New spec - another request for comments ;)

sammyboi

sammyboi

sammyboi

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Joined
30 Mar 2003
Posts
43
Hey all,

Just about to upgrade my system (it's currently a wee Socket A Athlon XP system, my notebook has kept me going for ages in place of an upgrade) and would like some thoughts on whether I'm making any obvious mistakes with this lot:

system.jpg


Total: £1,144.23

I don't need a new soundcard as I'm carrying it over from the existing system. The wireless card is necessary as my router is downstairs and this system will be going upstairs. I also don't need keyboard, mouse or speakers as I've got decent ones I'm keeping from the old system.

The system will be mostly used for using the web and gaming, as well as the odd bit of uni work.

Thanks =]
 
A few small things I have noticed that you may wish to do:

Change the PSU to the one I have just myself ordered - "corsair 520W" it will be perfect for your system. Sure it is around 10 pounds more, but worth the extra peace of mind 100 pounds over.

Why not go for a widescreen display? or do you prefer standard aspect ratio's more?

Lastly, and more your choice, why not go with Windows Vista Home Premiun. Once again, will cost you about 15 extra, but at the least you can use DX10 when games come out that take advantage of it. :)
 
If that was me i would pull back on the cpu and put the saving towards a bigger screen, 19" really isnt that big, what about one of the 22"'s, i also wouldnt get XP seems like a bit of a waste with vista being out.
 
Dark_Angel said:
A few small things I have noticed that you may wish to do:

Change the PSU to the one I have just myself ordered - "corsair 520W" it will be perfect for your system. Sure it is around 10 pounds more, but worth the extra peace of mind 100 pounds over.
Click to expand...
Sounds good, I'll give that a look =)
Dark_Angel said:
Why not go for a widescreen display? or do you prefer standard aspect ratio's more?
Click to expand...
I've been using a widescreen ratio on my notebook for a while and have never really liked it. I'll give it some thought though.
Dark_Angel said:
Lastly, and more your choice, why not go with Windows Vista Home Premiun. Once again, will cost you about 15 extra, but at the least you can use DX10 when games come out that take advantage of it. :)
Click to expand...
I'm very reluctant to touch Vista yet, I have too many friends in IT and related jobs who are still struggling to make it work with even the most basic of tasks. I'm more inclined to give XP another year or two before I make the switch, for compatibility reasons if nothing else.
 
schnipps said:
If that was me i would pull back on the cpu and put the saving towards a bigger screen, 19" really isnt that big, what about one of the 22"'s, i also wouldnt get XP seems like a bit of a waste with vista being out.
Click to expand...
A 22 probably wont fit in the desk space I'd got to work with. But I'd be interested to know whether the 6600 cpu is really worth the price jump over something smaller.
 
Nice choices there, do you plan on overclocking at all? If yes, go for a E6300 instead. You would then need to swap to better CPU cooling though.

I'm like you - staying away from Vista for at least a good 6months have passed. Did the same with XP, the flaws and bugs are then fixed. Pointless buying a OS soon as it is released, its a wise move not to rush into it.
 
mishima said:
Nice choices there, do you plan on overclocking at all? If yes, go for a E6300 instead. You would then need to swap to better CPU cooling though.

I'm like you - staying away from Vista for at least a good 6months have passed. Did the same with XP, the flaws and bugs are then fixed. Pointless buying a OS soon as it is released, its a wise move not to rush into it.
Click to expand...

I probably wont do much OC'ing, i'm not really into it anymore.
Thanks for the comments =)
 
Based on feedback, here's a slightly different build:

system2.jpg


I've added in the wide aspect monitor after realising I have a good stretch of available wall space to mount it on.
 
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Don't quote me on this, but I imagine the motherboard will come with all the necessary cables, so I don't think that you need the SATA one. Please get someone to confirm this though.

Next, as for the CPU query you had, I personally would NOT get the E6300 if I were overclocking. (in fact I didn't) I ordered an E4300. Costs just over 100 pounds, and clocks to like 3.4GHZ without much trouble because it has a higher multi. TBH, I would overclock period though no matter what CPU you went for. Assuming you didn't overclock like 50 percent, you could get 20 percent increase in clock spee basically with no voltage increases, and virtually no heat increase.

For the monitor, you could always get 2x 19" monitors. This is great if you do multitasking. I personally have 2x 20" widescreens and love them.

By the way, do you need a case with your new build?
 
Dark_Angel said:
Don't quote me on this, but I imagine the motherboard will come with all the necessary cables, so I don't think that you need the SATA one. Please get someone to confirm this though.
Click to expand...

I bought a Gigabyte DS4 and a Abit AB9 Pro a few weeks ago and they both came with SATA cables and the other necessary bits! So I would have thought the motherboard comes with them already!
 
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