Choosing parts for a high-spec custom PC - feedback required [closed]

Posted by James on Super User See other posts from Super User or by James
Published on 2012-10-02T21:28:04Z Indexed on 2012/10/02 21:41 UTC
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I'm looking to build a high-spec PC costing under ~£800 (bearing in mind I can get the CPU half price).

This is my first time doing this so I have plenty of questions!

I have been doing lots of research and this is what I have come up with: http://pcpartpicker.com/uk/p/j4lE

Usage:

I will be using it for Adobe CS6, rendering in 3DS Max, particle simulations in Realflow and for playing games like GTA IV (and V when it comes out), Crysis 1/2, Saints Row The Third, Deus Ex HR, etc.

Questions:

  1. Can you see any obvious problem areas with the current setup?

  2. Will it be sufficient for the above usage?

  3. I won't be doing any overclocking initially. Is it worth buying the H60 liquid cooler, or will the fan that comes with the CPU be sufficient?

  4. Is water cooling generally quieter?

  5. Is the chosen motherboard good for the current components? And is it future-proof?

  6. I read that the HDD is often the bottleneck when it comes to gaming. I presume this is true to other high-end applications? If so, is my selection good?

  7. I keep changing my mind about the GPU; first the 560, now the 660. Can anyone shed some light on how to choose? I read mixed opinions about matching the GPU to the CPU. Will the 560 or the 660 be sufficient for my required usage? Atm I'm basing my choice on the PassMark benchmarks and how much they cost.

  8. The specs on the GeForce website state that the 560 and the 660 both require 450W. Is this a good figure to base the wattage of my PSU on? If so, how do you decide? Do I really need 750W?

  9. The latest GTX 690 requires 650W. Is it a good idea to buy a 750W PSU now to future-proof myself?

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