New Build Needs Help

[musicbuoy]

Hi, I told you I would be looking for advice lol.

I have bought the following but still need to buy a Graphics Card.

Asus P8Z77-V motherboard
Intel i7-3770k processor
16GB Crucial Ballistix RAM
Zalman CNPS 10X CPU fan
Fractal Design XL Case
Fractal Design Newton R3 1000W PSU

If I’d asked for advice before buying then things might have been different but I’m stuck with what I’ve bought,

The thing is now, I need to know how best to use what I’ve bought,

Like I said before, I still need to buy a Graphics Card. Up to now I’ve never played games but that doesn’t mean to say that I won’t in the future.

My main use is producing Slideshows, editing films and downloading film and music.

After spending a few bob on the above bits I don’t mind spending a few more bob on a last years high end card.

Any help or advise would be gratefully accepted.

Sorry for the font, Dave

 

[jimbo32]

I think most here would agree that the AMD 7870 is the best gaming card for the money (~$240 or £160). But honestly, if you aren't gaming at all, you could probably get away with just using the Intel 4000 graphics that come on your processor.

 

[musicbuoy]

I think most here would agree that the AMD 7870 is the best gaming card for the money (~$240 or £160). But honestly, if you aren't gaming at all, you could probably get away with just using the Intel 4000 graphics that come on your processor.

Is that like a built in thing?

 

[SEBAR]

Is that like a built in thing?

Yes, it is built into your CPU. Nice specs btw.

 

[musicbuoy]

Although I might never play games on this build I would still like to buy a nice graphics card to complete my build.

So still looking for suggestions please around the £100 mark.

Wonder what Tim would suggest because I bought the case on his advise lol

Thanks......... David

 

[jimbo32]

Yes, the 3770k has an HD4000 graphics processor built into the chip. It's roughly the equivalent of an NVidia 9500 GT or an AMD HD3670. Those cards are several generations old now, but if you're not gaming or doing anything else that's graphics-intensive, I imagine you'd be fine with the on-board graphics.

If you'd prefer to have a discreet card just in case, an AMD 7770 or 7850 would be decent choices that are reasonably priced. You could use the money saved to buy a good sound card for your movies and music.

 

[SEBAR]

Although I might never play games on this build I would still like to buy a nice graphics card to complete my build.

So still looking for suggestions please around the £100 mark.

Wonder what Tim would suggest because I bought the case on his advise lol

Thanks......... David

For that kind of money you will be limited to a HD7770 or a GTX660, I would try to scrounge up another £50 and get a HD7850.

BTW his name is Tom not Tim. :lol: Good luck on you build and keep us updated.

 

[jimbo32]

If you're in the UK or EU, the Club3D 7850 that VB just reviewed is worth a look (I assume it's not available in North America - I've never heard of the brand or seen one listed for sale by a NA retailer).

 

[musicbuoy]

oooooops sorry Tom

 

[musicbuoy]

If you're in the UK or EU, the Club3D 7850 that VB just reviewed is worth a look (I assume it's not available in North America - I've never heard of the brand or seen one listed for sale by a NA retailer).

Hi Jimbo, yeah I live in the UK and thanks for your info

 

[musicbuoy]

For that kind of money you will be limited to a HD7770 or a GTX660, I would try to scrounge up another £50 and get a HD7850.

BTW his name is Tom not Tim. :lol: Good luck on you build and keep us updated.

Hiya Sebar, looking at the HD7850 now but several companies make it like AMD, Gigabyte, Radeon etc, are these all the same product but with just different brand names on them? Thanks again for your help and input, very much appreciated.

 

[SEBAR]

Hiya Sebar, looking at the HD7850 now but several companies make it like AMD, Gigabyte, Radeon etc, are these all the same product but with just different brand names on them? Thanks again for your help and input, very much appreciated.

AMD and Radeon is the same thing. AMD is the company that makes the chip and Radeon is the designation AMD uses for their desktop cards. Gigabyte, MSI, XFX, Asus, and others you will see are the card manufacturers that produce the different cards. These companies can either produce a card using the Reference design that AMD created or they can design their own custom PCB usually known as a non-reference design. The non-reference design cards usually have a nice cooler designed into the card and can keep the card much cooler and quieter then the reference design.

Yes these all essentially the same product but with just different brand names. Just choose one that provides a good warranty and has a good reputation with customer service.

 

[musicbuoy]

Not really started my build yet, still waiting for a few bit and bops but i've just fitted an extra Fractal fan to the front of the case and noticed that all the case fans have a 3 pin connection whilst the Asus MB has 4 pin sockets. I know these will actually fit but does anybody know if they will work via the MB and the Asus Fan Xpert 2 software?

 

[Etlar]

The fans will work, but i dont know if you can set the speed on them. I always use molex to my fans, så the fans a on 9 or 7v all the time. I just hate noice

 

[tinytomlogan]

Moved to correct forum.

 

[musicbuoy]

Last question before I build is : PSU fan up or down?

 

[Josh Weston]

Personal preference. Users of this forum prefer the fan to face upwards, as the fan looks better than the stickers. Either way, as long as your case has mesh or similar at the bottom, your PSU isn't going to prefer either.

 

[yassarikhan786]

Fan up definitely