[Pancakeman123]

Hi everyone! This is my first time I've ever built a computer, and to be honest I'm a bit lacking in any technical knowledge, so any advice is really appreciated! Having scourged the internet I think I've come up with a reasonable plan though. I want to be able to run games like skyrim as well as possible within my budget, which is around £850 for the desktop, monitor, and keyboard.

Proposed build: I've put all the parts I've planned here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/registry/wis..._wl_rlist_go_o

If you don't want to look at that, here it is:
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus High Performance Mid ATX Desktop Tower

CPU: Intel 3rd Generation Core i7-3770 CPU (4 x 3.50GHz, Ivy Bridge, Socket 1155, 8Mb L3 Cache, Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0)
(If more money is needed for other areas, this seems like an area that could be saved on by getting an i5 instead, or is the i7 worth the extra money?)

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB SATAIII 6Gb/s 16MB Cache 3.5 inch Internal Hard Drive OEM

SSD: Crucial CT128M4SSD2 128GB M4 SSD

RAM: Corsair Memory Vengeance Black 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz CAS 9 XMP Dual Channel Desktop

Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G43 Intel Z77 Socket 1155 Ivybridge Ready Motherboard

PSU: OCZ ZS Series 650W 80 Plus Bronze Power Supply (PSU)

Disk drive: Pioneer DVR-A18LBK 22x Internal DVDRW Black Retail

Graphics card: Sapphire HD6750 2GB DDR3 Graphics Card
(this is a part I feel might be worth improving, but the reviews I've read of it are quite good)

Monitor: Acer 21.5" LED Monitor Full HD 1920x1080 HDMI/DVI/VGA 120M:1 250cd/m2 5ms ET.WS1SE.013

Keyboard: Xenta Super Compact micro slim Wireless UK Keyboard


If you have any thoughts on different parts you think I should get instead, or in the unlikely event that the current build is fine, please let me know what you think! Any general advice is also appreciated!

The case says it has some fans included, but will I need to purchase some additional ones?

[mikeyd85]

UPGRADE: HD 6570 to HD 6770
DOWNGRADE: i7 to i5.

You'll have much better gaming performance then.

[Pancakeman123]

(Original post by mikeyd85)
UPGRADE: HD 6570 to HD 6770
DOWNGRADE: i7 to i5.

You'll have much better gaming performance then.

yeah that's what I thought might be the case, would it be possible to upgrade the CPU further down the line when I have sufficient funds? Thanks a lot!

edit: also, should the graphics card I get have 2GB memory?

[estel]

(Original post by Pancakeman123)
yeah that's what I thought might be the case, would it be possible to upgrade the CPU further down the line when I have sufficient funds? Thanks a lot!

Yes it would, but it's unlikely you'd need to for quite some years.

edit: also, should the graphics card I get have 2GB memory?

It won't need 2GB. 1 would be quite sufficient. (Unless you have ~3 monitors).

[Pancakeman123]

(Original post by estel)
Yes it would, but it's unlikely you'd need to for quite some years.



It won't need 2GB. 1 would be quite sufficient. (Unless you have ~3 monitors).

Thank you very much, with regards to the graphics card, is 1GB really enough given that I want some pretty good gaming capabilities on a 1920x1080 monitor?

[estel]

(Original post by Pancakeman123)
Thank you very much, with regards to the graphics card, is 1GB really enough given that I want some pretty good gaming capabilities on a 1920x1080 monitor?

Absolutely. Onboard RAM is a pretty poor indicator of GPU performance. (Manufacturers like to increase the RAM on their cards far more than is sensible because it looks a lot more impressive whilst being a cheap upgrade for them to make).

[The Polymath]

(Original post by Pancakeman123)
Thank you very much, with regards to the graphics card, is 1GB really enough given that I want some pretty good gaming capabilities on a 1920x1080 monitor?

Case: Zalman Z11 Plus High Performance Mid ATX Desktop Tower
I don't know what Zalman are like, but if they're alright then fair play. Take a look at the CM Storm Enforcer, it's an absolutely *fantastic* case
CPU: Intel 3rd Generation Core i7-3770 CPU (4 x 3.50GHz, Ivy Bridge, Socket 1155, 8Mb L3 Cache, Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0)
(If more money is needed for other areas, this seems like an area that could be saved on by getting an i5 instead, or is the i7 worth the extra money?)
^ this is a waste. Get an i5 (not difference for gaming whatsoever). Consider Sandy Bridge too, it's the equivalent of the original PS3 over the PS3 slim - barely noticeable difference in power, possibly cheaper to pick up.
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB SATAIII 6Gb/s 16MB Cache 3.5 inch Internal Hard Drive OEM
This is quite small for a hard drive. I'd get a 750GB 32MB cache one (they're so cheap these days anyway)
SSD: Crucial CT128M4SSD2 128GB M4 SSD
Check that your motherboard will support an SSD and stuff
RAM: Corsair Memory Vengeance Black 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz CAS 9 XMP Dual Channel Desktop

Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G43 Intel Z77 Socket 1155 Ivybridge Ready Motherboard
Check the features of the motherboard, if you shop around you might find a fantastic deal. MSI are a good brand, though, along with ASUS and Gigabyte.
PSU: OCZ ZS Series 650W 80 Plus Bronze Power Supply (PSU)
You might want to look at a modular PSU (I got the 700W OCZ ModXstream) as it's much easier for a first time builder. Check your power supply has all the connections you'll need.
Disk drive: Pioneer DVR-A18LBK 22x Internal DVDRW Black Retail
consider a bluray drive? They're really really cheap. I got a blockbuster subscription over summer and they let me take out BluRays instead of DVDs at no extra cost. The difference is *huge*!
Graphics card: Sapphire HD6750 2GB DDR3 Graphics Card
This is not a *very good* card, and is clearly the worst component of your whole system. What games are you going to be playing? Normally someone with such a powerful rig would have at least a HD 6850, but it depends I suppose. The 2GB memory won't make any difference as you've said you're using a single monitor. It does help with some top end games, but the fact is with those games you will be bottlenecking the performance with the *speed* of the card well before the memory comes into place.
(this is a part I feel might be worth improving, but the reviews I've read of it are quite good)

Monitor: Acer 21.5" LED Monitor Full HD 1920x1080 HDMI/DVI/VGA 120M:1 250cd/m2 5ms ET.WS1SE.013
Seems good. Look around, most monitors these days look fairly similar as long as they're LED and 1080p. I was going to get an Acer 21" but then decided on a HannsG 23". I don't regret it, either.
Keyboard: Xenta Super Compact micro slim Wireless UK Keyboard
That's a fail keyboard wireless is effort to charge and stuff too.
get something from Logitech, like a Media 600, it's cheap but still really good.

(Original post by estel)
Absolutely. Onboard RAM is a pretty poor indicator of GPU performance. (Manufacturers like to increase the RAM on their cards far more than is sensible because it looks a lot more impressive whilst being a cheap upgrade for them to make).

^ as he said, the 2GB on the GPU is a numbers thing which won't make any difference. It's like putting premium diesel into a car which is pedal powered. Normally you see 2GB on insanely high end cards which already max out speed wise, but need more memory to load huge textures, maps etc. and store them for quick processing.

[Pancakeman123]

(Original post by estel)
Absolutely. Onboard RAM is a pretty poor indicator of GPU performance. (Manufacturers like to increase the RAM on their cards far more than is sensible because it looks a lot more impressive whilst being a cheap upgrade for them to make).

wow ok, thanks a lot for pointing me in the right direction. I've been researching parts for the last couple of days or so and I've learned so much, especially how manufacturers are so keen to only beef up the numbers that most people look at!

[Pancakeman123]

(Original post by Junaid96)
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus High Performance Mid ATX Desktop Tower
I don't know what Zalman are like, but if they're alright then fair play. Take a look at the CM Storm Enforcer, it's an absolutely *fantastic* case
CPU: Intel 3rd Generation Core i7-3770 CPU (4 x 3.50GHz, Ivy Bridge, Socket 1155, 8Mb L3 Cache, Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0)
(If more money is needed for other areas, this seems like an area that could be saved on by getting an i5 instead, or is the i7 worth the extra money?)
^ this is a waste. Get an i5 (not difference for gaming whatsoever). Consider Sandy Bridge too, it's the equivalent of the original PS3 over the PS3 slim - barely noticeable difference in power, possibly cheaper to pick up.
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB SATAIII 6Gb/s 16MB Cache 3.5 inch Internal Hard Drive OEM
This is quite small for a hard drive. I'd get a 750GB 32MB cache one (they're so cheap these days anyway)
SSD: Crucial CT128M4SSD2 128GB M4 SSD
Check that your motherboard will support an SSD and stuff
RAM: Corsair Memory Vengeance Black 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz CAS 9 XMP Dual Channel Desktop

Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G43 Intel Z77 Socket 1155 Ivybridge Ready Motherboard
Check the features of the motherboard, if you shop around you might find a fantastic deal. MSI are a good brand, though, along with ASUS and Gigabyte.
PSU: OCZ ZS Series 650W 80 Plus Bronze Power Supply (PSU)
You might want to look at a modular PSU (I got the 700W OCZ ModXstream) as it's much easier for a first time builder. Check your power supply has all the connections you'll need.
Disk drive: Pioneer DVR-A18LBK 22x Internal DVDRW Black Retail
consider a bluray drive? They're really really cheap. I got a blockbuster subscription over summer and they let me take out BluRays instead of DVDs at no extra cost. The difference is *huge*!
Graphics card: Sapphire HD6750 2GB DDR3 Graphics Card
This is not a *very good* card, and is clearly the worst component of your whole system. What games are you going to be playing? Normally someone with such a powerful rig would have at least a HD 6850, but it depends I suppose. The 2GB memory won't make any difference as you've said you're using a single monitor. It does help with some top end games, but the fact is with those games you will be bottlenecking the performance with the *speed* of the card well before the memory comes into place.
(this is a part I feel might be worth improving, but the reviews I've read of it are quite good)

Monitor: Acer 21.5" LED Monitor Full HD 1920x1080 HDMI/DVI/VGA 120M:1 250cd/m2 5ms ET.WS1SE.013
Seems good. Look around, most monitors these days look fairly similar as long as they're LED and 1080p. I was going to get an Acer 21" but then decided on a HannsG 23". I don't regret it, either.
Keyboard: Xenta Super Compact micro slim Wireless UK Keyboard
That's a fail keyboard wireless is effort to charge and stuff too.
get something from Logitech, like a Media 600, it's cheap but still really good.



^ as he said, the 2GB on the GPU is a numbers thing which won't make any difference. It's like putting premium diesel into a car which is pedal powered. Normally you see 2GB on insanely high end cards which already max out speed wise, but need more memory to load huge textures, maps etc. and store them for quick processing.

Right, looks like I've got some more research to do! That's really helpful, I'll take yours and the others advice and improve the system. Thank you so much for your help!

[The Polymath]

(Original post by Pancakeman123)
Right, looks like I've got some more research to do! That's really helpful, I'll take yours and the others advice and improve the system. Thank you so much for your help!

Go on the Tom's Hardware forums, it's fantastic.

Also, yes, you really want to be researching for *ages*. It only takes you a day max to build your PC, and then a day or two after that to finish tinkering with software etc. so you have the whole summer to choose the parts. Read forums, don't just ask questions - you should be in a position where you can do what I just did (i.e. comment on your choice of parts) before you go out and buy your own. One slight error (e.g. not enough molex connectors on your PSU) and that's a LOT of money down the drain. Heck, I know someone who asked me to comment on a build he had drawn up. He had an AMD motherboard, and an Intel CPU.... obviously that's a huge mistake which I hope you won't make, but something like having the wrong chipset which doesn't support SSDs, or a case which is too large for your power supply (I came close to this, my PSU cable is completely stretched to reach my motherboard) is an easy mistake to make.

[Camoxide]

I'd get this case bundle

http://www.ebuyer.com/270605-cm-stor...-1000-kwa-650w

I'd get the shorter Corsair vengence. Those Heatsinks will get in the way of a large cooler if you decide to overclock later down the line.

[Pancakeman123]

(Original post by Camoxide)
I'd get this case bundle

http://www.ebuyer.com/270605-cm-stor...-1000-kwa-650w

I'd get the shorter Corsair vengence. Those Heatsinks will get in the way of a large cooler if you decide to overclock later down the line.

yeah that bundle looks pretty nice, I'll put that in my next plan. thanks x

[Iqbal007]

(Original post by Pancakeman123)
yeah that bundle looks pretty nice, I'll put that in my next plan. thanks x

As everyone said, getting an i7 over an i5 holds very little difference in terms of gaming and can even be worse than the i5 cos of it's hyperthreading.

And definitely look at the cool master deal, they also do one with the 690 II case.

Spending the extra money that would have gone on a i7, get a 6870 hd from around £120 or push it for a 560 ti more another £20+.

http://www.ebuyer.com/gigabyte-motherboard
Have a look at that........it'll save you money especially if you get the i5 without a stock cooler.

[Pancakeman123]

(Original post by Iqbal007)
As everyone said, getting an i7 over an i5 holds very little difference in terms of gaming and can even be worse than the i5 cos of it's hyperthreading.

And definitely look at the cool master deal, they also do one with the 690 II case.

Spending the extra money that would have gone on a i7, get a 6870 hd from around £120 or push it for a 560 ti more another £20+.

http://www.ebuyer.com/gigabyte-motherboard
Have a look at that........it'll save you money especially if you get the i5 without a stock cooler.

yeah funnily enough I added that graphics card to my wishlist about 10 minutes ago haha, it looks pretty good. With regards to that motherboard/cooler bundle, would the cooler mean I could overclock? I was told by a friend that overclocking on my first build would probably be a bad idea, but if all is needed is that cooler then that seems fine?

If anyone is interested this is my new planned build, I've taken the advice from everyone and it's looking a lot better. http://www.amazon.co.uk/registry/wis..._wl_rlist_go_o

[Iqbal007]

(Original post by Pancakeman123)
yeah funnily enough I added that graphics card to my wishlist about 10 minutes ago haha, it looks pretty good. With regards to that motherboard/cooler bundle, would the cooler mean I could overclock? I was told by a friend that overclocking on my first build would probably be a bad idea, but if all is needed is that cooler then that seems fine?

If anyone is interested this is my new planned build, I've taken the advice from everyone and it's looking a lot better. http://www.amazon.co.uk/registry/wis..._wl_rlist_go_o

The 6870? how much?
Well technically yes, that specific cooler is considered pretty decent for it's price, however you would still get higher temps then the one's people properly use for overclocking.
You would do basic overclocking, nothing major, but it will be certainly much cooler than the stock cooler.

[Pancakeman123]

(Original post by Iqbal007)
The 6870? how much?
Well technically yes, that specific cooler is considered pretty decent for it's price, however you would still get higher temps then the one's people properly use for overclocking.
You would do basic overclocking, nothing major, but it will be certainly much cooler than the stock cooler.

£121 from amazon, which seems reasonable, although I'll have a look on ebuyer and scan to see if I can get better prices at some other point, at the moment I'm just trying to check that I have the right idea for the parts I need and that they are compatible.

[Iqbal007]

(Original post by Pancakeman123)
£121 from amazon, which seems reasonable, although I'll have a look on ebuyer and scan to see if I can get better prices at some other point, at the moment I'm just trying to check that I have the right idea for the parts I need and that they are compatible.

That Sapphire one is very good make more the 6870 and has good temperature when running.
They are definitely compatible, hard drive, SSD and optical drives need a sata connection and have the same power connector which the CM 650 watt, as i've got it.
So everything should be fine