First Gaming PC list of components - any changes?

[dickydee]

Hi

I'm about to build my first gaming PC.
Budget is £450 (GBP).

I have limited space so will be looking to use a mini ITX case.
Already have mouse, keyboard, DVD burner and Win7 but will hopefully be using SteamOS when it arrives.

I'll be using a 1080p TV for output.

Here's what I have so far, but I'd be grateful if you could point out where I might be going wrong or alternative parts (without going over budget).

MB/CPU/RAM Combo: AMD A6-5400k Black Edition 3.6GHz Dual Core, Asrock FM2A75M-ITX DDR3 Motherboard, Patriot 8GB 1600MHz C11 with AMD CPU Cooler - £178.00@Overclockers

GPU: Sapphire Vapor-X Radeon R9 270X OC 2GB GDDR5 Graphics Card - £150@Amazon

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB SATAIII 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - £40@Amazon

PSU: Corsair Builder Series CXM 500W Modular 80 - £48@Amazon

Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced USB 3.0 Mini ITX - £33@Amazon

That is as far as my budget goes!

Thanks
DD

 

[Thetruelilal27]

I'd say thats pretty good for the budget. Maybe buy windows when you get a little extra money. They say steam OS wont have that much compatibility.

 

[ed d]

Is this purely for gaming , the AMD is a good choice

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/

http://

These are both reliable companies in the UK and they also have a home base for returns. I prefer them to Amazon


Edit: Just seen that you know overclockers

 

[Surya Mylvahanan]

Cooler Master made a new elite 130- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119286 which has better airflow than the 120

 

[dickydee]

Are CCL okay? Seen mixed reviews. They have the Cooler Master 130 mentioned by Surya for about £5 more (inc delivery)
It's pretty much for gaming but a bit of web and video watching.

 

[ed d]

Are CCL okay? Seen mixed reviews. They have the Cooler Master 130 mentioned by Surya for about £5 more (inc delivery)
It's pretty much for gaming but a bit of web and video watching.

I've used CCL for at least two builds around the £2000 mark and any problem with parts I contacted them via the phone and they were very helpful. Either replacing them straight away or sending them for RMA on my behalf to companies

 

[dickydee]

I've used CCL for at least two builds around the £2000 mark and any problem with parts I contacted them via the phone and they were very helpful. Either replacing them straight away or sending them for RMA on my behalf to companies

Cool, thanks.

I doubt I could get an i3 or 5 for the budget but would there be much difference in performance compared to the AMD CPU?
Maybe if I dropped to 4GB Ram or dropped down a notch on the GPU?
Or maybe I should just leave it as it is.

 

[ed d]

I've used CCL for at least two builds around the £2000 mark and any problem with parts I contacted them via the phone and they were very helpful. Either replacing them straight away or sending them for RMA on my behalf to companies

Cool, thanks.

I doubt I could get an i3 or 5 for the budget but would there be much difference in performance compared to the AMD CPU?
Maybe if I dropped to 4GB Ram or dropped down a notch on the GPU?
Or maybe I should just leave it as it is.

8gb ram is needed for gaming now, certain games reach 5gb ish

the GPU is the the main part of a gaming build

For budget gaming build AMD are better , until you hit the about £700 ish range you should stick with AMD

 

[dickydee]

With the possible exception of upgrading the case from the 120 to the 130 I'll take that as the green light to get building then!
Many thanks.

 

[ed d]

With the possible exception of upgrading the case from the 120 to the 130 I'll take that as the green light to get building then!
Many thanks.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-325-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1982

The would be the one of the better cards , depends whether you already know

 

[dickydee]

Takes me over budget! Is ther much difference between that and the Sapphire Vapor-X Radeon R9 270X OC 2GB GDDR5 I already listed.

 

[ed d]

Takes me over budget! Is ther much difference between that and the Sapphire Vapor-X Radeon R9 270X OC 2GB GDDR5 I already listed.

Slightly quieter and cooler, due to the 3fans , the one you listed is pretty much the same but the OC isnt as heavy

 

[dickydee]

Okay, one step away from ordering everything and just one last question!

Which GPU is best - just a case of which is best for the price.

Sapphire Vapor-X Radeon R9 270X OC 2GB GDDR5 Graphics Card £150.00

HIS Radeon R9 270X IceQ X2 Boost 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express £150.00

Sapphire 11199-19-20G AMD Radeon HD 7870 Dual-X OC 2GB GDDR5 Graphics Card £144.00

HIS HD 7870 IceQ X 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £144.00

XFX AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB Core DD Edition Card £140.00

Club 3D AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB '13Series Card £140.00

 

[ed d]

Okay, one step away from ordering everything and just one last question!

Which GPU is best - just a case of which is best for the price.

Sapphire Vapor-X Radeon R9 270X OC 2GB GDDR5 Graphics Card £150.00

HIS Radeon R9 270X IceQ X2 Boost 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express £150.00

Sapphire 11199-19-20G AMD Radeon HD 7870 Dual-X OC 2GB GDDR5 Graphics Card £144.00

HIS HD 7870 IceQ X 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £144.00

XFX AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB Core DD Edition Card £140.00

Club 3D AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB '13Series Card £140.00

The 270x is basically a rebadge of the 7870, however with the r9 270x you have mantle support so that would be the better choice, out of the two the Sapphire vapour X is the best card of the bunch.