1st Time build - Gaming rig, help and advice please ^_^

[Rizzy2DarQ]

Hey everyone, first of all I'm new and just wanted to wish everyone a late merry Christmas and advance happy new year

I'm from the Uk and a student currently in first year of university.

I'm a complete utter noob when it comes to computer building and have been researching quite a lot recently for my new computer which I wish to use as a gaming rig but for uni' work as well etc. (It's a side project for me so I can use it to understand my hardware some more )

I will be begin building it soon, until the end of January and need any advice or experiences with the current components and prices I will be paying for them.

I do plan to overclock slightly so I can utilise the best of my components

The current rig I have is a very old AMD one, which composes of a GPU = ati radeon 9600 and a CPU, which clocks around 1.1ghz, 512ram ddr. (Examples of it being too old to re-use current components)


Here's the makeup of the build I currently am planning to make:

Case: Coolermaster CM-690 (£50-55) (With some extra Antec tricool 120mm fans)

CPU: Q6600 G0 stepping (£160) (+Arctic cooling freezer 7)

RAM: Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2PC2-6400C4 (£50)

Motherboard: Asus Maximus Formula (£150-£160)

Power supply: OCZ ModXStream 780w (£95)

Hard drive: Hitachi 750GB SATA 2 32MB 7200rpm (£100)

Graphics: EVGA GeForce 8800GTS "Crysis Edition" 512MB (£235)



My initial queries are over the DVD drive… which one is a good solid one that can burn DVD's?

I know nothing about hard drives so is the one I have listed one that will last and not break down on me after a year etc.? Recommendations?

Everything else shouldn't be a problem, I do have a limited budget, but it can go up or down,

The main thing I would like is to have a rig that is future proof for at least 2 years, value for money and will last even if I choose not to upgrade.

Any advice or help is greatly appreciated and thank you for your time ^_^

(PS. Oh and if you could find any of the components for a much cheaper price please tell me, any money saved is a bonus!)

Thanx again!

 

[Duxx]

That is indeed a very solid build. I dont know if anything can be found cheaper, because all those prices are considered high at least compared to US.You might be able to save a bit of money on the HDD though, do you need 750g?

 

[PaulieG]

Those are nice specs. If you wanted to, you could probably save some money without sacrificing performance. For instance, you could slightly downgrade your motherboard to a cheaper P35 board from Gigabyte or DFI. You may want to upgrade the cooler. The AC freezer 7 pro is fine, but if you are going to overclock, a beefier cooler will help. I wouldn't get that case. I would go for a full tower if you have room.

 

[kylew]

Hey Rizzy, pretty good choice of components, I've just got myself a G0 Q6600 (got it clocked at 3.85 ). The hitachi drives you've chosen are pretty good too, I've recently bought two of them to go along side 2 samsung 500GBs, although I would personally recommend the 750GB samsungs over the hitachis as they're a bit noisier, they make a whining sound that's a bit like a jet engine (no way near as loud though ). The 8800 GTS isn't a bad choice either, but considering the time of year, it wouldn't be the wisest move to go ahead and buy as the radeon 3870X2 is due out soon which should be a lot faster but around the same price as the GTS, or if you aren't into ATi, nvidia's new ones should be out soonish too. As for DVD drive, I'd say a Samsung SH-S203NBEBN would be an alright choice, I have the 18x version and it has served me very well. Good luck with your build! I hope I've been helpful

 

[Rizzy2DarQ]

Thanx for the replies!
I wanted a large harddrive because I do download a lot of stuff, although I could get one of the recommended samsung one's instead. (500gb)

Then perhaps I could change my case to something larger.. like a Coolermaster Cosmos 1000? I'm not sure whether I would benefit upgrading to a larger case as I *think* everything should fit into the CM-690 case already. (Cost is also the issue )

Motherboard - I thought about the P35 chipset (from what I've read it's quite solid) but will they be able to use the newer CPU's which will be released next year?
Also I was thinking with the Maximus Formula.. I could crossfire if I wanted to change graphics card ( I could sell it down the line right?) whereas with a P35, its not as effective?

Any suggestions for a better CPU cooler too?

Thanx in advance as always

EDIT: Ah, USA prices are so much cheaper then the UK!..wish I had some time and extra money to fly over there and bring some components back!

 

[Cold Storm]

I have a cosmos, and I'd tell anyone to buy it! I love this beast!! here is a link http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb119/Coldstorm84/ it has my Cosmos pictures. They are blurry because of the fact that I used my Cell phone (didn't have the time to put my camera back on to the new computer). And I haven't heard a peep from my computer, even at max setting in a game or anything else. Only thing I've heard is my Litescribe DVD burner.

I guess you can say I'm now a Cooler Master Whore.. Sorry for the words... But The AC freezer 7 is great, and also my Hyper Tx-2. But a Zalman CNPS9500 is a pretty good one to go for... Pricey but good.

 

[Exavier]

I'd say it was a solid build, with plenty of space for upgrade potential.
I can only advise on a case change; my build is based around the CoolerMaster Stacker 832.
If you're a performance whore and you want real future-proofing, wait it out for the next ATI/Nvid cards out around February. I'm buying GTS but it was £160 (being brought back from the US by a friend ) and my mantra is that if I'm not top-spec, I'm as close as I want to be without having to upgrade every 6 months.

 

[BloodTotal]

If you have the money, and some wiring skills, then I would suggest to upgrade to an Antec 900 from your CoolerMaster

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=501972

 

[keakar]

I'd say it was a solid build, with plenty of space for upgrade potential.
I can only advise on a case change; my build is based around the CoolerMaster Stacker 832.
If you're a performance whore and you want real future-proofing, wait it out for the next ATI/Nvid cards out around February. I'm buying GTS but it was £160 (being brought back from the US by a friend ) and my mantra is that if I'm not top-spec, I'm as close as I want to be without having to upgrade every 6 months.

+1

 

[Rizzy2DarQ]

What graphics solution should I go for then if I definetly cannot wait until Feb? (scared my existing computer will erm.. *blows up* or something before I can order my parts! XD -)

The Antec 900.. the wiring of it scares me and since I am a total noob.. I think bad wiring will come naturally to me (Erm, I'm not that organised as a person so I don't think I'll take that challenge )

(Ah also looking at the stacker 832, the price.. I'll probably see if I can get that case cheaper, otherwise I might really go for the Cosmos since I was looking at it before)

 

[JC316]

What he means by wiring is cable management, keeping the cables organized. Personally, I would just go with an 8800GT and be done with it, it's a great card. Great looking build that you have there.

 

[keakar]

What graphics solution should I go for then if I definetly cannot wait until Feb? (scared my existing computer will erm.. *blows up* or something before I can order my parts! XD -)

The Antec 900.. the wiring of it scares me and since I am a total noob.. I think bad wiring will come naturally to me (Erm, I'm not that organised as a person so I don't think I'll take that challenge )

being new you should go windowless so no one sees your learning curve while you figure out wire management and proper airflow. it also lets you think about it longer to get ideas on lighting and if you really want to see the guts of your computer or if you want to go with custom paint.

a nice trick i saw was getting clear shelf paper and sticking it over the window for a frosted glass look so you get the lights to show but not the mess inside. it peels off easy when you feel your ready for the window too.

 

[Cold Storm]

hey, we are all noobs when it came to wiring the first rig.. Look through the forums and see the wiring, and if needed, post and we will help. Thats what the forum is made for.
I'd go with a Hd3870... I like the 8800gt's but After seeing my friends 3870 I went with it... Plus, I haven't had any troubles.

 

[BloodTotal]

What graphics solution should I go for then if I definetly cannot wait until Feb? (scared my existing computer will erm.. *blows up* or something before I can order my parts! XD -)

The Antec 900.. the wiring of it scares me and since I am a total noob.. I think bad wiring will come naturally to me (Erm, I'm not that organised as a person so I don't think I'll take that challenge )

well if you seem up to the challenge when you learn more about computers I highly recommend getting a custom case like that

 

[Rizzy2DarQ]

I have been struggling to choose between the 8800GT, 8800GTS 512mb and the HD3870..

Looking at performance and price, I might go for the 8800GT =

512MB Palit 8800GT PCI-E2.0 (x16), 1800MHz GDDR3, GPU 600MHz, 2xDual Link DVI-I/S-Video, HDCP, Fan

£138.51 @ Scan.co.uk

How comes such the reduction in price?


512MB Palit 8800GT Sonic version was the one I was previously looking at also but comes at a £174, on pre-order.

With the GT I've always been concerned with the heat it generates

(I could go for a less expensive graphics card - which would justify the higher costs for motherboard and case?)

 

[Duxx]

I have the Antec 900 sitting next to me, waiting for the rest of my parts to come in and I have never built a computer. I have tuned them up, upgraded, changed in and out but never started from scratch. I love having a challenge, always makes it more satisfying in the end.

 

[Cold Storm]

hey, if you can get a 8800gt for that price... SWEET! nVIDIA was going to reduce prices and I guess they did...
as for the heat.. Air flow in the case and a aftermarket cooler on the GPU. IF your up to it. and if your not do a spot cooler..

 

[Duxx]

I have been struggling to choose between the 8800GT, 8800GTS 512mb and the HD3870..

Looking at performance and price, I might go for the 8800GT =

512MB Palit 8800GT PCI-E2.0 (x16), 1800MHz GDDR3, GPU 600MHz, 2xDual Link DVI-I/S-Video, HDCP, Fan

£138.51 @ Scan.co.uk

How comes such the reduction in price?


512MB Palit 8800GT Sonic version was the one I was previously looking at also but comes at a £174, on pre-order.

With the GT I've always been concerned with the heat it generates

(I could go for a less expensive graphics card - which would justify the higher costs for motherboard and case?)

Get an aftermarket HSF, or keep the fan on relatively high most the time. Having a big case that circulates a lot of air is also nice. I also ordered the 8800gt, and again is waiting to be slapped into my case.

 

[Rizzy2DarQ]

I have the Antec 900 sitting next to me, waiting for the rest of my parts to come in and I have never built a computer. I have tuned them up, upgraded, changed in and out but never started from scratch. I love having a challenge, always makes it more satisfying in the end.

I was thinking of buying a new prebuilt computer but was never satisfied with the price for what you get... I never even thought of building a computer until my girlfriend said she could help me (to my shock) and thought hey why not

 

[Exavier]

Unless you want aftermarket cooling on your GT do one of two things;

Buy a GTS; they have exactly the same architecture and build design BUT the GTS has more shaders (minor difference) but a >much< better cooler on it.

OR

Look on eBay after you've bought your GT and find a faulty GTS and nick the cooler off it (both GT and GTS coolers will fit the GT/GTS cards)

It's all about the cooling temperatures with the GT...sure, it's cheaper, but don't expect anything under 50c load if you're not into LOUD fans..

 

[Cold Storm]

I was thinking of buying a new prebuilt computer but was never satisfied with the price for what you get... I never even thought of building a computer until my girlfriend said she could help me (to my shock) and thought hey why not

There you go man! get the girlfriend involved and then it leads to other things!!! If there were only MORE girls like that

 

[Rizzy2DarQ]

Is aftermarket cooling (for the GT) expensive? If not I might quickly get this before it gets sold out >_<

Sound actually isn't an issue for me, I have loud fans already.. as long as it isn't an irritating hum I'm a happy dude.

Appreciate the opinions guys.

 

[Exavier]

ahahaha sweet I'm all for that...
unfortunately my would-be gf knows nothing...

also, you raised the point of pre-built PCs, and you're right; price > performance.
building your own is so much more personal and means that if all goes well, you can isolate any potential problems as they occur instead of wondering just WHY Dell only allow you to have one fan in your system..

 

[Exavier]

Is aftermarket cooling (for the GT) expensive? If not I might quickly get this before it gets sold out >_<

£40~ for decent cooling not including heatsinks which are vital. So maybe, maybe not.
I'm not even going to question whether you'd consider water-cooling XD

Appreciate the opinions guys.

Well, it's what we're here for

 

[Duxx]

Accelero S1 is a whopping 23.99$, not too shabby.