First Build

[rollonspring]

Hey Guys,

My right index finger has been hovering on the order button for the past few hours now.

I have decided to bail on my 6 years old HP computer. I've been recently speccing this build for so many days now. Removing and adding things a thousand times. It's so bloody difficult to have so much choices and such limited budget(£1000). Anyway here's what I'm planning to get:

CPU: i5 2500k
Motherboard: Asus P8P67 Pro
HD: Samsung 1TB HD103SJ Spinpoint F3
DVD Drive: Samsung SH-S223C/BEBE
Case: CoolerMaster 690-II Advanced
Memory: Corsair XMS3 Classic 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800 (1600), Non-ECC Unbuffered CAS 9-9-9-24, 1.5v
GPU:MSI GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II
PSU: Corsair 650HX Modular
Cooler: Thermaltake Frio
Monitor: 24'' Benq G2402HDBL Monitor

Everything equates to £980.

I have no experience of PC building so if I missed something please do tell. PC will be mainly used for gaming. Is it overkill or just right? Components all compatible?

Also, how bad is the P67 motherboard issue I've been hearing nowadays - because it's kind of putting me off especially having this one as my first ever build.

THANKS!

tl;dr

Suggestions. First builder advice.

[miXer]

Mate that's a good build for that price
I would of put an SSD in there as well but since your limited to your budget you can't :{

As far as the P67 issues, I wouldn't worry about it just only buy it when they've been fixed :]

Part from that good luck :]

[rollonspring]

Mate that's a good build for that price
I would of put an SSD in there as well but since your limited to your budget you can't :{

As far as the P67 issues, I wouldn't worry about it just only buy it when they've been fixed :]

Part from that good luck :]

I would put an SSD but I have a really limited budget.

I am planning to order this by tomorrow, so should I go on ahead with a p67 motherboard now? Suggestions would be helpful.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The fixed motherboards will be out in March or April AFAIK.

Unless you really want to have a pair of graphics cards the motherboard is OTT.

This PSU is made by Seasonic and has 4 PCI-E power connectors:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/650w-...-12v-120mm-fan

You can also get free postage from Scan when you have 20 posts:

http://forums.hexus.net/scan-care-he...-delivery.html

I would also check these web-pages for special offers too:

http://www.scan.co.uk/todayonly/index.aspx

http://www.scan.co.uk/shopoffers/index.aspx

I assume you have a copy of an OS too.

[rollonspring]

The fixed motherboards will be out in March or April AFAIK.

Unless you really want to have a pair of graphics cards the motherboard is OTT.

This PSU is made by Seasonic and has 4 PCI-E power connectors:


You can also get free postage from Scan when you have 20 posts:


I would also check these web-pages for special offers too:



I assume you have a copy of an OS too.

Thanks for the quick reply.

Should I rather get the regular P8P67 if I am not doing SLI or Xfire? In terms of gaming, will having the pro version affect the FPS or something?

Although, I do plan to OC if I ever learn how to. Will both motherboards have the same capability or the Pro is a much better overclocker?

I was wondering if the cable length of the PSU you suggested suitable for the case I have chosen. I am just curious as I don't want this future build to be like an HP prebuilt computer with non-existent cable management.

I apologise for my amateurness as I really never have built a computer other than the odd gpu changing.

Thanks!

[garin94]

Decent specs, wouldn't change much tbh. I have the Thermaltake Frio and I must say, It's bloody huge. So make sure you definately have enough space in your case for that to fit (if your using the 2nd optional 120mm fan).

If not, you could probably go for the Corsair H50 Water CPU Cooler. Good luck

[rollonspring]

I was actually planning to get the NH-D14 but I thought that would be rather overkill since I won't be doing benchmarks or anything extensive in particular. How is the Frio working out for you? I hear noise levels are kinda bad but oh well!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Should I rather get the regular P8P67 if I am not doing SLI or Xfire? In terms of gaming, will having the pro version affect the FPS or something?

Even a relatively cheap P67 will not have that much effect on framerates. The main advantage of the more expensive motherboards above £90 is they have a better VRM design and even this is more important if you want a very high overclock. However,the Sandy Bridge processors don't consume that much power AFAIK so unless you really need a dual card setup then one of the cheaper motherboards will do.

Even with a £20 to £30 cooler you can get a decent overclock with the K series CPUs.

Although, I do plan to OC if I ever learn how to. Will both motherboards have the same capability or the Pro is a much better overclocker?

I would go with the Asus P8P67 LE:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-...-sata-raid-atx

TBH,are you going to overclock or not??

Even a Core i5 2500 and an H67 motherboard will be pretty fast at stock speeds. You could save around £50 to £60. This means you could get a Core i7 2600 or go for a faster graphics card.

If you do want to overclock you can get an OEM Core i5 2600K for around £162:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/intel...-cache-95w-oem

However,this does not come with a cooler and has a shorter warranty than the retail Core i5 2500K.

I was wondering if the cable length of the PSU you suggested suitable for the case I have chosen. I am just curious as I don't want this future build to be like an HP prebuilt computer with non-existent cable management.

It does have longer cables and is semi-modular. It does have very good reviews though:

http://www.kitguru.net/components/po...w-650w-review/

Sometimes it can be had for around £60 from Scan too.

If cable management is very important then I would get a fully modular PSU such as the following:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/560w-...2v-fan-cooling

However,the CoolerMaster 690-II Advanced is a larger case and has cable management so even using a non-modular PSU should be fine IMHO.

I apologise for my amateurness as I really never have built a computer other than the odd gpu changing.

Thanks!

No problems!

[rollonspring]

Even a relatively cheap P67 will not have that much effect on framerates.



I would go with the Asus P8P67 LE:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-...-sata-raid-atx

TBH,are you going to overclock or not??

Even a Core i5 2500 and an H67 motherboard will be pretty fast at stock speeds. You could save around £50 to £60.

If you do want to overclock you can get an OEM Core i5 2600K for around £162:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/intel...-cache-95w-oem

However,this does not come with a cooler and has a shorter warranty than the retail Core i5 2500K.



It does have longer cables and is semi-modular. It does have very good reviews though:

http://www.kitguru.net/components/po...w-650w-review/

Sometimes it can be had for around £60 from Scan too.

If cable management is very important then I would get a fully modular PSU such as the following:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/560w-...2v-fan-cooling

However,the CoolerMaster 690-II Advanced is a larger case and has cable management so even using a non-modular PSU should be fine IMHO.



No problems!

Thanks again for the reply!

I am settling with the OEM version of the 2500k and the regular P8P67 board.

The PSU seems fantastic, especially the price! I'm also glad to hear that it would fit the case!

Now just need to google good guides for computer building! I cannot wait! Thanks for all the help!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I added some more info to my previous answer!

The main advantage of getting a cooler like the Corsair H50 is that it might be easier to work with.

[Kalex]

The H50 isn't too bad to work with, however it's still a bit fiddly doing it by yourself if it's your first PC build. You might want to ask a friend/family member to help you out with the installation.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

BTW,I would check about the details for the motherboard replacement programme that Asus have for replacing the current motherboards in a few months.

Make sure you have a copy of Windows too!

[rollonspring]

I added some more info to my previous answer!

The main advantage of getting a cooler like the Corsair H50 is that it might be easier to work with.

Hmmm, I might just go for the H50. It doesnt seem to have the hassle of cables but I'm rather worried if it's an actual watercooler.

I have a copy of my old vista OS, planning to upgrade in the next 2 months.

Thanks

[miXer]

The fixed motherboards will be out in March or April AFAIK.

I was speaking to the Scan retailer manager and he said late February/Early March

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I was speaking to the Scan retailer manager and he said late February/Early March

I was going on what I read on Anandtech where they indicated that the large OEMs like Dell would be getting the first shipments of the revised chipsets.

However,if motherboards with the revised chipsets are being released to retail in only two to three weeks time I would suggest the OP delay buying the motherboard until then.

[rollonspring]

If that's the case, I guess I would have to hold off the buy until the revised mobos are in sale again. I just hope the prices are still the same.

Thanks!