Martyn's Computer Build Summer 2007

[Martyn.]

Hello folks!

The time is nigh for me to get a new computer. The one I have currently is simply not up to the job, it also has the serious side effect of making me want to smash it with a hammer (because of it being laggy, and also because of that stupid noise it makes). So my friends. I am quite an intensive user and do a lot of multitasking; Photoshop, Dreamweaver, MSN, iTunes, Football Manager and Firefox with 200 tabs are often open at the same time for example, and I also do my fair share of gaming, so I need a pretty good system. Since I upgraded to Vista my current system crawls with its regular day to day tasks...when I get my new PC I will be upgrading to Windows Vista x64 (so I can have 4GB of RAM).

Thanks for your help everyone, I ordered all the parts for my new system last night! Oh yeah!

My current system:

AMD Athlon 64 3500+,
ASUS A8V Deluxe,
1GB (of crap) RAM,
nVidia GeForce FX 5500,
Maxtor 160GB hardrive,

I recently ordered a Samsung SyncMaster 206BW which I am loving so far, so I already have the monitor and I bought a TV card the other day.

So my new system will be:

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "LGA775 Kentsfield" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail
Abit IP35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-6400C5 Dual Channel Vista Gold Series DDR2 (OCZ2G8004GK)
BFG GeForce 8800 GTS OC 640MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB 5000AAKS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM
Hauppauge WinTV Nova-T 500 Dual digital DVB-T PCI TV Tuner card
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Gamer 7.1 Soundcard - Retail
Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-620HXUK)
Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case
Enermax Aurora Brushed Aluminium Keyboard - Black
Icemat Blue 2nd Edition Glass Mouse Pad
Samsung Syncmaster SM206BW 20" Widescreen LCD Flat Panel Monitor

All the new items I ordered will arrive on my 18th birthday tomorrow! Woooo !

 

[Martyn.]

Hello...?

 

[Martyn.]

Where have I used that word?

I think he means me !

 

[Martyn.]

second that. also psu?

and edit out sweary bud!


also do you want to oc? if so maybe look at the Ballistics ram, amazing stuff, appearently can do 1000mhz+

I cant really afford to get the 640mb version of the 8800 to be honest.

As for the PSU, I *think* my old one can handle it, but if it turns out it cant I will get a new one.

I think I may overclock the CPU a bit, but I am not an avid overclocker and I am pretty n00bish about overlocking RAM and graphics cards.

 

[Martyn.]

Which PSU are you currently using? Other than that it looks like a good setup.

Also, curious: what on earth are you doing that requires 200 tabs open in Fx?

I can't remember the make of my current PSU, and it would involve me taking it completely out the case to check it. I think it is 600W. If worst comes to worst though, and I put all my new kit in with my old PSU and it could not handle the new kit, what would happen?

Well maybe when I said 200 tabs I was slightly over estimating the situation

Thanks!

 

[Martyn.]

I ordered my new system!

Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[Martyn.]

I'd never skimp on RAM. It's the main thing holding most overclocks back. Also you'd definitely notice the difference between 666mhz and 800mhz RAM at stock.

In the end I went for the more expensive RAM, simply because on my current system my poor RAM is the one thing that is really holding me back.

I also added a nice PSU (thanks for the Corsair recommendation), and a nice sound card as apparently it can make a big difference.