First time building a PC - Component advice

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yinyang

n00b
Joined
Jul 20, 2008
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I'm fed up with pre-made PC systems and I have decided to delve into the world of PC building. I need a PC that will give the best PC gaming performance for my money.

My budget is £1200 which translates to about $2395, however the prices in the U.K are higher so I won't be able to get as good components as a guy in the U.S would with the same money.

I have done alot of research and finally come up with this setup. Please feel free to pick it to pieces and make it better! :D

I am looking to avoid SLI/CF and just go with a single GPU setup.

Also once I am comfortable enough I will definetely try to overclock the Q6600 to maybe 3GHZ so if anyone could give me some advice that'd be great.

LG L227WT 22" Widescreen LCD: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MO-054-LG

640GB WD 6400AAKS: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=HD-198-WD

Scythe S-FLEX 1600RPM (For the Thermalright Ultra): http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=FG-005-SY

Gainward ATI Radeon HD 4870: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=GX-071-GW

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CP-172-IN

Samsung SH-S223F/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CD-099-SA

Antec Twelve Hundred Case: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-102-AN

Corsair HX620W Modular PSU: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...X2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-620HXUK)

Asus P5Q P45: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-277-AS

Mushkin 2x2GB 800MHZ DDR2 RAM - I've heard Mushkin is good for RAM, but unfortunately there is very little choice of their RAM in the U.K. In fact I can only find their RAM on one website, and they only have a couple of choices. I was thinking either this or their RedLine 2x2GB 1000MHZ kit.: http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/1304...-module-2.html

Windows Vista Home Premium 64Bit

Thermalright Ultra 120-eXtreme: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/128983

Zalman ZM-STG1 thermal compound (Looks easier to apply than most and I've never applied TIM before): http://www.ebuyer.com/product/125310

Also if anyone knows of a high quality gaming headset for roughly $70 I want one of those too.



Many thanks to anyone offering their advice.:)
 
Every link besides the last 5 links do not work.

The placement of the 24 pin power connector on the P5Q is very stupid IMO. You'll run into some cable management problems as a result. So I recommend getting this motherboard:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-280-AS - Asus P5Q Pro

Ditch the TRUE 120. There are other HSF that perform just as well as the TRUE:
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle HSF - $37 & Retention Bracket - $7

Also, ditch the Zalman thermal compound. The TIM that comes with the Xigmatek above is pretty good already.

Also, if you want to cut down on costs, you might want to look at cheaper cases. Some recommendations:
Antec 300 ATX Case - $60
Cooler Master RC-590-KKN1-GP ATX Case - $60
Cooler Master RC-690-KKN1-GP ATX Case - $61
Antec Solo ATX Case - $84
Lian Li PC-7B Plus II Silver ATX Case - $90
Lian Li Lancool PC-K7B ATX Case - $90
AeroCool Masstige ATX Case - $105
Antec P182 ATX Case - $135
Thermaltake Armor VA8000BWS Full Tower ATX Case - $120
Lian Li PC-A16A ATX Case - $150
Coolermaster Cosmos 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Full Tower ATX Case - $155

For a 22" monitor, the HD4850 is more than enough for that resolution. SO if you want to cut down on costs, just go with the HD4850.

You do not need DDR2 1000 RAM for the Q6600. All you need for the Q6600 is DDR2 800 RAM, even with overclocking in mind. So get the cheapest DDR2 800 RAM you can find from a reputable manufacturer like Corsair, G.Skill, A-Data, Patriot, Kingston, Mushkin, Crucial, OCZ, etc, and you'll be fine.
 
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Looks like a fairly solid selection overall. My suggestions

- Move up to a 24" monitor. The power of a 4870 is a bit wasted on a 1680x1050 monitor.
- Drop down to an Antec Nine Hundred if you need to need to free up some room in your budget.
- Don't really see the point of a modular PSU in such a big gaming case. I would rather have the Corsair TX750 for the same price or Corsair TX650 for less.
- Would upgrade that mobo to a P5Q Pro or P5Q-E.
- DDR2 800 is enough for that Q6600. Only reason to get faster RAM is if you plan on upgrading to a Yorkfield sometime down the road.
- Get Tuniq TX-2 over the Zalman compound.
 
Check out the GenHard WLWC for more UK-based retailers.

Danny's list of good brand-name RAM manufacturers is a good one, and shouldn't limit you in what you could get.

I'm going to consolidate Danny's and Toaster Oven's points together, since they have different variations about the same things...
  • If you are keeping your 22" monitor, go with the HD4850. If you decide to go with the 24" monitor instead, get the HD4870.
  • You don't need the Zalman TIM. You could stick with the TIM that comes with the HSF or go with the Tuniq TX-2 (which is non-conductive).
  • If you are getting the Q6600, you could stick with DDR2 800 RAM. With the Yorkfield (Q9-series) quads, choose DDR2 1000 or DDR2 1066 RAM (depending on which type costs less).
  • Corsair is a good brand of power supplies, but you won't see many of the same deals we're currently receiving here in the US. Go with the TX650 (or the VX550) if you are sticking with the HD4850, or go with the TX750 if you're going with the HD4870 (and/or are considering CrossFire, which you may or may not even need).
 
Alright I think I'm going to go the 750W PSU>4870>24" screen route.

Recommendations on the 24"? I need to choose a cheaper case too to allow for this upgraded screen. I like the looks and features of the P182, are there any big downsides to this case?

Your advice is really appreciated :D

EDIT: Would a soundcard be a good idea? I only have 2.1 speakers I think. (2 Small-ish desktop speakers with a subwoofer on the floor).
 
Do you want a monitor that's good for gaming, or do you want one with accurate color reproduction?

For the former, you could go with something like the LG L246WH. The Dell Ultrasharp 2408WFP is an example of one more geared towards the latter function.

However, people here have very strong opinions about what's good and what's not, so you may want to conduct some more research on your own as to which monitor you want.

Onboard sound has progressed enough that it's a good choice for most users. Try it out first, then consider a sound card if it's otherwise not to your liking.
 
Make sure that's a quality Corsair 750W PSU you're getting. Though the Corsair 620HX would be enough for a single HD4870. Basically get which ever one is cheaper.

The P182 case is an excellent case. I have the older version of the P182, the P180, and I love it! Though do note that you should spend a little more extra time building the PC with the P182 due to it's layout and design. So really take your time when building with the P182.

No need for a sound card. Onboard sound has gotten better in the last few years. So just stick with onboard sound and save some cash.

As for a 24" monitor, don't know too much about what are some of the good 24" monitors out there.
 
You guys are great, fast and you seem to know what you're talking about :p

tiraides said:
Do you want a monitor that's good for gaming, or do you want one with accurate color reproduction?.
Click to expand...

Gaming

Does the P82 have plenty of room to route cables/tidy them up? Because if I get the TX750Corsair, It isn't modular so I would hope there is plenty of space to keep them out of the way.

And I'll certainly go ahead and test the onboard audio first.
 
yinyang said:
You guys are great, fast and you seem to know what you're talking about :p
Click to expand...

All the same, do some research on the various monitors. Seriously.

The reason people are so picky about monitors is because all monitors use one of four major panel types -- and each panel type has its own strengths and weaknesses. I don't know them well enough to discuss them here, but you could check out the Displays forum here for more monitor recommendations.
 
Should I get 2x extra 120mm if I got the P182? For the optional front and VGA cooling. According to Antec you can do that. If so what fans would be good? Some more Scythe Flex @ 1600/1200/800RPM?
 
yinyang said:
Should I get 2x extra 120mm if I got the P182? For the optional front and VGA cooling. According to Antec you can do that. If so what fans would be good? Some more Scythe Flex @ 1600/1200/800RPM?
Click to expand...

I recommend replacing the stock fans as well if you want a bit of quiet. I recommend these fans if you can find them:
120mm Yate Loon D12SL-12 Case Fan - $3.60

Oh and just get another fan for the front cooling. Though I though they removed the VGA cooling in the P182?
 
Ok.

I posted in the 'Displays' forum and got one response suggesting a Samsung monitor, however I can't find it at all in Google. I think the LG 24" tiraides mentioned earlier looks like a good option. I'll do some more research tomorrow before I buy though.

Danny, is the P180 fairly easy to build in? I looked at some pics and it does look slightly cramped to me. But I am a n00b so..
 
yinyang said:
Ok.

Danny, is the P180 fairly easy to build in? I looked at some pics and it does look slightly cramped to me. But I am a n00b so..
Click to expand...

Kind of easy. It is a bit more difficult than other ATX cases. But not hard at all.
 
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