Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Thinking of building my own PC
Options
-
20-10-2009 11:09pm#1
Comments
-
-
-
-
Don't worry, we all were newbies at one pointHi folks
Thanks for the links.
This will be my first time build.
I would appreciate some tips, advice, guidance on any section of it anyone would like to contribute.
When looking for components , what are some things I really should be looking out for?
Sorry if I sound a complete noobie but I am, I'm afraid!!
Rgds
John
At least you are not a n00b and are asking for advice :P
Basically, to have a complete build you need:
Case
Power Supply
Motherboard
RAM
Processor
Graphics Card
Optical Drive (DVD Drive)
1 or more Hard Drives (preferably 2 or more so you can backup without the risk of one HDD Assplosion killing everything)
Monitor
Keyboard/Mouse.
Ventilation is important too. Airflow is very important to make sure your PC doesn't overheat.
Now, we need a bit more info
What exactly is this PC going to be for? Work, Gaming, Solitaire? The intended use is the most important factor when building a PC. A rig that is only going to be browsing the interwebs and playing MS Solitare does not need 12GB of DDr3 2000 Memory, a OMGWTFBBQ Watercooling super overclocked CPU and Triple GPU :P
And one but of free advice: Generic "Extra Value" brands are like that for a reason. Don't go near them unless its for a spare stopgap part.
But, if you are looking for recommendations, here are my personal picks for good brands:
Case: Coolermaster, Antec
Case Fans: Generally supplied, but usually poor Quality. Replace with Scythe Case Fans.
Power Supply: Corsair
Motherboard: Gigabyte, Asus, MSI
RAM: Corsair, Kingston, OCZ
Processor: Only 2 really, AMD or Intel, but it depends on what you are doing with the PC
Processor Cooler: Xigmatek, Arctic Cooling, Scythe.
Graphics Card: ATi hands down. For the Brands, you want Sapphire or XFX
Optical Drive (DVD Drive): So little difference it doesn't matter. I am partial to SATA Sony devices though.
Hard Drives: Seagate or Western Digital
Monitor: Not much difference. All I can recommend is DO NOT BUY ONLINE. Go to the store, ask them to turn it on BEFORE you buy it. These stores have very nasty ways to get around taking back a monitor with dead pixels.
Keyboard/Mouse: Whatever floats your boat.0 -
Leman_Russ wrote: »Now, we need a bit more info What exactly is this PC going to be for? Work, Gaming, Solitare? The intended use is the most important factor when building a PC.
Leman_Russ
Thanks for your help.
It will be only used to run the calculator program...I am an accountant..........jk
Well more than anything it will be used for photography, Flight Sim 2004 (Not FSX), Photoshop, internet etc. Nothing out of this world, but my take on it is only a PC is fast enough when my brain can't keep up. ( I think I pinched that from somewhere else on the site but I love it!)0 -
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
No I would not.
The setup I set out above is a starting block if you like, I hope to change and replace items on the list for alternatives to bring my costs down.
Well in that case, I can tell you now your CPU and Mobo are far too "high end" for what you want
I'll jump onto ebuyer and make you up a list :P0 -
There are problems with the build you put up there, the general one being is that you have many high end components in what should be a low-medium end build(there's a incompatibility issue too).
Photoshop is the most intense program you use and here's a build that will run photoshop along with all your other programs very well.
Just wondering too is there any reason why you decided to go for a blu-ray reader? If you don't have a full hd screen then you will not be able to make use of it. (while you're thinking about that you may aswell tell us what type of screen you have
)
Looking at the case you chose beforehand, i put in one with a case window and blu led fan.
The motherboard does not have any heatsinks build in to it, but if you won't be overclocking then this is not an issue.
The cpu cooler will be nice and quiet you may want to get another fan for the front of the case.
I don't feel exactly comfortable giving you this build because i have a feeling that it may be slight overkill0 -
Advertisement
-
On the plus side, it will last a good while
To be fair, the i5 to me doesn't seem like overkill. i5 is EXCELLENT value IMO. I've been able to OC it to 4GHz stable with Low-Mid Range parts, and its "Drawbacks" of Dual Channel and x8/x8 PCIe are so mild, especialy for the use John is looking for, I don't see the problem tbh.0 -
Just wondering too is there any reason why you decided to go for a blu-ray reader? If you don't have a full hd screen then you will not be able to make use of it. (while you're thinking about that you may aswell tell us what type of screen you have)
Oddly I don't know why, I guess in case I ever update my monitor it would be nice to have.
I have a HPw1907v 19" monitor with 1440*900 max res
I think what I have wanted is someone to build me a list of components as it is a minefield out there to me if I am to be honest.
Thanks guys appreciate the help on this0 -
-
Less than the petrol it costs to deliver it :PHow much could I sell that for do you reckon folks?
I would advise AGAINST selling an old build.
You never know when you might need it for an emergency, say, something's wrong with your new build and you need to get onto the net to Troubleshoot 0 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
Easy Answer! but will you help me I can't get it going?
Heh, No problem. Just a few more questions :P
When you say photo-shop, do you mean professional photo manipulation or just mucking about with your holiday snaps?
In any case, from what you say I think a Medium-Low to Medium end Build will do you just fine IMO. The only problem is, as said, AMD is a lot cheaper, but Intel will give better performance.
In Any case, this is what I recommend:
Case & PSU:
A simple, cheap case, as you are not doing anything too drastic. Power Supply is modular, so it reduces clutter. Good for a basic build. The PSU will be more than sufficient and allows for you to add more stuff as time goes on.
Antec 300 Three Hundred Black Case + Antec TruePower New 550W Modular PSU
Graphics Card
Cheap ATi 4850. Not DX11, but from what you say, you won't need it. This will be more than powerful enough to run your flight sims and should last a good while
Sapphire HD 4850
Optical Drive (DVD Drive)
No Difference really between makes. Retail box.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/172821
1 or more Hard Drives
No Excuse not to get at least 1TB nowadays.
Samsung HD103SJ 1TB *2
Monitor/Keyboard/Mouse.
Buy Locally or use your old one
CPU:
Some say the i5 750 will be too much, but I say STFU. It's epic value for money. No Really, like, super value. I run one myself, and it is blistering fast, even at stock. And will age "well", as well as PC bits age I suppose.
Intel Core i5 750
Motherboard:
Gigabyte. Simple really The P55M-UD2 is a Micro ATX board, but all that means it is a bit smaller than a normal Mobo. If you are not planing on medium-high overclocking or multi GPU set-ups, this will be fine. Gigabyte also have a program called "Easytune", 1 click and it auto-overclocks for you
Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2
Ram:
Dual Channel means it is better to have 2 sticks rather than one, so I recommend 2 of the following Kingston Ram, however, you can just get 1 if you wish, it won't affect the speed really.
Kingston 2GB DDR3 1066MHz i5 Memory Module CL7 *2
CPU Cooler:
If you are not overclocking, the Stock cooler should be fine.
Case Fans:
One downside to the Antec 300 is the lack of front and side fans. Fix this buy buying some Scythe Slipstream ones. I use the 1900 RMP ones, but they are quite powerful and loudish, and I overclock everything, so I need it :P A lower RPM would be better for you.
Scythe Kaze Jyuni 1200RPM Slip Stream 120mm Fan *3
Total Cost:
£608.77 from ebuyer
€36 from QuietPC0 -
-
Ha, ok then :P
What's your overall budget and will you be able to re-use any parts from your old PC? Knowing that will help me pick the best bits
And don't worry, building a PC is the easiest thing in the world. The hard bit is knowing what plugs into where :P0 -
Leman_Russ wrote: »Ha, ok then :P
What's your overall budget and will you be able to re-use any parts from your old PC? Knowing that will help me pick the best bits
Well....lets see, the budget would be around €800 - €1000.
The only thing reusable part I can think of is the Intel Dual Core 2 2.66Ghz...E6700.
I have 4GB RAM but which is DDR2 and its speed is 667Mhz. To be honest I want to head towards DDR3 and 1033Mhz speed.
Anything else I can offer to your assistance just shout.
Tx
*****By the way I really like this motherboard
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/1726540 -
So you'll be wanting to buy a new Monitor/Keyboard/Mouse as well?Well....lets see, the budget would be around €800 - €1000.
The only thing reusable part I can think of is the Intel Dual Core 2 2.66Ghz...E6700.
Never been a fan of MSI myself, but they are one of the top Teir Mobo makers. You can do a lot worse (coughasrockcough).
Also, with a budget of ~€900, You can make a fantastic rig Now I know, I can start to up some parts :P 0 -
-
-
New List!
Case & PSU:
CM Storm Scout and a Corsair 650w PSU. I have the CM Storm Scout myself, it is a WONDERFUL case, I love it to bits so I do. And It looks the dogs bollox too
CM Storm Scout Case
Corsair 650W HX Modular PSU
Graphics Card
An Sapphire HD 5770 1GB GDDR5. DX11 compatible and totally future proof. Can support up to 3 monitors, and will be able to play almost any game from 2007 or before at "OMFGWTFBBQAHHHHH" level :P
Optical Drive (DVD Drive)
No Difference really between makes. Retail box.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/172821
1 or more Hard Drives
No Excuse not to get at least 1TB nowadays.
Samsung HD103SJ 1TB *2
CPU:
Some say the i5 750 will be too much, but I say STFU. It's epic value for money. No Really, like, super value. I run one myself, and it is blistering fast, even at stock. And will age "well", as well as PC bits age I suppose.
Intel Core i5 750
Motherboard:
Either get the MSI you liked (it is a nice board) or the equivilent Gigabyte board, the GA-P55-UD4.
Ram:
Dual Channel means it is better to have 2 sticks rather than one, so I recommend 2 of the following Kingston Ram, however, you can just get 1 if you wish, it won't affect the speed really.
Kingston 2GB DDR3 1066MHz i5 Memory Module CL7 *2
CPU Cooler:
Better to be safe than sorry, replace the stock fan with this Scythe Heatsink
Case Fans:
One downside to the CM Storm is the lack of side fans. Fix this buy buying 2 Scythe Slipstream ones. I use the 1900 RMP ones, but they are quite powerful and loudish, and I overclock everything, so I need it :P A lower RPM might be better for you.
Scythe Kaze Jyuni 1200RPM Slip Stream 120mm Fan *2
The 1900 RMP are the same price though, so it is up to you.
Total Cost:
£820 from ebuyer
€26 from QuietPC[/QUOTE]
All in all it comes to just a little more than €900. The monitor/keyboard/mouse you are better off buying locally or using from your old build.0 -
Advertisement
-
Advertisement