This build

[Andys]

Ok, so with my computer now being well and truly broke (I've taken it to two computer shops and neither can find whats wrong with it, tried re-installing, new memory etc everything but just won't work) so I'm now looking for a new computer.

I've put together this build for just under £650 and wondering how everyone rates it? It's not going to be for hardcore gaming but playing games such as Football Manager 2012 and Counter Strike: Source.

http://i42.tinypic.com/1pa5w8.png

[Futz]

The only thing I would change is the manufacturer of the graphics card. Gainward cards are generally less reliable than one say made by EVGA. Other than that it looks like a great build.

[Andys]

Found an EVGA built card here:
http://www.morecomputers.com/extra.asp?pn=01G-P3-1460-KR

not too much more expensive so should be ok. Is it worth upgrading the RAM to 8GB instead of 4GB, or not since I won't be gaming an awful lot?

[Futz]

Only upgrade to 8GB if you will be rendering videos.

[GoldenMerc]

Looks pretty good.

[xxMATTGxx]

Ram is pretty cheap these days, everything seems pretty good and will be able to run what you want without any issues.

[scottish]

If you're not overclocking drop to 2500, if you are get aftermarket cooler

Have you looked at the 6870, fairly sure the 6870 is better performance than the 560

But as AnandTech only shows 560 TI can't use it to compare same model.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/330?vs=290 compares compares Ti to 6870 and both should be same price.

[Andys]

If you're not overclocking drop to 2500, if you are get aftermarket cooler

Have you looked at the 6870, fairly sure the 6870 is better performance than the 560

But as AnandTech only shows 560 TI can't use it to compare same model.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/330?vs=290 compares compares Ti to 6870 and both should be same price.

Only £8 difference in the processors. What's the difference between the 2500 and the 2500K? Have seen some brilliant things said about the 2500K.

Also cheers for that tip about the AMD card. I usually stick to nVidia but have heard that AMD are better value for money. How are Sapphire's cards? Anyone ever used one of these? Sure I've heard of them but no idea how good they are.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004R7MTPQ/ref=asc_df_B004R7MTPQ5839711?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B004R7MTPQ

Also on ebuyer there's a 6870 made by PowerColour but I've never even heard of them, shall I stick to the Sapphire card?

[xxMATTGxx]

Only £8 difference in the processors. What's the difference between the 2500 and the 2500K? Have seen some brilliant things said about the 2500K.

Also cheers for that tip about the AMD card. I usually stick to nVidia but have heard that AMD are better value for money. How are Sapphire's cards? Anyone ever used one of these? Sure I've heard of them but no idea how good they are.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004R7MTPQ/ref=asc_df_B004R7MTPQ5839711?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B004R7MTPQ

Also on ebuyer there's a 6870 made by PowerColour but I've never even heard of them, shall I stick to the Sapphire card?

2500k is basically the unlocked version of the processor. It means you can overclock it with ease, if it's only £8 difference then may as well go with it. As you may want to overclock it when you get it or later on.

[scottish]

2500k is unlocked, 2500 is locked so you can overclock the k, where as 2500 is at its stock

Sapphire is probably one of best brands.

I've currently got 6950 sapphire card.

Can't remember PowerColour, either they have very poor customer service, or ebuyer covers their RMA process. You'd need to ask ebuyer if they cover it, if not then I'd suggest not getting it :P

[Andys]

2500k is basically the unlocked version of the processor. It means you can overclock it with ease, if it's only £8 difference then may as well go with it. As you may want to overclock it when you get it or later on.

Doubt I'll ever want to overcolck it tbh as I wouldn't even know how to... also I don't think it would make much of a difference to internet surfing and Football Manager 12 would it? Also have been considering getting a Coolermaster CPU cooler instead of the stock one, how hard are they to install? I know about the thermal paste but is it just a matter of slotting it into place or what?

edit: Great, Scottish. Thanks, think I will go for the Sapphire card!

[scottish]

They're not hard, some are just pushing 4 pins in, others require you stick a backplate and screw it in.

If you're using stock speeds stock heatsink should suffice.

[N!ck]

Look for 1.5 V RAM (or lower) for use with Sandy Bridge. Little reason not to get 1600 MHz either and it's also slightly cheaper. May as well get 8 GB too (2 * 4 GB) as RAM is so cheap.

I would also say get a faster, 7200 RPM HDD.

[Andys]

Look for 1.5 V RAM (or lower) for use with Sandy Bridge. Little reason not to get 1600 MHz either and it's also slightly cheaper. May as well get 8 GB too (2 * 4 GB) as RAM is so cheap.

I would also say get a faster, 7200 RPM HDD.

Thanks for that tip on the RAM, will look into it.
Also was considering a 7200RPM HDD but they are more expensive for a smaller size drive and I'm at the top of my budget already.

Instead of getting a new graphics card I do have an nVidia 460 GTX in my current build which I could put into this one, would this be a good enough card or is it worth getting a better one?

[scottish]

Salvage an old HDD if possible until prices die down.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/315?vs=290 for comparison of 460GTX vs 6870.

[Andys]

Salvage an old HDD if possible until prices die down.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/315?vs=290 for comparison of 460GTX vs 6870.
Ah, guess I will just sell the old computer once it's fixed and upgrade the graphics card to the 6870, thanks.

Also, what about this for RAM?
http://www.ebuyer.com/275166-crucial-ballistix-sport-8gb-2x4gb-ddr3-1600mhz-memory-kit-cl10-1-5v-bl2kit51264ba160a

Would ideally like some crucial RAM or something with a decent brand like that as I know they make good memory.

[scottish]

Most RAM is CL9

Brand isn't important aslong as it's not some extra value one

[Andys]

http://www.ebuyer.com/172949-kingston-8gb-2x4gb-ddr3-1333mhz-i5-memory-kit-non-ecc-cl9-1-5v-kvr1333d3n9k2-8g

That ones CL9, how is Kingston's memory? Would that be ok?

[scottish]

http://www.ebuyer.com/240498-g-skill-8gb-2x4gb-ddr3-1333mhz-ripjaws-memory-kit-cl9-9-9-9-24-1-5v-f3-10666cl9d-8gbrl

[Andys]

http://www.ebuyer.com/240498-g-skill-8gb-2x4gb-ddr3-1333mhz-ripjaws-memory-kit-cl9-9-9-9-24-1-5v-f3-10666cl9d-8gbrl
Thanks.

After second thoughts, I think I'm just going to stick my 460 GTX in there. I have no need for an amazing graphics card as the games I play don't have brilliant graphics, and even so, I would hve thought the 460 GTX would play newer games with at least decent graphics.

[Andys]

Incase anyone is wondering these are the specs I decided to go with:

Coolermaster 690 II Lite
Intel i5 2500k
Asus P8H67
G-Skill 8GB RAM
Samsung F3 1TB
Asus Nvidia 560 TI (far better than 6870 as compared to)

Haven't had much time to test it out yet, although it doesn't seem a lot faster to my older system though... graphics wise it's amazing though! Getting easily over 50FPS on Battlefield 3.

Also thanks to everyone who helped choose the parts! :)