core i5 build for my friend

[circuitmonkey]

Hi guys and gals,

I'm helping my friend pull together a spec for a reasonably priced build for gaming at 1680x1050
This is what we have so far;



what does everyone think, any better suggestions?

I must admit I prefer Intel as a rule, but am open to suggestions from the dark side

thanks in advance!

[kalniel]

Pretty much spot on.

If you're not overclocking then see if you can save a bit of money by going for 1333 RAM (1600 isn't supported except if the motherboard has an OC mode anyway, or you're bumping CPU clock whilst overclocking manually).

If you are overclocking then get a third party HSF - turbo mode on these CPUs doesn't leave a lot of thermal headroom and they will reduce the top speed quite quickly.

Don't forget OS if he doesn't have a retail one already.

[nibbler]

get a better GPU?

[nightkhaos]

That looks fine. I mean he might want a better GPU, but that should be fine for most purposes.

[circuitmonkey]

I wanted to leave some room for overclocking, but was unsure of which cooler to go with for the i5 cpus, was gunna run it stock for the time being and if at some point it doesn't cut it anymore, we'll look at overclocking.

[circuitmonkey]

That looks fine. I mean he might want a better GPU, but that should be fine for most purposes.

well the price of that 4870 is very hard to turn down and for the resolution he'll be gaming at I thought it would be just fine. he's looking at playing cod mw2 and the benchies look like this will be just fine

[t4ct1c47]

When it comes to RAM and overclocking on an i5 system I would never recommend anything rated higher than PC3-128000 (800Mhz x2) as it's unlikey that you'll want to push the base clock of the CPU over 400Mhz.

[circuitmonkey]

btw what are people opinions on the nzxt gamma vs the antec 300
gamma looks it will keep things cooler, but I've heard good things about the 300

[kalniel]

btw what are people opinions on the nzxt gamma

vs the antec 300

[Phage]

Antec 300. FTW.
Not that I'm biased.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Looks a good build to me!! BTW,since you are using a mATX motherboard have you considered using a mATX case??

Here are some good ones:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/140996

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...-black-w-o-PSU

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Lian-...-Black-w-o-PSU

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...silver-w-o-PSU

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...Aluminium-Case

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...r-Case-w-o-PSU

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...tower-SFF-Case

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...m-Case-w-o-PSU

[circuitmonkey]

Looks a good build to me!! BTW,since you are using a mATX motherboard have you considered using a mATX case??

Here are some good ones:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/140996

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...-black-w-o-PSU

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Lian-...-Black-w-o-PSU

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...silver-w-o-PSU

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...Aluminium-Case

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...r-Case-w-o-PSU

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...tower-SFF-Case

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...m-Case-w-o-PSU

they are all very nice cases, but we are trying to keep the price down somewhat and all of those are more expensive than the 300 or gamma, thanks anyways

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

they are all very nice cases, but we are trying to keep the price down somewhat and all of those are more expensive than the 300 or gamma, thanks anyways

The Coolermaster Elite 340 and Elite 341 mATX cases are also worth a look:

http://www.svp.co.uk/technology/comp...erm-01029.html

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COOLER-MASTER-...122392feae563f

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cooler-Master-...122392feae563f

[circuitmonkey]

The Coolermaster Elite 340 and Elite 341 mATX cases are also worth a look:

http://www.svp.co.uk/technology/comp...erm-01029.html

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COOLER-MASTER-...122392feae563f

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cooler-Master-...122392feae563f

I'll gauge my friends opinion, I agree it would be nice to keep it mATX (his room is quite small)
Thanks again C-T-F