Okay, fellow GAFfers, the second quote just came in from CMS Computers, makers of the Zoostorm PC brand, about their version of my custom i5 build.
Their quote is as follows:
Intel Core i5-4690K
MSI Z97-G43 Gaming series, 4 RAM slots, 32GB capacity
6 USB2.0s, 2 USB3.0s in back panel; 1 USB2.0, 2 USB3.0s on front panel
Western Digital 7200RPM 1TB HDD
Crucial 16GB DDR3 1600MHz
In-Win Mana 136 Case (pictured above)
FSP 85+ 500W PSU
DVDRW
nVidia GTX970 4GB
Win 8.1 Home
Zoostorm KB&M
1Yr RTB Warranty, all parts manufacturers' warranty
All pre-built and tested
and delivery for £889.92.
It's competing with a previously-quoted build from ADMI, which is thus:
Intel Core I5 4690K 3.5Ghz Quad Core Processor
Asus Z97M-PLUS, 4 RAM slots, 32GB maximum
4 USB2.0s on back panel, 4 USB3.0s (2 top panel, 2 back panel)
Corsair or Aerocool or XFX 550w PSU, not modular (boo!), "high quality, excellent cable management"
NVIDIA GTX 970 4GB DDR5 Graphics Card (Gigabyte today, could be different tomorrow)
A-Data* 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 RAM (can be bumped up to 16GB for £60 extra)
1TB Hard Drive (forgot to ask for the brand, d'oh!)
150Mbps PCI WiFi
24x DVDRW
AeroCool Dead Silence Case (pictured above)
Pre-Installed with Windows 8
Pre-tested and fully assembled
12 months return-to-base warranty, all parts have individual warranties (GPU 5 yrs, PSU 4 yrs, etc.)
and nesxt-day delivery for £854.99.
I'm leaning towards the first one, since they are a local (to me) firm and 16GB RAM will help it stay the course in the long term, and oh that motherboard, but the second one is cheaper, has a smaller (and more colourful!) case, and was the first one I asked about. Everything depends on the brands now; if the PSU is good, then it's the first one without hesitation. I've never heard of FSP, are they a reliable brand? Does anyone want to weigh in with an opinion to help me make up my mind? Remember - the next five years of my gaming life rest on your shoulders!