£1,200 Gaming Rig

postman_pat

New Member
Hi,

I need a full gaming rig; everything including monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers. I will also be using it to store music and photos. Nothing else.

But I dont really know about parts. Can anyone help? I don't have to spend the money - for example I don't see a real benefit of getting an nVidia 9800 GPU over an 8800GTS, or getting anything better than an e8400 when I can just overclock it. So don't feel that you have to spend the whole budget! Also I want 4 gigs of ram - I'm guessing corsair xms stuff.

I want large screen - 22" minimum.

Any help welcome!

Thanks
 

postman_pat

New Member
I specced a PC on their and it seemed a bit expesive for what you get - have you had any experience with them? I got the impression I could just oc a PC myself and save a fair amount of money.
 

postman_pat

New Member
I agree, I should get the parts myself but I don't have much of a starting point - For example I have no idea which screen, motherboard, hard drive etc.. to get and after trauling through various threads I'm none the wiser.

Are the reivews on newegg and good place to start for recommendations?
 

voyagerfan99

Master of Turning Things Off and Back On Again
Staff member
Well, unless your in the U.S. you can't shop on NewEgg. they only ship to the U.S.

There are other places like Overclockers.co.uk that I believe ship to not only the U.K. but Europe as well.
 

royalmarine

New Member
sine you said £1200 i guess your in the uk right?

have a loot at

www.komplett.co.uk
www.overclockers.co.uk
www.dabs.com
www.scan.co.uk

motherboard:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0

processor:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...geMode=1&NavigationKey=11147,50520,4294954556

case:
http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.asp...1145&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11145&InMerch=1

power supply:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...ode=1&NavigationKey=11259,4294963789,49450000

graphics card:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...1137&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11137,415910000

memory 4gb:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...e=1&NavigationKey=11150,4294953914,4294963789

windows vista 64bit:
http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.asp...1168&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11168&InMerch=1

speakers:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...lectedId=11122&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11122

24" monitor:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...ode=1&NavigationKey=11109,4294963789,49810000

mouse:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...294963789,4294960287,41970000,353490000,50550

keyboard:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...1117,4294963789,4294960287,42410000,375510000

dvd drive:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...55,11,4294963789,41640000,42640000,4294956835

harddrive:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...ode=1&NavigationKey=11154,4294963789,50480000

keyboard + mouse:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...1117,4294963789,4294960285,48020000,401020000

i know its over budget, but its a start as to what to look at.
 
Last edited:

royalmarine

New Member
gonna mention a serious reccomendation towards a few components i listed.

the 24" monitor. dabs value is amazing! its dirt cheap aswel for a 24". excellent response time and looks amazing. real value and amazing quality.

speakers: say no more about them. best speakers possible.

graphics card: serious bang for buck. 8800gt is by far the best card available. serious overclocker and cooling is good. price wise, its amazing.
 

postman_pat

New Member
Hi,

Thanks all for the input - especially Royalmarine. I have some questions about the parts you recommended;

Is the 8800GT the best 'bang for buck' card in that series? I thought it was the GTS which won that accolade.

Would I not be better off getting a similar Corsair Twin XMS ram, instead of the OCZ reaper stuff? I'm not sure if I should mention that I have never OC'ed but will be starting with this system.

Those speakers might be overkill - my room is tiny and I like in a hotel so I can't play it too loud. Would I not need a sound card to go with it?

This monitor seems pretty cheap. I was looking at monitors which cost around £300 for 22/24". Would I notice much difference between the Dabs one and other, more expensive ones?

Thanks all.
 

daisymtc

Active Member
sine you said £1200 i guess your in the uk right?

have a loot at

www.komplett.co.uk
www.overclockers.co.uk
www.dabs.com
www.scan.co.uk

motherboard:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0

processor:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...geMode=1&NavigationKey=11147,50520,4294954556

case:
http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.asp...1145&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11145&InMerch=1

power supply:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...ode=1&NavigationKey=11259,4294963789,49450000

graphics card:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...1137&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11137,415910000

memory 4gb:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...e=1&NavigationKey=11150,4294953914,4294963789

windows vista 64bit:
http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.asp...1168&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11168&InMerch=1

speakers:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...lectedId=11122&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11122

24" monitor:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...ode=1&NavigationKey=11109,4294963789,49810000

mouse:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...294963789,4294960287,41970000,353490000,50550

keyboard:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...1117,4294963789,4294960287,42410000,375510000

dvd drive:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...55,11,4294963789,41640000,42640000,4294956835

harddrive:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...ode=1&NavigationKey=11154,4294963789,50480000

keyboard + mouse:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...1117,4294963789,4294960285,48020000,401020000

i know its over budget, but its a start as to what to look at.

I usually check ebuyer first, they usually cheap...
 

postman_pat

New Member
OK so this is my 'random guess' list. If have writted my thought behind why I chose each peice and then you can tell my how to improve it based on my reasoning. What fun for you! All parts taken from komplett.co.uk - don't know it that makes a difference.

Mobo:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=335649

No idea what to get here - it just has to be able to OC and take an e8400. Is there a good reason to spend more than £100 on a mobo?

Proc:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=344772

No debate here - I want this proc.

Case:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=341841

I don't like the look of gamer cases. I like simple black aluminium. This one seemed a little pricey though - are their any cheaper ones around? I wanted to pay more around the £50 mark. Is this a bad idea?

PSU:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=340678

No idea what to get. If I OC do I need this much power? Is there a better value product to get?

GPU:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=343814

I hear that the 8800GT is the one to get (9000 series a bit of a waste of money) but I don't know which brand -MSCI, ASUS, EVGA ??? argghh.

Ram:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=324986

This is Corsair and everyone recommends them but is this the wrong one? PC8500 too high? I hear that 4 gigs is recommended for vista.

Operating System:
Vista

..Instead of a Mac...

Speakers:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=341556

Its Logitech again, but cheaper than the Z-5500's and I don't know if I would notice the difference between the two. No sound card needed?

Monitor:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/kl.aspx?bn=10408

A reasonably priced 24" monitor - too expensive? Will I notice the difference in games?

Mouse:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=333430

Looks similar to the one recommended by 'Royalmarine'. The weights system seems a bit of a gimmick - overkill??

Keyboard:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=321058

There were only two keyboards on Komplett.co.uk and the other one was about £60.00!

DVD drive:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=341853

It's an LG (Royalmarine recommended LG). So would I be able to use just this drive to copy family movies from my hard drive onto DVD disks? Or do I need a second drive for that?

Hard Drive:
Samsung 500Gb 7.200 rpm.

I couldnt find one on Komplett.co.uk so I nicked Royalmarines idea but reduced storage from 750 to 500Gb. I have no idea between SATA or IDE etc... drives. Any tips? Don't think I'll need more than 500Gb as I keep my system very clean so will only have games installed and a few family movies and pics.


All comments appreciated!
 

daisymtc

Active Member
Hi,

Thanks all for the input - especially Royalmarine. I have some questions about the parts you recommended;

Is the 8800GT the best 'bang for buck' card in that series? I thought it was the GTS which won that accolade.

Would I not be better off getting a similar Corsair Twin XMS ram, instead of the OCZ reaper stuff? I'm not sure if I should mention that I have never OC'ed but will be starting with this system.

Those speakers might be overkill - my room is tiny and I like in a hotel so I can't play it too loud. Would I not need a sound card to go with it?

This monitor seems pretty cheap. I was looking at monitors which cost around £300 for 22/24". Would I notice much difference between the Dabs one and other, more expensive ones?

Thanks all.


Consair and OCZ both are good brand. Just make sure the have low timing.

Monitor: I personally got 22", and feel it is big enough. suggesting LG W2252TQ
Also, the BenQ G2400W is looking good as well.

If you think Z5500 too expensive. Get X540.

By the way, don't get 680i chipset Motherboard. It's outdated.
P35/ X48/ 780i depends on budget.
 

daisymtc

Active Member
OK so this is my 'random guess' list. If have writted my thought behind why I chose each peice and then you can tell my how to improve it based on my reasoning. What fun for you! All parts taken from komplett.co.uk - don't know it that makes a difference.

Mobo:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=335649

No idea what to get here - it just has to be able to OC and take an e8400. Is there a good reason to spend more than £100 on a mobo?

Proc:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=344772

No debate here - I want this proc.

Case:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=341841

I don't like the look of gamer cases. I like simple black aluminium. This one seemed a little pricey though - are their any cheaper ones around? I wanted to pay more around the £50 mark. Is this a bad idea?

PSU:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=340678

No idea what to get. If I OC do I need this much power? Is there a better value product to get?

GPU:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=343814

I hear that the 8800GT is the one to get (9000 series a bit of a waste of money) but I don't know which brand -MSCI, ASUS, EVGA ??? argghh.

Ram:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=324986

This is Corsair and everyone recommends them but is this the wrong one? PC8500 too high? I hear that 4 gigs is recommended for vista.

Operating System:
Vista

..Instead of a Mac...

Speakers:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=341556

Its Logitech again, but cheaper than the Z-5500's and I don't know if I would notice the difference between the two. No sound card needed?

Monitor:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/kl.aspx?bn=10408

A reasonably priced 24" monitor - too expensive? Will I notice the difference in games?

Mouse:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=333430

Looks similar to the one recommended by 'Royalmarine'. The weights system seems a bit of a gimmick - overkill??

Keyboard:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=321058

There were only two keyboards on Komplett.co.uk and the other one was about £60.00!

DVD drive:
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=341853

It's an LG (Royalmarine recommended LG). So would I be able to use just this drive to copy family movies from my hard drive onto DVD disks? Or do I need a second drive for that?

Hard Drive:
Samsung 500Gb 7.200 rpm.

I couldnt find one on Komplett.co.uk so I nicked Royalmarines idea but reduced storage from 750 to 500Gb. I have no idea between SATA or IDE etc... drives. Any tips? Don't think I'll need more than 500Gb as I keep my system very clean so will only have games installed and a few family movies and pics.


All comments appreciated!

MB: That Abit cost £96. May be add £20 to get Gigabyte GA-EX35-DS4
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=347488

Case: May be Thermaltake Soprano? But it is a bit expensive at komplett.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/101931
Or May be Antec Sonata III which come with EA500W PSU
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/128045

PSU: You don't need 750W. And that is expensive.
A Consair 520HX should be enough.

Samgsung HDD at SATA.
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=327715
 
Last edited:

royalmarine

New Member
sata is a thin cable and speeds are faster than ide connections.

ide are the old style ahrddrive / dvd drive connection cables.

id check the monitor from dabs.com first. its seriously great performance.

680i isnt outdated. people who buy the latest and greatest will say its outdated. i bought a new 680i striker extreme a few weeks back. why? because they are great boards. there is very very little difference between a 680i and a 780i. tri sli being 1 of them. but the op here doesnt need tri sli. to be honest, who does?!

550 - 600w power supply will do you fine.
but the one i linked to is a solid great brand psu. for a very cheap price.

http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=327671
vs
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...ode=1&NavigationKey=11259,4294963789,49450000

700w vs 520w for a few pounds more?

dvd drive: LG are my number1 on that. you will only need 1 to put a movie from the pc to a blank dvd.
only reason to have 2 is if you want to cpoy dvd's faster.
you put the dvd in 1 drive and the blank in the other. click copy.

with 1 dvd drive, you put the dvd in, click copy, then a few mins later is asks for the blank disc.

mouse is all down to shape and comfort. i spent £120 on mine as i use it a lot and had problems with pains in my hand a lot.
keyboards get broken easily so i usually get cheap ones.

from your setup area sounds like you wont need the z5500 speakers then :p
they are amazing, but only worth the money if you have a large area and can play them loud.
any set of speakers above 30 quid will do fine. you wont need a sound card. motherboards have pretty good built in sound nowadays.

harddrive: up to your self how much you would use. ive got 4.5terabyte's. but i use it. if your gonna be downloading a lot of files, e.g movies, and if your gonna be putting them on blank disc's then 500gb will do fine.

its very easy to add another harddrive later on so dont worry.

that case looks gorgeous. stealth black :p!!
 

lovely?

Active Member
sata is a thin cable and speeds are faster than ide connections.

ide are the old style ahrddrive / dvd drive connection cables.

id check the monitor from dabs.com first. its seriously great performance.

680i isnt outdated. people who buy the latest and greatest will say its outdated. i bought a new 680i striker extreme a few weeks back. why? because they are great boards. there is very very little difference between a 680i and a 780i. tri sli being 1 of them. but the op here doesnt need tri sli. to be honest, who does?!

550 - 600w power supply will do you fine.
but the one i linked to is a solid great brand psu. for a very cheap price.

http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.aspx?sku=327671
vs
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...ode=1&NavigationKey=11259,4294963789,49450000

700w vs 520w for a few pounds more?

dvd drive: LG are my number1 on that. you will only need 1 to put a movie from the pc to a blank dvd.
only reason to have 2 is if you want to cpoy dvd's faster.
you put the dvd in 1 drive and the blank in the other. click copy.

with 1 dvd drive, you put the dvd in, click copy, then a few mins later is asks for the blank disc.

mouse is all down to shape and comfort. i spent £120 on mine as i use it a lot and had problems with pains in my hand a lot.
keyboards get broken easily so i usually get cheap ones.

from your setup area sounds like you wont need the z5500 speakers then :p
they are amazing, but only worth the money if you have a large area and can play them loud.
any set of speakers above 30 quid will do fine. you wont need a sound card. motherboards have pretty good built in sound nowadays.

harddrive: up to your self how much you would use. ive got 4.5terabyte's. but i use it. if your gonna be downloading a lot of files, e.g movies, and if your gonna be putting them on blank disc's then 500gb will do fine.

its very easy to add another harddrive later on so dont worry.

that case looks gorgeous. stealth black :p!!

my 680i MSI platinum did quad sli (even though the cards dont support it,) so theres no sli limiting factor with the 680i series,
 
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