath

I wouldn't pay much heed to HWVS stock reports.

On my last 5 orders everything was in stock at ordering only to be delayed by a week because something was out of stock.

the_syco

Raphael wrote: »

Looking to order this tonight, but this SSD is out of stock - may drop back to the 128 and take my chances, since the only other ones there are a bit more pricy.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Trust me, you'll regret it. Have a 120GB SSD. It's Windows, and maybe one new game, and a few apps. Sometimes can squish another game in, but it'll run out of space quickly!

Ninjah Tigah

the_syco wrote: »

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Trust me, you'll regret it. Have a 120GB SSD. It's Windows, and maybe one new game, and a few apps. Sometimes can squish another game in, but it'll run out of space quickly!

My os partition is 110gb and it never gets full. Just need to dump everything onto the second partition.

Wetbench4

the_syco wrote: »

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Trust me, you'll regret it. Have a 120GB SSD. It's Windows, and maybe one new game, and a few apps. Sometimes can squish another game in, but it'll run out of space quickly!

I used a 64gb drive for a year and half and always had about 5 - 10 Gb free. I have 250gb now and i'm only using 100GB and thats with about 5 or 6 big games on it.
Trust me, 128GB is loads if you do it right.

justsomebloke

just spend the few extra euro and buy it off amazon rather then wait for HWVS

Raphael

So parts arrived today - got the 128GB SSD in the end, though I could have gotten the 256 (CPU and GPU both went out of stock between ordering and the transfer clearing). Will have to live with my mistake.

I was looking at the parts, though, and the Graphics Card is saying that it needs a 750W PSU, but I only got this 500W one. Am I screwed, or will it be ok?

Serephucus

It's to account for craptastic units. You'll be fine.

Raphael

That's what I reckoned, alright. Thanks.

Will be building tomorrow evening. Will keep everyone posted.

neviris

Just ordered the same build last week, package just left England this morning. Would love to hear any thoughts on the build.

Raphael

Had some trouble last night, mainly caused by me being stupid and my monitor being a bit ****. Up and running now, and everything is shiny.

Anything in particular you'd like thoughts on?

neviris

Raphael wrote: »

Had some trouble last night, mainly caused by me being stupid and my monitor being a bit ****. Up and running now, and everything is shiny.

Anything in particular you'd like thoughts on?

Heard the 24 pin connector was difficult to route behind the mobo, and also the 8 pin connector at the top left of the mobo. You find that or just people overreacting?

Raphael

I didn't do good cable management. Or any cable management, really, other than keeping them clear of the fans and mobo. Basically, the inside of my case looks like an octopus maternity award.

So I'm afraid I have no idea. =p