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is 530 or E8400 ??

If it's a 32" LCD then it's likely to be able to output 1360x768, allthough slightly bigger it's not likely to cripple any half decent mid range card with the eye candy on.
If you can get a more powerfull 4 series (Dx 10) instead of a 5 series (Dx 11) for the same £ or even less, then I would as by the time you come to needing Dx 11 you'll probably have a new card anyway as a low/mid range card now will probably struggle with it in the future.
Or get a 58xx and be done with it. IMHO :)
 
imamosher said:
are you saying that there is no need for the 5750 then? I suppose if nothing else it will be more future proof.
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Future proofing doesn't exist.
There is new generation of cards coming out every about 6-8months now.
Look at how everyone was future proofing their setups just around 8months ago with the newest tech 4870 and 4890 yet 3-4months ago, now it's all outdated and easily replaced by even 5770, not to mention 5850.

Buy what you need now, not what you might need later.
Also another option is to consider the 1 model up from that mobo for 10quid more as it has CF support, so you could buy one cheap card now, see how that works for you, and if you feel like needing more, add another one in CF later for silly money.


I'd try this one:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-138-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1274

Might sound silly but you'll get suprised how much technology has moved on.
This is probably somewhere around 3850/3870 performance which just around a year ago was a top notch card and can still do fine in most games at mid res.

And if it's not good enough for you, then I'll personally buy it off you as I want one for testing anyways ; ).

I'd say it's worth a try. I know from my long experience in pc building that many people don't even realise how much more powerfull PCs are than they were few yrs ago.
It's amazing how nowadays you can get an amazing build for just 400-500quid where few years ago it costed at least 800-1000 to get minimum spec.

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http://www.*****.net/content/item.php?item=22280&page=6
interesting review showing the low end cards, as you can see, without much eyecandy they can cope just fine and cost a scratch of the price.
 
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much appreciated for everyones input.

It seems I will be looking at getting a higher end 4xxx rather than a lower end 5xxx series card. I do need it to be able to poutput HDMI as I will be playing mkv files a lot.

Gaming is secondary really, however I dont want to feel that if I had just spent that litle bit more I could have get a much nicer card.

As far as not being able to future proof, that makes sense I guess how can you future proof in such a radically dynamic market.

@PhoenixUK I will definately consider the model up from the current mobo as CF support is something that may well come in very handy.

I Plan on purchasing a 24" monitor in the next month or so which in that case would justify going for the more powerfull 4xxx series card, possibly the 4870.
 
You see stuff like GPU/RAM/CPU is something you can always easily swap/upgrade later so what you want to get good is PSU/mobo/case/hdds - there are the things you can safely spend few quid extra on and have them stay with you.

A 24" monitor would definitely require something more, but on the other hand it again depends what you'll be playing really, some games don't require much power at all even at that res.

I guess the best bang for buck card would be a second hand 4850 or 4870 for 40-50quid. I wouldn't spend more than that really, the 5xxx cards are nice but they're not worth the price for new tbh.

So if I was you I'd rather spend cash on better case/psu or cpu cooling as that's something we forgot about due to budget.

You can get a better GPU later when you buy new monitor : ).
As you've mentioned before, gaming is not your main concern so you might just hold off with the GPU yet or get the cheap one and see how it works for you.

I'd send a webnote to OCuk and ask if they still have the zalman 9700 on 17.99 offer and grab one if they do.
 
I have managed to find a second hand 8800 GTX Alpha dog edition for £55 does that sound like a god deal and would this do me for now?

Or am I realy dropping in performance using this card?
 
Doesn't sound like too bad a deal. 8800GTX should be able to max out on most games up to 1,680x1,050, and even some not so demanding games in 1,9xxX1,2xx

Speed wise I believe it's around the same level as 4850, but 8800GTX does have 768MB memory comparing to standard 4850 or 4870 which only got 512MB.
 
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Hmm I'm put off by that now, I might bight the bullet and go for hte 4870.

dammit...choosing the gpu has been the most difficult part of the whole process.

Can anyone enlighten me, If you use a DVI - HDMI adapter do you still output a full HD signal.

I ask this because the pc will also be used to play blu rays.
 
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I have also found the 5770 for a good price, and there doesnt seem to be toomuch between the 4870 and the 5770 in terms of performance.
 
Ok well this is the final build, the gfx card wil be a 5770

anyone care to coment?

3-1.jpg
 
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Don't forget to get a power cable for connecting your power supply to the wall socket as well (if you don't have any spare). It's something very easy to overlook when building a new PC instead of upgrading :D
 
You do but to get sound over HDMI with adapter you need special adapter, this is supplied with most ATI cards but I would ring ocUK or send a webnote just to make sure before you buy.

HD Ready or Full HD is just a fancy marketing name for resolution:
HD Ready - 1280x720 (hence 720p)
Full HD - 1920x1080 ( hence 1080p)

Again, I'd give a try a cheap card in 50 range if you can't get a hold of second hand 4830/50/70 or 5770.

It might just be good enough for you so why waste cash if you don't have to !
And if it's not you can always just sell it with almost no loss (5quid?) (or even make money on it if you find a moron on popular auctioning site).

Also it might be worth a mention that you might not want a 4870 in that crappy case as it runs quite hot, preferably something cooler.
 
Marine-RX179 said:
Don't forget to get a power cable for connecting your power supply to the wall socket as well (if you don't have any spare). It's something very easy to overlook when building a new PC instead of upgrading :D
Click to expand...

You get one with the PSU.

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Ninja edit, how much will you be paying for the 5770?
 
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