Help a Brit build his PC! - Page 2

Bags · 2012-06-12, 07:50 PM

My PC under full load + 2 monitors and speakers doesn't draw more than 350w through my surge protector/battery backup.

With OC'd CPU and GPU.

Ailos · 2012-06-12, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by Bags

My PC under full load + 2 monitors and speakers doesn't draw more than 350w through my surge protector/battery backup.

With OC'd CPU and GPU.

Fair enough.

Bags · 2012-06-12, 07:54 PM

But there's always future proof for sli desirability soo...

Ailos · 2012-06-12, 08:01 PM

True, an extra 200W (175W if not OCd) would put that pretty close to a 500 W PSU's limit... that thing would make quite a bit of noise at such a load.

Pella · 2012-06-14, 02:52 AM

What i linked was there Overclocked bundles. Which have to go through lots of tests for 3 days before they ship it to you. So expect to pay a premium. Also if a member of there forums you get free shipping.

Honestly out of all the gamers i know. They soley use OcUk.

But have a look at Scan.co.uk there main competitor.

Mutant · 2012-06-14, 03:58 AM

I have not used OCUK for about 8 years, they are never the cheapest and i have now spoken to a couple of people who know the owner and say he is a total prick; so I avoid them now.

I would have to say ebuyer is the no1 uk site atm.

Vancha · 2012-06-14, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Pella

What i linked was there Overclocked bundles. Which have to go through lots of tests for 3 days before they ship it to you. So expect to pay a premium. Also if a member of there forums you get free shipping.

Honestly out of all the gamers i know. They soley use OcUk.

But have a look at Scan.co.uk there main competitor.

I was talking about the rig Ailos linked.

Pride · 2012-06-15, 11:52 AM

I'm back from my trip, thanks for all the advice. If you have any questions i'd be glad to get back to you.

I did take a look at those overclockers bundles, this one didn't seem too bad but i'm sure I'd be able to get the components cheaper elsewhere.

But at the moment Ailos's recommendations with Vancha's upgrades seem pretty swag and are probably what i'll end up getting. My parents said they will buy my current computer off me for an additional £300 so I should definitely be able to grab those extra upgrades to boot.

Vancha · 2012-06-15, 02:43 PM

With the even larger budget and your plans to overclock, you may well want a better motherboard, but I don't know much about them.

The CPU cooler, GPU and HDD could all probably be improved too.

CPU Cooler - ,
Thermalright HR-02 Macho (buy this from Scan if you don't get the case at Specialtech) or be quiet! Dark Rock 2

Prime will be quietest but cool the least, Dark Rock 2 is still nigh-silent but cools better, while I think Macho would be the coolest, but louder at load.

GPU - I'd suggest the ASUS 670 (avoid the "TOP" version), it's the quietest of the third-party coolers and it cools better than reference, but the Palit one's so cheap it kind of makes all the third-party coolers look extortionate by comparison. Kikatek might have a Gigabyte one for £320 that's slightly cooler, but louder (still quieter than reference), but the site's down so I can't make sure.

HDD -
Better 1TB
Fast 2TB

Low-power 2TB

Keeping in mind, you probably don't have much use for "faster" in the HDD scheme of things considering you have an SSD, though if you think you might end up using the HDD for games as well as the SSD, avoid the Western Digital (or get the 256GB SSD if you think it's worth the extra £58).

Edit: Why the hell does linking to Amazon mess this forum up so badly?

Ait'al · 2012-06-15, 06:30 PM

I know you said you were reusing your monitor. But if you can afford it... This is my dream monitor. I have the normal 60hz version. This is the 120hz 3d version! Have to look at reviews to compare to other 3ds. I just drool over it. Pricey though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236206 Asus 27" 120hz 3d monitor with glasses.
Youtube preview

Side note: I ran into this problem... If you are upgrading check for compatibility with non SATA stuff in the computer like HDDs and CD/DVD etc on the motherboard. I found that out the hard way. It was the one thing I didn't catch when I updated my hardware last. They have switched to non EIDE as a standard for SATA hookups internally now, commonly. Though you may be able to find EIDE/parallel hookups as well.

Vancha · 2012-06-15, 07:03 PM

I'd be curious to hear if anyone with a 120hz monitor gets frustrated when they come across games they can only run at 60FPS.

I figure a low latency IPS monitor might be better until 120FPS becomes the standard target for gaming. At least that way you get the benefit from then on, instead of occasionally having to experience non-120hz smoothness.

Pride · 2012-06-16, 05:55 PM

If I have any budget left I'm definitely considering getting a swag new monitor however i'm not bothered about a 3D one. The 3D screens in both the cinema and on the 3DS hurt my eyes :L I can't imagine 6 hour gaming sessions without going blind by the end of the week :O

Vancha · 2012-06-16, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Pride

If I have any budget left I'm definitely considering getting a swag new monitor however i'm not bothered about a 3D one. The 3D screens in both the cinema and on the 3DS hurt my eyes :L I can't imagine 6 hour gaming sessions without going blind by the end of the week :O

Not that I'm advocating buying one, but the point of a 3D monitor is the 120hz in 2D rather than the actual 3D. A 120hz screen means 120FPS can actually be utilized to make gameplay look smoother than at 60FPS.

Pride · 2012-06-16, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by Vancha

Not that I'm advocating buying one, but the point of a 3D monitor is the 120hz in 2D rather than the actual 3D. A 120hz screen means 120FPS can actually be utilized to make gameplay look smoother than at 60FPS.

Ah I didn't consider the other benefits attached, even if 120fps seems a little overkill considering the eye perceives movement at around 30fps. I was actually considering getting some Razer gear to go with the computer, but I've heard mixed reviews, I have friends who swear by Razer and friends who have nothing but hatred for the products. What peripherals and Manufacturers do you recommend?

Vancha · 2012-06-17, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by Pride

Ah I didn't consider the other benefits attached, even if 120fps seems a little overkill considering the eye perceives movement at around 30fps. I was actually considering getting some Razer gear to go with the computer, but I've heard mixed reviews, I have friends who swear by Razer and friends who have nothing but hatred for the products. What peripherals and Manufacturers do you recommend?

Uh oh.

Firstly, never get anything sound-related from any gaming company. The only exception is ASUS sound cards.

For keyboards, I'm a mech-head, so I'd suggest companies like Filco, Leopold, Ducky, Noppoo, KBT, WASD (a company called WASD) keyboards etc.

However, if you like the idea of TKL (no numpad), the best deal going is actually a CM Storm Quickfire Rapid. Avoid the Pro though and avoid the Trigger. Also avoid the Razer Blackwidow and the Corsair mechanicals. Rosewill's will be decent, but apparently the connector can be dodgy, so you might want to avoid it if you constantly replug your keyboard.

You'll also want to learn about the different types of switches (Cherry red vs cherry blue and such). Visit Geekhack for your proper keyboard needs. They'll set you straight.

Mouse-wise I could make suggestions, but I'd suggest asking these guys. I could throw out some names, but there's so many variables that even the highest regarded mice could be completely wrong for you (some will even be good at certain DPI and bad at others).