£1300 new system

Simon N

Simon N

Simon N

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Okay I admit to lurking here and reading for quite some time but now I need some advice on a new build.

My old P4 is slowly losing its battle to play top end games and would be better used elsewhere (backup server for the house). So I now have a need for a new machine with a budget of around £1300.

I game a fair bit, am a self employed web designer, use 3d modeling software and am about to get into video editing (MTB footage).

Am looking for base unit and monitor; possibly keyboard and mouse but have surround sound speaker system and UPS already.

I know its a little cheeky as OCuk does not sell them but anyone had experience with the optimus keyboard? http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/ Looking for comments from people with experience of the keyboard really.

ummmmmmmm oh I need a new OS too to take advantage of 64bit and so far see windows 7 RC recommended but have heard its not too good with punkbuster? Any thoughts?

Many thanks for your time
 
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Hi simon, here is my try at a spec based on the i7 920:

1288i7.png


That i7 cpu should handle you applications without breaking a sweat and if any of them are GPU accelerated - then the 4890 has a lot of power to assist.

I added a very good CPU cooler and some great fans so that you can do some overclocking , but keep things cool and quiet.

The dell monitor I picked may not be massive, but its image quality is brilliant and it doesn't break the bank.

As for OS - windows 7 is the way to go at the moment - get the Release Candidate and buy the full version when it runs out. I have not heard about the PB problem - but I'd guess most things will be becoming fully windows 7 compatible now.

I have heard of the optimus maximus keyboard :) It looks truly amazing.
However, from what I hear the usablility does not match its looks. As each key is a screen then they are heavy - so using it takes some effort. Word processing is a no-go. With this in mind it isn't a realistic keyboard for everyday use - but fun to bring out at parties.

The g15 keyboard I recommended is the newer version of the one I have got. It looks flashy, has an extra screen, lights up and is very easy and comfortable to use.
 
Punkbuster problems have been fixed recently and now all PB games work under windows 7, on another note OcUK once stocked the Optimus Maximus however it cost arounf £800 iirc.
 
Cmdr_andi,

Any games / applications that were certified compatbile with Windows Vista should also be compatible with Windows 7 as the framework is the same. To learn more about Windows 7 and get some great tips / tricks,
Microsoft does have a site with whitepapers, tutorials, walkthroughs and screen casts on all the “under the hood” features in Win 7. Check out the Springboard site for Windows 7 on TechNet here http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd361745.aspx

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team
 
Jessica, I think I said pretty much just that. My proviso was that even though the VAST majority of applications that run on vista will run A OK on win 7 - there are a few programs that have had some teething issues (especially the infamous shambles that is punkbuster). However, I fully expect these problems to be remedied soon or have workarounds available. From my experience with 3 computers in the house running windows 7 - I think its a sweet OS and fully plan to get it in October, a definite step up from vista.

Btw, welcome to the boards :D
 
if it was me i would go for a big case (slightly bigger ), say an antec 900 or 902 .. rather have a bit more room in there for air flow ...plus you get all the fans to keep it cool in the 902 , which i think is on offer at mo ..
 
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Sasahara said:
Replace the PSU with the Corsair HX 750W ATX Modular SLI £114.99
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-018-CS

Better quality, great efficency and more scope for future upgrading .
Click to expand...

That PSU has not been released yet, It may well be brilliant (the specs seem pretty good) but I will not being recommend it to people until I know that It has been thoroughly tested and is good. Corsair PSUs are generally very nice, so it will likely be a good un'.

Alternatively, this PSU is one of the very best and I would also highly recommend, especially for the great price. Its not modular like the others, but the rails are rock solid.
 
I would also second the Corsair HX range - I grabbed one of the last HX 850's OcUK had last week and can't speak highly enough of it, having read reviews it seems like a top choice and I should imagine the HX 750 would be equally as good!
 
I personally prefer to build my own systems, but after the hassles I have had with my latest i7 build, I wish that I had just went and bought the Overclocked 4GHz i7 920/Gigabyte UD5 bundle instead!!!

I would have still had the fun building it, but at least the main components would have had been tested first before I built it...

I have RMA'd my processor (which was tested and no faults found) and I am now in the process of RMA'ing my mobo which is definitely faulty... I also went and bought a new PSU and another set of RAM because people were telling me that it was either my RAM or PSU that was causing the problems I was having with my rig!!!!

So if you want to save yourself any headaches you should buy the bundle...
 
Sorry for the Hijack Dood (to the OP)... But I'm a Simon N too! :D

Us Simon's seem to be taking over the Forums!!..

(plus the above Spec.. after the tweaks.. looks like a goer for me too!! :) )
 
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