Recommend specifications for me with this budget.. (some already ticked)

[Mr.RKH]

Just for the desktop please.

Budget:
1,200 - 1,300 pounds

Must have:
Intel core i7 2700k, quad core, 3.5 Ghz, 8MB cache
A motherboard that goes very well with these specification.
8-16 GB RAM, ddr3, 1600Mhz
1.5-3GB gtx 580
1-2 TB hard drive
(i'm confused which power supply I need???)
a good processor/ video card cooler
wireless card
no operatings system

I'm not an exact computer specialist, I don't know the best of things, and which ones match with which ones.. I would be forever grateful if people helped me here.
I want to play lots of high end games, such as BF3, or the new upcoming games. It doesn't have to be necessary ''ULTRA'' but I want my eyes to WATCH AND PLAY IN AMAZEMENT..
Also, I hope the energy bill won't be too big..

 

[Mr.RKH]

Something similar to this..?

I stumbled across this pc.
It looks really decent and a very powerfull pc.

I would have bought it, but it doesn't have a WIRELESS CARD.. !!!!

Could somoene on this forum, maybe, give me a list they made which has similar things as the one in the below link, but a wireless card included..?

I really don't know much about power supplies, and motherboards etc etc..

http://www.novatech.co.uk/pc/range/iforce.html

 

[Phoenix]

Here you go:


Case
PCS MAELSTROM T900 BLACK GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7-2600 Quad Core (3.40GHz, 8MB Cache) + HD Graphics
Motherboard
ASUS® P8Z68-V LX: USB 3.0, SATA 6GBs, ATI®CrossFireX
Memory (RAM)
16GB SAMSUNG DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (4 X 4GB)
Graphics Card
1.5GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 580 - 2 DVI, HDMI, DP - 3D Vision Ready
Memory - 1[SUP]st[/SUP] Hard Disk
1TB SEAGATE Barracuda SATA 6Gb/s HDD, 32MB Cache (7200rpm)
2[SUP]nd[/SUP] Hard Disk
1TB SEAGATE Barracuda SATA 6Gb/s HDD, 32MB Cache (7200rpm)
1[SUP]st[/SUP] DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
12x BLU-RAY ROM DRIVE, 16x DVD ±R/±RW (£46)
Memory Card Reader
INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Power Supply
CORSAIR 650W ENTHUSIAST SERIES™ TX650 V2-80 PLUS® BRONZE (£69)
Processor Cooling
INTEL SOCKET LGA1155 STANDARD CPU COOLER
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps PCI-E CARD (£16)
USB Options
6 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
FREE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel)
Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £1,330.00 including VAT and delivery.

Configure Here: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers/intel-sandy-bridge-pc/

PCSpecialist don't sell 20GB ssd's though because it's kind of pointless having one that small so I've left that out. The power supply is a 650w but it's a high quality corsair one so it doesn't need to be any higher. Also, the hard drives that i've used in this build are faster than the ones used in the build on the website since these ones don't cost much more.

 

[Music Guy123]

That is a good spec but I would alter it slightly if I was you. However, it is your choice!

 

[Mr.RKH]

Phoenix: thanks a lot, I will look into it now
Musicguy123.. How would you?

 

[Phoenix]

If this is for gaming taking the i5-2500, dropping down to 8GB of RAM and upgrading the graphics card to an AMD HD7970 would be a good idea.

 

[Mr.RKH]

Why?

How is that better..?

 

[Music Guy123]

This would be what I would suggest:

Case
COOLERMASTER CM690 MKII ADVANCED CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7-2600 Quad Core (3.40GHz, 8MB Cache) + HD Graphics V good cpu, no need for any better, save money here.
Motherboard
ASUS® P8Z68-V/GEN3: PCI-E 3.0 READY, SLI, CROSSFIREX***SPECIAL*** Good mobo, only difference between this and the upgrade is the upgrade has 4 usb 3 ports, this one has 2.
Memory (RAM)
8GB SAMSUNG DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (2 X 4GB) 16GB is overkill, this should be fine. Speed wise, unless you are o/cing there won't be any difference
Graphics Card
3GB AMD RADEON™ HD7970 - DVI,HDMI,2 mDP - DX® 11, Eyefinity 4 Capable Very powerful gpu, much better than the 580. Another can be added when this one starts to struggle in a few years time.
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
1TB WD CAVIAR BLACK WD1002FAEX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (7200rpm) Fast, solid, reliable
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
12x BLU-RAY ROM DRIVE, 16x DVD ±R/±RW (£46)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W PRO SERIES™ HX750-80 PLUS® SILVER MODULAR (£116) Enough power for another gpu to be added.
Processor Cooling
SUPER QUIET 22dBA TRIPLE COPPER HEATPIPE INTEL CPU COOLER (£19) Good value cooling.
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps PCI-E CARD (£16) I would recommend homeplugs here but if you need wireless, fair enough.
USB Options
6 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Monitor
IIYAMA E2473HDS 24" LED WIDESCREEN, 2 HDMI/DVI-D 1920x1080 (£159) good screen, this comes with a dvi cable so you don't need an HDMI cable.
Keyboard & Mouse
LOGITECH® K200 USB MEDIA KEYBOARD (£10)
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £1,550.00 including VAT and delivery. Comes to virtually the same price as the spec you pm'd me I think.

Configure Here: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers/intel-sandy-bridge-pc/

 

[Phoenix]

Why?

How is that better..?

The i5-2500 performs incredibly similar to the i7-2600 in games (sometimes matching or even beating it), 8GB of RAM is more than enough since games are still 32-bit applications, and the graphics card has the most effect on FPS so getting the best one available is a good idea.

 

[Music Guy123]

I'd get the i7 to give you more power so that when the CPU gets old it won't struggle as much. The gpu has the most effect on gaming, you should get the highest you can afford. The 7970 is currently the best single card out there so would be good for you. Also, I have given the of the ability to add another gpu later when one on it's own starts to struggle.

 

[Mr.RKH]

Please respond to my PM musicguy123

 

[Music Guy123]

Responded !

 

[Mr.RKH]

£1500 - Two lists - help me decide please

Before I actually spend 1500 quid on a computer, I want it to be the best value for money, that is why I am asking a lot of questions..

Ok, so I have two lists here.

Can you please take a look at both of them, carefully, and tell me which one is better out of these two.

Also, can you tell me whether I should return the RAM back to 1333MHZ for any of these list, because there is no difference to the 1600MHZ.
Whether I should choose a lower wireless card because there is no difference.
Whether I should not need HDMI cable because there is no real difference between them and a dvi cable.

Thank you so much.
(Also, keep price tag in mind, and the fact that I won't overclock myself. If the second list isn't overclocked to MAX by company itself when I buy it, please tell me and disregard that list.)

Any self reccomendations or list is welcome. Keep in mind that if you go through the list, you will see it's £1500 including the monitor.

£1,560.00

Case
COOLERMASTER CM690 MKII ADVANCED CASE

Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7-2600 Quad Core (3.40GHz, 8MB Cache) + HD Graphics

Motherboard
ASUS® P8Z68-V/GEN3: PCI-E 3.0 READY, SLI, CROSSFIREX***SPECIAL***

Memory (RAM)
8GB KINGSTON HYPER-X GENESIS DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz, X.M.P (2 x 4GB KIT)

Graphics Card
3GB AMD RADEON™ HD7970 - DVI,HDMI,2 mDP - DX® 11, Eyefinity 4 Capable

Memory - 1st Hard Disk
1TB WD CAVIAR BLACK WD1002FAEX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (7200rpm)

1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
12x BLU-RAY ROM DRIVE, 16x DVD ±R/±RW (£46)

Memory Card Reader
INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT

Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W PRO SERIES™ HX750-80 PLUS® SILVER MODULAR (£116)

Processor Cooling
SUPER QUIET 22dBA TRIPLE COPPER HEATPIPE INTEL CPU COOLER (£19)

Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)

Network Facilities
GIGABIT LAN & DUAL-BAND WIRELESS 802.11N 450Mbps PCI-E CARD (£35)

USB Options
6 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD

Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED

Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE

Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE

Monitor
IIYAMA E2473HDS 24" LED WIDESCREEN, 2 HDMI/DVI-D 1920x1080 (£159)

DVI-D & HDMI Monitor Cables
1 x 2 METRE GOLD PLATED V1.4 HDMI CABLE (£8)

Keyboard & Mouse
LOGITECH® K200 USB MEDIA KEYBOARD (£10)

Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)

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

Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days

£1539

Case
COOLERMASTER CM690 MKII ADVANCED CASE

Overclocked CPU
Overclocked Intel® Core™i5-2500k Quad Core (3.30GHz @ max 4.60GHz)

Motherboard
ASUS® P8Z68-V/GEN3: PCI-E 3.0 READY, SLI, CROSSFIREX***SPECIAL***

Memory (RAM)
8GB KINGSTON HYPER-X GENESIS DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz, X.M.P (2 x 4GB KIT)

Graphics Card
3GB AMD RADEON™ HD7970 - DVI,HDMI,2 mDP - DX® 11, Eyefinity 4 Capable

Memory - 1st Hard Disk
1TB WD CAVIAR BLACK WD1002FAEX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (7200rpm)

1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
12x BLU-RAY ROM DRIVE, 16x DVD ±R/±RW (£46)

Memory Card Reader
INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT

Power Supply
CORSAIR 850W ENTHUSIAST SERIES™ TX850 V2-80 PLUS® BRONZE (£99)

Processor Cooling
TITAN FENRIR EVO EXTREME HEATPIPE CPU COOLER (£39)

Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND (£9)

Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)

Network Facilities
GIGABIT LAN & DUAL-BAND WIRELESS 802.11N 450Mbps PCI-E CARD (£35)

USB Options
6 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD

Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED

Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE

Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE

Monitor
IIYAMA E2473HDS 24" LED WIDESCREEN, 2 HDMI/DVI-D 1920x1080 (£159)

DVI-D & HDMI Monitor Cables
1 x 2 METRE GOLD PLATED V1.4 HDMI CABLE (£8)

Keyboard & Mouse
LOGITECH® K200 USB MEDIA KEYBOARD (£10)

Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)

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

Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days

 

[Phoenix]

The second build with the overclocked i5-2500 will provide the most performance. You'll need to keep the 1600Mhz RAM for this because you need fast RAM in order to overclock the CPU. There's only two different wireless cards a PCI one and a PCI-E one which both perform the same and cost the same at £16.00, they just take up different slots on the motherboard. The only difference between DVI and HDMI is that HDMI can transmit audio, you do get a DVI cable included with the Iiyama monitor though so as long as you have speakers you're not going to notice any difference. I personally prefer DVI cables because they can't just fall out after a while like HDMI because they have nice little screws on the plug.

 

[Mr.RKH]

Thanks.
I have just read some more stuff, and apparently the hd7970 graphics card is only usefull if you overclock it.
I'm not into oc anything.

What is the best card I could possibly get, without having to overclock it, at a reasonable price?

 

[Phoenix]

The HD7970 is great as it is however you can get a quite a lot from it by overclocking. It's the fastest single GPU card in the world right now even without overclocking.

 

[Mr.RKH]

Btw, I just found that pcspecialist do sell 20gb ssd cache drive.

If I buy that, would it have a significant effect on the boot time of the OS and applications/ softwares?

 

[Mr.RKH]

After reading so much, and it being 5am now, I have finally made a new specification.
It is less expensive, but much better suited to me.
I came to the conclusion that I'm not really a 'hardcore' gamer, and won't be playing a lot due to my workload.

It is still able to play games at max settings for at least a few years, I hope.
Moreover, It's all suited to my monitor 1920x1080, and allows me to do lots of multi-tasking without freezing, and boot-up very fast. (20gb ssd cache drive)

Look over this, and give me your opinion, please.
Also, tell me if you think I am better off in the long term by changing some of these settings.

Anything I changed is underlined.

£1406

Case
PCS MAELSTROM T900 BLACK GAMING CASE

Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7-2600 Quad Core (3.40GHz, 8MB Cache) + HD Graphics

Motherboard
ASUS® P8Z68-V LX: USB 3.0, SATA 6GBs, ATI®CrossFireX

Memory (RAM)
8GB SAMSUNG DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (2 X 4GB)

Graphics Card
1.5GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 580 - 2 DVI, HDMI, DP - 3D Vision Ready

Memory - 1st Hard Disk
1TB WD CAVIAR BLACK WD1002FAEX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (7200rpm)

SSD CACHE DRIVE
20GB INTEL® SSD 311 SERIES - CACHE DRIVE FOR SYSTEM / 1st HDD

1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
12x BLU-RAY ROM DRIVE, 16x DVD ±R/±RW (£46)

Memory Card Reader
INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT

Power Supply
600W Quiet 80 PLUS Quad Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan (£59)

Processor Cooling
SUPER QUIET 22dBA TRIPLE COPPER HEATPIPE INTEL CPU COOLER (£19)

Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)

Network Facilities
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT - AS STANDARD ON ALL PCs

USB Options
6 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD

Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED

Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE

Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE

Monitor
IIYAMA E2473HDS 24" LED WIDESCREEN, 2 HDMI/DVI-D 1920x1080 (£159)

DVI-D & HDMI Monitor Cables
1 x 2 METRE GOLD PLATED V1.4 HDMI CABLE (£8)

Keyboard & Mouse
LOGITECH® K200 USB MEDIA KEYBOARD (£10)

Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)

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

Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days

Thank you so much, 'Phoenix' and 'Musicguy123'.

 

[Phoenix]

The 20GB cache drive isn't the same as having a normal SSD (it's slower) but it does look like that's what the novatech one was using (I thought it was a normal SSD). The build looks good apart from the graphics card, you'd be much better off with the AMD Radeon HD7950 because it's not only faster but has more VRAM (good for future games and higher resolutions), it also uses less power, creates less heat, is quieter and is only £3.00 more than the GTX580 1.5GB .

 

[Music Guy123]

A couple of things I would do, I would upgrade the cache drive to an SSD. I would also drop the HDMI cable as you probably don't need it. I would also upgrade the psu to a corsair one. Lastly, I would get the 7950 as Pheonix said. If possible but not as important, I would upgrade the case to a coolermaster 690. I would also upgrade the mobo. Looks like a solid spec though.