PC build advice?

para08

para08

para08

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Joined
1 Aug 2008
Posts
211
Hi there,

I'm hoping to build a new system with gaming specifically in mind and wondering if anyone would mind helping me out/giving advice on the spec i should go for.

My budget is around £700, though i would go slightly over if necessary. I already have a decent screen, keyboard, mouse, etc so only need the box.

I've read a few reviews and forums trying to work out which components would best compliment eachother, and so far this is what i've come up with...

ocukyh5.jpg


I am a bit 'amateur' when it comes to tech talk so please be easy on me :).

Anything at all, if i should change anything, can get a better deal etc is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
Welcome to the forum! Don't get the 9800gtx get a 4870 instead and maybe go for a newer mobo like a p5q but tbh that is pretty much personal preference. A corsair 620hx would save you a couple quid and the case is also a hot topic. If you're not set on the 900 have a look at th nzxt tempest, coolermaster 690 and antec 300
 
Not bad choices but I would choose a E8500 over a quad for a mainly gaming rig. +1 on the Asus MB choice my commando has given me good service. I would also have 2x2g memory for the 64bit OS for a smoother experience plus helps loads those levels in games quicker. X2 2g will also have less strain on the Nb when it comes to getting your ram to run at it's rated speed or OC compared to 4X1g modules. The Ati is worth a screening of reviews but if you can stretch the pennies they have a 1G 280 for £229 this week. As for the 900, I like mine but have needed to do some work on it for cable managementbut if i was choosing a case now I proberly go for the Cosmos.
 
thanks for the info, so is the ati4870 really much better than nvidias? i wouldn't mind changing it's just i've been with nvidia for a while and know my way around them as such.

another thing, is the the antec 900 really a no no? again i'm not bothered by getting something else roughly the same price if it's better. the main reason i chose it was due to size as i dont have the room for a massive case like the CM cosmos.

I've come up with a new system below (albeit £80 over budget but you only live once eh :P). Would this be a much better system for the price? thanks again :)

ffgdfgdfgsj7.jpg
 
What is your monitor ? Did you consider HD4850 instead of 4870 ? it's more than enough for all the newest games if you game at not more than 1920x1200.

Remember, dont waste money if you don't need too, just because 4870 is all shiney and gives bit more performance doesnt mean you got to have it ;-), and if it will get old in 8months then you can swap it for something better :).

All looks fine, however I would consider getting bigger drive, 250 just doesnt cut it nowadays. I mean, you need at least 30-40GB for vista and then you got what left ?200gb ? a single game takes at least 10-15gb now ;). But then, if you think thats enough then go for it.

I would also get aftermarket cooler ;-).

Case is fine if you like it, I would prefer Thermaltake Shark over it, it has a bit better features but then the choice is all yours.
 
The case is not that bad but i needed to make some holes for the cable mangement so I would look at something else if you do not want to do this.
 
para08 said:
thanks for the info, so is the ati4870 really much better than nvidias? i wouldn't mind changing it's just i've been with nvidia for a while and know my way around them as such.

another thing, is the the antec 900 really a no no? again i'm not bothered by getting something else roughly the same price if it's better. the main reason i chose it was due to size as i dont have the room for a massive case like the CM cosmos.

I've come up with a new system below (albeit £80 over budget but you only live once eh :P). Would this be a much better system for the price? thanks again :)

ffgdfgdfgsj7.jpg
Click to expand...

much better, you could probably splurge on a bigger hdd, but you may not need much space.
eg. hitachi 500GB or wd 640GB seem quite good value to me.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-053-SA spinpoint 1TB [75]
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...7K500 500GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (0A33437) hitachi 500GB[36pounds]
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...ue 640GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (WD6400AAKS) wd 640GB [45poonds]
 
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PhoenixUK said:
What is your monitor ? Did you consider HD4850 instead of 4870 ? it's more than enough for all the newest games if you game at not more than 1920x1200.
Click to expand...

i only have an old 17" right now, but i'm getting a 20" widescreen in about a months time. so i take it the 4850 would be the better option then as the 20" is 1680 x 1050?
 
what memory would you lads recommend with the intel E8500? is the memory in above spec too much? i dont plan to oc straight away but will at some point.
 
ok, i've took into account all your recommendations and have come up with what i think should be the final system below. please let me know if this is a good setup as i'm planning to order sometime this week, thanks :)

ocukve9.jpg
 
I have just built a rig using the Antec 900 and found it really easy to use although mirror the views that cable management could be improved. That said it has plenty of room inside and runs very quitely (all fans on low and heat is not an issue). I went with a 4870 but have a 24" monitor (1900*1200) so agree with yr selection of the 4850. I have no experience with the Seagate HD you have chosen but find the Samasung F1 I have to be rapid and quiet. Noise was important to me as the computer lives in a much used dinning room. I have the same motherboard which I like although I would be wary about loading all the Asus applications - they are not needed and from what I read on other threads you don't want to overclock using them but use the tried and tested route via the BIOS. Good luck.
 
^thanks for the input, your system seems pretty much the same. i chose the seagate as ive had experience with them before and not had any probs in at least 3 years constant use.

quick question, when you say don't load all asus applications what exactly do you mean? dont install everything from the disks?
 
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