£2k to spend on a base unit

ifihaditall

ifihaditall

ifihaditall

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Hello! I have a budget of about £2k to spend on a base unit and i hope for something that can play the top games at high def resolution and can also handle my multitasking. I have seen a pre-built system I like on the OCUK website and would like to tweak it and ask for some advice. Since I've head i7 machines are the business:

"Ultima Cyclone" Intel Core i7 Quad Core 920 2.66Ghz DDR3 System

Coolermaster HAFcase
Windows premium 32 bit
6gb of RAM

This comes to a total of £1790.

I would like to add the following to it and wonder if this will keep it under £2k? Also it would be great if someone can tell me if I'm wasting money or whatever.

1. Change the graphics card to the GTX 295. I've read this is a top end card - any reason why the existing card in the above system (XFX ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 2048MB) is better suited to the i7 over the GTX 295?

2. Add a 1.5tb hard disk. More storage space - high def movies take up room.

3. Does it come with a wireless networking card and wireless internet compatibility? If not I would like that included. Same also for sound cards??

4. Overclocking?? Does overclocking cost extra?

5. How many usb and firewire ports will it have?

6. Will it have a memory card reader and a floppy drive?


Other points

- I have opted for windows premium 32 bit. this is because some of my work programs don't like 64bit windows. But I have gone for 6 gb of ram incase I dual boot a second OS at a later point in time when my work progs are more compatible. Is there a noticeable performance difference between 32 and 64 bit?

- Silence. I don't want a machine thats TOO noisy. That's why I have gone for the HAF case since I have read excellent reviews regarding noise. If I wanted it sound proofed some more how much extra on top of the above would that cost?

- High volume use. I work on the pc 6 hours every day of the week apart from christmas and also use it for leisure too, so it has to withstand high volume use please.

- If someone can recommend a different system or setup for £2k let me know.


All of the above is based on my last days research, sorry if it goes on a bit. Thanks very much to anyone who replies, will be nice to upgrade from my cheap dell laptop of 2 years!
 
Last edited:
Hi there,
I'll say it now, that system will handle any game on full res and settings. A good idea would be to have a second install of Vista 64bit if your budget can allow it, as 32bit will only use 3GB of your RAM, and I would say that you would need at least 4GB for the latest games. If you want a quiet system, and your system is going to be that highly specified, then I would say that watercooling is the only option if you want a truly quiet system. As for your choice in components, that is going to be a very good system.

Overclocking doesn't cost any extra, it is basically making the components run faster than they would at stock settings. This is a great way of getting performance at a reduced price, because you can buy cheaper components and make them as powerful as the more expensive equivalents. That system should be plenty fast enough without overclocking, and overclocking shortens the life of your components, and makes them hotter. Gimme a shout if you have any other questions. Cheers, Chris.
 
This is what it says below the spec on the site:

"Note - Specification not exactly what you are after? Drop our friendly Sales Team a call on 0870 443 0880, they will be more than happy to help you make your perfect system."

So to change a few things, just give them a call.
 
Yeah, agreed with the 64bit OS version. :)

"this is because some of my work programs don't like 64bit windows" - XP yeah? If so, you can close down the 64bit explorer.exe and run the 32bit version which will let everything run perfectly. If you want more info, you can ask here and I will post details, or you can just google :)


(You lucky git having £2k to spend on a system! :p I barely have £2! :D )
 
Minimoke said:
Hi there,
I'll say it now, that system will handle any game on full res and settings. A good idea would be to have a second install of Vista 64bit if your budget can allow it, as 32bit will only use 3GB of your RAM, and I would say that you would need at least 4GB for the latest games. If you want a quiet system, and your system is going to be that highly specified, then I would say that watercooling is the only option if you want a truly quiet system. As for your choice in components, that is going to be a very good system.

Overclocking doesn't cost any extra, it is basically making the components run faster than they would at stock settings. This is a great way of getting performance at a reduced price, because you can buy cheaper components and make them as powerful as the more expensive equivalents. That system should be plenty fast enough without overclocking, and overclocking shortens the life of your components, and makes them hotter. Gimme a shout if you have any other questions. Cheers, Chris.
Click to expand...
Thanks for reply Chris, I am delighted to hear it will be able to play games in high definition. My plan is to buy 32bit Vista premium for the time being and buy a 64bit version a few months later. Unless when I buy 32bit Vista premium I am also entitlted to the 64bit version too??

I don't know if you work for OC? Can you say if points 1-6 can be implemented without exceeding 2k or thereabouts?

By how much would the lifetime of the components be shortened if I choose to have it overclocked?


neon.uk said:
This is what it says below the spec on the site:

"Note - Specification not exactly what you are after? Drop our friendly Sales Team a call on 0870 443 0880, they will be more than happy to help you make your perfect system."

So to change a few things, just give them a call.
Click to expand...
I did see that. I wanted to post it here firstly to get some opinions besides the person who is selling it to me and secondly there is a fair bit to my post, it's easier to communicate it all clearly in written form.


Ucof said:
Yeah, agreed with the 64bit OS version. :)

"this is because some of my work programs don't like 64bit windows" - XP yeah? If so, you can close down the 64bit explorer.exe and run the 32bit version which will let everything run perfectly. If you want more info, you can ask here and I will post details, or you can just google :)


(You lucky git having £2k to spend on a system! :p I barely have £2! :D )
Click to expand...

Ha I have saved up for a while. Also upgrading my 1mb internet connection of two years to 16mb. Life is good :D

I'm talking about vista mate, just based on what my colleagues have told me - certain old progs we need won't run properly in vista 64 bit. Just a question when you say close down the 64bit explorer.exe and run the 32bit version would that just require 64bit windows or would it require both? I assume both but thought I would double check.


DeathTyrant said:
Don't bother with 6GB of RAM if you aren't going to run x64. You cannot use it if you go with x32.
Click to expand...
I will have x64 one day just not right now.

Fledge said:
Two things.
Make sure it's Tri-channel RAM you're geting.
and
You lucky barstool!!
Click to expand...
ha.
It's DDR3 I believe so that is tri-channel I assume given the 3 in the title?
 
Hmm.. Im not sure about Vista as I have only done it with XP, so dont want to transmit an incorrect message. ;)

the 32bit version of explorer.exe is found in the "syswow64" folder or something. 64bit Version of Xp has it by default.

Also, as omething to note is that you CANNOT simply upgrade from 32 to 64 bit. It has to be a full, clean installation.
 
Ah ok. So it's not like vista 64bit has some kind of 32bit mode where you can run everything in 32bit if you need to for a few hours and then switch back to full 64bit?
 
Nope.

Its just lets you close down explorer.exe via taskmanager, then run the 32bit one for as long as you need it running for.
 
Well I sent webnotes and emailed this dude at clockers and never heard back. It's done me a favour anyway turns out I've found somewhere which will build everything I want for and a little extra for £2007 so I will be taking my custom there.
 
Most people that do that, tend to come here a few weeks later asking how they can get it refunded/Fixed. But, Good luck. :)
 
Post in the customer services forum. Very quick replies in there. One time i even got an RMA sorted at 3am :)
 
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