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Mid-range gaming rig [UK]

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Mid-range gaming rig [UK]

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Hi guys,

Been out of the loop for a while, so could do with some help on choosing components for a new build. Normally, I'd happily research everything myself, but my existing computer has just died, so need to put a new one together quickly. Things I already have:

ATI 1GB 4870 GPU
Corsair 1000W PSU (80A total on dual +12V rails)
Seagate 7200.10 250GB SATA HDD (system drive)
Samsung DVD-RW (SATA)
Soundblaster X-Fi Fatal1ty soundcard (PCIe x1 slot needed)
Wireless card (PCI) (not that I really use it!)
Samsung 20" Monitor (1680x1050)
Mouse, keyboard, speakers

In terms of motherboard and memory, is it worth getting triple channel DDR3? If so, what sort of brands/speeds/latencies should I get? Also, I have no idea about what to look for in motherboards these days. Something that's a good overclocker would be nice (but nothing with a noisy fan on!).
As for the case, I want something quiet and black. I've got an NZXT Hush case from the old computer, but I was wondering whether there is anything else with acoustic damping that has a cable management system? Also, I'm considering getting an Antec P182, as I've heard they're very good for a quiet build. I also want some storage HDDs and have heard that Samsung's SpinPoint range is quiet. Are 500GB HDDs still the optimum in terms of price per GB?
Finally, I'd like to get a quad-core CPU, just for future proofing. My old system had a Q6600, although I'm not sure if it is in working order or not. I'm willing to overclock, but only in the future (so if I start struggling to run games at max graphics). In terms of both overclocking and quietness, I'd like to get after-market coolers for both the CPU and GPU. I was very happy with my Noctua in my old build, so would be keen on getting another for the CPU in this build.

Sorry if this is a lot to take in, but thanks for reading, and I look forward to your ever useful replies!

Oh, and my budget is an absolute max of £600

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You can only use triple channel memory if you decide to go the i7 route, which I am not sure will fit your 600 pound budget, its been a long time since I heard what the conversion rate of US$ to pounds was.

As far as the case goes, I would stick with the one you have, it ranks pretty high on the quietness scale, and if you did that you might be able to afford an i7/mobo/triple channel ddr3 memory.

1tb drives would be the optimum price/gigabyte, but 640gb are the best for performance/price. Look for the WD64001AALS Western Digital Caviar Black 640gb. But for Storage drives you might just want to stick with the 1tb drives, you can get the Samsung F1 Spinpoint 1tb for under $100 US.

Message edited by xthekidx on 01-28-2009 at 09:49:18 AM

Reply to xthekidx

Thanks for such a quick reply! From what I've heard, the i7's overclock pretty well, so might be willing to stretch my budget to get one as well as triple channel DDR3. Is the triple channel DDR3 a sizeable improvement over DDR2 dual channel, though? Also, do you have any recommendations on a good mobo for both i7 and triple channel DDR3 that's a good overclocker?

Reply to DarksideDragon

Just had a look at i7; the only affordable one is about £250:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/151477

Reply to DarksideDragon

i7 920 and Asus P6T Deluxe is fairly popular for those looking to overclock, you could go with much more expensive motherboards like the ASUS Rampage II Extreme for better overclocking, but its not worth the price IMO.

How much does an i7 920 cost in pounds? I'm trying to figure out the conversion rate lol.

Reply to xthekidx

Yeah the i7 920 is the only cpu that makes sense for most people in that series, especially since they overclock very easily and you can match the i7 965 extreme in performance by just bumping up the base clock a bit.

Look for a combo deal on the i7 and a motherboard. The motherboards from ASUS or Gigabyte that are good values should cost around 250 pounds, and if you find a combo you can save probably 20-30 pounds, at least you can here in the US (savings are usually in dollars though ;P ).

Message edited by xthekidx on 01-28-2009 at 10:05:50 AM

Reply to xthekidx

Cool, thanks for the advise. I'll have a look around during my lunch break! Had a quick look at HDDs and found a 1TB Samsung SpinPoint for £78. Do you know if that's cheap or not? Are the SpinPoints as quiet as I've heard some people say?

Reply to DarksideDragon

Look for this memory if you can find it, its a very good value and has very low timings. It's especially attractive over here because of the discount that newegg.com offers on it, but retailers in the UK will certainly have different deals. Send me a link to some of the online stores that are good in the UK.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231230

Reply to xthekidx

That looks like a good price on the hard drives, but supply is going to be different over there than here, so its tough for me to say what the competition is offering on those drives in the UK.

If you post some links to some good online retailers over there I would give them a look and try to find you some deals on i7 memory/cpu/motherboard ect.

Reply to xthekidx

This is the best memory deal I found on ebuyer.com where you found that i7 at. You could get the 3gb kit for 85 pounds, but this is a better value.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152747

Go for this motherboard, but look for it in a combo with your CPU or memory to save some money:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/151858

Message edited by xthekidx on 01-28-2009 at 10:52:44 AM

Reply to xthekidx

Wow, I think my budget is going to be a bit stretched! Will have to do a bit of number crunching tonight and see what I can afford (not too long till pay day at least!). Cheers for looking for me, I really appreciate it!
I normally use www.ebuyer.com and www.scan.co.uk
Sometimes, I'll use www.overclockers.co.uk because they tend to stock stuff like G.Skill, although they're generally more pricey than the other two!

Reply to DarksideDragon

Here's that Gigabyte mobo I was talking about for the same price as the ASUS:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] ubcat=1283

Here is a cheaper but good x58 mobo, this is the cheapest one I would recommend, all others cheaper than this are not very good quality, or lack features that are key. I actually have this one in my system and I'm very happy with it, it just doesn't have a couple feature that the Deluxe version offers.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] ubcat=1283

Sheesh I can pay less in dollars for the memory that overclockers.co.uk is selling. you weren't kidding about being more expensive. But those are actually good looking mobo deals that I found from them, give them a look. I suggest you go with the P6T non-deluxe since you are on a budget, but for 30 pounds more the deluxe might be worth it, up to you.

Message edited by xthekidx on 01-28-2009 at 10:48:08 AM

Reply to xthekidx

Ok back to this one, best value I can find on those sites you showed me. This one and the P6T Deluxe are pretty equal. Motherboards are cheaper in the UK than here in the US, lucky you.
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Gig [...] ATA-II-ATX

So get that Mobo and these other sets for your i7 build. If you already have a working system drive, you could hold off on the other storage drives for a bit until you fill your 250gb drive:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152747
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/151477

Its bedtime here on the other side of the world. I'll get on tomorrow, good luck deal hunting.

Message edited by xthekidx on 01-28-2009 at 10:55:01 AM

Reply to xthekidx

Hmm, my only worry with a lot of the x58 mobo's is the lack of PCIe x1 slots and their positioning (need one for my X-Fi soundblaster). Bit worried that I won't be able to fit it in once I put an aftermarket cooler on the GPU. My intention was to put a Thermalright HR03 (I think that's the right name) on the 4870, which would then be cooled by the same fan cooling the heatsink. This would essentially cover the PCIe x1 slot in all those mobo's :s

Reply to DarksideDragon

(Basically, I'd rather have a single GPU slot so I can get more PCIe x1 and PCI slots, but not sure if that's even possible with x58)

Reply to DarksideDragon

Hey, thanks for all the help, but I've actually decided against an entirely new build. Was mainly doing this because my old computer died, but managed to fix it now (turns out that the graphics card was dead. Put in my new 4870, but had to reset the CMOS before it would work).

Reply to DarksideDragon

Lol

Reply to xthekidx

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