Buying a complete system: questions

[regulus]

So I don't have what it takes anymore, nor the time to spend 5 hours building a system. I want to plug and play. I've settled on this PC from OCUK. It will purely be a gaming PC.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-113-OK

What processor and graphics card would you pick? Naturally the first inkling would be to pick the most expensive one, but is it worth the jump in money from the most 2nd most expensive? I've done research but having been "out" of the hardware market for more than a year, the new products, reviews and opinions is leaving me at a lost. Here is what I've picked so far regarding the processor and graphics card

E8600 (does OCUK overclock the card to 4ghz? It's not 4ghz at stock)
GTX 280 1024MB (reviews seem to rate this card highly, but the other one does have 2048MB...)

Also feel free to chuck this system and link me another prebuilt you think is better.

Thanks for your time.

Reg.

Edit: If it's relevant, I game at 1900x1200

 

[regulus]

No thoughts? C'mon folks, I worked hard for this money and will keep this PC for some time. At least share you expert opinion with a tech dumbie like me.

 

[GM2]

Hi

I don't know enough to comment on your proposed machine - but I have just spec'd a machine completely from my own choice of components and OcUK would have built it for me for about £50-60 more than the component cost.

This isn't something they seem to broadcast, but nor did it seem to be an issue for them. So if you know what components you want, but don't want to build it, ask them for a price and compare it to the machines they offer.

The other thing to do is to (as you have) look at their offer machines, which seem to be good value.

Hope this is of some help.

GM2

 

[PhoenixUK]

Very good setup there,
The only thing I would pretty much change is the PSU and RAM.

E8600 is great CPU tho it might be not much worth it over E8400 for the price difference.
For your resolution single HD4870 has plenty power for now and will have plenty for pretty much the next 8-12months unless you're AA/AF freak and like to slap custom AAx24 and 32xAF , then go for 4870x2, gtx280 is out of question there, not worth it's price.

I would also consider getting better cooler like Tuniq or TRUE. You can squeeze more from E8600 than just 4ghz .

Also I would consider waiting till the 4850x2 comes.


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EDIT
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I would go with the following if you consider spending about 1k.
Product Name Qty Price Line Total
Powercolor ATI Radeon HD 4870 1024MB GDDR5 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail Powercolor ATI Radeon HD 4870 1024MB GDDR5 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail £169.99
(£199.74) £169.99
(£199.74)
Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 LGA775 'Wolfdale' "Overclocking E0 Stepping" 3.33GHz (1333FSB) - Retail Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 LGA775 'Wolfdale' "Overclocking E0 Stepping" 3.33GHz (1333FSB) - Retail £159.99
(£187.99) £159.99
(£187.99)
Western Digital VelociRaptor 150GB 10000RPM SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (WD1500HLFS) Western Digital VelociRaptor 150GB 10000RPM SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (WD1500HLFS) £112.99
(£132.76) £112.99
(£132.76)
Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £89.99
(£105.74) £89.99
(£105.74)
GeIL 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-8500C5 1066MHz Black Dragon EVO ONE DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GE24GB1066C5DC) GeIL 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-8500C5 1066MHz Black Dragon EVO ONE DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GE24GB1066C5DC) £74.99
(£88.11) £74.99
(£88.11)
Zalman ZM600-HP Heatpipe Cooled 600W Modular PSU Zalman ZM600-HP Heatpipe Cooled 600W Modular PSU £69.99
(£82.24) £69.99
(£82.24)
Samsung SpinPoint F1 750GB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD753LJ) Samsung SpinPoint F1 750GB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD753LJ) £49.99
(£58.74) £49.99
(£58.74)
Tuniq Tower 120-LFB CPU Cooler (Socket 478/754/939/940/AM2/LGA775) Tuniq Tower 120-LFB CPU Cooler (Socket 478/754/939/940/AM2/LGA775) £39.99
(£46.99) £39.99
(£46.99)
Pioneer DVR-216DBK 20x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM Pioneer DVR-216DBK 20x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM £15.99
(£18.79) £31.98
(£37.58)
Sub Total : £799.90
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
City Link Parcel Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £10.95
VAT is being charged at 17.5% VAT : £141.90
Total : £952.75


If you're in London I could build it for ya for small fee if you aint got time haha .

 

[regulus]

If you're in London I could build it for ya for small fee if you aint got time haha .

Considering it done. Will £50 do? It includes a bit of an CPU OC too (I aint got the skillz ). If so, send me your details at [email protected]. I've got a damn course today and have to work tonight. I will order everything on Saturday and ring when I've got the bits to set it up. I will only be back at a PC tomorrow to reply to anything posted!

cheers.

edit: oh, regarding AA/AF.. I usually go around AAx4 8xAF, anything beyond that, I cannot see the difference. Would the 4870 still cut it?