Best PC Building Guide?
January 27th, 2014
Does anyone know of any decent/recommendable guides? I am a newbie in terms of hardware, so this will be a good challenge for me. I will be looking to spend about £1000. I will be using it for Gaming.
At the same time guys, can I ask what are all the parts to building a PC tower? I have seen people give lists out to others – a list of parts – to purchase. I presume you simply put all these bits together, and you have a fully functioning PC tower? Nothing more to add..?
I am a beginner in terms of hardware so please go easy on the description. I am an experienced software and network enthusiast, hardware is my weak side!
Cheers guys,
Shifty
Gefore.com has a decent hardware guide.
http://www.geforce.com/Optimize/Guides/how-to-build-a-kick-ass-crysis-2-pc-for-under-600
http://www.geforce.com/Optimize/Guides/hardware-buyers-guide
Shifty - C replied: At the same time guys, can I ask what are all the parts to building a PC tower? I have seen people give lists out to others - a list of parts - to purchase.
A basic system consist of at least 7 items (8 with a GPU).
Motherboard
Processor
RAM
PSU
HDD
Optical
Case
GPU (optional)
Shifty - C replied: I presume you simply put all these bits together, and you have a fully functioning PC tower? Nothing more to add..?
Not only do all the parts have to be compatible (most specifically the motherboard/ram/processor), but you also have to make sure you get the right parts for your build, or else you will have bottlenecks.
You should probably look for help selecting the right parts. I would link you some builds but all my builds are from NewEgg, which I am pretty sure is US only.
I will recommend going with a Z68 motherboard (preferably ASUS) and Sandy Bridge processor (i5-2500K is fast and cheap). Case is almost 100% preference, just make sure to pay attention to little details like the location of the front I/O panel and its content. USB3 is new, and a lot of cases still do not have front USB 3 ports, which is nice to have.
read the motherboard manual start to finish. you will learn about your system and also installing parts. most if not all parts will come with a installation guide.
There is no shortage of guides and information about this on the internet.
http://www.build-gaming-computers.com
One thing I would recommend to a first time builder is to consider starting with at least a Motherboard combo.
This is simply where a computer store pre-assembles the CPU and/or cooler into the board for you.
A step further would be to look into a barebone kit where the store assembles the said combo along with a PSU and/or HDD in a case.
They will also subject it to a 24 hour “burn-in” period to insure that the system checks out before you receive it.
This way you could insure that the crucial components are compatible and assembled without mistakes.
Then you can easily continue with your build by safely adding any additional components you desire.
Made you this build:
Case: Coolermaster HAF 922 / £77.39
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/coolermaster-haf-922-black-mid-tower-case-with-20cm-silent-fan-w-o-psu
PSU: Corsair 750w TX V2 / £79.97
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/750w-psu-corsair-enthusiast-serie-cmpsu-750txv2-85-eff-80-plus-bronze-sli-crossfire-eps-12v-quiet-fa
Motherboard: MSI P67A-G45 / £82.40
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/msi-p67a-g45-%28b3%29-intel-p67-s-1155-pci-e-20-%28x16%29-ddr3-2133-xfire-sata-6gb-s-sata-raid-atx
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500k Retail / £165.78
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/intel-core-i5-2500k-unlocked-s1155-sandy-bridge-quad-core-33ghz-gpu-850mhz-6mb-cache-95w-retail
CPU Cooler: Coolermaster V8 / £41.36
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/coolermaster-v8-cpu-cooler-8-heat-pipe-lga775-1155-1156-1366-am3-am3plus-am2plus-am2-940
For silence & Future OC.
RAM: Corsair Vengance 8GB DC Kit 8-8-8-24 / £63.36
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/8gb-%282x4gb%29-corsair-ddr3-vengeance-jet-black-pc3-12800-%281600%29-non-ecc-cas-8-8-8-24-xmp-150v
GFX: Asus Geforce GTX 570 1280MB / £246.68
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1280mb-asus-gtx-570-directcu-ii-40nm-3800mhz-gddr5-gpu-742mhz-480-cores-2x-dl-dvi-i-dp-hdmi-plusfree
SSD: OCZ Solid 3 60GB / £77.52
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/60gb-ocz-solid-3-ssd-25-sata-6gb-s-sandforce-2281-read-500mb-s-write-450mb-s-20k-iops
Use it for your OS/Apps,They'll run much faster.
Akasa 2.5 to 3.5 drive bay adapter / £5.87
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/akasa-ak-mx010v2-dual-25-%282x95mm%29-ssd-hdd-35-bay-mounting-module-black-aluminium-passive-cooler
This is needed for the SSD.
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB / £41.98
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1tb-samsung-hd103sj-spinpoint-f3-sata-3gb-s-7200rpm-32mb-cache-89ms-ncq
Optical Drive: Sony BD-5300S-0B 12x Blu-ray Writer/16x DVDRW / £82.64
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/sony-bd-5300s-0b-super-fast-blu-ray-writer-x12-bd-r-x8-dvddl-x16-dvdr-x8-dvdrw-writer-oem
Total (Shipping included): £981.73
I personally use an Intel processor for my gaming build and an AMD for my “basic” computer. I believe U get more bang for your buck when building mid-range computer with AMD. I would get a solid Mobo, Mem and PSU and then start being cheap. You may want to buy a future proof system that allows gradulk upgrades over the ears
CPU Cooler: Coolermaster V8 / £41.36
Eh? Yuck.
SSD: OCZ Solid 3 60GB / £77.52
The SSD will come with the bracket.
Keeping in the OP’s £1000 range that is a decent build anyone should be glad to own Roberto.
Personally, I would spent a little more for the Mainboard (ASRock Z68 Extreme4) and a little more for the Corsair HX series PSU.
I was never partial to the Sony brand optical drives, although I’m not familiar with their Blu-ray, and would opt for a NEC or Plextor instead.
Although again, it’s the price that dictates the components one chooses to use along with an individual’s preferences.
wwsmithe replied: anyone should be glad to own Roberto.
Dood I would love to “own” a Roberto. Have like a pocket roberto to answer any questions at any time, lol.
wwsmithe replied: I would spent a little more for the Mainboard (ASRock Z68 Extreme4)
I agree, get the Z68, its not much more than the P67.
Extreme4 has good features, but ASRock is not a quality brand, its actually a budget board. If you want quality, get an ASUS. Additionally, I don’t think the OP needs 3-way SLI, slightly overkill.
The ASUS P8Z68-V PRO is a solid choice for a 2-way SLI board. If you don’t need SLI, you can get the P8Z68-V LE and still have an extra PCI-E x4 slot.
If you want the best, get the ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z.
wwsmithe replied: and a little more for the Corsair HX series PSU.
TX series v2 is fine if you don’t care about modulation and if your going to blow extra money on a PSU, might as well get the AX series.
wwsmithe replied: I was never partial to the Sony brand optical drives, although I'm not familiar with their Blu-ray, and would opt for a NEC or Plextor instead.
Sony and Lite-On are probably the best 2 brands. I use to always buy ASUS but their door gears crap out easy.
wwsmithe replied: Although again, it's the price that dictates the components one chooses to use along with an individual's preferences.
IMO, its what the user does on their computer that dictates what they buy. Don’t matter if you spend 100 or 1,000; if your computer can’t do what you need it to, its completely worthless.
-paroxysM^ replied: CPU Cooler: Coolermaster V8 / £41.36
Eh? Yuck.
Gee that says it all right there!
You can’t just diss something as “Yuck” and leave it that,That’s just not right.
If you have any specific reasons for not liking it or got something better to offer then say so.
-paroxysM^ replied: The SSD will come with the bracket.
Not according to pics on Newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227728
SmAsHeDr replied: wwsmithe replied: anyone should be glad to own Roberto.
Dood I would love to "own" a Roberto. Have like a pocket roberto to answer any questions at any time.
I’m not at barbie’s league quite yet!
What is the best way to determine if your system has hardware that is bottlenecking?
If you post the spec’s up here we can tell you.
A way to test if a CPU is bottlenecking is CTRL + ALT + DEL and see if your cpu reaches 100% load all timeThat will only tell you what's the bottleneck for 3dmark, not for your game. Different games and programs stress different parts of your computer differently. FPSes will probably stress the GPU more, while games heavy on AI and physics will most likely stress the CPU more, and games that have huge textures and maps will probably stress the disk and memory subsystems more. Why not just play whatever game(s) you want to play, and use task manager to find out what's the bottleneck in each specific case?
Found this too!
I’m assuming you haven’t tried google on this question…
There are tons of guides that help you build a good pc….Here is an in-depth one from the well known Lifehacker:
http://edge-cache.lifehacker.com/lifehacker/pdfs/PC-Building-Night-School.pdf
Thanks for excellent comments, have much to think about!!
Is the provided build from Roberto the BEST for the price range?
Shifty - C replied: Is the provided build from Roberto the BEST for the price range?
Shifty >
I always see that phrase “the best” in a lot of questions all across WBB.
It’s a subjective term at the least and rather indefinable at the most.
I can say with certainly that you wouldn’t go wrong making that build.
===================================================
SmAsHeDr >
I’ll say one thing about you, you’re certainly one opinionated SOB!
Would you have a look at my sig and let me know your opinion?
Well, I guess I can reply to one senseless topic with an equally senseless response.
SmAsHeDr replied: Extreme4 has good features, but ASRock is not a quality brand, its actually a budget board.
A budget board… the Extreme4 ? Get out of town! Most manufactures provide a full range line of boards from budget to premium including Asus.
SmAsHeDr replied: If you want quality, get an ASUS. Additionally, I don't think the OP needs 3-way SLI, slightly overkill. The ASUS P8Z68-V PRO is a solid choice for a 2-way SLI board. If you don't need SLI, you can get the P8Z68-V LE and still have an extra PCI-E x4 slot.
ASUS left out the PLX bridge on the P8Z68-V Pro.
The second PCIe x1 slot, the front USB 3.0 controller, and the four-lane x16-length bottom slot are shared.
When one of the two slots is used, electronic switches disable the other two interfaces.
Also, when the bottom slot’s x4-mode is enabled, it disables the first x1 slot and the eSATA controller.
I would choose the suggested MSI P67A-G45 or the Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H over the ASUS P8Z68-V as I’m sure the OP isn’t going to overclock.
SmAsHeDr replied: TX series v2 is fine if you don't care about modulation and if your going to blow extra money on a PSU, might as well get the AX series.
Well, now that’s an easy recommendation isn’t it? Go for the top of the line and to hêll with factoring in a cost effective choice.
Furthermore, I didn’t state anything was wrong with the TX series, I merely said that I personally would choose the HX instead.
I don’t need an analyses on the differences, I obviously already know them in order to make my preferred choice. (“to blow my money”)
Also, I don’t feel negated just because that preference differs from that of Roberto, who did make a cost effective choice.
SmAsHeDr replied: Sony and Lite-On are probably the best 2 brands. I use to always buy ASUS but their door gears crap out easy.
LOL… You take the Lite-On and give me a Plextor and I guess we will both be happy and let it go at that.
SmAsHeDr replied: IMO, its what the user does on their computer that dictates what they buy. Don't matter if you spend 100 or 1,000; if your computer can't do what you need it to, its completely worthless.
Let me see if I can follow that logic. I have only a certain amount of cash and hmmm… no, can’t follow. Besides, I already stated both factors; price and the individual’s preferences implies user’s needs.
If you weren’t so quick to regurgitate a consensus of opinions and instead, do a little research analysis before you answer, you just might have a chance to become somewhat like your mentor, Roberto.
Of course, by looking at your sig, you might want to rub that brown spot off your nose beforehand.
Hehe, appreciate the response wwsmithe, thankyou.