Hi I'm building a system that will be predominantly used for graphic design and running lots of design software. I just want a pc that will run very fast and smooth. Perhaps a bit of gaming but not a lot I'm more into xbox. I also don't want it to be out-dated within 2 years. This will be my first build and I've been researching components for a month or so and I think I've narrowed down pretty much everything I want. I really just wanted some help and advice regarding the components I am after and if anyone has built there own custom system or has better experience/knowledge than I do then advice would be appreciated - particularly want to be sure that all components are compatible with each other etc. Thanks to all who take the time to read this and reply! Mobo: Asus P7P55D-E LX http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-394-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1693 Seems a good price for all the features, good connectivity, USB 3.0, what are your thoughts? CPU: Intel Core i7 870 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/172757 2.93ghz quad core, best price I could find. Would it be worth getting one of these of the 2.8? It doesn't cost that much more, but don't think I could stretch to the 3.2 though. I wouldn't be able to overclock myself and am not that worried about it to be honest, but does anyone know of anywhere that you can buy pre-overclocked chips on their own? CPU cooling: Akasa AK-966 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-050-AK Cheap, good reviews... GPU: Asus ATI Radeon HD 5770 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-219-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1515 I think this is fairly good spec for price, are these good cards? I'm not worried about incredible GPU performance as I'n not that into pc gaming. I will be using a blu ray optical drive however, will this be sufficient? I will also be using my 26" samsung hdtv (720p) as the monitor via HDMI. I assume that everything will display correctly if I set the resolution on the card to the native resolution of the tv (1366 x 768). Anyone have any experience of this? Memory: GEIL 8GB DDR3 1600 QUAD CHANNEL BLACK DRAGON http://www.ksn-online.co.uk/compone...-quad-channel-black-dragon-retail-p-8094.html Seems good price for 8gb quad channel, anyone know if this stuff is any good? Other brands like Corsair and OCZ are much more pricey for 8gb. Data drive (HDD): Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB http://www.ebuyer.com/product/173804 This has fairly good reviews performance-wise and is pretty cheap. Don't think it would really be worth going for 2tb as I'll be getting an external HDD or two for back-up and storing old data. Boot drive (SSD): OCZ Vertex Series 60GB http://www.micomonline.co.uk/products.asp?partno=OCZSSD2-1VTX60G&go Good reviews, fast read/write speeds for price, seems fairly well priced. Any thoughts? 60gb sufficient for boot drive? Anyone have any experience of using SSDs as a boot drive and HDD as data drive? Is this easy to do? Anyone know of any other SSDs with similar/better performance for similar price? Optical drive 1: Sony Optiarc 24x http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-046-OT&groupid=701&catid=10&subcat= Cheap, fast... Optical drive 2: Samsung 8x BluRay http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-131-SA&groupid=701&catid=10&subcat=314 Good price, anyone know if this is a good drive or af any other good drives for similar price? PSU: OCUK Swift 750W Silent Power Supply http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-028-OP&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat= Overclockers own brand, cheap! Are these any good? Will 750 watts be enough? Case: Xigmatek Midgard http://www.svp.co.uk/summer-sale/pc-case-xigmatek-midgard-chassis-retail_xigmate-01001.html Looks good, doesn't break the bank, think this would be fairly spacious to work with. I'll get this side window as well http://specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/product.php?productid=11935 So that's it don't think I missed anything. Oh if anyone knows of some nice flat wireless keyboards let me know. Anyone know how easy it is to use the apple magic mouse with windows? I'll be using Windows 7 64 bit so I'm pretty sure all these components are compatible but if not please let me know! Thanks for any help anyone can give Dan
Changing your data drive to a separate drive is a bit of a faff, but not hugely. Best to do it more or less as soon as you've installed. Set up the folders on your data drive (Document, Downloads, Pictures etc). Open your Personal folder (ie the icon with your name on it on the top right hand corner of your Start Menu). Right click on each folder in turn, select 'Properties', then the 'Location' tab and use the 'Move' option - just navigate to the new location. Say 'yes' to merging files. Job done. Your specs look ok but do you need two optical drives? Just that they tend not to be used that much any more and I think most BluRay drives can write DVDs anyway. However, not sure about the power supply. It's not sexy, but such an important part of the system. I'd go for a named brand you've read good things about. If you're not overclocking and you're only running a 5770, a 520w power supply would be plenty. Personally I like Seasonic ones, but you'll read plenty in this forum for other brands people have had good experiences with! Caroline
If you are uncomfortable overclocking yourself, your best bet is to buy a pre-overclocked bundle from Overclockers: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-023-OB&groupid=43&catid=339&subcat= The i5 760 means that you aren't getting HT, but the clock speed means that the setup would be faster than a slower clock with HT enabled. As you want 8GB of memory, you could consider contacting them and asking if they will do you a bundle with the memory you require. They will probably say yes to that. A GTX460 only costs £15 more, I'd go for that instead. The power supply...avoid. Completely. Go for a Corsair TX650 instead. Finally, the Midgard is a good case. However, the CM690 II Lite is available for just £12 more, and would be a slightly better option. Otherwise, everything looks good really
Can't help but agree with the opinions about PSU. I wouldn't have a generic PSU if you paid me. Ebuyer are doing a Be Quiet! 600W modular in special edition white (not important but hey i like it) for a ridiculous £59.99 right now. Linky Also no one seems top have mentioned the fact that you can't use that cooler. The link you gave specifices it as an LGA775 cooler only. Cough up the extra 2 quid and get a Freezer 7 Pro. Still very cheap and despite its age still a stonking cooler, although things like the Gelid Tranquilo are going for £23-£28 if you shop around which is well worth the money and could be an option if you were to drop the second optical drive. Apart from that should be good
Or the ThermalTake Frio for 32, cools better than the others too. Comes with 2 fans as standard too...
Just a quick not re P&P if you buy the parts from 6 different suppliers to get the best parts prices you then end up paying 6 times the P&P, so just keep and eye on that. And the warranty can be a bit confusing as you need to remember what came from where :=)
