So, I'm looking to build my first Desktop but have no idea where to buy things from or what parts are compatible with what.

I've found the later by mainly going through US build guides and have decided that I'd likely build something around a GTX 670 as I've found that online for around £265 and an i5-2500k. I've found some decent prices on Amazon, ebuyer and some other sites but I'd appreciate any recommendations from UK duders.

Also, I know NOTHING about motherboards, power supplies, RAM and cases so any tips there would be great.

EDIT: Thanks so much for all your help so far! I think I'm settling on this build and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions/tweaks?

• Intel Core i5-3570K Processor (3.4Ghz, 6MB Cache, Socket 1155) £169
• Cooler Master RS650-ACAAE3-UK GX-Series 650W 80 Puls Power Supply Unit £63.73
• Crucial Ballistix BLS2CP4G3D1609DS1S00CEU 8GB (4GBx2) DDR3 Memory £26.99
• POV-TGT GeForce GTX 670 Charged 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express £263
• Asus P8Z77-V LX Socket 1155 VGA DVI HDMI 8 Channel Audio ATX Motherboard £83
• Antec 300 Case £42
• Crucial V4 256GB 2.5" SATA II SSD £104.99

@Vitor: I have used these sites over the years.

http://www.scan.co.uk/

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

If you don't know anything about motherboards and shit, then I suggest you learn! A CPU will have a socket type, that socket needs to match the socket type on the motherboard Same with RAM, dual channel or triple channel, it needs to match what the motherboard takes. These days, a single video card set up will probably be fine with a 650-700 watt PSU. I got this one myself, to power an overclocked GTX 570, 16GB of RAM, 2x HDDs, 1x SSD, i5 2500k, 2x Blu-Ray drives.

I used aria.co.uk for a lot of my current hardware (purchased early 2009), and overclockers for some other stuff. I had problems with overclockers when I bought a full system from them in 2007, but they've probably sorted out their lousy customer service since then.

Another recommendation for Scan.co.uk from me. I have shopped with them for years.

I usually use Ebuyer as they're pretty good with their return policy, and i've had some shitty luck with parts in the past. You could always try configuring your PC on sites like Overclockersand then scouring the internet for those componants if you're confident enough to build it yourself. At least you'll know the parts will work if put together right. I'm not sure if Tested still has their walkthrough about building a PC but you might want to check that out.

I used Dabs for my build (i5 3570K, ASUS GTX 670, ASUS Sabertooth Z77, Corsair 8gb, 2x Crucial 128GB SSDs and Corsair 850W PSU and a Razer Mouse + Keyboard) they are pretty competitive with prices and there delivery is good but the change there prices a lot more than other places.

I bought everything from Amazon and Ebuyer about a year ago. The most annoying thing was that Ebuyer sent my case out late, so I had parts sitting and waiting while I had nothing to put them in! Still, both are reputable and everything I got came at a decent price so I'd recommend both! If you're spending so much on parts too, I'd recommend spending the few pounds it takes to get a definitive delivery date.

I bought pretty much everything from dabs. They sorted me out and, when I was having trouble with my motherboard, they had it picked up and tested it to make sure it was ok, before shipping it back to me for free. Having said that, I have barely touched my PC since I put it together 4 years ago. She's future-proof, and she still does whatever I tell her to, but it might be time to start looking at upgrades.

@Fattony12000 said:

@Vitor: I have used these sites over the years.

http://www.scan.co.uk/

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

If you don't know anything about motherboards and shit, then I suggest you learn! A CPU will have a socket type, that socket needs to match the socket type on the motherboard Same with RAM, dual channel or triple channel, it needs to match what the motherboard takes. These days, a single video card set up will probably be fine with a 650-700 watt PSU. I got this one myself, to power an overclocked GTX 570, 16GB of RAM, 2x HDDs, 1x SSD, i5 2500k, 2x Blu-Ray drives.

Thanks! £100 is more than I was expecting for a PSU but still, I can get the GPU for £260, the PSU, CPU and RAM together for £300 and if I add a case and motherboard, that comes out to around £700 which is an ideal price.

How's this for a build so far?

• Intel Sandybridge i5-2500K Unlocked Core i5 Quad-Core Processor (3.30GHz, 6MB Cache, Socket 1155) by Intel £163.08
• Cooler Master RS650-ACAAE3-UK GX-Series 650W 80 Puls Power Supply Unit £63.73
• Corsair CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9 8GB 1600MHz CL9 DDR3 Vengeance Memory Two Module Kit by Corsair £31.99
• POV-TGT GeForce GTX 670 Charged 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express £263
• Asus P8Z77-V LX Socket 1155 VGA DVI HDMI 8 Channel Audio ATX Motherboard £83
• Antec 300 Case £42
• Crucial V4 256GB 2.5" SATA II SSD £104.99

@BoOzak said:

I usually use Ebuyer as they're pretty good with their return policy, and i've had some shitty luck with parts in the past. You could always try configuring your PC on sites like Overclockersand then scouring the internet for those componants if you're confident enough to build it yourself. At least you'll know the parts will work if put together right. I'm not sure if Tested still has their walkthrough about building a PC but you might want to check that out.

Yeah, in terms of the best prices out there, I seem to be doing a mix of them, amazon and overclockers.

Never built a PC before but I feel up to the task and it's SO much cheaper than having it pre-built.

I regularly use Ebuyer for my components.

Other than a G500 that had a manufacturing issue (which they happily replaced), I've never had an issue with them.

I use Amazon to get all my PC parts for a number of reasons. Firstly, I am a Prime member and I get everything shipped next day for free. Secondly, their returns policy is nigh on fantastic. A power surge destroyed all my parts whilst I was installing them and Amazon replaced them all with next day delivery and collected my faulty parts at no cost.

I would also say to avoid Vengeance RAM. I say that because it's a bit large, so if you want to install an after market CPU cooler (and if you're like me and fall completely down the rabbit hole, you will) it can get in your way.

I bought everything from ebuyer and amazon - just look for the cheapest prices. Both were great service.

Overclockers were generally more expensive and when something was cheaper it was only 1 small item so just made more sense to order with the rest of the stuff I was getting.

@SamStrife said:

I use Amazon to get all my PC parts for a number of reasons. Firstly, I am a Prime member and I get everything shipped next day for free. Secondly, their returns policy is nigh on fantastic. A power surge destroyed all my parts whilst I was installing them and Amazon replaced them all with next day delivery and collected my faulty parts at no cost.

I would also say to avoid Vengeance RAM. I say that because it's a bit large, so if you want to install an after market CPU cooler (and if you're like me and fall completely down the rabbit hole, you will) it can get in your way.

That's really good to know. I might look into getting prime. Does that apply to third party vendors as well or only items bought directly through amazon?

Unfortunately I've already had my free trial before so not sure I can try that again but the £49 a year might be worth it if I buy all my items from them.

Sorry to bump this up but I was just wondering how that build is looking? Am I missing anything major or should that do?

@SamStrife said:

I use Amazon to get all my PC parts for a number of reasons.

i started doing the same a few years back. saving a few quid on parts is good, but having the piece of mind that is amazons returns policy is better.

to OP: if you plan on (aggressively) overclocking your cpu, budget for a better cooling solution.

The rig looks good, but I am sure v4 is not that fast. You'd be better going with a 500MB/s ssd like Samsung 830/840, use that for your OS and get a cheaper ssd like the crucial to dump your games onto.

Overclockers.co.uk is pretty coo'

I've had pretty poor experience from ebuyer. Faulty CPU's, even after two replacements.

Scan.co.uk is epic though. I've been using them for a while and the support there it exceptional.