decided to get a new rig.. need help £1200

lee20010

After seeking advice on upgrading my current build, I thought it might be wise to just completely re-vamp my PC. I did want a new processor, but my MOBO limits me, and even then, I'll need a new mobo to increase my options and a new PSU to handle it.

I wanna spend £1000 really but can push at a max of £1200. I want something least future proof for the next 2 years.

I found a bundle on another site which offers

- CPU: Intel Core i7 2600K 3.40GHz @ 4.60GHz Sandybridge CPU
- Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V (default choice)
- RAM: Kingston HyperX Grey 8GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel
- Cooler: Corsair A50 CPU Cooler
- Artic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

for £510...as I am quite lame at overclocking, and have NOOOOOOOO idea about Intel. Was that worth it..

I will be keeping my Blu Ray Drive for this build. I don't NEED a new keyboard and mouse, but if someone finds a decent pair, fire away. I also dont want a massive case that takes half my room up. And internal neons red or blue (match it with keyboard and mouse please)

I will study whats on ebuyer whilst people read this, as again, I don't know anything about inte

steve1980

Check out http://www.awd-it.co.uk/Scripts/default.asp

lee20010

steve1980 wrote: »

Check out http://www.awd-it.co.uk/Scripts/default.asp

seems expensive compared to other websites, also doesn't offer massive overclocked bundles. Overclockers have 4.60GHZ i7 bundle for £500...

spakkker

What is your current system, m/board, cpu ? Is there any reason for a current top spec. overclocked cpu ???
My drift is that if you now have a POS system, nearly anything will be an improvement.

Spank

Unless you need hyper-threading, get a 2500k instead of a 2600k.

What will you be using the machine for?

lee20010

spakkker wrote: »

What is your current system, m/board, cpu ? Is there any reason for a current top spec. overclocked cpu ???
My drift is that if you now have a POS system, nearly anything will be an improvement.

My current system would be enough for probably 90% of this forum. But I think it's worth just revamping completely so I can upgrade in say 2 years time.

Current spec
AMD Athlon X2 240 @ 3.1GHZ (Was 2.8GHZ)
4GB OCZ 1333MHZ 9-9-9-20
MSI GTX460 768MB @ 890MHZ/2105 (was 725MHZ/1800)
640GB WD SATA2
Coolermaster 460w PSU

lee20010

Spank wrote: »

Unless you need hyper-threading, get a 2500k instead of a 2600k.

What will you be using the machine for?

will be playing latest games, also linking up to a 42 (gunna maybe buy 50inch) tv as my current pc has Blu Ray player.. so will use that drive.

It's more media center then gaming, but the games I will play would be newest ones out

tibbyuk

Hey Lee,

You're machine looks pretty custom made, so I assume you are comfortable buying the components and installing.

In terms of overclocking, it has become infinitely simpler with the Sandybridge architecture. Just google a guide and you can get a bit more juice out of your CPU quite safely without the need for water cooling etc.

In terms of actual components, I would recommend the bit-tech Hardware buyers guide: google "bit-tech hardware buyers guide july 2011" (sorry can't post links as I'm a newbie here!)

The guide has different builds for different price points, but I would recommend choosing the 2nd to highest one (Gaming Workhorse I believe), and then perhaps look to spend the rest on a nice IPS monitor, if you feel this needs upgrading as well.

Bit-tech is a great site/forum for computer enthusiasts, and additionally you can get a free delivery discount at Scan after you reach a certain amount of posts on the forum.

Hope this helps!

JasX

I find this site useful for getting a good pointer on the current hardware range (don;t buy from them tho)

http://www.pcper.com/hwlb

And this one for roughly gauging components in between http://www.cpubenchmark.net/ (tho further googling is encouraged if you start to settle on a component and want to see how it does with a specific game/program).

Long and short of it
-keep your current graphics card as its fine
-PSU looks a little light, get a new GOOD QUALITY branded one of these (modular helps keep cables nice and neat and not blocking vents if you have a smaller case)
-get the biggest case you can if you don't want to suffer heat problems
-re-use as many components from your old PC as you can -> floppy drive, optical, old HDDs as secondary storage, monitor etc etc RETAIL copy of the OS you can transfer as you go etc etc (as opposed to OEM you legally can't)
-Intel processors are fine.... don;t go for the top-top end one as it'll cost a silly premium price for being 'new'), read reviews
-choose a motherboard AFTER choosing the processor, its possible to overspend here on features you'll never use if you don't overclock.
-SSD if you like, if not get the fastest conventional HDD you can find for your OS and put games on a separate PHYSICAL drive (samsung HD103SJ used to be the best but may have been surpassed now, check benchmarks)
-If going non-SSD do the trick of partitioning a small outer partition for you OS and minimal other stuff to ensure its on the fastest bit of the drive (use the rest for storing large files/media etc you will NOT need to access at the same time as gaming) see http://www.pcper.com/news/Storage/Evolution-action-watch-Barracuda-become-Velciraptor
-use a WIRED internet connection

tibbyuk

Just to caveat the above advice, size of the case isn't everything. Read reviews of the system as airflow is the most important.

And additionally the OP said he doesn't want a massive case.

I believe the new Crucial SSD's are at a good price point at the moment, and using one of these for your OS and a few Apps is really worth the cost. The 'snappiness' of everyday tasks will amaze.

lee20010

I dont want a mega case, I'm likely to get water cooling so I dont need something major. Though I've never installed WC