Getting my first powerful desktop

[RedRhinoJack]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a powerful desktop PC so I wanted some advice on the parts I am selecting since it will be built to order.

The reason I want a desktop is because the only computer I have had is the slow netbook I am typing on now and I don't want to buy a new gen console, I am basically trying to combine a faster computer and a next gen console in one machine.

My main requirements are a computer to run photoshop and various animation softwares since I am doing an illustration degree. And also I want to play games equivalent to a next gen console. I'm aware of ways that I can upgrade parts in the future but I want this computer to last about the same length as the consoles (5-7 years) To do this I am aiming to get the top end of graphics on the games coming out currently.

My budget is £800 maximum for the computer (monitor, keyboard etc. have already been sorted out) but I would prefer to keep it within 700 if possible.

I will now run through the current build I have set up as if I was going to buy the computer now and am looking for advice on any bad choices I might have made. Thanks in advance!

Link to site im buying from Phantom Intel Gaming PC: Fierce PC - PC Specialists

Case
CiT Neptune Black Gaming Case - Red LEDs [Standard Configuration]
Standard choice, looks good. Says it has 2 usb ports on the front. But im not sure how many there will be in total like on the back?

Power supply
Corsair VS550 550W Power Supply - Required for GTX 760 and above (+£7.43)
Upgrade selected because it is very close to my chosen graphics card (gtx 750)

Motherboards
Gigabyte GA-H81M-S2PV Motherboard - overclock not available - max 16GB memory [Standard Configuration]
My friend said I should upgrade this since I want to invest in an i7 processor but I know nothing about processors, HALP

Processor
Intel Core i7 4770 3.4GHz Quad Core Processor (+£64.19)
Default is i5 but I wanted to upgrade so I don't have to swap it in the future and If I don't do it now. I might never have the money to do it in the future.

Overclocking
Not interested in doing this

Processor cooling
Arctic Cooling Freezer 13 CPU Cooler (+£18.06)
Want a good fan as I want the pc to last long time, avoiding liquid coolers.

Graphics Card
Nvidia GTX 750 1GB GDDR5 Graphics Card
Wanted a good graphics card so chose this upgrade from 660. Open to suggestions of improving further.

Sound card
Onboard 7.1 Surround Sound Audio [Standard Configuration]
Doesn't seem worth upgrading to me

Optical drive
24x DVD Re-Writer [Standard Configuration]
Wanted to have a cd drive. Definatley, for games I already own and other software.

Hard Drive
500GB SATA3 6Gbs Hard Drive x2
My friend suggested having 2 500gb hard drives instead of a single 1tb hdd in case of a crash/file loss.

Wireless card
Internal 450Mbps Wireless N AdaptorInfo (+£23.11)
There will be no way to connect to the internet wired for me. Not even tp link. But router is close to my room.

Memory
Kingston HyperX 8GB 1600MHz Memory [Standard Configuration]
Don't know much about this. Just left it standard.

Operating system
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - maximum 16GB memory
Seems better than windows 8?


Total is £696.05. So in my budget, but I have a possible extra £100 if upgrades are warranted. Thanks for your advice

 

[PP Mguire]

First mistake, buying a pre-made computer.

Second mistake, going for an i7 on a game box. Unless you're rendering or doing complicated 3D work then the 4670k or 4690k will do just as good while lowering the price considerately.

Third mistake, the 660 is a faster card than the 750, and neither of them will last for 5-7 years in gaming. The consoles last so long because they have games programmed specifically for them. With the 660 or more specifically the 750 or 750ti you'll have to already turn down options to get smooth gameplay on higher end games. In 3-5 years you'll need to lower the resolution as well as play on lowest settings for higher end games.

The motherboard is fine for any Intel processor. Maybe go with Asus instead.

Fourth mistake, making a post now when you don't have money. Pricing and availability as well as hardware changes daily. What you have chosen now could be more expensive or not available by the time you have money.

 

[patonb]

For a prebuilt system I'd go here: "Titan Machete" Intel Core i5 4690 @ 3.9GHz Turbo Nvidia GeForce Gaming PC [FS-001-OG]