BUILDING GAMING DESKTOP! - what would be the best gaming desktop components to buy for around £500?

[David LC]

Im looking to buy a gaming desktop for £500 from scratch, also I dont have a current computer I can upgrade, I'm quite new to all the different things that are inside computers but I have a good understanding of what everything means, ideally I would like to play games like starcraft 2, c&c4, civilization, dawn of war and other rts sort of games, I don't mind playing minimum/medium settings as long as it is reliable, and another question dose it really matter what windows package you have to play games?? really need some good advice thank you to everybody who can help its massively appreciated!!

 

[patonb]

Welcome to the forum, have you looked ar scan.co.uk or overclockers.co.uk ?

I dont have the time right now, but do you know whatr parts your old one has, and how much recycling you want to do.

 

[danhodge]

This is the 'under £500' build i was going to use before changing my mind and spending a little more.
This goes a little over your budget, but if you have a harddrive already, that cuts the cost quite significantly. Also, by no means am i saying this is the best build for your money, so wait until you get more replies, but here is my suggestion:

CPU: Intel Sandybridge i5-2500K Unlocked Core i5 Quad-Core Processor (3.30GHz, 6MB Cache, Socket 1155): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Motherboard: ASRock H77M Motherboard (Socket 1155, Intel H77, DDR3, S-ATA 600, Micro ATX): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Power Supply: Corsair CMPSU-600CXV2UK Builder Series 600W Power Supply: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

RAM: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMZ...1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1346174986&sr=1-2

GPU: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-nVIDIA...1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1347903633&sr=1-1

Hard drive: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-HD1...C0P8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347903741&sr=8-2

Case: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Antec-One-M...1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1347123391&sr=1-1

I didn't think an SSD was within my <£500 price range, or a better graphics card, but wait and see for the other guy's opinions, as they could find you a better solution.
Also, this is counting on you having a spare optical drive hanging around somewhere.

I will be hoping to play a lot of similar games, so when my RAM arrives, i will be able to give you my personal opinion on the build

 

[Holy IT]

just a suggestion but dont buy parts off amazon buy off of outletPC there cheaper and ive never had a problem with them