Ready to build first PC, would like opinions please
15 replies, posted
I will be ordering my hardware very soon from ebay, can't use newegg where I live (UK) and have heard mixed reviews for sites like Ebuyer. Are all the components I have chosen compatible and have I over looked anything else such as not enough cooling, PSU leads to short or too small a case? I am also slightly nervous nervous about it, the most experience I've had with hardware in the past is changing a graphics card, network card, installing RAM and testing a power supply. I have watched tutorials on youtube and it seems easy enough, but they all seem to have disassembled the computer and reassembled it for the purpose of the video. I am worrying that after I get everything connected I'll have alot of BIOS tweaking to do, and knowing me I'm likely to set something the the wrong value and damage something.
Sorry if I sound a little paranoid, I would just like to get those few concerns cleared up before I start the build.
Specs:
Case:
Coolermaster Elite 430 Mid Tower Gaming Case Black
[url]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150587854898&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]
Processor:
Intel Core i5 2500k Unlocked Retail CPU 1155 Processor
[url]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170620982681&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]
Motherboard:
ASUS SKT-1155 SABERTOOTH P67 REV 3.0 (B3)
[url]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260767563996&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]
Memory:
CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9 - Corsair Vengeance memory - 8 GB
[url]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140521436841&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]
Graphics Card:
PNY GeForce GTX 560 Ti - 1 GB GDDR5
[url]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390306510849&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]
Hard Disk:
Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB 64MB 7200
[url]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130489353482&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]
Power Supply:
Coolermaster GX 750W PSU - 80plus Certified
[url]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140528477011&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]
Processor Cooling:
Akasa Low Noise Intel Heatpipe Cooler
[url]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290490015901&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]
Optical Drive:
LITEON 24x BLACK SATA DVD±RW DUAL LAYER OPTICAL DRIVE
[url]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140373017401&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]
Case fan:
[url]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310232712171&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]
Motherboard fan:
[url]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310254814051&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]
Budget: £850
you have problems with using a site as good as scan or ebuyer but you're perfectly happy buying from random people on ebay?
and I won't lie, that build is awful
do you need to include an OS in the total cost
[QUOTE=reapaninja;29362675]you have problems with using a site as good as scan or ebuyer but you're perfectly happy buying from random people on ebay?
and I won't lie, that build is awful
do you need to include an OS in the total cost[/QUOTE]
I am uncomfortable with Ebuyer as I have never used the site and have found mixed reviews online about it. I'm also unhappy with handing over £800 to a site that I've never heard of till recently. I've had years of experience with ebay and have never had a problem with the 'random people' and I expect I seldom will if I buy from sellers with plenty of positive feedback.
Please tell me what is wrong with the build. I would appreciate your own recommendations.
I have the full version of windows vista and windows 7 upgrade. I would be installing this on the new computer and installing Ubuntu on the old.
Ebuyer reviews: [url]http://www.trustpilot.co.uk/review/www.ebuyer.com[/url]
[QUOTE=Feck;29363132]I am uncomfortable with Ebuyer as I have never used the site and have found mixed reviews online about it. I'm also unhappy with handing over £800 to a site that I've never heard of till recently. I've had years of experience with ebay and have never had a problem with the 'random people' and I expect I seldom will if I buy from sellers with plenty of positive feedback.
Please tell me what is wrong with the build. I would appreciate your own recommendations.
I have the full version of windows vista and windows 7 upgrade. I would be installing this on the new computer and installing Ubuntu on the old.
Ebuyer reviews: [url]http://www.trustpilot.co.uk/review/www.ebuyer.com[/url][/QUOTE]
It's not like they're going to steal your money...
[QUOTE=acidcj;29363196]It's not like they're going to steal your money...[/QUOTE]
Probably not. It's just I'm uncomfortable buying from sites I'm unfamiliar with.
Could you please tell me what you think is wrong with Ebay and why I should go with sites like Ebuyer?
consumer reviews can't really be trusted, people are [B]far[/B] more likely to tell people their dissapointments because they expect impeccable service and who tells everyone about how they are just satisfied with a service, they're also more likely to exaggerate their disappointments than their praises
I've personally dealt with ebuyer (and scan) many times and have never had problems with their service and only needed to use their support because of problems with the products themselves, and then their support was fantastic (the one time that sticks in my mind is when scan went to the trouble of sending me 4 screws specific to a heatsink that I was missing, by next day delivery free of charge and as far as I know the only way to get those screws so quickly would be to open up another box from that product)
buying from ebay does not grantee you will get proper support which is vital when dealing with components, you're also overpaying for a lot of that stuff so you're getting less for your money
as for the build, [url]http://www.scan.co.uk/savedbasket/d2f44024ecdc4daeb7bedaa23234e799[/url]
£845.07 including delivery, make sure you remove scansure at the order screen
2500k with a 570, SLi capable motherboard and PSU so when you next need to upgrade instead of paying more for a more powerful card you can just stick a second 570 in
[QUOTE=reapaninja;29363528]consumer reviews can't really be trusted, people are [B]far[/B] more likely to tell people their dissapointments because they expect impeccable service and who tells everyone about how they are just satisfied with a service, they're also more likely to exaggerate their disappointments than their praises
I've personally dealt with ebuyer (and scan) many times and have never had problems with their service and only needed to use their support because of problems with the products themselves, and then their support was fantastic (the one time that sticks in my mind is when scan went to the trouble of sending me 4 screws specific to a heatsink that I was missing, by next day delivery free of charge and as far as I know the only way to get those screws so quickly would be to open up another box from that product)
buying from ebay does not grantee you will get proper support which is vital when dealing with components, you're also overpaying for a lot of that stuff so you're getting less for your money
as for the build, [url]http://www.scan.co.uk/savedbasket/d2f44024ecdc4daeb7bedaa23234e799[/url]
£845.07 including delivery, make sure you remove scansure at the order screen
2500k with a 570, SLi capable motherboard and PSU so when you next need to upgrade instead of paying more for a more powerful card you can just stick a second 570 in[/QUOTE]
Thanks for you advice and clearing that problem up (was unaware people reviewed sites that way). Thanks for your recommendation. I've saved the list you gave me and will rethink what I'm going to do.
Hundreds of Facepunchers have bought from ebuyer. None have complained.
I've made a few changes and thinking of getting this now:
[url]http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/9928/unled4o.jpg[/url]
I was told to go with the Antec 620W instead of the Coolermaster GX 750W. Is that advisable as I was wondering it could leave the system underpowered. The guy that recommended it said it had 48 amps across its 12v rails, is this enough?
unless this is for rendering or something similar, you don't need more than 4GB RAM [url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/234975[/url] (and even if you do, two of those kits is cheaper than one 8GB kit of vengeance)
use the money saved from that to upgrade the PSU to one with modular cables and with enough power for two 570s, such as [url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164951[/url] (I'd rather recommend the Silverstone Strider+ 850W but it's not on ebuyer)
you should also get a better case with better airflow, as well as being larger and a better interior that will give you an easier time when building, at the very least a HAF 912 Plus if not the fractal design XL (which has also dissapeared from ebuyer)
and don't cheap out on case fans, cheap generic ones tend to be very loud and don't move as much air as a more expensive but better designed fan like the Scythe Gentle Typhoons
[QUOTE=reapaninja;29383183]unless this is for rendering or something similar, you don't need more than 4GB RAM [url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/234975[/url] (and even if you do, two of those kits is cheaper than one 8GB kit of vengeance)
use the money saved from that to upgrade the PSU to one with modular cables and with enough power for two 570s, such as [url]http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164951[/url] (I'd rather recommend the Silverstone Strider+ 850W but it's not on ebuyer)
you should also get a better case with better airflow, as well as being larger and a better interior that will give you an easier time when building, at the very least a HAF 912 Plus if not the fractal design XL (which has also dissapeared from ebuyer)
and don't cheap out on case fans, cheap generic ones tend to be very loud and don't move as much air as a more expensive but better designed fan like the Scythe Gentle Typhoons[/QUOTE]
I've changed the RAM and case to what you said. I'm still within budget, however I can't afford the modular PSU you recommended. The delivery charge to N.I means I can't spend more than £90 (or £80 if the sales end before I can buy) on the PSU. Would I be ok with a standard PSU, I read that the HAF 912 Plus has plenty of room for cable management.
About the RAM: I would prefer 8GB, mostly because I like to have lots of programs open. I also have to work with large files due to homework, I've noticed that I can easily use 80-90% of my current 3GB and would like the freedom of 8GB.
Wouldn't care much if the cheaper case fans made much noise. I'm sure it's nowhere as noisy as my PS3 (Fan runs on full to try and prevent YLOD). However if they posed a threat in some way I'd probably get the more expensive ones.
Current basket: [url]http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/9928/unled4o.jpg[/url]
didn't realise you'd have to pay so much for delivery, if I'm reading this page right scan should only charge about £13 for delivery? [url]http://www.scan.co.uk/information/delivery.aspx[/url]
if so I can tweak the build I made before to fit 8GB RAM in
[editline]24th April 2011[/editline]
[url]http://www.scan.co.uk/savedbasket/511b4efdd8394666bb4b4534bd661b11[/url]
comes to £824.93 before delivery charges, shouldn't go overbudget with delivery but tell me if it does and I'll see what I can do
[QUOTE=reapaninja;29385380]didn't realise you'd have to pay so much for delivery, if I'm reading this page right scan should only charge about £13 for delivery? [url]http://www.scan.co.uk/information/delivery.aspx[/url]
if so I can tweak the build I made before to fit 8GB RAM in[/QUOTE]
I signed up at Scan and the delivery is only a few pence cheaper than Ebuyer. I guess I'm going to be paying £21 delivery no matter where I buy from. I would ok with getting a cheaper (but decent) PSU now, even if it means replacing it at a later date if I was adding or upgrading a graphics card.
[editline]24th April 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=reapaninja;29385380]didn't realise you'd have to pay so much for delivery, if I'm reading this page right scan should only charge about £13 for delivery? [url]http://www.scan.co.uk/information/delivery.aspx[/url]
if so I can tweak the build I made before to fit 8GB RAM in
[editline]24th April 2011[/editline]
[url]http://www.scan.co.uk/savedbasket/511b4efdd8394666bb4b4534bd661b11[/url]
comes to £824.93 before delivery charges, shouldn't go overbudget with delivery but tell me if it does and I'll see what I can do[/QUOTE]
Thanks for your help. Comes to £850.31, a little over budget but I don't mind the 31p extra. Can't buy until at least Wednesday, but when I do It'll probably be from Scan. I'll post back when I get the system up and running.
Thanks again for your help. Got the PC set up without any problems, left it running overnight and it appears to be running well.
no problem
maybe post some pics in [url]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/892803-Pictures-of-Your-Computer-v5[/url], it's fallen to the 5th page so it could do with some fresh content
I see you've already got your computer built, but if anyone else was looking for a computer around these specs, scan is doing a ridiculously well priced bundle (without a graphics card) for £479.99 [url]http://www.scan.co.uk/todayonly/index.aspx?_s_icmp=AkaIX3H4[/url]
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