New Core System £500 - Which PSU/GFX?

markuk80 · 22 Sep 2007 at 13:24

Hi guys,

Following on from my thread last week

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17779314

I have decided to replace my motherboard and video card. Also I will need some new memory and CPU to match the new motherboard.

Currently I have :

Abit AN8 Ultra (latest Bios) (FAULTY)
AMD64 +3700 (NOT COMPATABLE)
Crucial Ballistix 1GB DDR400 Pc3200 (BL6464Z402) (NOT COMPATABLE)
Winfast 6800GT Ultra PCI-E (DEAD)
Antec Phantom 300W (TOO OLD)
Antec P180 Case (KEEPING)
1 X Seagate 300GB 7200rpm HDD (KEEPING)

I wouldn't like to spend too much as this system is only 2 years old so have set a budget of £500-£600 at most. I will also probably upgrade to Vista at the same time. (Is this wise due to driver issues (I have an Audigy 2 aswell))

So after browsing these forums for the latest information, I have come up with the following new components which gets all you guys talking :

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 £180
Abit IP35 Pro £130
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-6400C4 800MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT12864AA804) £70

PSU £?
GFX £?

I assume that my 300W power supply won't cope with the new system so I need something powerful enough to run the above (including a new GFX Card) but also be quiet.

Also im not that into overclocking much as I prefer the system to be quiet as I hate fan noise!

So basically I would like your input on:

The above spec £380
Recommend me the quietest PSU £?
Recommend me a DX10 Card that will run the next gen games easily £?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

syke · 22 Sep 2007 at 14:00

Id get a E6600, and get a 8800GTS + Corsair HX520 or similar.

Sean_UK · 22 Sep 2007 at 14:22

This lot makes more sence imo>

-Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 £180
-Abit IP35 Pro £130
-GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit £47
-Corsair HX 520W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU £68
-Leadtek GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI £179

Total £604

Crucial Ballistix 2GB is good memory, but is just not worth the extra £'s when you consider just how cheap the equally good GeIL 2GB Ultra is at the moment and would allow you hit max budget using quality PSU + decent gfx card.

stickroad · 22 Sep 2007 at 14:23

What ever your going to get go for the 8800GTS 640 version or the HD2900XT.

The 8800GTS 320 will struglle with games coming out in the upcoming months.

Sean_UK · 22 Sep 2007 at 14:36

True, but i was working to his required items + 'max' budget

Perhaps one of the £80'ish motherboards and Leadteks 640mb 8800GTS which should keep total cost around £600.

markuk80 · 22 Sep 2007 at 16:29

Thanks for the input guys.

The aim of this system is to last up to 5 years before upgrading anything drastic (memory might be added if needed). This is why I was looking for the QUAD core CPU route.

I have heard of the Corsair HX 520W PSU a couple of times now and I like the fact is has a quiet temp controlled fan. Will deffo go for that.

I will also look into getting the GeIL 2GB Memory as I only went Ballistix in the first place due to a friend having it in his system!!

I have always had ABIT motherboards and they all get rated quite a lot so thats why im going with the IP35. However, is there any mileage in me purchasing the PRO version or just the standard. Im not too concerened about RAID or the EZ CMOS reset switch. Am I right in thinking the only other main difference with the standard and PRO versions are better quality capacitors?? Can I get away with buying not buying the PRO? This could save around £40 if I go for the standard board.

So to recap then. for definite, I will be getting :

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 £180
GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit £47
Corsair HX 520W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU £68

Total so far £300ish

So thats £300 +- £30 for a P35 MB and GFX Card

Any thoughts on combination for the remaining 2 components ?

Thanks for any replies

Camalot · 22 Sep 2007 at 17:12

stickroad said:
What ever your going to get go for the 8800GTS 640 version or the HD2900XT.

The 8800GTS 320 will struglle with games coming out in the upcoming months.

What about a 1440x900 res without aa/af, is it still worth going for the 640mb version?

Cheers.

markuk80 · 22 Sep 2007 at 19:41

I think my TFT only goes up to 1280 x 1048 so not worried about the res as high as that.

So can anyone tell whether it is worth paying the extra £40 and buying the PRO version of the Abit IP35 MB if RAID is not needed ?

If I can get the standard IP35 MB, I would have £230-£250 left for the GFX card.

Due to budget, and not being able to afford the 8800GTX series cards, I was looking at ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT SILENT Heatpipe 512MB GDDR3 VIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-132-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=922

Do these perform better than the 8800GTS series cards?
Is there any difference/preference between the 3 brands of this card?

Thanks and apologies for all the questions! :confused:

Sean_UK · 22 Sep 2007 at 22:12

markuk80 said:
I think my TFT only goes up to 1280 x 1048 so not worried about the res as high as that.

Then i would suggest the £604 total option i listed earlyer would best suite your budget, sure someone else will come along a shave a few £'s off the total though.