Budget Gaming PC

[MrTechProWannabe]

Hi guys, I'm new here seeing as I'm trying to get as much Feedback as possible before I go ahead and order my components For my budget rig. I must mention that my budget is £700, If anybody can put together a reasonably priced rig that's better than the one I've listed below I would be more than grateful. Computer's use would be watching 1080p HD Films on Netflix and videos on YouTube etc. Playing games such as Soldier Front, and maybe occasionaly the odd MMORPG like RuneScape on High settings. However despite that I'm wanting a computer that can handle 1080p HD Films/Videos and be able to cope with gaming on high settings, I also want a sturdy well-rounded PC. For example I wouldn't necessarily want to have a GeForce GTX 680 GPU and something like an AMD-A4 or an Intel Pentium CPU. For example I'd like it to start up and load programs quick, maintain a good download speed and things like that. I have VirginMedia Fibre Optic Broadband and I live in a relatively small house so my Internet can cope with the demands, I just need the PC To be able too as well.
So here are the components:
Intel i5 3470 Quad Core CPU.
Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H ATX Motherboard.
Palit 2GB GTX 660Ti GPU.
Corsair Memory Vengeance 8GB RAM.
Seagate 500Gb HDD.
Intel 60GB 330 Series SSD.
Windows 7 Home Premium OS.
Corsair 600W CX PSU.
DVD Player/Writer stuff.
Corsair Carbide 300R Case.
Not sure on The Total cost since I keep adding, swapping and replacing parts etc. But I'm guessing it's over £700. Baring in mind that I'm British so I can't buy From Newegg as they don't ship Internationally, I'm looking at buying From either Scan.co.uk, eBuyer.co.uk, or aria.co.uk.
All and any Feedback is very much appreciated and I'm open to all suggestions!

 

[seumasbeathan]

Get the 7870 Tahiti LE and then with the money saved get the i5 3570k

 

[jamesriley94]

The majority of us here are British so we'll use the sites you suggested anyway. We even have a deal with Aria where we get free postage for being a member here.

As for the build, it looks good.
Go for a 3570k instead however, and I'd go for an MSI Z77a-G45 instead of the Gigabyte. The Gigabyte Z77 boards aren't the best, whilst the MSI ones are arguably the best for the price.

Can I ask why not Windows 8 as you can get it cheaper online:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/buy?ocid=GA8_O_WOL_Hero_ShopHP_FPP_Null

I'd personally try and go for a fully modular power supply like a Silverstone Strider:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/500w...onze-sli-crossfire-eps-12v-quiet-fan-atx-v23-
As it makes cabling so much easier.

Other than that, it looks good. Maybe go for a 120gb SSD instead as they aren't much more expensive. Also, AMD cards are generally favoured here as they perform better for the price, so maybe look at a 7950/7870/7870LE depending on how much you're willing to spend.

 

[Gamepro105]

There is a few things i would consider. what about an amd graphics card? there allot cheaper and they run cooler, I'm super happy with my 7950 and my mate bought the 660ti and he prefers my 7950. also i am not a huge fan of Intel ssd's there might be a bigger, faster one for around the same price. if you cant buy it all at one what about buying things like the processor and motherboard first because there harder to upgrade or more expensive at least. where as a graphics card. You can buy that later when you get more money and use integrated graphics for a while.

 

[jamesriley94]

There is a few things i would consider. what about an amd graphics card? there allot cheaper and they run cooler, I'm super happy with my 7950 and my mate bought the 660ti and he prefers my 7950. also i am not a huge fan of Intel ssd's there might be a bigger, faster one for around the same price. if you cant buy it all at one what about buying things like the processor and motherboard first because there harder to upgrade or more expensive at least. where as a graphics card. You can buy that later when you get more money and use integrated graphics for a while.

AMD cards don't run cooler. The Nvidia 600 series, along with Nvidia Greenlight has ensured that their chips are cooler and more efficient. The reference design cards are also quieter than AMD reference cards - but you should be buying a card with aftermarket cooling anyway.

 

[Devo234]

do you plan on overclocking your cpu?

 

[UkGouki]

you can get alot for £700 like the others suggested the 7870 tahiti le is £30 cheaper than a 660gtx and performs better also definitly go with the 3570k

storage wise may aswell pay the extra £4 for a 1tb..

ssd wise get a 120gb samsung 840 there currently on offer at aria

 

[seumasbeathan]

you can get alot for £700 like the others suggested the 7870 tahiti le is £30 cheaper than a 660gtx and performs better also definitly go with the 3570k

storage wise may aswell pay the extra £4 for a 1tb..

ssd wise get a 120gb samsung 840 there currently on offer at aria

with everything except an os i just specced a build for £690 >

oh and i also managed a corsair h90 for cooling
ignore the out of stocks they are being restocked on the webpage it tells you the restock date

You missed a cpu

 

[UkGouki]

You missed a cpu

i edited it redoining another without the cpu cooling to keep it under budget....

ok had to remove the hdd and change to the 600w none modular corsair psu and its still £17 over the £700 budget unless drops to a 200r case...

but least the op gets some ideas im gonna head to bed as its nearly 3am have a good one

 

[Josh Weston]

I did a price-up of your parts, OP, and it came to over £800. Overspending's all too easy with this kinda thing

 

[MrTechProWannabe]

Oh wow, sorry I haven't been replying, didn't expect this amount of Feedback in the little time that I was gone, thanks a bunch guys! I personally prefer Windows 7 as I've always had it, and I don't particularly see what's so special about Windows 8, nothing really draws my attention to it. Also that link of the £26 Windows 8 is only an upgrade, in order For me to be able to get that deal I'd need to already own Windows 8 Home Premium, That deal is only to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro. I've been having a look at AMD GPU's and personally I prefer GeForce cards to AMD. I don't exactly have any scientific or any Tech knowledge to back up my statements but simply From reviews and stuff on the GeForce GTX 600 series GPU's I'm happy to go with one of them. Ouch £800.. Shocking how money adds up quick. My original budget was £550 However I soon realised that won't get me very Far. And wow that's fantastic about the aria deal, it may only be Free shipping however sometimes shipping costs is the deal breaker. I'm going to be taking a day or so break From component searching seeing as I've spent the past week comparing the same components between three different websites then comparing Palit brand GPU's to EVGA etc.. I have a small knowledge of overclocking as in I get the jist of it, That being that overclocking your GPU enhances its performance or something, but that being the case there's one thing I can't make clear, why wouldn't cards be manufactured already overclocked if they boost the performance? But probably no I won't be overclocking, mainly because I won't know how to hehe. And the MSI Z77a-G45 Motherboard you selected is too much, seeing as the build I selected below just proves how bad at Maths I am, I need to do re-think about some of the parts and downgrade. Also please note that I won't be making any official purches For at least a week seeing as my salary is every other week not per month.

 

[jamesriley94]

I personally prefer Windows 7 as I've always had it, and I don't particularly see what's so special about Windows 8, nothing really draws my attention to it. Also that link of the £26 Windows 8 is only an upgrade, in order For me to be able to get that deal I'd need to already own Windows 8 Home Premium, That deal is only to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro.

Not true...
I've used that copy on both my PC and laptop - both clean installs.
You don't need to previously have had a windows copy for it to install correctly.

If you just get the key, and install the OS installation files to a memory stick, you're free to install Windows on any PC, even if it's a clean install.

All you need is an activated copy of Windows in order to buy and download the Windows files in the first place - but the new copy doesn't need to be installed on that computer.

 

[Feronix]

Not true...
I've used that copy on both my PC and laptop - both clean installs.
You don't need to previously have had a windows copy for it to install correctly.

If you just get the key, and install the OS installation files to a memory stick, you're free to install Windows on any PC, even if it's a clean install.

All you need is an activated copy of Windows in order to buy and download the Windows files in the first place - but the new copy doesn't need to be installed on that computer.

Just hopping in here, but does that also work when you buy the upgrade version on CD?

(Yes yes I know, who uses these things anymore )

 

[jamesriley94]

Should do yeah.
As long as you can boot off the disk and do a fresh install yeah.

 

[NeverBackDown]

I've been having a look at AMD GPU's and personally I prefer GeForce cards to AMD. I don't exactly have any scientific or any Tech knowledge to back up my statements but simply From reviews and stuff on the GeForce GTX 600 series GPU's I'm happy to go with one of them.

so you want to pay more but get less performance? the 7870 Tahiti Le performs nearly identical to a 7950, which blows the 660ti out of the warter. BTW 12.11 drivers have fixed many problems...

Also you claim to have little tech knowledge and come here for help and we suggest the 7870 Tahiti Le then you all of a sudden say no Geforce is better. Doesn't quite make sense to me. Not trying to be rude or anything so please don't take it that way

 

[Gamepro105]

so you want to pay more but get less performance? the 7870 Tahiti Le performs nearly identical to a 7950, which blows the 660ti out of the warter. BTW 12.11 drivers have fixed many problems...

Also you claim to have little tech knowledge and come here for help and we suggest the 7870 Tahiti Le then you all of a sudden say no Geforce is better. Doesn't quite make sense to me. Not trying to be rude or anything so please don't take it that way

Exactly I 100% agree i really don't get why you would buy a 660ti i would go for a 7950 or 7870 tahiti Le too! in fact i bought the XFX 7950 and its perfect, it runs cool and plays games in max fps has great overclocking head room. where as my friends 560ti is not so good. i will ask him to post his opinion on here! (BPRSM)
AMD drivers were always an issue with loads of games but recent drivers have fixed every single one of them and i have never had a problem.

 

[BPRSM]

Exactly I 100% agree i really don't get why you would buy a 660ti i would go for a 7950 or 7870 tahiti Le too! in fact i bought the XFX 7950 and its perfect, it runs cool and plays games in max fps has great overclocking head room. where as my friends 560ti is not so good. i will ask him to post his opinion on here! (BPRSM)
AMD drivers were always an issue with loads of games but recent drivers have fixed every single one of them and i have never had a problem.

I am going to agree with Gamepro (not because he told me too ).

I would never really compare nVidia with AMD as they both have pros and cons. However, if you want the best bang for your buck, AMD is usually a good idea. But really thinking about it, why bother too much when your only playing games like RuneScape? Your graphics card will not be under too much pressure by the sounds of it and I would save the money on the GPU, get AMD as they do better budget cards, and then invest the money in maybe a bigger SSD (you said you wanted "programs" to load quick, and 60 gigs will not be sufficient for a good amount of programs).

Another option I highly recommend is the 3570k, it's a no-brainer

But aside from that, the brand of graphics card is up to you, I recommend looking at some videos of comparisons of certain cards on YouTube and then making your decision based on what you're going to use your card for. Ask yourself, is a 660ti really necessary?

I hope this helps