Build Advice First Build Advice

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by ZthDimension, 27 Apr 2011.

  1. ZthDimension

    ZthDimension Zth

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    Hi guys,

    After reading many of the threads on here about Sandy Bridge builds, I've decided to take the plunge and do my first "proper" scratch build. I've based it mostly on what is recommended in the Buyers Guide and on what people have suggested for similar builds.

    I'm aiming to buy from Scan due to free delivery, previous good experiences and I like everything coming all at once :D

    I've got a couple of queries and would quite like someone to go over them before I hit the "buy" button.

    Budget: Around the £800 mark, £850 max.
    Main uses of intended build: Generally everything, mainly looking at Gaming, Photo-editing and Software Dev.
    Previous build information (list details of parts): Not much really; HDD, DVD Drive and Monitor(1280 by 1024)(Aiming to upgrade the monitor later this year.)
    Will you be Overclocking: Yes.

    The basics of the build I am aiming for is:

    i5-2500K
    Asus P8P67
    560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr
    Be Quiet! Dark Rock PRO
    Fractal R3

    There are 3 parts of the build which I'm currently struggling with;

    Memory, if I remember correctly I'm sure I've read in a couple of threads that with SB, memory timings aren't so important, so am I able to skimp a bit a go for something a bit cheaper memory-wise? And also would it be worth stepping it up to 8gb? I'm currently looking at 4gb.

    PSU, I know that I'm looking around the 650w mark, I would go with the one recommended by the Buyers Guide but it is currently £90 on Scan as opposed to £70. Therefore I'm currently looking at either this or this. Any recommendations or alternatives?

    SSD, I would really like a SSD in this build, I'm just not sure which one to go for. I'm looking at a 64GB drive and ideally not over £100 otherwise I start to go over my budget, again I was going to for the SDD recommended by the Buyers Guide(C300) however they appear to have disappeared of the Scan website. I understand that the Crucial M4 is supposed to be replacing the C300, would it be worth while just picking up one of those instead. Or again any recommendations or alternatives?

    Any advice is welcome,

    Marc
     
  2. Ph4ZeD

    Ph4ZeD What's a Dremel?

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    Last edited: 29 Apr 2011
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  3. murraynt

    murraynt Modder

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    Also have a look at this PSU
    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/530w...-sli-crossfire-120mm-fan-dual-rail-atx12v-v23 and the Corsair Builder series.
    Some people don't give them the credit they deserve.
    500Watts id plenty of power really.

    The Be quite! HSF will be a bit overkill for the 2500K really. Have a look at the Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus or the Geild Tranquillo.

    The ram Ph4ZeD has linked is great ram, the Corsair XMS3 ram is also good stuff I have the 8gh kit and haven't had any problems at all.

    Something to note with the R3 is that it would benefit with a GFX cooler that exhausts hot air our the back of the case instead of dumping it into the case.

    Them few changes should get you closer to a SSd anyways.
     
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  4. Sponge12349

    Sponge12349 (づ。◕‿‿◕。)づ ︵ ┻━┻

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  5. Blogins

    Blogins Panda have Guns

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    Actually the fractal isn't too bad when it comes to GPU that exhausts into the case. The only problem is if you run dual cards. I have a GTX 460 SLI configuration and the top card can get hot! However a single card shouldn't present such a big problem. However I would recommend a Scythe Gentle Typhoon 1850RPM fan in the rear to take care of exhausting as much hot air as possible!
     
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  6. ZthDimension

    ZthDimension Zth

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    Cheers for all the help guys, I've dropped the Be Quiet! Cooler and put in a Gelid Tranquillo instead. I've also opted for the 650W XFX PSU as well. Also I changed up the SSD, I've put in 60GB Corsair F60 instead after reading the "Help Me Select An SSD" thread and having a look at the write speeds. I've gone with the 8GB XMS3 in the end also.

    I'd seen this mentioned before but had forgotten about it! Slightly concerned now, I've posted where I'm currently up to without the 560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr, I've got around £200 to play with. Is it worth looking around at different cards or just do as Blogins suggested and make sure I've got a Gentle Typhoon to get rid of the extra heat in there?

    [​IMG]

    +repped
     
  7. murraynt

    murraynt Modder

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    You should be fine with just adding another fan. It's not going to make a huge differance only a small one.

    You may as well buy the OEM version of the 2500K, it won't have a heatsink but you are getting an after market one anyways

    If you are buying today Scan have the 2500K and the vengance ram for 227 pounds
    and for 280 there is a bundle with the Gigabyte UD4, which is a great deal.

    Have a look at the arctic version of the R3 as well, It really looks well in white. It's kinda hate it or love it though.
     
    Last edited: 28 Apr 2011
  8. NeilJM

    NeilJM What's a Dremel?

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  9. Wira

    Wira Spoderman

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    I have a cooler master silent pro m 850 watt PSU in my build and I never had any problems.

    Even though the gold series say they have higher efficiency than the silent pro's, I've that they suffer form some voltage stability problems that don't affect the silent pro series
     
  10. Seabrook

    Seabrook What's a Dremel?

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    I've got the 600w one. Seems to run a treat. Had no issues and it's pretty quiet too. I've only been running mine for a couple of weeks though, so can't say conclusively.
     

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