View Full Version : 1st Time Build, Advice welcomed
suhamilton
29-07-10, 20:52
Hi there guys,
It's been a long time coming, but I've finially decided to build my dream computer.
I've been working loads over this summer and my budget is around £1300-1400.
Here's what I've been thinking...
Case
Antec 902
38406
Motherboard
Gigabyte 890GPA
40245
CPU
AMD Phenom 1090t
40096
CPU Cooler
Titan Fenrir Cooler
40704
GPU
Radeon HD5970
40227
RAM
Corsair XSM3 (8GB)
37570
HDD
Samsung HD103SJ 1TB (or what's on offer)
37726
PSU
Corsair TX 850W
35937
DVD Drive
Whatever happens to be on offer
So there you have it, that comes in just shy of £1300 including VAT and delivery.
Any and all advice welcomed, and if someone could just sort of let me know if all those parts would work together, that would be fantastic.
Sincere thanks,
Steven
That looks like a fine build however buying some fans to go with it will help with cooling.
+ Some good Thermal Interface Material
IC Diamond looks great.
Get posting about and get some for free :D
Welcome to Aria! Nice looking spec.
I'm guessing you're an AMD fan? Depending on what you want to do with your PC, most people on here recommend an Intel for high-end/gaming systems (i.e. i7, probably a 930 for you). However, if you're running applications which demand lots of cores, like video-editing, the 1090T should serve you well.
5970 is excellent, I'm a fan of the Antec 902 and it's a very good HSF. Do you need 8GB RAM? It might be better to get 4GB and upgrade later, but in the meantime aim to include an SSD in your build. My only other suggestion is though the PSU is capable, it might be better to go for one of the models from the HX series, as they are modular which should mean a slightly neater build. 850W is arguably overkill; your current config is unlikely to consume more than 450W absolutely maxed out, even with the CPU and GPU overclocked.
Also, do you have a copy of Win7/monitor/are peripherals sorted?
suhamilton
29-07-10, 21:13
cable ties :) and luck
Haha, cheers. :)
I'll be sure to grab some.
IC Diamond looks great.
Get posting about and get some for free :D
Do you know of any good tutorials about applying thermal compounds? Never done that sort of thing before and wouldn't want to jump in at the deep in so to speak. A few showed up from a simple google.
Cheers for the quick responses guys :)
Steven
Terbinator
29-07-10, 21:19
For that price i would be looking to go i7 / 6GB of RAM personally. Also, that case is horrendous IMO.
Do you know of any good tutorials about applying thermal compounds? Never done that sort of thing before and wouldn't want to jump in at the deep in so to speak. A few showed up from a simple google.
Different compounds have different instructions, so best bet would be to follow those that are specifically for your chosen compound.
But in general: Don't touch the surfaces of the CPU/HS with bare hands, since any tiny imperfections like skin cells stuck to them can lower the contact and heat dissipation.
Use a good quality cleaner like Arctic Silver's ArctiClean to remove the existing thermal compound on the surfaces
suhamilton
29-07-10, 21:37
Welcome to Aria! Nice looking spec.
I'm guessing you're an AMD fan? Depending on what you want to do with your PC, most people on here recommend an Intel for high-end/gaming systems (i.e. i7, probably a 930 for you). However, if you're running applications which demand lots of cores, like video-editing, the 1090T should serve you well.
5970 is excellent, I'm a fan of the Antec 902 and it's an very good HSF. Do you need 8GB RAM? It might be better to get 4GB and upgrade later, but in the meantime aim to include an SSD in your build. My only other suggestion is though the PSU is capable, it might be better to go for one of the models from the HX series, as they are modular which should mean a slightly neater build. 850W is arguably overkill; your current config is unlikely to consume more than 450W absolutely maxed out, even with the CPU and GPU overclocked.
Also, do you have a copy of Win7/monitor/are peripherals sorted?
There is a high chance that when I finally have my hands on a capable computer, I will do a good bit of video editing. There will be a fair amount of gaming too though. I've always preferred AMD, but only because I see them as the underdog.
When I 1st started contemplating the build, I was always going to put just 4GB or RAM in, but then, for some reason I can't remember now, I decided to put in 8GB. Probably just because the budget allowed for it. So I will be taking that advice and putting 4GB in, and will upgrade when and if necessary.
Power supplies have never been a strong point of mine. I possibly could have done with a little bit more research on how much power my components actually used, but 850w was always a better to be safe than sorry choice. In my original setup, I used a 600wPSU, I forget which exactly, but once again, I will heed this advice and downsize the PSU.
I currently don't have a copy of windows 7, as the promotion version I got with being a student went straight onto my laptop. I know that I should be looking for a 64bit version though, but which edition I'm unsure.
Display is hopefully sorted out, I have a HDTV that I plan to output to, and I will hopefully be getting a set of Z-5500 speakers from a friend who doesn't have the means to take them back to Poland with her. I have a few keyboards and mice kicking around at home so I'll be covered for that, and I have a digital TV tuner somewhere as well. I only use SD and microSD cards, and I have a usb reader for that.
Now, I always put off getting an SSD, but that's mainly due to the cost of the things. I've seen the difference an SSD can make to bootup times, and I must say, with the more appropriately sized components (memory and PSU) I think I may go for it. Are there many pit holes when dealing with SSDs? I've never used one before, so I know next to nothing about them.
I tihnk that's all.
Thanks for your reply Nick, that's helped out a lot and really got me thinking :)
Different compounds have different instructions, so best bet would be to follow those that are specifically for your chosen compound.
But in general: Don't touch the surfaces of the CPU/HS with bare hands, since any tiny imperfections like skin cells stuck to them can lower the contact and heat dissipation.
Use a good quality cleaner like Arctic Silver's ArctiClean to remove the existing thermal compound on the surfaces
Thanks for that, I'll be sure to be careful when cleaning the CPU/HS. And thanks for the recommend on Arctic Silver. I'll be sure to remember that when it comes to buying.
Steven
that build looks grate. but i'd get this psu instead?
http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/Corsair/Corsair+HX+Series+750W+Modular+ATX2.2+SLI/Crossfire+Compliant+Power+Supply+?productId=36021
+ modular
+ up to 90% efficiency
+ 7-Year Warranty
- none
or if you want a 850w one:
http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/Corsair/Corsair+HX+Series+850W+Modular+ATX2.2+SLI/Crossfire+Compliant+Power+Supply+?productId=36020
What are you planning on using to video edit with?
Generally they work better on intel due to the larger instruction set.
If you can, i recommend going for an i7 build
http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/8200/34629700.png
What are you planning on using to video edit with?
Generally they work better on intel due to the larger instruction set.
If you can, i recommend going for an i7 build
That looks good but i'd change the power supply to a corsair HX 750w. and this mobo:
http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Motherboards/Intel+Socket+1366/Asus+P6X58D-E+Intel+X58+(Socket+1366)+DDR3+PCI-Express+Motherboard+?productId=40209
Edit: see my post below
thats already £50 over and the Gigabytes meant to be a good overclocker and the PSU would be a better choice if he can afford it.
thats already £50 over and the Gigabytes meant to be a good overclocker and the PSU would be a better choice if he can afford it.
"budget is around £1300-1400"
Edit: how about this build? with your budget its much better imo:
https://www.aria.co.uk/WishList/dr3jhQzaW1hhETVxhQtzFg,,
Total price including delivery = £1357.92
Daym miss read it.
Zaim, looks good, no fan for the cpu cooler though
Daym miss read it.
Zaim, looks good, no fan for the cpu cooler though
ah lol didn't realise that it doesn't come with one :thumb:
Looks a fine build mate, better than mine [although i do like the gigabyte board i chose...] :D
Looks a fine build mate, better than mine [although i do like the gigabyte board i chose...] :D
Thanks, lol, i thought that the asus one was the best sub £200 board for 1366? is the gigabyte better? if so i'll change it :cool:
please dont take my word on it :lol:
Its what i've read but i haven't had first hand experience
I'd recommend an i7 build as well with your budget.
suhamilton
30-07-10, 12:42
Wow guys, thanks so much! Everyone in here seems to be telling me to go core i7, so I think I will. I'm really liking both the builds you showed me.
I'll be ordering components in about 30 days time, so I'll hopefully have made up my mind by then!
Thanks again guys,
Steven
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