Building New Gaming PC

[LetoTheTyrant]

Hi all,

so it's that time for me again, time to build a new gaming PC and I thought I'd ask all of your advice, coz all the forum combined knows more than me! So, so far I've done a quick scan through one site to get myself a starting point, lets get to it:

CPU
AMD Piledriver FX-8 Eight Core 8350 £144
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-336-AM

Motherboard
Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 AMD 990X £106
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-559-AS&groupid=701&catid=1903

PSU
Corsair Builder Series CX 600w £62
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-117-CS

RAM
Patriot Venom Red 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C10 2400MHz £73
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-099-PA&groupid=701&catid=8

SSD
Samsung 500GB SSD 840 SATA 6Gb/s £271
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-163-SA

Graphics Card
Sapphire HD 7970 OC BOOST 3072MB GDDR5 £330
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-297-SP&groupid=701&catid=56

Case
Corsair Carbide 300R £70
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-100-CS



Possible Alternatives:


CPU
Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz £191
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-472-IN

Motherboard
Asus Z87-A Intel Z87 £119
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-571-AS&groupid=701&catid=5

PSU (coz those depend on cpu now?!)
Corsair 2013 Edition Gamer Series GS 600W £65
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-119-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=2597


Ok, so, a few more details. I'm taking a few bits and pieces from my current machine. The various internal and external hard discs, got 4TB so I only need the one quick SSD. Got speakers, keyboard, monitor etc. already. Also got Windows, and I'll probably get a non-stock CPU fan as well for ~£10.

In terms of my alternatives, it seems like the choice between AMD/Radeon vs Intel/nVidia is very close, and so as a Brit I'm defaulting to the underdog! I don't have a set budget, but I wouldn't wanna do much higher than I currently am. Obviously, once I know what I'm buying, I'll shop around, aiming to buy in the next week or two.

I'm open to almost anything, so if someone knows something I don't, in terms of options, alternatives, waiting for new components in the next month or two, go for it, I don't need this machine now, just want it

Finally, monitor. I currently have a 24" 1920x1080 monitor, and I'm wondering if moving up to a higher resolution might be worth it with the new oomph

DGM IPS-2701WPH 27" £370
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-003-DG&groupid=17&catid=1120

Asus SonicMaster MX299Q 29" £400
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-063-AS&groupid=17&catid=1120


So, let me know what ya think, and if anyone has any suggestions as to what components to pick or go with with to get the best machine!

 

[RikuoAmero]

If you want to save some cash, get a lower capacity SSD. You say you've got 4TB worth of hard drives you can put in? There's your storage, no need for an expensive high capacity SSD. Get a 120GB, install your OS on that. I have yet to see a game that performs better when installed and run from an SSD versus a traditional hard drive (if you were ever to see any performance improvements, it would only ever be shorter load times and that's it).
As for your alternative PSU, yes, they do depend on CPU's now. I can't say anything about AMD CPUs cause I'm a die hard Intel CPU fanboy, but I'm sure they have something similar to what Intel has. The latest Intel Haswell CPUs (Core 4xxx series) have a special low power mode, and only the very latest models of some PSUs can support it.

 

[Get_A_Grip_]

Build seems really solid.

I'd go with the i5 processor as it generally performs better in games and it doesn't add to much to the price, and maybe a nVidia GTX 770 instead of the 7970 because of nVidia's better drivers. But that's just me.

And you'd be better of getting parts from aria.co.uk as they are cheaper.

 

[LetoTheTyrant]

Build seems really solid.

I'd go with the i5 processor as it generally performs better in games and it doesn't add to much to the price, and maybe a nVidia GTX 770 instead of the 7970 because of nVidia's better drivers. But that's just me.

And you'd be better of getting parts from aria.co.uk as they are cheaper.

ah, kk. Seems like the i5 is certainly more popular. And good catch with aria.co.uk, you're not wrong there! I think I'm probably gonna wait on the monitor, see how the new machine goes and maybe get a new monitor later.

 

[Albino Boo]

I'd avoid having just purely an SSD. SSD have a finite numbers of times they can write, which is much less than a standard drive. They are good for things like OS, which is write once read many times, but not so good for normal operations. I use a 120GB SSD for the OS and 2TB drive for everything else.

Why are you asking? Why don't you just use prescient vision and just order from Ix?

 

[ShinyCharizard]

Stick with the AMD CPU. It may have some advantages with with console ports considering the next gen consoles run 8 core AMD CPU's.

 

[Kinitawowi]

1) I'd always go with Intel over AMD unless my budget was seriously tight and I wanted an integrated APU. Intel is just where the bang for buck is right now.

2) You don't need a 500Gb SSD. You just don't. If you've got any idea how to store data in a PC, you don't need 500Gb. 240 is more than enough and 120 is probably sufficient.

3) Definitely get a non-stock fan, especially if you go AMD. Those fuckers run HOT.

4) I'm still not sure about +1600MHz RAM - again, unless you're running an APU.

5) Go with three 24" monitors rather than a 29" if you want massive screen real estate. The 7970 will handle it.

6) Remember Logical Increments [http://www.logicalincrements.com]. You're pitching around the Excellent tier right now, for the most part (except your SSD, which is Extremist to Monstrous - react accordingly).

Apart from that, everything looks pretty solid.

captcha: golly jeepers. How British do they think I am? (Answer: very.)

 

[DarkhoIlow]

I will give my opinion on your specs even though I can't say that I am a that much of tech savvy so take that with a grain of salt. With that said let's start shall we...

CPU: I'd suggest an Intel over AMD, because of my past experiences with AMD products and Radeon graphics cards having an overheating issue over Nvidia/Intel. An i5 processor should be more than enough for all your gaming needs.

HDD: You are investing way too much in such a big SSD harddisk. Just buy a 120GB or 80GB SSD just for the operating system and buy normal HDD's for your storing needs.

RAM: Is good, but I prefer Corsair myself. If you are investing so much into a high end gpu then you should go the full mile and with the leftovers from not buying a big capacity SSD, buy 32gb ram and your golden for years to come.

GPU: I'd take the Nvidia equivalent because of the better drivers and usually the ports from consoles to PC the devs usually prefer Nvidia over Radeon. That and of course the heating problems like I've stated with my previous experiences had made me swore off Radeon cards and went with Nvidia all the way and never looked back.

Case: Make sure you buy a big one so you can install at least 4+ fans in it. The beast you are buying will need a lot of air flow and ventilation.

Power Supply: I suggest you get a 650W at least. The gpu you are buying is a very demanding card so make sure you get a 650 or a 700 one to be "safe". My previous 2 computers had Corsair TX power supplies and they have never failed me.

Stock Cooler: Make sure you get an aftermarket cooler for that CPU because else you will have big trouble with processor overheating when playing very demanding games. I've grabbed a beast of a cooler named Noctua NH-D14 and my CPU doesn't go past 50-55 in full load.

That's about all the advice I can give you, so hope these helped.

 

[Angelous Wang]

Power Supply: I suggest you get a 650W at least. The gpu you are buying is a very demanding card so make sure you get a 650 or a 700 one to be "safe". My previous 2 computers had Corsair TX power supplies and they have never failed me.

I was going to say this.

The graphic card is using half the power of the PSU alone, when you take the rest of the components plus all the extra stuff that's not mentioned (keyboards, drives, mouse, other USB powered things) you are easily pushing the 600 limit.

I would recommend a 750 Corsair TX or higher, that way you wont have to buy another PSU when you change out some components for better ones in a few years, or want to add another HDD.

 

[loc978]

My first suggestion would be to go with another video card. Not necessarily another chipset (the 7970 is fast and solid... and it already has better native support in most new games than Nvidia's offerings)... but another manufacturer. I've heard nothing but horror stories related to Sapphire.
Somewhat less likely to die on you, better customer service if it does:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-204-MS MSI, same chipset and features, £269.99
I was going to put an EVGA or XFX card here with the tag much less likely to die on you... but apparently that site doesn't carry such wonderful brands. I'd say your best bet there is probably Asus, which is a little sad. So, for around the price you were already looking at: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-273-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=938

Additionally, your RAM is faster than your AMD board can even overclock to. Unless you plan on transplanting that RAM onto a new board someday (which I wouldn't recommend, we're all about to ditch DDR3 for DDR5), you could go with cheaper stuff. If you don't intend to OC your RAM, 1600 is as fast as either motherboard you chose can go. If you do intend to overclock, get the i5 setup and liquid-cool the thing.
Suggested part:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-132-CR&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517 Crucial, 2x4GB, 1600mhz, slightly better latency than the Patriot Venom (9-9-9-27), £53.99

As for the choice between the AMD or Intel CPU at this point... for most games, you'll want the i5 for its magical core-support architecture... for very CPU-intensive stuff that can actually support more than a single processing thread, you'd do a little better with the piledriver for its 8 threads and higher clock speed. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, get the i5.

Man you guys get screwed on prices over in the UK...

*edit*
just plugged the build into Newegg's wattage calculator [http://images10.newegg.com/BizIntell/tool/psucalc/index.html?name=Power-Supply-Wattage-Calculator], and it's saying you'll need about 685W of power. Best to jump up to a 700W. I'll look some up...
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-093-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=2466 - same manufacturer, 700W, bronze cert. £79.99.
I have no experience with Corsair, but their Cooler Master and Antec selections are... sparse. The only thing they carry in that range which I would personally use is this: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-202-CM&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=2466 ...and that's slumming on the efficiency certification.

 

[The White Hunter]

Graphics Card
Sapphire HD 7970 OC BOOST 3072MB GDDR5 £330
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-297-SP&groupid=701&catid=56



CPU
Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz £191
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-472-IN

Motherboard
Asus Z87-A Intel Z87 £119
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-571-AS&groupid=701&catid=5

PSU (coz those depend on cpu now?!)
Corsair 2013 Edition Gamer Series GS 600W £65
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-119-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=2597

Okay I'd maybe recommend the MSI G45:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/msi-z87-g45-gaming-intel-z87-s1150-ddr3-msata-sata-iii-sata-raid-pcie-30-%28x16%29-d-sub-dvi-d-hdmi-atx

I just built with it, not only does it look great but the UEFI is great nd it's packed with features, it also supports 2 way SLI and 3 way crossfire if you'#re so inclined. Look at Scan's today only deals by the way, I got the board and the i5 4670K for a good £60 below RRP because of a bundle.

As for that graphics card please don't do that, for £330 you can grab a GeForce 770.

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2gb-evga-gtx-770-sc-acx-28nm-pcie-30-%28x16%29-7010mhz-gddr5-gpu-1111mhz-boost-1163mhz-cores-1536-dport-

Or for around £200~ you can grab the outgoing GeForce 670, which handily outperforms the 7970 is most scenarios, for a lower price. Easily top 60fps in anything I've thrown at it, maxed out, all filters, 1080p, bar Crysis 3 and then I managed 40 on average.

http://www.scan.co.uk/shop/computer-hardware/all/gpu-nvidia/geforce-gtx-670-pci-e

680's are also pretty cheap at the moment on Scan, and also tend to beat the daylights out of the 7970.

A few months ago I'd recommend the 7970 or 7950, but with the outgoing GeForce 670 and 680 at such low prices they're just too good to not recommend.

 

[GeneralBob]

Instead of going larger, you could get a 24" 120Hz or 144Hz monitor for less.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-051-BQ

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-053-AS

The smoothness is noticeable even for desktop work, just remember to calibrate the colors first.