Building a new computer!!! ( first one in five years)

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Joined
11 Apr 2008
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130
Hi there, been viewing these forums on and off for a while now, and i need your guidance to help me make a few decisions with regards to motherboards, graphics cards etc, because i just cannot make my bloody mind up!....it's driving me nuts!!!

It'll be used for internet surfing and gaming.

I built my current pc about 5 years ago, and i'm not really 'clued up' with regards current tech.

( i've actually decided on a case. I like the akasa eclipse, so i'll go with that one.....please don't give me any choices on this otherwise i'll change my mind again lol)

MOTHERBOARD:
With regards the mb, i've always liked gigabyte. My current pc has a GA 8IRXP installed ( see how old it is? )...and i've never had any problems whatsoever.

I should point out i'm not interested in RAID, overclocking, or tons of features, just a nice basic mb for about say £ 80......but i'm a bit concerned with overheating of the northbridge chip that i read about here.

I did consider the GA P35 DS3L. Looks a nice board..what do you think? I suppose it doesn't HAVE to be gigabyte, i will consider alternatives....maybe one with a very good cooling system.

GRAPHICS CARD:

Jesus,For someone with a mind like a weather vane, it's next to impossible to make my mind up on this. I've heard that the ATI cards run cooler, now is this a fact or not? I'm not looking for the most powerful super duper card on the market. I may go to about £150 here. Something that will run Medieval total war 2 efficiantly.

MONITOR:
This is very difficult, i've had a good look at the monitor forum here and elsewhere, and i'm still none the wiser. Never had a LCD monitor before. I don't want one thats too big.It comes down to peoples preferences i know, but any recommendations here will be most helpful. Don't want to go over £200 here.

Thats it. I'm ok on processors,PSU, memory etc.

Many thanks indeed.
Citizen
 
P35-DS3L fits your need perfectly.

ATI GPUs have smaller manufacturing process (55nm against 65nm on NV) so consumes slightly less power but cooling wise it's down to the cooling design of the cards.

For £150 probably the 8800GT or the GTS 512mb if you can stretch to that.

£200 is plenty enough for a decent 22", or the OCUK value 24" for just a little bit more.
 
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