BurntBiscuits

Hello everyone,
I've decided to build a computer for the first time and I'd like it to have somewhat high specs. I've been looking around the internet for guides and asking a few friends and this is the parts list I've come up with. I'd like to make sure these parts are compatible and that I haven;t missed anything out. I'd also like to be sure that I'll be able to make full use of each parts features.

This is what I'm planning on buying:
Case - Antec Three Hundred Click
PSU - Antec Earthwatts 650W ATX2.0 PCI-E PSU Click
CPU - Intel Core i7 950 / 3.06 GHz CPU Click
SSD - OCZ Technology 40GB Vertex 2 SATA-300 Solid State Drive Click
HDD - Western Digital WD1002FAEX 3.5" 1TB Hard Drive Click
Graphics Card - EVGA GeForce GTX 470 607MHz 1280MB PCI-EXPRESS HDMI Click
RAM - G.Skill Ripjaws 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600MHz Click
Heatsink - Sythe Mugen 2 CPU Cooler (Socket 1366 Compatable) Click

I'd be very grateful if someone could check out those parts and ensure they'll all fit.

I'd also like to make a few points:
I don't want to use water cooling. Please don't suggest that I do, as it seems to be too much hassle and money at the moment.
I am planning on upgrading the computer in the future
I want to make sure I can make use of the USB 3.0 Ports on my motherboard.
If something is compatible, please say why

And also, if I need anything else, such as tools or thermal paste etc, please let me know. This is my first build and as such, I'm not sure exactly what I'll need to make this happen.

All help is greatly appreciated,
Thanks

kris23

welcome to HH! everything looks good as far as components, but.... wheres your motherboard? youll also need a disk drive if you want formatting to be simple.

also, instead of a 1366 build, i believe a 1155 socket based system may perform better and save you a bit of money in the end.

if you need some resources, take a look at my signature, the "Building a new computer..." thread is a little outdated mainly because latest gen parts were getting too expensive to fit in the respective price ranges...

the Building a PC Step by Step Guide may help you in everything you need to know.

once you get all the missing ends out of the way, (missing motherboard, etc.) ill probably throw in some suggestions that should make life easier for you.

if you need any help or have some questions, the people here at HH are all ready and willing to assist.

Good Luck and Have Fun!

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blibbax

I'd also recommend a 1155 build over the one you've listed. Should be cheaper, faster, and if you get a "k" series, more overclockable.

The GTX470 is roughly equivalent to the newer GTX560 (less power, better residual value when you come to sell it), if you can get one for a similar price.

Also, you neglected a motherboard in your list of parts :P

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Takaharu

Budget?

I concur with the 1155.
A few pointers:

• Try to avoid shopping from multiple locations; you can really jack up p&p if you get each component from a different place. eBuyer is my #1 choice, followed equally by Scan and OcUK.
• If you're cranking up to dual or triple graphics cards in the future you could save yourself some money by paying a little extra for a higher wattage PSU.
• Speaking of PSU, try aiming for one of the more highly-reputed PSUs. The PC is hundreds of pounds, you won't want it to go bang. Try Corsair, OCZ, Thermaltake or the like. Knowing the other guys on this forum, it'll be Corsair that you're recommended.
• You'll want a bigger operating system drive than 40GB. Not much more but a bit bigger. You'll be amazed at how fast the AppData folder will fill up.
• As previously mentioned, try an ATI 6000 series or Nvidia 500 series - the 400 series is older tech.
• If you're not going with a USB 3 case, I'd recommend an Asrock motherboard - they have a front panel on most of their motherboards now and they're a reputable make.
• Don't be afraid to double-check anything, even if you think it's a stupid question. Help is at hand

Do you need a monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, etc or is it just the base unit?

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Neshi

Antec is pretty respectable. I've checked a few reviews of this unit and it's a decent mid-range PSU. Good voltage on the rails and pretty quiet.
I have to concur that it might be worthwhile to get a higher wattage if you intent to stick more than one graphics card in the case.

__________________
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blibbax

Antec, like Coolermaster and OCZ, are slightly variable. However, their best units are as good as any Corsair, Seasonic, Silverstone or PCP&C, so just make sure you do your research

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OldBuzzard

JonnyGURU liked that PSU. If they like it, then you can trust it.

Antec Earthwatts EA650 650W Review

Be sure to read what he says about SLI at the bottom of page one.

Don't be TOO quick to dismiss Water cooling. The Coolit ECO ALC is at almost the same price as the Sythe, (Actually it's £1.00 cheaper) and cools quite well:
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/coolit_eco/

There are the Corsair H50 and H70 units as well, but they are a bit more expensive at £52.00-£73.77.

All three of them are actually not much more 'hassle' to install that a standard HSF.

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When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

BurntBiscuits

@kris23
I forgot to include the motherboard in the list. I was originally planning on using this, but that will probably change:
Gigabyte GA-X58-USB3 Intel X58 Express 6x Sata 3Gb's (Socket 1366) DDR3 ATX Motherboard [GA X58-USB3] from Tekheads.co.uk

I didn't include the disk drive because I'm concentrating on the core components at the moment. I'll be using some old gear for now until I get some more money to replace it.

I've been told that by some other forums too so I think I'll go with your advice I've been told I should probably get a newer Sandybridge processor:
Scan.co.uk: Intel CPU Core i5 2500K Unlocked Sandy Bridge Quad Core Processor OEM - CM8062300833803

Thanks for the input

@blibbax
Thanks for the advice, but I've now got my eyes on this card, since it appears to be quality but of a similar price:
Scan.co.uk: Asus GTX480 NVIDIA Graphics Card - 1536MB + FarCry2 Game *EXCLUSIVE BUNDLE* - ENGTX480/G/2DI/1536MD5
If you think the GTX570 is still a better option though, please let me know

@Takaharu
Yes, I completely forgot to mention that
I'm hoping to spend around the 1K mark, but if it goes a little over, I'm not too fussed.

I've decided to buy only from Scan.co.uk, a website that was suggested to me by another forum.

I will get a better PSU, how about this one? It's a Corsair make, which seems to be a popular make around here :P
Scan.co.uk: Corsair Gaming Series GS 800 CMPSU-800G UK 800W Power Supply (PSU) - CMPSU-800GUK

I'll try and find a 50GB SSD instead.

I'll look into finding a 500 series card, but I don't want to up the price a huge amount more if I can avoid it.

I would like to have at least one USB 3.0 port, if you know any cases that support them

And I'm going to put up with some slightly dated peripherals for now. I just want to get the base unit done before I concentrate on those
Thanks a lot for the help

@Neshi and blibbax
Thanks for checking out some parts, it helps to know more than one person agrees on a particular make or part

OldBuzzard

The GS800 is a very good PSU. It will, unlike the Antec you originally speced, handle a Crossfire/Sli setup if you decide to do that in the future.

For a MB you might consider the ASRock Extreme 6.

It was reviewed here:
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/review...roduction.html

One 'extra' goodie that it has is a USB 3.0 bracket that can be installed in a drive bay or PCI slot. So, even if your case doesn't suppoet UBS 3.0. you can still have it accessable.

My 890FX Deluxe4 came with that and it's definately a nice bit if kit. I'll be mounting mine in the 3.5" bay of the Cooler Master 690II Advanced case.

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When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Takaharu

• As the motherboard you chose is 1366 I'd suggest looking at Asrock, ASUS or Gigabyte for an 1155 motherboard. You'll want to look for a motherboard that has two gaps/spaces between the PCI-E slots for better air circulation for if & when you double-up your graphics and plenty of SATA-3 ports. Asrock are renound for both but check out all 3 manufacturers for the best deal.
• A top-end DVD-RW drive is under £20 just so you know.
• The 2500k is good by all means. If it's in your budget you might try aiming for the 2600k.
• The graphics card is not my forte; I personally went for two 460s because they were the best bang for the buck then used EVGA's step-up program to get two 570s for less than the price of one. Do you mind ATI? I couldn't really say off-hand which would be the best bang for the buck.
• After you've priced from Scan, compare it to Ebuyer. 90% of the time I find them cheaper and their customer service is flawless in my experience.
• I stand corrected on the PSU. Apparently Antec is just as good, though you'll probably still be recommended a Corsair by certain people
• 64GB is a nice, round(?) number for an SSD.
• The Coolermaster HAF X is a popular USB 3 case. However, if you search for the term USB 3 in a case category on a component websie (Scan, for example) then you should find them easily.
• Typing one-handed with the wrong hand really sucks.

Hope this helps

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blibbax

The 570 and the 480 will provide similar performance in most current games at sensible resolutions.

With the 480 you get a (very) mild "future-proofing" upgrade from the slightly larger frame buffer.

With the 570 you get reduced power consumption and noise, and increased overclocking potential.

If they were the same price, I'd take the 570 every day, but with that price difference, I'd have to say that the 480 is the better option. You can always spend some of the change down the line on an aftermarket triple-slot cooler if you need to.

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Drowningshrimp

Heck, if your going to spend money on a gtx 480, why not just got withthe 580? Although it is a $500 card, you won't be disappointed.

blibbax

If you check the link he gave, he can get the GTX480 for less than half the price of a 580. Unless you want to stump up the difference, I'd suggest that that makes the 480 a sensible buy.

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Matth

If you have a significant part of the list to get from Scan, always worth watching their "Today only" deals, as you may find that a number of parts (or as good or better alternatives) turn up.

The Today only cycle will usually turn up Case and/or PSU on some days etc.
Scan.co.uk: Award winning supplier, performance hardware & systems
Today, for instance, there's what can only be described as a complete hardware kit with an I5 2500k/mb, case/psu/ram/hdd & DVDRW - @ £479.99 inc VAT

A 60GB OCZ Vertex 2E @ £88.79

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Her father shot it dead
Now Mary takes her lamb to school,
Between two crusts of bread

OldBuzzard

I noticed that you are thinking of using an ANTEC 300 case.

Not a bad one, but kinda dated when compared to some newer cases.

I'd suggest that you consider one of the Cooler Master 690II cases.

They offer similar styling, pretty basic but very attractive.

Internally they offer very good provisions for cable management, excellent cooling provisions, and use the space VERY well. Oh, not to mention a nice hole in the bottom for the GS800 to breathe through.


The 690II is a bit more expensive than the 300 but more than worth the extra outlay when you consider the features and ease of installing your components.
690II Basic
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/coole...r-case-w-o-psu

690II Advanced (offers a few more goodies, and the one I use)
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/coole...r-case-w-o-psu

__________________
When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

A Desire to Game

I see you are concerned with USB 3.0 but no mention of SATA III? Vertex 2 is a great SSD but it might be worth taking advantage of a SATA III SSD depending on budget.

Everyone has already said all the right things:

1) Socket 1155 (seriously a no-brainer given price/performance/power)
2) Cooler Master Advance II (great case, Antec 300 works on the cheap)
3) Gigabyte, ASUS, AsRock mobo (in that order, personal preference)
4) Seasonic, PC Power & Cooling, Corsair, Silverstone, and Antec PSU (all great)
5) Scythe Mugen is a great cooler but look at enclosed WC loops too (Corsair H50, etc)
6) GTX 480 is a powerful card but it has nasty HEAT, POWER, and NOISE, but the price is really good compared to AMD offerings from that site. (I'm an AMD/ATi guy)

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Three is my new favorite number. (SATA III, USB 3.0, and triple channel memory)