Hi guys,
I'd appreciate it if I could get a few eyes over a build I just speced.My current build is slowly falling apart, it's an old X2 AGP system which has no upgradable future, I've had both sticks of memory die over the last year and the AGP ATI 1950XT I have seems to have terrible support, to make the PC usable I have to use ancient drivers. I haven't been following the component markets for the last few years so I'm not fully sure of what's compatible with what and what the best options are.
Here's the build I've put together. It's for general computer use and to allow me to play games released in the last couple of years (and ideally the next couple to come). I don't want to spend anymore than this, and obviously I'd be up for spending less if there were cheaper options.
Some questions:
1) There are a lot of HD5770s, will they all be pretty much identical? I chose the Sapphire because it was the cheapest from a brand I actualy knew, let me know if there's a better option for a similar price.
2)Memory seems to have got more confusing since I last built, again I've just picked one of the cheaper options that looked alright, will this do me?
3)I've no idea if I'll go down a crossfire route for upgrading later on, but I picked a motherboard that doesnt seem to limit my options. I don't think I need the more expensive Gigabyte with USB3.0. Again, a bit of advice as to whether this is a good option would be appreciated.
4)Picked the cheapest branded 600w PSU. No idea if i need 600w, and I know it's never worth skimping on a PSU but i don't want to spend too much on it.
5)Final question! I've been using the same XP install for as long as I can remember so I reckon it's finally time to upgrade. I assume the Windows 7 home premium upgrade is the best way to go.
Thanks for any help.
I'd appreciate it if I could get a few eyes over a build I just speced.My current build is slowly falling apart, it's an old X2 AGP system which has no upgradable future, I've had both sticks of memory die over the last year and the AGP ATI 1950XT I have seems to have terrible support, to make the PC usable I have to use ancient drivers. I haven't been following the component markets for the last few years so I'm not fully sure of what's compatible with what and what the best options are.
Here's the build I've put together. It's for general computer use and to allow me to play games released in the last couple of years (and ideally the next couple to come). I don't want to spend anymore than this, and obviously I'd be up for spending less if there were cheaper options.
Some questions:
1) There are a lot of HD5770s, will they all be pretty much identical? I chose the Sapphire because it was the cheapest from a brand I actualy knew, let me know if there's a better option for a similar price.
2)Memory seems to have got more confusing since I last built, again I've just picked one of the cheaper options that looked alright, will this do me?
3)I've no idea if I'll go down a crossfire route for upgrading later on, but I picked a motherboard that doesnt seem to limit my options. I don't think I need the more expensive Gigabyte with USB3.0. Again, a bit of advice as to whether this is a good option would be appreciated.
4)Picked the cheapest branded 600w PSU. No idea if i need 600w, and I know it's never worth skimping on a PSU but i don't want to spend too much on it.
5)Final question! I've been using the same XP install for as long as I can remember so I reckon it's finally time to upgrade. I assume the Windows 7 home premium upgrade is the best way to go.
Thanks for any help.
