Another check hardware thread.....sorry

shahpor

shahpor

shahpor

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832
Hello all.

It has been a while since I did anything to my computer, but I think it is time I upgraded my XP1700 :eek:

Anyway, I have finally got some money burning a hole in my pocket, but am slightly confused by the new technology these days. So I thought you helpful people might come to the rescue.

The basic spec I have so far is:

Intel E6400 CPU
Asus P5N32-E M/B
Crucial Ballistix 2Gb (2x1Gb) PC2-5300C3 667Mhz RAM
OcUK GeForce 7900 GS 512Mb Graphics card
Zalman CNPS9500 Cooler
Thermaltake Mozart Cube Case
Enermax 500W PSU

That is about the spec I was thinking about.

The one area that confused me was the RAM. Is there any point (maybe future upgradeability?) in going for 800Mhz RAM?

Any thoughts/advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 
Very good selections there on the CPU, motherboard and PSU. I would however probably alter the RAM to something PC6400. The GeIL and OCZ is really cheap at the moment, If you were going to go for a DX9 card then I would alter the 7900 to a X1950 as they are much better cards than the nvidia. Is this strict to budget by the way?
 
seems a solid system but you will most definately have the entire forum persuading you to stretch your budget and go for the 320mb 8800gts :)
 
I was thinkin the same thing ;) Perhaps you could get a cheaper case like I did - Akasa Zen, superb build quality and airflow at just £29!! Looks pretty sweet too. With the money saved a 8800 GTS 320MB could be slipped in.
 
mishima said:
I would however probably alter the RAM to something PC6400. The GeIL and OCZ is really cheap at the moment,
Click to expand...

Sorry but have to disagree, the Ballistix RAM are generally better clockers than the OCZ and Geil stuff and can run at tighter timings also :)

Check out the memory forum and you ll find a few nice threads about the Ballistix and its potential.
 
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The GeIL and OCZ PC6400 are cheaper than the slower 667MHz ballistix RAM. I would have thought it would make more sense to opt for the GeIL as its highly overclockable, cheaper and at stock is running faster!
 
Thanks for the input guys.

As already guessed by Mishima, this is very much built to a budget.

As for graphics, I have always tended towards Nvidia over Ati, so I am not sure about the X1950. I would love to to be able to upgrade to the 8800, but I don't think I can manage the extra £75. I am not sure.....It really does depend on the final spec and pricing before I can say for sure which graphics card. Shame there is such a large price difference between the two.

As for RAM, I like the Ballistix but maybe I have misled a little here. Even thought this is overclockers, I intend to leave this system running standard speeds. So the only reason I ask about the 800Mhz Ram is incase I upgrade the CPU at a later date. So if you guys think it is worth it, then I suppose I can manage the extra £25 it will cost.

Although having said that, the GeIL 2Gb kit costs only £85, so could save me a little here. Do you think it is worth it or should I just stick to the Ballistix?

As for the case, well I really have my heart set on the Mozart, but I know what you mean. It is a case of balancing the available funds to make a good overall system, which is why I am asking you guys.

Sorry to be difficult, but this is getting complicated!

Thanks again.
 
More MegaHertz 4TW. If you're not overclocking, or even if you end up choosing to, the GeiL wins.

Choosing the 7900GS over a 1950PRO is nothing short of mindless fanboyism tbh. The ATI card is superior. That's all there is to it. :)
 
masslac said:
More MegaHertz 4TW. If you're not overclocking, or even if you end up choosing to, the GeiL wins.

Choosing the 7900GS over a 1950PRO is nothing short of mindless fanboyism tbh. The ATI card is superior. That's all there is to it. :)
Click to expand...

but pushing for the 8800 is the way to go. that way u wont be upgrading for direct x 10.... get the cheaper case and get the 8800 = win
 
Thanks for the frank advise guys. Exactly what I need.

Ok, in view of what has been said here, I am thinking that sticking to one brand might be a bit silly, so I am moving towards the ATI X1950Pro over the 7900.

Also, that would mean the GeIL over the Crucial memory.

Just one thing, sorry to be naive, but what is 4TW?

It also looks like I am going to have to do a recount of the amount this is going to cost me. Maybe I can cut a few corners and manage a 8800. But that presents another problem. I know the motherboard will support it, but will the PSU be able to cope?

Thanks again for the help and sorry for all the questions.
 
shahpor said:
Thanks for the frank advise guys. Exactly what I need.

Ok, in view of what has been said here, I am thinking that sticking to one brand might be a bit silly, so I am moving towards the ATI X1950Pro over the 7900.

Also, that would mean the GeIL over the Crucial memory.

Just one thing, sorry to be naive, but what is 4TW?

It also looks like I am going to have to do a recount of the amount this is going to cost me. Maybe I can cut a few corners and manage a 8800. But that presents another problem. I know the motherboard will support it, but will the PSU be able to cope?

Thanks again for the help and sorry for all the questions.
Click to expand...

Your mobo and PSU are great.

4TW = "for the win" = "PROFIT !!!". lol

An 8800 is all very well, and IS the superior card, though if you can't afford it it's no major loss tbh. After all, the chances are you are in love with a few games already and simply want better performance with those.

Simply put, just buy the best components you can afford right now, and you won't be disappointed.

Edit: Your questions are a part of your desire to learn. Buying stuff without all the relative info would be reason to apologise tbh. :)
 
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The only thing I would say is change the CPU to an E6300. It is exactly the same as the E6400 but the 6400 has a higher clock speed, the E6300 will easily clock past that speed :) meaning you could put money towards a new GFX card (8800GTS maybe?) This is all assuming you will be clocking your CPU ?

Kiz
 
As Masslac says purchase the best you can with the money you have, I would suggest though downgrading the case for a cheaper one (not cheaper in quality) and with the GeIL you have a better chance of being able to afford the 8800 that way you are future-proofing yourself. :)
 
Without being intrusive, whats the budget you are looking at? This way we can give you a rough indication to what we would do with that money at our disposal.

I just took delivery of the spec in my sig, and that didnt set me back too much, well, not as much as I was expecting.
 
Thanks again.

Budget wise, I am looking at around between £900-1000 all in including VAT. But I was ideally looking closer to £900 to be honest.

I have already specced 2x500Gb Seagate HDD, and the little bits like DVD drive, etc....

I did a little totaling up last night and this is what I have come up with:

Intel E6400
Asus P5N32-E
Geil 2Gb PC6400
Sapphire X1950PRO or BFG 8800GTS 320Mb
Seagate 2x500Gb HDD
DVD
Thermaltake Case
Enermax 500W PSU

(I have excluded the Zalman cooler cause the Intel CPU comes with a heatsink and since I don't plan to overclock, it should be sufficient?)

All that lot comes to roughly £940 for the X1950 and £1020 for the 8800GTS excluding delivery.

As mentioned by Mishima though, I am sorely tempted by the 8800 purely on the basis of futureproofing. I don't plan to change the system for a while, so I would like maximum usage before it becomes too old.

With the 8800 though it is getting a little too expensive, so even though it pains me, I might have to get a cheaper case. Anyone recommend a cheap full tower case?

Also, what does everyone think of the revised spec?

Thanks.
 
Case wise, Mishima has had a lot of luck with the ZEN, I'd be inclined to go with that for the money.

CPU - drop to a 6300
Mobo - drop to a DS3/4 or a Asus 650 SLi
GFX - stick with the 8800 GTS, it'll make more of a difference to your system than any other single component
HD - do you really need a terabyte of storage?
 
melbourne720 said:
Case wise, Mishima has had a lot of luck with the ZEN, I'd be inclined to go with that for the money.

CPU - drop to a 6300
Mobo - drop to a DS3/4 or a Asus 650 SLi
GFX - stick with the 8800 GTS, it'll make more of a difference to your system than any other single component
HD - do you really need a terabyte of storage?
Click to expand...

CPU - Well, since I don't plan to overclock, is it worth losing 270Mhz for £23?
Mobo - Again, in terms of future performance, wouldn't a 680 chipset be better? Also, does the 650 have dual 16x SLI slots?
GFX - I think you are right with that one.
HD - yes :)

Interesting idea though and I am particularly curious about the motherboard since that represents a considerable saving. However, in the past, I have always been under the impression that for future compatibility the motherboard is key and not something you want to scrimp on?

Thank you.
 
In the budget range the Akasa Zen is definately the best, I was advised by Yewen on here (case expert) to buy one as its the best case for its build/airflow against anything up to £60.

The P965 and i650 boards are bargain buys at the prices, because they offer great performance under £100. Interesting though because you say you aren't going to overclock yet the hardware that has been suggested is basically the most overclockable stuff on the market and that 8800 wouldn't be used to its optimum if you left CPU at stock!
 
Thanks for that Mishima.

I would like to go for the Zen, but it does seem to be out of stock at the moment with no idea when some more will come in. As an alternative, I am considering the Asus case since it is roughly the same price. Whats the general opinion on the Asus?

Not sure what the rules are here, but are there alternative places to get the Zen from?

Thanks again.
 
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