Actually doing the research into the parts and ensuring that they'll all work with one another then placing all the orders is 80% of the work. After that you're faced with a task that's hard to bugger up.

Just read the motherboard manual. Especially the bits about connecting the power and reset buttons to the motherboard. That can be a bit of trial and error on some motherboards.

So long as you don't do anything stupid or clumsy like bend the pins on the CPU you'll be fine.

Sure you could just pay someone to do it for you. But that's easy money for them, to be honest. You're best off asking advice on anything you're not sure about and doing it yourself.

reply to my PM

Putting the parts together on your own requires only fairly limited skill (the ability to use a screwdriver without serious self-inflicted injury). Almost all the instructions you need will come with the motherboard and case.

The only tools you need are a #2 Phillips-head screwdriver (preferably with a long shank) and a grounding strap (so you don't discharge static electricity through the parts you're handling).

There are some walkthroughs online. This is a good one: Kitchen Table Computers

The only remotely tricky bits are getting the CPU cooler to clip on and attaching the fiddly little connectors that run between the front panel and the motherboard.

Ok, thankyou! Whats your facebook?

so a gtx 550 is better than a gtx 580?

Not at all; where did you hear that? The GTX 580 is the fastest single card you can get. The 570, 560Ti, 560, and 550 are one, two, three, and a big four steps down from it.

because you recommended it?

Generally speaking it's not always wise to get the absolute fastest thing out there. Because there's a price tag to match. By the time you're actually taxing cutting edge hardware it will be a long way from cutting edge and about half the price you paid.

That's why typically you won't get recommendations for the most expensive stuff out there. It's better to upgrade more often than to foolishly try and future-proof your machine.

I recommended a 560Ti, which is a lesser card than a GTX 580, but still adequate for almost anybody's purpose. It's a lot better than the 550.

Leave the top-end and dual-GPU cards (GTX 570, 580, 590; HD 6990) to people who are experienced in building computers; they have very heavy power and cooling requirements, and they take careful system design to get the most out of them.

so its impossible to get a machine which handles 580 for £1000?

Oh you can, but if you want it built right, you need somebody with experience to do it. Otherwise you risk burning out that expensive GPU or wondering why it slows to a crawl after 15 minutes of gaming.

At the power that the GTX 470, 480, 570, and 580 run at, power and cooling become something you have to design into your build, not just pick out of a catalog.

My god.. That was a joke. It will run. But what's the deal with these empty wallets?

OK everyone, i plan to get a system consisting of the new AMD x8 Zambezi with the Gtx 580 so I'll be waiting till Christmas time/birthday!! thank you all ever so much for all your help!

Should i get an Ati 6990, or should i get the gtx 580?