Build check please

Goose · 31 Oct 2008 at 14:56

Putting together a new PC for the first time in about 5 years (haven't bought any hardware in that time either) so I need some advice on what to get.

I dont really know what the best items are so for the mobo, ram, PSU, HD, Sound and heatsink i just chose at random within my price range.

A few questions:

Can i get away with a cheaper PSU? My budget is £600 so i want to stretch it as far as possible.

Do i even need a heatsink or is the one that comes with the CPU sufficient? I dont plan on overclocking, wouldn't know how.

Is Vista basic ok for my simple needs of gaming and internet usage?

My current case is an Aluminium Lian Li i bought about 4 years ago, will it still be ok or is a new one required in order for everything to fit?

Do i need a soundcard or will the onboard mobo sound card be ok? Bearing in mind all i do is play games and listen to some music. I forgot to spec some but i'll need some speakers for £30 or so.

If i can save any money anywhere then all the better.

I think that just about covers it

Cheers.

Admiral Huddy · 31 Oct 2008 at 14:57

I think you have choosen a decent system there mate for the money

I would invest in a 500GB or 750GB T1 rather than just a 320GB but otherwise fine

rjk · 31 Oct 2008 at 15:03

hard drives i tend to go 320 or 640 as they have the highest density on the platters

but i agree with huddy - nice spec - should serve you well

personally i would ditch the sound card and buy a p45 board

ro55o · 31 Oct 2008 at 15:12

If your not going to overclock then the standard heatsink that intel provide will be fine, if you change your mind gor something like this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...oling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler (Socket LGA775)

The onboard sound on the P45 will be good enough, that x-fi soundcard isn't worth the money over it.

I noticed you didn't include a dvd drive, don't know if it was needed or not.

Goose · 31 Oct 2008 at 15:24

Thanks guys. I didn't spec a case, monitor or DVD drive because i already have decent enough ones.

I went for small ish HD because i dont really require tons of storage and I already have a 200gb IDE drive i can use for keeping random crap like movies and whatnot.

Admiral Huddy · 31 Oct 2008 at 15:51

got for it then mate

ro55o · 31 Oct 2008 at 15:55

Goose said:
Thanks guys. I didn't spec a case, monitor or DVD drive because i already have decent enough ones.

I went for small ish HD because i dont really require tons of storage and I already have a 200gb IDE drive i can use for keeping random crap like movies and whatnot.

The 500gb hard drive is only £6 more than the one you showed, I think £6 for an extra 180gb is worth it. I'd definitely go for a P45 board and the 512mb version of the 4850, that 1024mb isn't worth the £40 more.

Goose · 31 Oct 2008 at 16:16

Ok, thanks a lot guys.

Goose · 31 Oct 2008 at 17:45

ro55o said:
If your not going to overclock then the standard heatsink that intel provide will be fine, if you change your mind gor something like this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...oling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler (Socket LGA775)

The onboard sound on the P45 will be good enough, that x-fi soundcard isn't worth the money over it.

I noticed you didn't include a dvd drive, don't know if it was needed or not.

Does that motherboard offer anything i actually need that an £80 one doesn't?

Cheers