New system spec and opinion

smithy1988

smithy1988

smithy1988

Associate
Joined
3 Jul 2007
Posts
354
Location
Newcastle UK
Hi there.
I am hoping some of you people can help me out.
Im thinking about building a new pc.
I like the small form factor cases and would therefore like to use one for my new build maybe a Lian Li mini tower in black?
The pc will be mainly used for surfing the net and gaming.
Budget around £700
Mobo-not a clue something that supports the 8500+ ram and future am2+ socket 2x sata for optical and HDD
CPU-Amd64x2 6000 or 6400
RAM-2gb 8500+
HDD-300-350gb (sata)
Optical-DVD-RW (sata)
PSU- Corsair 650w? Or should it be modular to aid in cooling for the matx factor
GPU-8800 512mb GTS or whatever my budget will stretch to
OS- Vista home premium 64 bit? is it worth getting the 64 over the 32?

I think thats about it, is that possible for my budget- what implcations are ther in using the small form factor instead of normal.
I appreicate any replys and any price estimates or documented spec list.
 
Most people will tell you to go Intel rather than AMD at this present moment in time. 650w branded PSU seems a bit overkill, i'm running more than that quite happily on a Corsair 450w. Also most people will say "wait a few weeks for the new GPU's" a) you might be able to afford one, b) the existing range may drop further in price. With regards OS, I haven't noticed too much difference going to 64bit, but i'm here now and it didn't cost me any extra so why not stay?
 
Thanks.
With regard to the cpu's is it not true that amd will catch up and possibly go ahead with the next range of cpu's probably using the am2+ socket- therefore this is covered and i could upgrade to one of those cpu's aslong as i buy wisely mobo wise?
Thanks for the advise with the gpu's- what new gpu's are coming out?
Yea i wasnt sure about the psu- perhaps the corsair 520w modular would be better- thus improving cooling with it being small form factor?

Any implications by using the SFF- one optical and 1 HDD should be enough for myself.
 
AMD may overtake intel again but i cant see it happening, there is a new set of intel cpu's out end of this yearish that will use a different socket if thats something that worries you.
 
Ok thanks. I'll wait around for the new gpu's and see if i can get a better card due to price cuts for better series.
It doesnt worry me- basically because i have always used AMD cpu's. I have read that intel are ahead at this moment in time. Im not terribly interested in overclocking so i would imagine there is very little between the two manufacturers unless overclocking is involved. My main uses are gona be surfing the net and playing games.
 
Would not put my money on AMD with Intel Nehalem out later this year. However it will require a new LGA 1366 socket so no future proof board out today. Anyway who really knows the future, but today it is Intel all the way. Intel Core 2 Duo is all you really need today (not many apps use quad, no games do) consider a E7200 or E8200 as an alternative to AMD - they easily OC well over the 3.0Ghz mark.

New cards around the corner will certainly drive prices of existing GPUs down, wait a couple of weeks.

Modular gives you better cable management and possibly improved airflow, but you will pay Corsair a 50% premium for that luxury. Depends what is most important to you really.

Vista 64, don't bother with 32; otherwise keep your existing XP then.

RE small cases: i am not sure of OC potential of microATX boards and you will have higher temps than a bigger case

that's my 2 cents worth :)
 
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Thankyou for your input. Glad youve answered a few questions that havnt been already. Im not terribly interested in the overclocking side of things. So im hoping temps wont be a problem especially if i do like you say opt for a modular psu to keep things tidy and improve airflow.
Im running an athlon 64 3200 at the moment so tbh a 6400x2 would be a vast improvement- but i'll look into the new processors- my feeling is that they are gona be for the extreme systems for want of a better term. My budget isnt going to stretch to that. So id say its between the intel which i know nothing about or the amd. As you say though if i bought intel it wouldnt be future proof due to the new socket. Amd boards i have been looking at suport am2+ socket for when that comes out- so in terms of upgrade this could be a better option even though amd are behind intel at this present time? is that fair to say?
In terms of case is the Lian Li one of the better small form factor cases- anything else to consider for the same money.
Any board recommendations for SFF?
Cheers again guys
 
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