PC Build <£600?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The thing is while the motherboard for the Intel build will work,I would not buy it TBH:
1.)It smaller than mATX which means it will make the build more problematic in a normal case.
2.)Only two RAM slots. If your mate wants to upgrade the RAM another 4GB to 8GB,he will need to swap out his current RAM sticks.
3.)Limited amount of expansion slots. What if he wants to put in a soundcard or TV card at a later date?? It will be impossible.

BTW,where are you getting Windows for £55 from??

[Hicks12]

I ordered 8gb already, if he is making use of 8gb then that will be a shock to me haha but I see your point.

I will go with the AMD build then! just got to hope Ebuyer arent too slow with delivery .

Getting the windows for £55 from box.co.uk.
Would you say that Asus board for £59 is better than the gigiabyte board for £55? I am going to order it in a few hopefully .

[cptwhite_uk]

2nd hand IB or SB gives better value imo. Four bins overclock on the non'k chips (with suitable mobo) makes up for any improvements. I'm pretty sure the motherboards will be cheaper too and maybe pick up a nice cheap cooler for added quiet.

The 7870 is pretty loud; I've said this a thousand times but I would seriously consider bios modding it when you get it.

My experience has been completely the contray...shame as I just let it go second hand for £85. For reference it was an Sapphire Dual-X cooler, highly recommend that model - whisper quiet under load.

[Hicks12]

Yeah that 7870 is using the dual-x cooler, I know its not for me so i was keen on getting a cooler that was okay rather than the XFX poop, for me I just watercool mine so I dont care haha.

Sapphire always had great coolers IMO my 4850 toxic was brilliantly fast, cheap and quiet so I went with them again this time. I didnt go secondhand as its not my system, alot of people appose secondhand markets but not me I would if it was for me but he wanted new stuff, easier all round tbh with warranty etc.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

BTW,AMD has started a new promotion giving away games with their FX CPUs:

http://promotions.newegg.com/combo/1...ml?icid=214099

It might arrive over here!! So far only the FM2 CPUs have had free games.

[Hicks12]

Hmm that sucks, he wants it this week haha he told me he has been holding out for ages to get a new pc now he has the funds so wants to jump straight away, cant see it swaying his decision but appreciate the effort in giving me the heads up .

So, http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
+ http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Any glaring issues I have missed with them? seems best for price, I will probably order the fx from scan as its instock and free delivery but will await their today only to change encase its in there however I will grab the asus board from amazon to make use of my prime trial again haha.

[Domestic_Ginger]

My experience has been completely the contray...shame as I just let it go second hand for £85. For reference it was an Sapphire Dual-X cooler, highly recommend that model - whisper quiet under load.

tahiti 7870; fixed for you!

the pitcairn 7870s are definately a better thought out card and a bargain for £85. You sell it on here?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The Asus M5A97 R2.0 is quite cheap on Amazon too and has decent VRM cooling.

There is also this pre-overclocked HD7870 with free games too:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/c...787oc-2gd.html

[Hicks12]

Yeah ill grab that asus one then cat, the 7870 i got from ebuyer for £134 its much cheaper than that one and the cooler is good, cant see it being hard to add a bit of mhz on it .

Now to wait for today only to change!.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The main advantage is Gigabyte RMA is UK based(and the card was one of the best HD7870 ones AFAIK),but £134 is a very good price for an HD7870!

BTW,have you looked at this case:

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

It can take long graphics card due to its removable drive cage. That Antec uses a top mounted PSU which means its an old design.

This Acer IPS monitor is around £112:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-G236HLH...eywords=23+ips

Having said that there is this article which test a whole load of budget IPS and VA monitors:

http://uk.hardware.info/reviews/4798...-to-the-people

Amazon also have the OCZ ZS 550W at a decent price:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/OCZ-OCZ-ZS55.../dp/B005DJJTFA

[Hicks12]

Saved a quid getting it from today only from Scan for the Fx8320 .

I did look around for cases yeah and I said for him to get that but he wanted the antec, no idea but it should fix a 7870 no problem, I recal reading it has space for 400mm length cards so not an issue (hopefully!).

If it doesnt fit then its his fault and he will obviously be paying the price and send it back get a different one at expense outside of the budget since it was his decision . I actually pointed a friend to that display a few hours ago as he asked ! However the friend who I am building it for decided to get the 22" LG for £104 and its already been shipped now . Yeah understand the recommendation for the Gigabyte one but the cost outweighs the benefits, sapphire 2 years is fine and the cooler aint bad either as you say its a good price for the sapphire .

PSU I grabbed the XFX 450 as I recall reading you recommended it to someone(probably wrong) and that it is better built than the OCZ psu near the price point and it was only £33.49 cant complaint for a seasonic built psu!

Thanks for the help, will let you know how I get on .

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The main issue with the case is the top mounted PSU IMHO. The OCZ PSU is not that bad TBH,and uses good parts. Regarding the XFX PRO 450W that is quite a decent price TBH,although you might need a molex to PCI-E power converter(should come with the card).

[Blackfudge]

never skimp on psu you'll regret it.