My First Gaming Desktop

[Zeven]

The time has come. If everything goes as planned, I'll be entering the world of PC gaming next week by purchasing the required parts. My budget is 1000£ but I really don't mind a good saving. I have been researching this stuff and asking around for numerous weeks. I am aching to finally game. A few questions remain, however...Anyway, here is the build:

• Intel Core i5 2500K, 3.3Ghz Quad Core - Overclocked to 4.5Ghz
• Artic Cooling Freezer 13 CPU Cooler - Quiet Cooler
• Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3, Intel Z68 Chipset - USB3 and SATA6 Support
• 8Gb (2x4Gb) Corsair Vengeance LP, DDR3, 1600Mhz
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit – OEM
• Seagate ST31000524AS 1TB Hard Drive – HDD
• SATA 22x DVD Writer SAMSUNG SH-S222BB/BEBE
• ColorsIT 750W Black Edition PSU 12cm Fan Dual 12v CE PFC Power Supply
• Lian-Li PC-K63B Black Midi Case

The questions are:

Is that power supply sufficient? I know the wattage is fine, but is the brand okay?

As a student, I can get Windows 7 heavily discounted, but only the upgrade editions. Can I install an upgrade edition on a totally blank system or should I just go for what Scan is offering here?

Yes, I know, no GPU! I am waiting for the HD 7770, HD 7850, and HD 7870 to come out first, as heavily encouraged in this thread. I could, however, not wait and go for either one of two GTX 570s or a HD 6970 instead. Do you guys say I should wait as well? My budget for the GPU is 250£.

[Hoonigan]

I would definitely invest in a much better Power supply than the one you've linked to there..

You're talking about thousands of pounds worth of computer equipment, which can be easily damaged from incorrect voltages and currents running through them.

As a rule of thumb, you should spend about 10% of your entire budget on the PSU, if you want it to last you a while.

I'd say to aim for about 500-600W if you're wanting to get a high-end Graphics card in there as well..

Brands that I trust for PSUs are (in order of which I'd choose):

1) Enermax
2) Corsair
3) Antec
4) Seasonic
5) OCZ

[Zeven]

I would definitely invest in a much better Power supply than the one you've linked to there..

You're talking about thousands of pounds worth of computer equipment, which can be easily damaged from incorrect voltages and currents running through them.

As a rule of thumb, you should spend about 10% of your entire budget on the PSU, if you want it to last you a while.

I'd say to aim for about 500-600W if you're wanting to get a high-end Graphics card in there as well..

Brands that I trust for PSUs are (in order of which I'd choose):

1) Enermax
2) Corsair
3) Antec
4) Seasonic
5) OCZ

I guessed that the power supply was a dodgy choice in this case. I was going to buy this one before. The brand is second on your list as well so I should be fine there. My friends were recommending that I go for a modular power supply, though.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Avoid the CX600W. There are better PSUs for the price. Brand is not so important but the PSU OEM and OEM range and rating.

These PSUs are better IMHO:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/550w-...s-12v-quiet-fa

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/550w-...eps-12v-fan-at

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/650w-...v-135mm-quiet-

However,this deal looks the best:

http://www.ebuyer.com/159918-antec-t...edium=products

The PSU is made by Seasonic and is also semi-modular.

[kalniel]

Yes, I know, no GPU! I am waiting for the HD 7770, HD 7850, and HD 7870 to come out first, as heavily encouraged in this thread. I could, however, not wait and go for either one of two GTX 570s or a HD 6970 instead. Do you guys say I should wait as well? My budget for the GPU is 250£.

Wait for the whole thing. If you're going to wait for the GPU then you're not going to have any decent gaming, so you might as well wait for the other bits as well - Ivy Bridge CPUs will be out at the same time as the HD 7800 series roughly, which will either provide a better value for money chip, or cause the existing chip you want to come down in price. Hard disk prices will also drop back a little from their recent massive increases by then.

If you absolutely can't wait then get a single 6970.

[Zeven]

Avoid the CX600W. There are better PSUs for the price. Brand is not so important but the PSU OEM and OEM range and rating.

These PSUs are better IMHO:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/550w-...s-12v-quiet-fa

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/550w-...eps-12v-fan-at

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/650w-...v-135mm-quiet-

However,this deal looks the best:

http://www.ebuyer.com/159918-antec-t...edium=products

The PSU is made by Seasonic and is also semi-modular.

I don't feel too comfortable with just a 550W power supply. Is that really okay? I did end up finding this one. 650W and modular too!

Wait for the whole thing. If you're going to wait for the GPU then you're not going to have any decent gaming, so you might as well wait for the other bits as well - Ivy Bridge CPUs will be out at the same time as the HD 7800 series roughly, which will either provide a better value for money chip, or cause the existing chip you want to come down in price. Hard disk prices will also drop back a little from their recent massive increases by then.

If you absolutely can't wait then get a single 6970.

Thanks, but waiting over 30 more days with nothing else to do just seems like a waste of time. I think I'll just go all out now as my three year old laptop is quite meh.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

A 650W PSU is more for dual card setups. A single 550W PSU would be fine for a single GPU setup IMHO.

Regarding the new GPUs,the HD7870 is meant to be released on March 6th AFAIK.

The HD6970 2GB and GTX570 are both decent GPUs. The HD6970 2GB does have more VRAM which probably will be useful with newer games and also has multi-monitor gaming ability,but the GTX570 does have better tessellation in theory and better 3D support.

[Zeven]

A 650W PSU is more for dual card setups. A single 550W PSU would be fine for a single GPU setup IMHO.

Regarding the new GPUs,the HD7870 is meant to be released on March 6th AFAIK.

The HD6970 2GB and GTX570 are both decent GPUs. The HD6970 2GB does have more VRAM which probably will be useful with newer games and also has multi-monitor gaming ability,but the GTX570 does have better tessellation in theory and better 3D support.

What's your source for the launch of the HD 7870 being on the 6th of March if I may ask? And the most I am willing to do is wait for those GPUs but nothing more. Do I have permission to place my order for everything but the GPU?