Legit Reviews

Hi,

I'm basically planning on getting a new computer in the next 4 months..
I've been looking into ordering a custom built pc but recently have started to think more about building my own.. i have few questions i want answered before i decide.. first though here's my situation

-my budget for whole system including monitor and such is around 3500 euro (~4500$)
-i live in europe but with relatives in the states so could order things in america and have them shipped over
-i would be looking to get a gaming rig to be playing some of the newest upcoming games.. crysis for example and that would last me a while..


1. If i was ordering a custom built pc what companies you recommend for price/dependabilty? I have seen some cheaper custom pc sites but a bit wary about some bad reviews..

2. My main concern about building the PC.. well besides the trouble getting the components.. is breaking something and/or f-ing up the heating and getting some funky smells but not much else out the the system... so how easy is it to build a PC from scratch and setup effective cooling?

3. I would like the pc to be quiet.. is there much difference in sound levels of liquid cooling versus fan cooling?

um.. can't think of other questions at the moment.. so i'll leave it there..

So you are thinking of building your first PC and first watercooled PC at the same time? I've done both, and unless you are technically inclined or do not mind doing the footwork/research around the interweb I would not recommend doing both at the same time. ;) Ya can always change to a watercooled PC later anyway, which is what I did.

While you probably can buy parts from he US and have them shipped to your cheaper... you need to consider this will not provide you with a means to use the US warranty support for some to much of that hardware. If anything is defective or does not work well with other components in your build then you would be out of luck. There are a few good UK sites, but I don't know them, if you ask/look around though I'm sure people can recommend good ones.

Liquid cooling still requires fans for almost all setups, so the noise of the PC will depend on the graphics card fan, and your choice of case and watercooling fans... even with watercooling you still need case fans.

Also, if you purchase CD or DVD drives from the US, it may not be the same region as your games or movies... You will have to make sure you have a way to change the drive to region free.

My first build was (still is) a watercooled PC

I do sometimes wish for the simplicity of stock fans, but when I am reminded how quiet my rig is I love it. Go slow with the building (and plumbing), leak test for 24 hours before you even turn on your PC, and you'll be good.

That's a fairly nice budget for a PC, with that amount of cash the only way to go is to build your own. You can get so much better value and better parts that way.

I would again not recommended shipping from America, 1) The delivery wait might kill you, 2) Import duty and shipping negates any savings you might gain, and 3) Usable warranties are good.

Good UK websites (if you need them) are:
Dabs, ebuyer and Aria (if its got the thing you need on offer). Maybe Overclockers if the price is right. And for watercooling parts, I got mine from specialtech.

Depending on where in Europe you are based, those sites may or may not be able to help you.

As for parts, I would recommend:

• Graphics Card: Hold off another month before choosing a graphics card (as ATI are to launch their 2900 series, and nVidia are to release the 8800 Ultra refresh.)
  
  Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 - Quad core, and you can overclock to the QX6800 speeds for a lot less money
  
  RAMs: Corsair Memory TWIN2X2048-8500C5D 2x1GB 240-Pin DIMM XMS2-8500
  • Alternatively, get 4GB of slightly slower RAM, might be better in the long run.
  Keyboard & Mouse: Personal preference here (I'd probably get Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard, Razer Mouse)
  
  Storage: A Raptor for windows and main apps, and a generic larger drive for everything else), you could save money here and go for RAID0 with two cheaper drives rather than a Raptor (similar performance).
  
  Case: Personal preference here, Antec make some nice ones, bear in mind how a radiator will fit in it, or where outside you can shove it.
  
  PSU: Corsair Memory 620 Watt - May need a larger one if considering SLI or crossfire
  
  Motherboard: A decent Nvidia 680i or Intel 975 XBX2 board
  
  DVD RW: Generic 'does everything' DVD RW
  
  Monitor: 22" (1680 x 1050) - seems to be best for your budget, Samsung do good panels, and are used by other manufacturers so look round for options.

For watercooling parts, Swiftech make the best low noise kit, try something like this:
Swiftech H20 Apex Ultra. Alternatively pick out the parts you want, if you do, go for a Apogee GT, ignore the chip set cooler (not worth the loop restrictions), and consider a 3x120mm radiator.


Shopping for dream rigs is fun
Can you tell I was bored?

Dan

PSU: Corsair Memory 620 Watt - May need a larger one if considering SLI or crossfire

it can power quad, GTX in SLI, 2 Raptors easily. I think he should be okay

If I had that much disposable income, I would be buying a motorcycle

I would definitely build one yourself. You will get twice the machine for half the cash, as opposed to going to someone like Dell. For years I bought from Dell and I finally built my own computer. The one I built is far superior in every way. You can customize thru Dell, but not the way you can customize your own build! Good Luck...you have more than enough money to build a monster comp!

Well, I'm not much for the good advice on building. But, as you know (Conor that is,) I have the new laptop from the states and as far as the drives go they;re region non-specific as far as I can tell. I can play some of our other bro's dvd's and also any dvd's from over here. I was told when I asked about it at work (from those more knowledgable than myself) that they are all region non-specific or that they pick the region when you setup rather than being set from the factory.

The family in the states could possibly have the European versions shipped from places over here. The price reduction could potentially be significant. It's not a "My cousin lives in the States and will buy it at Circuit City and ship it over here" kind of thing, necessarily. For certain components, Conor may well have the "hook-up" as it were.

I think i am going to end up building the PC.... i thinking of going for something along the lines of

Processor: Intel Quad Core Q6600 could maybe afford to go for the extreme editions just not sure if the cost is justified
Motherboard: EVGA nForce 680 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 or intel D975XBX2
Memory: Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2-6400C4 TwinX might go for the faster Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2 Dominator PC2-8500C5 TwinX (im thinking corsair as i might be able to get a discount off some stuff though family)
Graphic Card: Geforce 8800GTX 768MB PCI-E
Sound Card: Creative X-Fi Xtreme Gamer
PSU: BFG 1000W UK/PFC Approved PSU probably don't need the full 1000w but more of a placeholder until i decide exactly what i am going for
Case: undecided
DVD-ROM: 16x16 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter
Monitor: undecided

thoughts?

i'd say check out the LR review on the Corsair 620 HX power supply here: http://www.legitreviews.com/article/371/1/

and this related article is a MUST READ: http://www.legitreviews.com/article/462/1/

do what you're gonna do, but i'd suggest checking that out before you cash out on a 1000W PSU, like Dicecca112 will eventually tell you, its all about efficiency.

looks good on everything else, but do wait on the vid card, prices will be dropping soon!

I second the Corsair PSU, forget where I saw it (believe it was on these forums, or maybe in Inq) but somewhere there was a quadcore system with 8800GTXs in SLi AND a water cooling system...all being powered by a lowly Corsair 620HX.

dicecca is the one to ask with his infinite PSU wisdom (or is it obsession? )

dicecca112 wrote:it can power quad, GTX in SLI, 2 Raptors easily. I think he should be okay

it truely is a wonderful PSU. And if you have a family member that can get discount corsair products, all the better.

The corsair should hold you for quite awhile, its yet to fail me.

I was doing some digging sometime back and found an nvidia site, http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

it said for two 8800GTX's they would recommend PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750. although im sure the Corsair PSU would be happy pushing that.. i personally want the Silencer 750 in my next build, the other choices they recommended i dont know too much about..

Well just ordered all the components for the new PC
Samsung SM-226BW 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Glossy Black
Logitech Media Keyboard Elite
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32-Bit Edition DVD - OEM - 1Pk
Nova Winner Mousepad
Razer DeathAdder Blue 2000dpi High Precision Gaming Mouse
Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-620HXUK)
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Gamer 7.1 Soundcard
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (3.5g)
Scythe Ninja Plus Rev.B Heatpipe CPU Cooler (478/754/939/940/AM2/LGA755)
Samsung SH-W183 18x18 DVD±RW Serial ATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black)
Western Digital Raptor 150GB WD1500ADFD 10,000RPM SATA 16MB Cache
BFG GeForce 8800 GTX OC2 768MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express)
Intel Extreme D975XBX2KR BAD AXE 2 975X (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "LGA775 Kentsfield" 2.40GHz (1066FSB)
Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2 Dominator PC2-8500C5 TwinX (2x1GB)
Antec P182 Super Midi Tower Case - No PSU (Gun Metal Black)


total cost: 2700 euro

..now lets just hope i have no problems building it when it arrives

Congrats ^^

Dan

we'll all want some pics when you get that machine built!
congrats!

Congrats!! Don't forget to post some pics...........ohh and don't let Tristan near it ;)

Got last of stuff in mail today.. so this weekend at some point i should have a nice new computer up and running... bar hardware borked issues..

Well here i am posting on my new pc (well bar monitor its on back order)..

so wohoo

glad to see you went with the corsair. Now I don't have to come hurt you for going with the BFG