Any problems with this spec?

[Seanrb]

Link to spec

My main concern is the motherboard, is it the best one for the job or is there a better alternative? (whether it be slightly more, slightly less or the same cost).

The processor i am pretty much set on unless there is a good reason to go with another?

According to my Google searches that CPU cooler is about the best for the money?

Graphics card is another i am slightly iffy on, i've got no preference to Nvidia or ATi, that just seemed good for the money?

PSU, the wattage calculator i used recommended 400w or more and i know it is important to get a decent PSU, good choice or not?

I don't really want to exceed the £600 mark, but that's not a limit so if there is a good reason to spend more, i will.

 

[BillytheImpaler]

I think you could do better for the money. Any particular reason you chose AMD over Intel? Would you like to overclock?

I'd try a spec in a minute.

 

[mp260767]

whats the main use going to be for the system ?

 

[BillytheImpaler]

This is better all around if you're not overclocking:

The hard disk is a wee bit faster. The optical drive is SATA rather than nasty old PATA (IDE). Do you really need two optical drives? It has a fast quad core processor and a faster video card.

£624.95 gets you the same thing but with 4 GiB RAM.

 

[semi-pro waster]

Welcome to the forums, Billy's specification there looks to be very good, there isn't anything obvious that I'd change about it. Although if the budget it really important and you still want 4gb Ram you could pick the Gigabyte P31 based motherboard, it is still pretty decent and saves a bit of cash - alternatively buy the retail version of the CPU and drop the Tuniq Tower, either would just about fit the Ram in budget.

 

[Seanrb]

whats the main use going to be for the system ?

A bit of everything really, i want it as partly a gaming machine, though not a hardcore rig built for gaming and gaming only, just something i know will cope with games like battlefield and Company of Heroes, though Crysis would be a bonus

I also spend a lot of time on Ubuntu, so want to dual boot it along with Windows.

I think you could do better for the money. Any particular reason you chose AMD over Intel? Would you like to overclock?

I'd try a spec in a minute.

From what Google turned up, AMD seemed better value for money, and i've always found them to be good processors. Thanks for the spec by the way, much appreciated! I had a look at quad cores, but wasn't too sure about them as i've not had much experience with them, definitely worth going for over a top end dual core? I know you get 2 extra cores, but i mean compatibility and stability wise.

Overclocking isn't something i have had anything to do with before, i would like to have a go, though the chances of my actually having the time to are slim, so i will say no, no overclocking.

Welcome to the forums, Billy's specification there looks to be very good, there isn't anything obvious that I'd change about it. Although if the budget it really important and you still want 4gb Ram you could pick the Gigabyte P31 based motherboard, it is still pretty decent and saves a bit of cash - alternatively buy the retail version of the CPU and drop the Tuniq Tower, either would just about fit the Ram in budget.

I haven't got a problem with 2gb of RAM, and it's a lot easier to spend 30 quid on another 2 sticks later on if it means the other, more expensive to upgrade parts benefit from it.

As i said, £600 isn't a limit, just what figure seemed reasonable to aim for, i would rather spend that little bit more if it means more power and that little bit more future proof.

Thanks for your help everyone

 

[BillytheImpaler]

At the very bottom end, AMD is way ahead because it has better cheap motherboards. I include AMDs in pretty much all of my HTPC and basic (non-gaming) use machines. In the mid-to-high range Intel stomps all over AMD.

As far as compatibility and stability are concerned, the quads are just as stable and reliable as the duals. Don't worry about it.

An E8200 would be a little faster in games, but the quad will still do nicely and will have extra power for games that make heavy use of SMP. If it were me I'd get the Q6600.

Since you're not overclocking, you can skip the big Tuniq and just get the retail CPU package that will come with a cooler. You could then use the money you saved to get more RAM. You can never have too much RAM.