Puchasing A Custom Built PC - Need Advice

[Seriphriel]

Ok, I need some advice since I'm rather rusty when it comes to computers these days, haven't kept up with things, and I'm comfortable enough admiting I need help.

I'm not comfortable with personally building my own PC any more, so I've opted for a custom built PC from http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk who, as far as I can see from my searching around, offer the best deal, the best components and the best service.

I'll answer the 'Standard 10 Questions' first, before posting the current custom build that I have put together.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
I'll be using it for Gaming (Heavy and Constant) & Graphics/Video Editing & Design,

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Betweeen 1.5k and 2k (GBP £) T&S Included

3) Where do you live?
United Kingdom

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

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

6) Will you be overclocking?
Undecided. Leaning towards no.

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
With the Custom Built PC below, 32 Inch Viewsonic CD3200 LCD Monitor.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Within the next 6 to 8 months, finance and new technology dependant.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Not entirely sure.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? 32bit or 64bit?
No, purchasing Win7 (Plus DvD and Key) with Custom Built Pc.

Ok, now onto the build I have put together. I really need to know if this is a good value, workable build. The below build costs a total of £2248, over my 2k limit, but acceptable if its a good setup.

Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Processor i7-870 (2.93GHz) 8MB Cache + HyperThreading

Memory (RAM)
8GB CORSAIR DDR3 DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz - LIFETIME WARRANTY!

Motherboard
ASUS® P7H57D-V EVO: DDR3, 6 x USB 3.0, 2 x PCI, 2 x PCI-Ex 2.0

Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence

USB Options
8 x USB 2.0 PORTS (6 REAR + 2 FRONT) AS STANDARD

Memory - 1st Hard Disk
2TB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 32MB CACHE (7,200rpm)

2nd Hard Disk
2TB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 32MB CACHE (7,200rpm)

1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
22x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM

Graphics Card
2GB ATI RADEON™ HD 5970 PCI EXPRESS - DirectX® 11 (PRE-ORDER)

Sound Card
ONBOARD 8 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)

Network Facilities
ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT

Memory Card Reader
INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (READS XD, MS, CF, SD, etc)

Case
COOLERMASTER HAF 932 FULL TOWER GAMING PC CASE

Power Supply & Case Cooling
800W Quiet Quad Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan (£89)

Processor Cooling
COOLIT DOMINO A.L.C. CPU LIQUID COOLER (£60) **SPECIAL**

Firewire & Video Editing
2 x IEEE 1394a FIREWIRE PORTS (1 onboard, 1 at back panel)

Monitor
32 Inch Viewsonic CD3200 LCD Monitor (inc. Speakers & Stand) (Special Offer) (£269)

Warranty
1 Year Return-to-Base incl 1 Year Free Collect & Return (£5)

Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)

Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 6 to 8 working days

 

[Zoson]

If you're looking for a good value, you should forget about that 5970... Not that it doesn't provide a lot of performance, but it's performance per pound is a lot lower than other cards out there. For example, you could get 5850 crossfire instead and save about 100 pound.

You're spending on an aftermarket cooler so you should get an 860 and save a few pounds. Then overclock to make up the difference.

You also want to get something 1600MHz or faster for memory, CAS 8 or better.

 

[RAD]

Frankly, if you ever were comfortable in the past building a computer/have built a computer before then I would say don't even worry about being uncomfortable with it now. Building a computer yourself today is easier than it ever was in the past.