How Could I Improve This? Help Me Out =)

max76249

max76249

max76249

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With some help, I've put together this spec. Does anyone have any reccomendations on how I could improve it? I've got about £70 more that I can throw into it, but I don't know where I should put it, or what to get when I experiment putting it towards something (badly written I know).
Okay, so the spec so far is:

Asus ATI Radeon HD 4890 1GB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £164.99

AMD Phenom II X3 Tri Core 720 Black Edition 2.8GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail £120.74

Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard £114.99

OCZ ModXStream Pro 600w Silent SLI Ready ATX2 Modular Power Supply £72.99

Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 10666C9 1333MHz TwinX Dual Channel (TW3X4G1333C9) £59.49

Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (WD5001AALS) £48.99

Antec 300 Three Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case - Black (No PSU) £44.99

Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer CPU Cooler (Socket 754/939/940/AM2/AM3/LGA775) £28.99

Pioneer DVR-216DBK 20x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.99

If you think I can save money in some areas to add more to my extra bit of cash, by all means do so (particularly in the case department, I have no problem in getting a cheaper case). Also, I'm not the most knowledgable about computers, so please make sure it is all compatible.

I plan to game on a 1920X1080 resolution if you want to put the money into graphics. And yes, the PC is mainly for gaming. Help me out =)
 
You could consider a RAID 0 setup. (It would need an extra identical drive.)

As long as you have an alternative backup - it would give you faster access times.

Otherwise your build is very solid for the money and RAID 0 is a preference more than need.
 
If you can stretch a bit more than £70 you could get a 4870x2 but 4890 is even more than enough for that res.

Or you could get a 1TB hd plus blue-ray player?

Or even get an antec 900 gaming version 2 case?
 
Hmm, is there anyway I could get a bit more information on this RAID 0 setup? Never heard of it, how does it work. And sycho, to be honest I don't really need that much HDD, 500GB is plenty for me, but bettering the access time sounds brilliant. And about the case, I was considering getting a nicer case, but before I cash out serious money on a case, I'd like to get a better system. I do like the sound of new graphics, do you think the extra money would make a big difference?
 
Ok, a crude description of raid 0 would be this:

If the computer was saving the alphabet using RAID 0 - it would save the letter 'a' to one drive and the letter 'b' to the other drive and then 'c' to the other drive and so and so on...

So when the computer comes to access the alphabet it reads both drives simultaneoulsy and gets the information much faster (but not twice as fast as the practice isn't the same as theory - but it is faster than a normal single drive.)

However, if one drive fails you lose all data - which is why a mentioned you would need back up.
 
No, you would need a third device to back up your data - a dvd-r would be suffice.

However, it's better to have a third drive as you're more likely to back up regularly using this type of device. (Have you got a spare one form an old system?)
 
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Edit: WAIT - i may have mis-read that - if you meant 2 x 250gig HDDs run in RAID 0 with a third 500gig as back up then - yes.
 
No this is going to be my first build =) Well this RAID 0 setup sounds a little too expensive for me: having to buy two new HDD's would set me back a bit too much. Anyway, I'm sure a regular HDD will suffice, I'm quite patient. So do you have any other reccomendations?
 
I could go for this RAID 0 setup if I cut back in another area, such as the case, it does appeal to me to be honest. Keep the ideas coming though guys!
 
Even though i suggested it - i wouln't sacrifice any of your build to get it - i was working with your £70 surplus.

It's always something you could add at a later date when your a bit more flush.

Your build really is a nice spec - and the one drive will serve you fine.
 
Am I correct in saying that DDR2 is quite a lot worse than DDR3? That's why I went for the more expensive components, to try and future proof it a bit. Please guys, more suggestions =)
 
Trouble is you've picked a good spec for future proofing and the money. Unless you have any specific requirements or likes - you're pretty much set to go.

You did too well with your first try - for anyone to have any real significant input...


Edit: Having said that, you could get that second drive for back up - rather than RAID 0?
 
I think I'm going to stick with the AMD X3, that way I'm more future proof and the performance sacrifice won't really be noticeable.
 
Hmm, well thanks for the input anyway. If anyone does have any ideas then let me know. Well, now I know i've got a decent machine I might put the extra money towards a nice case =) Suggestions are still highly appreciated!
 
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