Need a PC speccing up please :)

bigbadish · 9 Jul 2009 at 18:11

Hey I realise that there are similar threads to this around with similar price tags but I wanted to be specific on some issues:

1) This machine is for gaming and general use - however I want a fast response time and high performance.

2) I don't want flash fancy stuff that looks cool at LAN, but i want practical reliable equipment. No glowing lights on the case - but a case that's easily accessed for building and maintaining the system.

3) I'd like two spec's ideally - one with a monitor and one without. Both following the same budget.

4) For the monitor; I need to be able to run my xbox 360 through the monitor at the same time as my PC (I think this will be doable as all monitors have both VGA/thatnewerkindofgfxport)

5) Budget is £700 for both specs.

Thanks for any help

P.S. I've been well out of the loop on computer technology for the last 3 years so i'm pretty clueless in what's value and what's not at the moment, so i'm putting a lot of trust in anyone from this community that helps me; so seriously, thanks a lot.

bigbadish · 9 Jul 2009 at 19:07

Oh almost forgot; ideally I'd like 700gig-1tb of HDD space.

Thanks again

PermaBanned · 9 Jul 2009 at 19:15

PermaBanned · 9 Jul 2009 at 19:58

icey_haj · 9 Jul 2009 at 20:29

Without monitor:

With monitor:

Torrad · 9 Jul 2009 at 23:19

Hey, this account has been activated properly now so i'll be posting on this one.

With that second, monitor, build icy suggested would the quad core processor http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-236-AM be compatible with all the other components? It's only £60 more i think

Hurri · 10 Jul 2009 at 12:36

Unfortunately not. That processor (940) is an AM2+ processor, and doesn't have a DDR3 memory controller. You'd need an AM3 processor with that motherboard and RAM.

Torrad · 10 Jul 2009 at 13:17

So if I want the Quad I'd need to change the mobo and ram as well?

mp260767 · 10 Jul 2009 at 13:22

how about going with ice's first spec but dropped the msi mobo to the gigabyte one in his 2nd spec and drop the 4890 for the XFX ATI Radeon HD 4870 XXX 1024MB, should give you enough to get the AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail (£160.99 inc VAT £139.99 ex VAT).

did a quick check on the prices with the changes:

XFX ATI Radeon HD 4890 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £149.99 (£130.43)
MSI 790FX-GD70 AMD 790FX (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard £129.98 (£113.03)
AMD Phenom II X3 Tri Core 720 Black Edition 2.8GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail £105.00 (£91.30)

Total : £384.97
----------------------------------
AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail £160.99 (£139.99)
XFX ATI Radeon HD 4870 XXX 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £113.99 (£99.12)
Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard £98.99 (£86.08)

Sub Total : £373.97

Matteysan · 10 Jul 2009 at 14:26

All the boards say Dual Channel, this won't effect the tri-channel ram will it?

Intel i7

or

&

With monitor / add HDD ontop

Hurri · 10 Jul 2009 at 16:06

Mattey1 said:
All the boards say Dual Channel, this won't effect the tri-channel ram will it?

With the AM3's you should get DDR3 pairs not a tri-channel kit, as it works in dual channel. I believe 3 sticks would cause the ram to run in single channel mode?