Advice on my new system?

[Sigh]

Hey guys, ive been using the site to help decide on my new build but im having trouble with certain parts and I dont really want to read up on everything so here we are...
I hope you can help as I havent 'designed' and built my own system since the times of the 6800gt! (8 years ago?) I am so far out of the loop its not even funny. My current system was basically built by a friend.

Approximate Purchase Date: End of the month (basically before BF3 as thats the main reason for upgrading)

Budget Range: £500-700

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, programming, surfing.

Parts Not Required: just need a 'tower' from scratch

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: So far I have only searched ebuyer.com and overclockers.co.uk

Country of Origin: Britain

Parts Preferences: not a fan boy, but ill probably go intel for cpu and ati for gpu (see below*)

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: not to start with

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050

Additional Comments: Quiet and efficient


* here are some things I have been looking at, ill link ebuyer as thats what ive started with, but provided the site is trustworthy and price competitive im open to recommendations.

CPU: http://www.ebuyer.com/251596-intel-core-i5-2500k-3-3ghz-socket-1155-6mb-cache-retail-boxed-processor-bx80623i52500k
Memory: http://www.ebuyer.com/247677-corsair-8gb-2x4gb-ddr3-1600mhz-xms3-memory-kit-cl9-1-65v-cmx8gx3m2a1600c9
Graphics: http://www.ebuyer.com/280180-sapphire-hd-6950-1gb-gddr5-dual-dvi-hdmi-displayport-dual-fan-pci-e-11188-09-40g

I am a little stuck as to what mobbo would be suitable, if that memory is good enough?
Also what psu should I be using with that graphics card?
is that graphics card going to be enough for new releases? (mainly bf3 and mw3).
Cant anyone recommend a decent case that isnt expensive? I dont want a fancy case, simple and efficient is best.
What is a decent hard drive like these days? should I try and squeeze in an SSD on my budget?

I dont think ive forgotten anything here, but please let me know if I have?

Thanks for any time you can spare.

Sigh

 

[AdrianPerry]

CPU: i-2500k
Memory: Corsair Vengeance is good, but you need the 1.5v for SandyBridge, not 1.65v (1600MHz recommended) 8GB 2x4GB sticks
GPU: 6950 is good
PSU: 500w for Single card, 750w if you plan to crossfire
Mobo: ASRock Extreme3 Gen3 z68/p67
HDD: Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB
Case: This is really down to your own budget and choice. Almost any mid-tower ATX case would be fine

 

[Sigh]

hey thanks very much for a speedy reply.
Much appreciated on the feedback, I assume you feel the 6950 should handle most new games fine at my res?
Sorry to ask more questions, really want to get this right haha!
Thanks again

 

[AdrianPerry]

There's 2 options really, both at a very similar price.
ATI's 6950
and
Nvidia's GTX 560Ti

Both are priced around the same mark and both perform very well.

My personal choice was the GTX 560Ti and it's overclocked very well (up to near a stock GTX 570). It plays all current games with a very solid FPS and maxed details/settings.

I THINK at anything 1920x1080 or less, the GTX 560Ti out performs the 6950 in most cases, but anything more than 1920x1080/multi monitor set-ups, the 2GB Memory in the 6950 gives it the lead.

Take a look at both cards, and see if you can pick up a nice cheap offer on one of them

 

[Sigh]

Awesome thanks very much for replying again.
As I have just under a month ill monitor the prices.
I am all for keeping my options open, I only aimed towards ati because I currently have a 4890 and it is/was awesome for what I use currently

 

[AdrianPerry]

I dont think anyone would hold it against you if you went for the 6950. After all they are very similar cards and perform on much the same level

If your preference is ATI, stick with it (Y)

 

[Sigh]

As I say I am happy to go with either heh.

I will be cheeky and ask another question though.
What are the general thoughts on sound cards? I have never bothered with one before, so I have no idea on the quality difference.

This is what I have so far:
Intel Core i5 2500K 3.3GHz Socket 1155 6MB Cache Retail Boxed Processor £159.77
Asrock Z68 EXTREME4 Socket 1155 8 Channel HD Audio ATX Motherboard £139.28
Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz Vengeance Memory Kit CL9 1.5V £43.32
KFA2 GTX 560Ti OC 1GB GDDR5 Dual DVI HDMI Out PCI-E Graphics Card £163.79
Antec TruePower New 750W Modular PSU £79.98
Samsung SpinPoint F3 500GB Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 16MB Cache - OEM £34.01
Antec 300 Three Hundred Case £47.25

Cart total inc vat: £667.40 this is from ebuyer. I shall be shopping around and im hoping some prices may drop a little over the next few weeks
Any ideas on a better/good site? I am thinking of looking at Scan, OC'ers and Amazon?

I picked a smaller hard drive as I wont need the 1TB due to having an external.
Thoughts?

Thanks in advance yet again, I know im a pain in the rear!

 

[Sigh]

ugh this site hates me, tells me i cant edit and delete yet its updated above...

 

[AdrianPerry]

Usually you need to click "quick edit".

In the bottom right corner of your post there's 3 little icons, click the Brown Page with the Lightning Bolt on it (the middle pic), edit and submit and it should work

 

[Sigh]

Usually you need to click "quick edit".

In the bottom right corner of your post there's 3 little icons, click the Brown Page with the Lightning Bolt on it (the middle pic), edit and submit and it should work

heh thanks, I used quick reply for the alterations in the end

 

[Sigh]

Update:


Okay guys I am having a little trouble. Although my budget is as much as 700 id like to bring it as close to 600 as possible, need a new washing machine and that extra 100quid would help towards that!
So any advice, just to recap here is what I have:


Intel Core i5 2500K 3.3GHz Socket 1155 6MB Cache Retail Boxed Processor £159.77
Asrock Z68 EXTREME4 Socket 1155 8 Channel HD Audio ATX Motherboard £139.28
Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz Vengeance Memory Kit CL9 1.5V £44.99
KFA2 GTX 560Ti OC 1GB GDDR5 Dual DVI HDMI Out PCI-E Graphics Card £176.99
Antec TruePower New 750W Modular PSU £79.98 <-------------------------------is now 100 quid!!!
Samsung SpinPoint F3 500GB Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 16MB Cache - OEM £34.01 <--has actually vanished from ebuyer
Antec 300 Three Hundred Case £47.25 <------------------------ gone up to 51 quid

I have checked today and some prices have changed so ive updated them. Obviously I have a little way to go yet (about 3 weeks) but I was looking for any savings possible? I shall add some thoughts, maybe someone else can add theirs too?


-I have read that buying a modular may be a waste of the extra cost? I should imagine this would be the case? plus having extra cables should be fine provided they are tied out the way right?
-I was curious if saving money on the motherboard would be the easiest way to keep costs down? although having that motherboard would keep for a while, I would imagine id buy an entirely new system when I next need to upgrade? Thoughts?
-I think that case seems pretty cheap and has plenty of good reviews... but is it worth trying to save a few quid on the case? I may be just clutching at straws here though?
-Graphics card... I guess its just a case of wait and see here? in onlky a week the prices seem to have changed. (not for the better in my case haha).


Thanks in advance for your time.
I will add I have no intention of dropping below a 2500k or going anything lower than a 560/6870 for graphics so I know saving anything here will purely be dependent on pricing at the time of purchase