New Desktop Build

[1815]

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc

Gaming, web browsing, university work (ie. MS Office, Matlab, C++)

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?

No hard limit. I'd like it to last 2-3 years, but I'm not interested in paying for things I won't use or are only marginally better than something cheaper. I'd expect ~£1000 maximum for everything, but it's a while since I've done this so I am not sure to be quite honest.

3) Where do you live?

UK. Probably will use these sites:

http://www.ebuyer.com/
http://overclockers.co.uk/

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.

Need everything except the mouse. My old desktop is some single core athlon from ages ago. I've been using a laptop for the last 2 years, but it's getting old/breaking.

6) Will you be overclocking?

I've never done it before, but it looks intriguing.

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?

Not sure... I've been looking at the HP LP2475w, but is it really that much better than a TN 24"? If it is, I don't mind paying the premium for something I'll use a lot for a long period, but I just don't know.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

Possibly the next few days. 2 weeks max.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.

Crossfire and RAID would be nice, but not vital. I don't intend to get two gfx cards now, but it might be a good upgrade path?

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?

Yeah, Windows 7 for £30 on offer.



This is what I've put together:

£835 w/VAT and shipping

 

[Dangman]

Looks good so far. However since that CPU is an OEM model, you will need to buy a 3rd party HSF like this:
$39 - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus HSF for LGA 1366 and LGA 1156

 

[engiNURD]

Did I miss something? Why are there two motherboards listed? If the cheaper one fits your needs, go for it. CF isn't typically a great upgrade path, as you have to incur the upfront cost of the capable board (if not already part of the board you need), and you may never use it because a single future card may be better than two older cards in dual config (you can always sell the old card to help offset the cost of the new card) -- I hope that made sense, lol.

 

[1815]

Danny Bui: Thanks. I'll see if I can find that cooler on the british sellers.

Did I miss something? Why are there two motherboards listed? If the cheaper one fits your needs, go for it.

Strange, that wasn't deliberate. The cheap one was the one I meant to add, so I guess you can take 120 or so off the total price.

CF isn't typically a great upgrade path, as you have to incur the upfront cost of the capable board (if not already part of the board you need), and you may never use it because a single future card may be better than two older cards in dual config (you can always sell the old card to help offset the cost of the new card) -- I hope that made sense, lol.

True. It seems the cheapest P55 boards include CF anyway, so it's not really a problem.