Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 16 of 19

Thread: Thinking of building a new Rig

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    South Shields
    Posts
    273
    Thanks
    37
    Thanked
    11 times in 8 posts
    • dankellys's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H
      • CPU:
      • 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 3570K 3.40GHz
      • Memory:
      • Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3
      • Storage:
      • Seagate 1TB ST1000DM003 + Samsung 128GB SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 2GB XFX Radeon HD 7870 Core Edition, 4800MHz
      • PSU:
      • OCZ ZS Series 550W
      • Case:
      • Zalman Z9-U3 Mid
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Pro x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • ViewSonic VIE 23 IPS 1920x1080 6MS
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media 60Mb B/B

    Lightbulb Thinking of building a new Rig

    Built myself a quality gaming machine a few years back, all thanks to the advice of you helpful lot, on the hexus forums. Anyway, about a year after building it I had to sell it

    (you can still see what I had built in my 'system' to the left)

    Anyway, I think its about time I built myself a new rig, but dont know where to start. I am a freelance web designer and keen photographer, so need something that can handle its self in the graphics department.

    BUDGET: £700 (£800 at an absolute push, but would rather keep it below £700)

    Thinking along the lines of core-i5, 6-8gb RAM, 1TB HDD, dual monitor (if budget allows).

    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
    Main Rig: BOARD: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H / CHIP: 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 3570K 3.40GHz / RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 / DRIVES: Seagate 1TB ST1000DM003 + Samsung 128GB SSD / CASE: Zalman Z9-U3 Mid / PSU: OCZ ZS Series 550W / GRAPHICS: 2GB XFX Radeon HD 7870 Core Edition, 4800MHz / MONITOR: ViewSonic VIE 23 IPS 1920x1080 6MS
    Photography: Body: Nikon D3200 / Lenses: Nikkor 18-55mm Kit Lens, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G / Filters: Haida 10 Stop ND Filter, Misc CPL Filter


  2. #2
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    32,039
    Thanks
    3,910
    Thanked
    5,224 times in 4,015 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: Thinking of building a new Rig

    Are you doing any gaming and is overclocking important??

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    South Shields
    Posts
    273
    Thanks
    37
    Thanked
    11 times in 8 posts
    • dankellys's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H
      • CPU:
      • 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 3570K 3.40GHz
      • Memory:
      • Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3
      • Storage:
      • Seagate 1TB ST1000DM003 + Samsung 128GB SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 2GB XFX Radeon HD 7870 Core Edition, 4800MHz
      • PSU:
      • OCZ ZS Series 550W
      • Case:
      • Zalman Z9-U3 Mid
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Pro x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • ViewSonic VIE 23 IPS 1920x1080 6MS
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media 60Mb B/B

    Re: Thinking of building a new Rig

    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    Are you doing any gaming and is overclocking important??
    Probably a little gaming, and having the ability to overclock would be nice, but not a must. I have just been reading your post actually in Bigger Budget Gamer Build. looks like it may have the sort of spec I am after.
    Main Rig: BOARD: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H / CHIP: 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 3570K 3.40GHz / RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 / DRIVES: Seagate 1TB ST1000DM003 + Samsung 128GB SSD / CASE: Zalman Z9-U3 Mid / PSU: OCZ ZS Series 550W / GRAPHICS: 2GB XFX Radeon HD 7870 Core Edition, 4800MHz / MONITOR: ViewSonic VIE 23 IPS 1920x1080 6MS
    Photography: Body: Nikon D3200 / Lenses: Nikkor 18-55mm Kit Lens, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G / Filters: Haida 10 Stop ND Filter, Misc CPL Filter


  4. #4
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    32,039
    Thanks
    3,910
    Thanked
    5,224 times in 4,015 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: Thinking of building a new Rig

    Quote Originally Posted by dankellys View Post
    Probably a little gaming, and having the ability to overclock would be nice, but not a must. I have just been reading your post actually in Bigger Budget Gamer Build. looks like it may have the sort of spec I am after.
    I assume you need a colour accurate monitor in the £700 to £800 budget too?? You are looking at £150 to £250 there,unless you go for one the cheaper IPS panels which are not great for gaming.

    This uses an 8 bit panel with a 10 bit LUT:

    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/23-as...00000001-black

    There have been some complaints of backlight bleed but it seems a decent monitor.

    These ones are cheaper and use a 6 bit panel with FRC:

    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/23-de...-m2-4-port-usb

    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/23-as...ack-hdmi-d-sub

    However,they are meant to be reasonably OK for image editing.

    There are these cheaper monitors with IPS panels too:

    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/23-ao...cd-m-200000001

    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/23-vi...01-14ms-pc-mac

    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/23-ao...10001-hdmi-vga

    I am not sure how good they are for image editing though.
    Last edited by CAT-THE-FIFTH; 12-07-2012 at 02:34 PM.

  5. Received thanks from:

    dankellys (12-07-2012)

  6. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    South Shields
    Posts
    273
    Thanks
    37
    Thanked
    11 times in 8 posts
    • dankellys's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H
      • CPU:
      • 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 3570K 3.40GHz
      • Memory:
      • Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3
      • Storage:
      • Seagate 1TB ST1000DM003 + Samsung 128GB SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 2GB XFX Radeon HD 7870 Core Edition, 4800MHz
      • PSU:
      • OCZ ZS Series 550W
      • Case:
      • Zalman Z9-U3 Mid
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Pro x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • ViewSonic VIE 23 IPS 1920x1080 6MS
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media 60Mb B/B

    Re: Thinking of building a new Rig

    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    I assume you need a colour accurate monitor in the £700 to £800 budget too??
    Yes, sorry forgot to mention that. Probably the key piece of equipment really.
    Main Rig: BOARD: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H / CHIP: 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 3570K 3.40GHz / RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 / DRIVES: Seagate 1TB ST1000DM003 + Samsung 128GB SSD / CASE: Zalman Z9-U3 Mid / PSU: OCZ ZS Series 550W / GRAPHICS: 2GB XFX Radeon HD 7870 Core Edition, 4800MHz / MONITOR: ViewSonic VIE 23 IPS 1920x1080 6MS
    Photography: Body: Nikon D3200 / Lenses: Nikkor 18-55mm Kit Lens, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G / Filters: Haida 10 Stop ND Filter, Misc CPL Filter


  7. #6
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    32,039
    Thanks
    3,910
    Thanked
    5,224 times in 4,015 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: Thinking of building a new Rig

    Quote Originally Posted by dankellys View Post
    Yes, sorry forgot to mention that. Probably the key piece of equipment really.
    I have including some options in my previous post.

    So that would mean around £600 for the rest of the build.

  8. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    South Shields
    Posts
    273
    Thanks
    37
    Thanked
    11 times in 8 posts
    • dankellys's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H
      • CPU:
      • 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 3570K 3.40GHz
      • Memory:
      • Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3
      • Storage:
      • Seagate 1TB ST1000DM003 + Samsung 128GB SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 2GB XFX Radeon HD 7870 Core Edition, 4800MHz
      • PSU:
      • OCZ ZS Series 550W
      • Case:
      • Zalman Z9-U3 Mid
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Pro x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • ViewSonic VIE 23 IPS 1920x1080 6MS
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media 60Mb B/B

    Re: Thinking of building a new Rig

    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    I have including some options in my previous post.

    So that would mean around £600 for the rest of the build.
    Yeah just seen those. Really like the look of the ASUS 8 bit panel with a 10 bit LUT, but that's taking a huge chunk out of my budget. I ultimately would like 2 monitors, one for doing photo editing and graphic work, and another "everyday" monitor. So might just have to go for one of the cheaper ones to start with, with the aim of purchasing a ASUS at some point further down the line (when money allows).
    Main Rig: BOARD: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H / CHIP: 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 3570K 3.40GHz / RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 / DRIVES: Seagate 1TB ST1000DM003 + Samsung 128GB SSD / CASE: Zalman Z9-U3 Mid / PSU: OCZ ZS Series 550W / GRAPHICS: 2GB XFX Radeon HD 7870 Core Edition, 4800MHz / MONITOR: ViewSonic VIE 23 IPS 1920x1080 6MS
    Photography: Body: Nikon D3200 / Lenses: Nikkor 18-55mm Kit Lens, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G / Filters: Haida 10 Stop ND Filter, Misc CPL Filter


  9. #8
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    32,039
    Thanks
    3,910
    Thanked
    5,224 times in 4,015 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: Thinking of building a new Rig

    The thing is what CPU to go for??

    You can go for:
    1.)A standard Core i5 ~ £125 to £150
    2.)A more expensive Core i5 K series CPU and overclock it ~ £170
    3.)A Xeon E3 V2(basically a Core i7) ~ £180

    What kind of software will be using for web development??

  10. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    South Shields
    Posts
    273
    Thanks
    37
    Thanked
    11 times in 8 posts
    • dankellys's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H
      • CPU:
      • 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 3570K 3.40GHz
      • Memory:
      • Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3
      • Storage:
      • Seagate 1TB ST1000DM003 + Samsung 128GB SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 2GB XFX Radeon HD 7870 Core Edition, 4800MHz
      • PSU:
      • OCZ ZS Series 550W
      • Case:
      • Zalman Z9-U3 Mid
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Pro x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • ViewSonic VIE 23 IPS 1920x1080 6MS
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media 60Mb B/B

    Re: Thinking of building a new Rig

    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    The thing is what CPU to go for??

    You can go for:
    1.)A standard Core i5 ~ £125 to £150
    2.)A more expensive Core i5 K series CPU and overclock it ~ £170
    3.)A Xeon E3 V2(basically a Core i7) ~ £180

    What kind of software will be using for web development??
    I will be using Adobe CS5 (so, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, InDesign, Illustrator, Fireworks, Flash and Lightroom) Along with Photo software such as Photomatix Pro. Tempted towards the K Series i5, you reckon it will cope?
    Main Rig: BOARD: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H / CHIP: 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 3570K 3.40GHz / RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 / DRIVES: Seagate 1TB ST1000DM003 + Samsung 128GB SSD / CASE: Zalman Z9-U3 Mid / PSU: OCZ ZS Series 550W / GRAPHICS: 2GB XFX Radeon HD 7870 Core Edition, 4800MHz / MONITOR: ViewSonic VIE 23 IPS 1920x1080 6MS
    Photography: Body: Nikon D3200 / Lenses: Nikkor 18-55mm Kit Lens, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G / Filters: Haida 10 Stop ND Filter, Misc CPL Filter


  11. #10
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    32,039
    Thanks
    3,910
    Thanked
    5,224 times in 4,015 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: Thinking of building a new Rig

    Quote Originally Posted by dankellys View Post
    I will be using Adobe CS5 (so, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, InDesign, Illustrator, Fireworks, Flash and Lightroom) Along with Photo software such as Photomatix Pro. Tempted towards the K Series i5, you reckon it will cope?
    It depends on how well threaded the software and also how much the disk drive will be the bottleneck too.

    I came up with the following build.





    I would get this monitor:

    http://www.dabs.com/products/viewson...m_content=Q200

    It uses a 6 bit matt IPS panel but gets good reviews.

    Even with you free Scan postage the total comes to just under £800 delivered. You can save a bit more money by looking on the Scan Today Only webpage,and both Top CashBack and Quidco do cashback on Novatech and Dabs purchases.

    The motherboard is rather basic and you cannot overclock the CPU,but IMHO it should be good enough for your purposes. However it does have USB3.0 and a single SATA3.0 port.

    Now you could drop the need for a reasonable graphics card and then improve the other bits if required.
    Last edited by CAT-THE-FIFTH; 12-07-2012 at 03:33 PM. Reason: typo

  12. Received thanks from:

    dankellys (13-07-2012)

  13. #11
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    32,039
    Thanks
    3,910
    Thanked
    5,224 times in 4,015 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: Thinking of building a new Rig

    You could save some money going for the following case and PSU:

    http://www.ebuyer.com/239238-casecom...an-k5-9388blue

    http://www.ebuyer.com/264381-xfx-450...u-p1-450s-u2b9

    That should give you around £30 to £40 until you hit your £800 maximum budget.

  14. #12
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    South Shields
    Posts
    273
    Thanks
    37
    Thanked
    11 times in 8 posts
    • dankellys's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H
      • CPU:
      • 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 3570K 3.40GHz
      • Memory:
      • Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3
      • Storage:
      • Seagate 1TB ST1000DM003 + Samsung 128GB SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 2GB XFX Radeon HD 7870 Core Edition, 4800MHz
      • PSU:
      • OCZ ZS Series 550W
      • Case:
      • Zalman Z9-U3 Mid
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Pro x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • ViewSonic VIE 23 IPS 1920x1080 6MS
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media 60Mb B/B

    Re: Thinking of building a new Rig

    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    It depends on how well threaded the software and also how much the disk drive will be the bottleneck too.

    I came up with the following build.





    I would get this monitor:

    http://www.dabs.com/products/viewson...m_content=Q200

    It uses a 6 bit matt IPS panel but gets good review.

    Even with you free Scan postage the total comes to just under £800 delivered. You can save a bit more money by looking on the Scan Today Only webpage,and both Top CashBack and Quidco do cashback on Novatech and Dabs purchases.

    The motherboard is rather basic and you cannot overclock the CPU,but IMHO it should be good enough for your purposes. However it does have USB3.0 and a single SATA3.0 port.

    Now you could drop the need for a reasonable graphics card and then improve the other bits if required.
    WOW, thanks for that, really appreciated.

    I can probs do without the SSD (not to bothered about 'instant boot' etc, and seagate make great normal drives anyway so not to worried about it failing...) Would you recommend using the £80 saved on the SSD to go for a slightly better motherboard? Or would you still recommend going for the SSD for other reasons?


    Thanks again for that.
    Main Rig: BOARD: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H / CHIP: 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 3570K 3.40GHz / RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 / DRIVES: Seagate 1TB ST1000DM003 + Samsung 128GB SSD / CASE: Zalman Z9-U3 Mid / PSU: OCZ ZS Series 550W / GRAPHICS: 2GB XFX Radeon HD 7870 Core Edition, 4800MHz / MONITOR: ViewSonic VIE 23 IPS 1920x1080 6MS
    Photography: Body: Nikon D3200 / Lenses: Nikkor 18-55mm Kit Lens, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G / Filters: Haida 10 Stop ND Filter, Misc CPL Filter


  15. #13
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    32,039
    Thanks
    3,910
    Thanked
    5,224 times in 4,015 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: Thinking of building a new Rig

    Quote Originally Posted by dankellys View Post
    WOW, thanks for that, really appreciated.

    I can probs do without the SSD (not to bothered about 'instant boot' etc, and seagate make great normal drives anyway so not to worried about it failing...) Would you recommend using the £80 saved on the SSD to go for a slightly better motherboard? Or would you still recommend going for the SSD for other reasons?


    Thanks again for that.
    The thing is the SSD should help reduce I/O bottlenecks in your system - it might be worth you checking this out on some photography forums. If you are loading large files or writing large files,the SSD will be much quicker than an hard drive.

    This might be useful to read:

    http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/...p-cs4-cs5.html

    If you read my last post,there is a cheaper CPU and PSU which will save you a bit of money. The case is actually not that bad for the price and the PSU is solid enough unless you are going for a high end GPU. However,I do like the Zalman Z9. There is also the Zalman Z11 and Corsair 300R within a similar price bracket.

    Regarding the motherboard,the more expensive Z77 ones do have a nicer feature set and so do the IB based Core i5 CPUs. However,the larger number of slots on an ATX motherboard might be more useful. TBH,it is a shame that Intel ATX motherboards are expensive unlike the AMD ones!!

    However,I am uncertain how much of a real world difference this will make to you.

  16. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    South Shields
    Posts
    273
    Thanks
    37
    Thanked
    11 times in 8 posts
    • dankellys's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H
      • CPU:
      • 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 3570K 3.40GHz
      • Memory:
      • Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3
      • Storage:
      • Seagate 1TB ST1000DM003 + Samsung 128GB SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 2GB XFX Radeon HD 7870 Core Edition, 4800MHz
      • PSU:
      • OCZ ZS Series 550W
      • Case:
      • Zalman Z9-U3 Mid
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Pro x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • ViewSonic VIE 23 IPS 1920x1080 6MS
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media 60Mb B/B

    Re: Thinking of building a new Rig

    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    The thing is the SSD should help reduce I/O bottlenecks in your system - it might be worth you checking this out on some photography forums. If you are loading large files or writing large files,the SSD will be much quicker than an hard drive.

    This might be useful to read:

    http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/...p-cs4-cs5.html

    If you read my last post,there is a cheaper CPU and PSU which will save you a bit of money. The case is actually not that bad for the price and the PSU is solid enough unless you are going for a high end GPU. However,I do like the Zalman Z9. There is also the Zalman Z11 and Corsair 300R within a similar price bracket.

    Regarding the motherboard,the more expensive Z77 ones do have a nicer feature set and so do the IB based Core i5 CPUs. However,the larger number of slots on an ATX motherboard might be more useful. TBH,it is a shame that Intel ATX motherboards are expensive unlike the AMD ones!!

    However,I am uncertain how much of a real world difference this will make to you.
    Thanks again for all of your help. I have purchased the Prosessor, Motherboard and RAM from NovaTech. After reading your post, and the link, i think I will stick with the SSD.
    Last edited by dankellys; 13-07-2012 at 09:22 AM.
    Main Rig: BOARD: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H / CHIP: 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 3570K 3.40GHz / RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 / DRIVES: Seagate 1TB ST1000DM003 + Samsung 128GB SSD / CASE: Zalman Z9-U3 Mid / PSU: OCZ ZS Series 550W / GRAPHICS: 2GB XFX Radeon HD 7870 Core Edition, 4800MHz / MONITOR: ViewSonic VIE 23 IPS 1920x1080 6MS
    Photography: Body: Nikon D3200 / Lenses: Nikkor 18-55mm Kit Lens, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G / Filters: Haida 10 Stop ND Filter, Misc CPL Filter


  17. #15
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    South Shields
    Posts
    273
    Thanks
    37
    Thanked
    11 times in 8 posts
    • dankellys's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H
      • CPU:
      • 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 3570K 3.40GHz
      • Memory:
      • Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3
      • Storage:
      • Seagate 1TB ST1000DM003 + Samsung 128GB SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 2GB XFX Radeon HD 7870 Core Edition, 4800MHz
      • PSU:
      • OCZ ZS Series 550W
      • Case:
      • Zalman Z9-U3 Mid
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Pro x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • ViewSonic VIE 23 IPS 1920x1080 6MS
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media 60Mb B/B

    Re: Thinking of building a new Rig

    I have just realised there is a copy of Win 7 in there. I already own a copy, so wont be needing that. Saving £80 there, should I go for a better Graphics Card? Would you not recommend going for a card with HDMI output?

    Perhaps something like: Palit GeForce GTX 570 SONIC 1280MB NVIDIA Graphics Card?
    Last edited by dankellys; 13-07-2012 at 09:28 AM.
    Main Rig: BOARD: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H / CHIP: 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 3570K 3.40GHz / RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 / DRIVES: Seagate 1TB ST1000DM003 + Samsung 128GB SSD / CASE: Zalman Z9-U3 Mid / PSU: OCZ ZS Series 550W / GRAPHICS: 2GB XFX Radeon HD 7870 Core Edition, 4800MHz / MONITOR: ViewSonic VIE 23 IPS 1920x1080 6MS
    Photography: Body: Nikon D3200 / Lenses: Nikkor 18-55mm Kit Lens, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G / Filters: Haida 10 Stop ND Filter, Misc CPL Filter


  18. #16
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    32,039
    Thanks
    3,910
    Thanked
    5,224 times in 4,015 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: Thinking of building a new Rig

    Quote Originally Posted by dankellys View Post
    I have just realised there is a copy of Win 7 in there. I already own a copy, so wont be needing that. Saving £80 there, should I go for a better Graphics Card? Would you not recommend going for a card with HDMI output?
    For gaming a card like an HD7850 2GB or GTX570 1.28GB would be better. I do think one of the HD7850 2GB cards will have the edge due to having 2GB of VRAM.

    However,you could get the Asus PA238Q:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005HIRG5...SIN=B005HIRG52

    There are some complaints of backlight bleed when it was first released - I am not sure if current production models have it though.
    Last edited by CAT-THE-FIFTH; 13-07-2012 at 12:06 PM.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •