New Build Gamers Rig

[dugdiamond]

Thanks for the help so far guys, ok made a start on spec.

So tired of having low spec crap rigs, so going to try and get the best for my money, following Dugd advice I have made a start with the following bundle:

Gladiator Core i7 950 Premium Black Edition Pre-Built Overclocked Bundle

• Intel® Core™ i7-950 Overclocked @ 4.20GHz - Eight Thread CPU

• Mushkin 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz 6-8-6-24 Redline Ridgeback

• EVGA X58 Classified3 Intel X58 (Socket 1366) DDR3 PCI-Express Motherboard

• Be Quiet! Dark Rock Advanced CPU Cooler

• Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

• Pre-Assembled & Tested

I have also taken a shine to this case:

Corsair Obsidian 800D Black Tower Computer Case

Link

Now I enter the minefield of Graphics cards, I would like a dual card system, anyone got any suggestions, my budget after getting the above is now down to £550 plus £200 oversight.

Thanks again

Gabe

excellent choice on the bundle

and nice choice on the case too. it will be perfect to put the lights in at a later date.

• get a 1TB sata3 Caviar Black HDD to go on with (65quid), add more later on.
  
• the card has on-board sound - so you need not worry about any extra card for the time being
  
• it also comes with a cooler - you can upgrade at a later date
  
• get a blu-ray writer (100quid)
  

just get the bare essentials needed to get the system up-and-running.

the icing on the cake can be added later

 

[UkGouki]

dual Gtx 570's? = £540

if you dont mind a little noise dual gtx 480's = £400 and are at the same if not better performance than the 570s just loader under load >>

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-222-AS&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1750

 

[Rastalovich]

if you dont mind a little noise dual gtx 480's = £400 and are at the same if not better performance than the 570s just loader under load >>

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-222-AS&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1750

Better still, buy 2x Zalman coolers @ £25 and forget about noise and temps.

However, referring to the rig's concept. If you want to be questioning performance, tinkering, playing with drivers - 2x cards for your graphics is fine.

If you want to put your card in and mostly forget about messing about, get the best single gpu card. If you specifically want nvidia, Scan have a Pal1t 580 card for £315.

 

[Gabriel]

I appreciate all the help guys, many thanks, been doing my homework and this is what I have come up with:

Gladiator Core i7 950 Premium Black Edition Pre-Built Overclocked Bundle

• Intel® Core™ i7-950 Overclocked @ 4.20GHz - Eight Thread CPU

• Mushkin 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz 6-8-6-24 Redline Ridgeback

• EVGA X58 Classified3 Intel X58 (Socket 1366) DDR3 PCI-Express Motherboard

• Be Quiet! Dark Rock Advanced CPU Cooler

• Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

Corsair Obsidian 800D Black Tower Computer Case

Nvidia GeForce GTX 570

1TB Western Digital Caviar Black SATA III Hard Drive

LG BH10LS30 Internal Blu-Ray DVD±RW SATA Drive - Black

800W Mushkin Enhanced Joule ATX2.3 Power Supply

Comments suggestions most welcome, would like to get this order placed mid next week if pos, as I plan to take a 2 weeks off work, so that I can be home for delivery and make a start on the build,plus have I forgotten anything

Would it be a good idea to get the lighting system now, as I was thinking maybe just aswell to get the lighting in place while the build is in progress.

Thanks again to you all

Gabe

 

[dugdiamond]

get those lights (that i gave you the link to) and go for it

what colour(s) are you going for? red would be nice, to match the board!

you are onto a winner there

 

[Qubo420]

Why not the NH-D14?

 

[dugdiamond]

Why not the NH-D14?

it's a bundle - the cooler can always be upgraded at a later date

 

[ruthless_villain]

I appreciate all the help guys, many thanks, been doing my homework and this is what I have come up with:

Gladiator Core i7 950 Premium Black Edition Pre-Built Overclocked Bundle

• Intel® Core™ i7-950 Overclocked @ 4.20GHz - Eight Thread CPU

• Mushkin 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz 6-8-6-24 Redline Ridgeback

• EVGA X58 Classified3 Intel X58 (Socket 1366) DDR3 PCI-Express Motherboard

• Be Quiet! Dark Rock Advanced CPU Cooler

• Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

Corsair Obsidian 800D Black Tower Computer Case

Nvidia GeForce GTX 570

1TB Western Digital Caviar Black SATA III Hard Drive

LG BH10LS30 Internal Blu-Ray DVD±RW SATA Drive - Black

800W Mushkin Enhanced Joule ATX2.3 Power Supply

Comments suggestions most welcome, would like to get this order placed mid next week if pos, as I plan to take a 2 weeks off work, so that I can be home for delivery and make a start on the build,plus have I forgotten anything

Would it be a good idea to get the lighting system now, as I was thinking maybe just aswell to get the lighting in place while the build is in progress.

Thanks again to you all

Gabe

that PSU is brilliant, you might wanna spend £40 more on 1Kw version just a idea

and do you really need a blu-ray drive?

save £20 and get a normal samsung f3 1TB 7200Rpm drive

ask aria to swap the dark pro with the D14 you would rather pay £20 now than £60 later?

adament on the 800D? its worthless if you aint going to water cool

 

[Icekube]

I appreciate all the help guys, many thanks, been doing my homework and this is what I have come up with:

Gladiator Core i7 950 Premium Black Edition Pre-Built Overclocked Bundle

• Intel® Core™ i7-950 Overclocked @ 4.20GHz - Eight Thread CPU

• Mushkin 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz 6-8-6-24 Redline Ridgeback

• EVGA X58 Classified3 Intel X58 (Socket 1366) DDR3 PCI-Express Motherboard

• Be Quiet! Dark Rock Advanced CPU Cooler

• Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

Corsair Obsidian 800D Black Tower Computer Case

Nvidia GeForce GTX 570

1TB Western Digital Caviar Black SATA III Hard Drive

LG BH10LS30 Internal Blu-Ray DVD±RW SATA Drive - Black

800W Mushkin Enhanced Joule ATX2.3 Power Supply

Comments suggestions most welcome, would like to get this order placed mid next week if pos, as I plan to take a 2 weeks off work, so that I can be home for delivery and make a start on the build,plus have I forgotten anything

Would it be a good idea to get the lighting system now, as I was thinking maybe just aswell to get the lighting in place while the build is in progress.

Thanks again to you all

Gabe

I'd change your case choice, the 800D will not allow gd enough air cooling, if you like the 800D design have a look at the 650D which is out around the 24th March or something like the Nzxt phantom.

Definately upgrade your cpu cooler to Noctua NH-D14 if possible

As for Gtx 570's it's down to personal preference mate, I'd go with Evga 570 sc or MSI 570 Twin Frozr II oc, both those cards will work well with your setup.

If you plan to run 2 x 570's in Sli in the future I'd think about a more powerful psu just in case. 1000W Coolermaster Silent Pro Gold gd value for money.

 

[Gabriel]

Thanks again for the help guys, made notes on whats been said and I will investigate your points tonight, and report back for input, it would seem the case needs to change, as I wont be water cooling, but like the idea of a clear side panel.

Appreciate all your help so far...

Gabe

 

[ruthless_villain]

I'd change your case choice, the 800D will not allow gd enough air cooling, if you like the 800D design have a look at the 650D which is out around the 24th March or something like the Nzxt phantom.

Definately upgrade your cpu cooler to Noctua NH-D14 if possible

As for Gtx 570's it's down to personal preference mate, I'd go with Evga 570 sc or MSI 570 Twin Frozr II oc, both those cards will work well with your setup.

If you plan to run 2 x 570's in Sli in the future I'd think about a more powerful psu just in case. 1000W Coolermaster Silent Pro Gold gd value for money.

that mushkin psu is 800W silver rated... so very efficient and has a total of 64 amps on the 12v rail... it will probs be enough for 570 sli

 

[Icekube]

that mushkin psu is 800W silver rated... so very efficient and has a total of 64 amps on the 12v rail... it will probs be enough for 570 sli

Yeah I know your right, but I like to have a little overkill when I'm putting a psu into my builds, especially if your overclocking your system, always better having a little extra omph just in case, and you know it will be more than able to handle the next couple of generations of cards that come out

 

[dugdiamond]

don't get the samsumg F3 spinpoint HDD, is it only sataII

get the caviar black, which is sataIII

and people... please read his original post...

he wants a large side panel to show off some cathode lighting - the phantom, even though nice, wont accommodate this! and this is a budget build too

the PSU you chose is ample for the build you are making, and will even be powerful enough for several more HDDs and another GPU

ask your reseller of they could swap the cooler. the Noctua D14 is awesome is terms of silence and power cooling.

hey, you don't ask, you don't get!

 

[Grizzly]

Ok came across a lot of Antec cases that have a large side window but aren't supersize, If you don't mind supersize cases let me know and I'll look at them as well, same foes for if the budget available for a case goes above £80

Antec Dark Fleet DF-10 £58.40

Antec 60 V2 £62.93

Antec Dark Fleet DF-30 £78.58

Antec Dark Fleet DF-35 £78.74

All prices are from scan.co.uk

 

[ruthless_villain]

Ok came across a lot of Antec cases that have a large side window but aren't supersize, If you don't mind supersize cases let me know and I'll look at them as well, same foes for if the budget available for a case goes above £80

Antec Dark Fleet DF-10 £58.40

Antec 60 V2 £62.93

Antec Dark Fleet DF-30 £78.58

Antec Dark Fleet DF-35 £78.74

All prices are from scan.co.uk

he might have a NH-D14 in them and a gtx 570 and sli later... he needs a big case

you might wanna consider the antec 1200

and back to the phantom it doesnt have a window but it has the mesh on the fan slots and my blue cathodes add a real nice affect. plus you cant see it so its like magic

 

[Grizzly]

Big case with window it is

CoolerMaster HAF X

Antec Dark Fleet DF-85

and...

you might wanna consider the antec 1200

The Antec 900 is cheaper if you need to cut down on the total price. Otherwise any of the above.

 

[bobkelso]

If you want to put your card in and mostly forget about messing about, get the best single gpu card. If you specifically want nvidia, Scan have a Pal1t 580 card for £315.

I'd say that's very much worth considering the 580 would be more than enough for gaming and you don't have to worry about the troubles that a dual card rig could bring more heat etc. I don't see the point in a dual card rig for gaming if you've got the money already and can get a very nice and fast single card then I say do that but if you haven't then ofcourse go the dual card route.

Also I'm guessing your getting the bundle from aria because of the mushkin ram in which case you could ring them and ask them to change the cpu cooler to the NH-D14 especially if you are going to upgrade to that later anyway, just ring there sales team there shouldn't be a problem.

Case wise maybe look at the haf x it has good airflow but I know alot of ppl don't like it, and with the case it's all about personal preference. You could maybe get a case and mod it yourself to get a side window? I know I wouldn't trust myself to do that but it's something to consider right?

 

[Stryker64]

Xigmatek Utgard Window Edition would be a great value choice. It combines looks, class, performance and low cost =D

Lancool K62 is also a good choice. I would recommend the K62R1 if you can still find any of those lying around.

 

[Redskins47]

I appreciate all the help guys, many thanks, been doing my homework and this is what I have come up with:

Gladiator Core i7 950 Premium Black Edition Pre-Built Overclocked Bundle

• Intel® Core™ i7-950 Overclocked @ 4.20GHz - Eight Thread CPU

• Mushkin 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz 6-8-6-24 Redline Ridgeback

• EVGA X58 Classified3 Intel X58 (Socket 1366) DDR3 PCI-Express Motherboard

• Be Quiet! Dark Rock Advanced CPU Cooler

• Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

Wouldn't it be smarter move to go down the Sandy Bridge road now? the new Intel chips are a lot faster. I wouldn't spend that much on old tech myself.

Get a i7 2600k easy to overclock don't even have to change many settings and I am sure people here will help you to get the best out it.

 

[Luger718]

i say something along the lines of

CM 690 ii Advanced (good for the price case, tom did a review on it) or a nzxt phantom

i5 2500k or 2600k if you want the extra e-peen size lmfao

8gb kingston grey series or something similar (have you thought about only buying 4GB, even when gaming 4GB is more then enough)

an SSD!!! (supa dupa fast!)

1TB HDD a samsung spinpoint F3 or WD Caviar Black

a NICE mobo like the asus p8p67 deluxe or better

a Corsair psu a 750 w should do if your only gonna have 1 gpu (pretty sure 750w can handle 2)

any OEM cd drive

gtx 570

the money you save by buying the 2500k instead of a 950 or 2600k can go towards something else

*prepares to get slaughtered by the sandy bridge haters lol*