Hello again folks.
After buying my Dell2404WFP Monitor from one of my previous post a few weeks back you may have noticed i'm not too "up to scratch" on what parts fit what - Even though i build a computer from scratch only 5-6 years ago (memory like a goldfish) technology has changed so much since then.
I've decided it's time to keep to my word, and upgrade (buy a new one in this case) my computer to get the most out of my new monitor. I think i've made up my mind on a processor and graphics card, namely:
Intel Core 2 DUO E6600 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail
BFG GeForce 8800 GTS OC 320MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
Note - If you think these are a bad choice, please tell me and i'll be happy to take any advice and change them.
But then i come to pick a motherboard, and i have no idea what kind i need to make sure my processor fits it. I was wondering if you clever people could piece together a computer around my processor for me? Ill try and give a little bit of an idea of what i want below. I would really appreciate it! I don't play many high end games at the moment, thats because i have a computer that cant handle them. Hopefully when i get a new one ill be able to get a few and really get into them.
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CPU cooler - From reading lots of reviews on the site, i've realised its best to buy a new cooler for the processor, ive spent hours reading about overclocking this processor and i'd like to give it a shot. Also some new greasy stuff.
Motherboard - One thats capable of overclocking the processor; i've heard that some can restrict this! Also if it has onboard sound, will it do a 5.1 Surround sound system justice? My current motherboard has onboard sound and seems to be ok...does a seperate sound card make much difference?
RAM - I know i want some and roughly, 1.5GB-2GB worth. I have 1 GB at the moment and it actually fills up sometimes. But havn't got a clue what make/Mhz/PC???? or DDR to get? How the heck are you supposed to know?
PSU - I know, i need a High Watt PSU, Maybe you could shead some light on this situation.
Case - I know that increasing the clock speed means more heat, so i guess i need an airy case. But I also want it to match the rest of my stuff. I have a black with silver bits keyboard, black with silver bits mouse, black with silver bits monitor, black with silver bits speakers. So you get the picture. Black with silver bits would be fantastic - if it can circulate a lot of air. I dont know if extra case fans might be needed? If you think they are just whack them on.
DVD-RW - One of these to match the case hopefully. I dont write DVD's much but i dont want a tacky one. Spending this much on a computer I want something to last and not sound like its got screws loose when its spinning like my current one.
Card reader - I have these on the side of my monitor at the moment, but i've not been able to get them to work with my camera memory card. If they're cheap and black i cant seem the harm in sticking one in.
Hard Drives - I'd like 2 or more hard drives, maybe in some kind of link together. I guess i wouldnt need more than 400GB as i've used 120GB of my current 120GB drive - i keep having to delete things to put new stuff on.
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Dont laugh if i've missed essential components. I think i've got it all in there.
I don't want an operating system. I'll use my current XP cd to last me until Vista has ironed out all their bugs, then buy that. Ok glad i got that off my chest. Now the hard part - my budget:
£800-£1000 (MAX)
I really cant afford to go over £1000 unless you think its absolutely essential. But i'd like a high quality system - no shoddy parts. Also another note. If possible keep it as quiet as possible. I use my current setup to watch DVD's and freeview through my new monitor and i can always hear my computer over the top of things - really quite annoying. If it was really quiet i'd love it!
Thanks a lot. I look forward to any questions and can't wait to see some specs!
MFrost
After buying my Dell2404WFP Monitor from one of my previous post a few weeks back you may have noticed i'm not too "up to scratch" on what parts fit what - Even though i build a computer from scratch only 5-6 years ago (memory like a goldfish) technology has changed so much since then.
I've decided it's time to keep to my word, and upgrade (buy a new one in this case) my computer to get the most out of my new monitor. I think i've made up my mind on a processor and graphics card, namely:
Intel Core 2 DUO E6600 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail
BFG GeForce 8800 GTS OC 320MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
Note - If you think these are a bad choice, please tell me and i'll be happy to take any advice and change them.
But then i come to pick a motherboard, and i have no idea what kind i need to make sure my processor fits it. I was wondering if you clever people could piece together a computer around my processor for me? Ill try and give a little bit of an idea of what i want below. I would really appreciate it! I don't play many high end games at the moment, thats because i have a computer that cant handle them. Hopefully when i get a new one ill be able to get a few and really get into them.
----------------------------
CPU cooler - From reading lots of reviews on the site, i've realised its best to buy a new cooler for the processor, ive spent hours reading about overclocking this processor and i'd like to give it a shot. Also some new greasy stuff.
Motherboard - One thats capable of overclocking the processor; i've heard that some can restrict this! Also if it has onboard sound, will it do a 5.1 Surround sound system justice? My current motherboard has onboard sound and seems to be ok...does a seperate sound card make much difference?
RAM - I know i want some and roughly, 1.5GB-2GB worth. I have 1 GB at the moment and it actually fills up sometimes. But havn't got a clue what make/Mhz/PC???? or DDR to get? How the heck are you supposed to know?
PSU - I know, i need a High Watt PSU, Maybe you could shead some light on this situation.
Case - I know that increasing the clock speed means more heat, so i guess i need an airy case. But I also want it to match the rest of my stuff. I have a black with silver bits keyboard, black with silver bits mouse, black with silver bits monitor, black with silver bits speakers. So you get the picture. Black with silver bits would be fantastic - if it can circulate a lot of air. I dont know if extra case fans might be needed? If you think they are just whack them on.
DVD-RW - One of these to match the case hopefully. I dont write DVD's much but i dont want a tacky one. Spending this much on a computer I want something to last and not sound like its got screws loose when its spinning like my current one.
Card reader - I have these on the side of my monitor at the moment, but i've not been able to get them to work with my camera memory card. If they're cheap and black i cant seem the harm in sticking one in.
Hard Drives - I'd like 2 or more hard drives, maybe in some kind of link together. I guess i wouldnt need more than 400GB as i've used 120GB of my current 120GB drive - i keep having to delete things to put new stuff on.
----------------------------
Dont laugh if i've missed essential components. I think i've got it all in there.
I don't want an operating system. I'll use my current XP cd to last me until Vista has ironed out all their bugs, then buy that. Ok glad i got that off my chest. Now the hard part - my budget:
£800-£1000 (MAX)
I really cant afford to go over £1000 unless you think its absolutely essential. But i'd like a high quality system - no shoddy parts. Also another note. If possible keep it as quiet as possible. I use my current setup to watch DVD's and freeview through my new monitor and i can always hear my computer over the top of things - really quite annoying. If it was really quiet i'd love it!
Thanks a lot. I look forward to any questions and can't wait to see some specs!
MFrost
.
.
