Please help with completing new PC spec!

jmp_78

jmp_78

jmp_78

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2 Mar 2009
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612
Location
Nottingham
Hi all,
Below are the components I have bought for my new machine, just need some advice on what motherboard, CPU & memory I should go for! All 3 of these components should be from the same retailer, and my budget is £120-ish. I am after a decent mobo with good upgradabilty, 2/3GB RAM, and whatever CPU I can get! Would look to upgrade this is 18months time. I will be using the machine for moderate gaming. Below is the stuff I already have :D

- Antec 300 Gaming Case
- Cooler Master M620w Modular PSU
- Seagate 7200.12 500GB HDD with 16MB cache
- Asus GeForce 9800GT 512MB DDDR3
- Pioneer DVR-216DBK DVD writer
- Win XP Home (32-bit)
 
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I will be using the machine for moderate gaming.
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You'll need a graphics card aswell, also for £120 you'll struggle to get a decent motherboard, CPU and ram, especially with good upgradability.
 
ro55o said:
You'll need a graphics card aswell, also for £120 you'll struggle to get a decent motherboard, CPU and ram, especially with good upgradability.
Click to expand...

Sorry - my mistake. I have now edited the original post. I also have a GeForce 9800GT.

Ok - what if I up my budget to £150 max?
 
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Slightly over, but this does give you the upgradability you want. The motherboard can support the new AM3 CPU's from AMD with a bios update, which you can easily do with the 7750 CPU. An intel system would definitely put it over budget, as the motherboards tend to be more expensive than the AMD alternative. The 7750 is a good budget CPU, only just behind the intel E5200, so should still be good enough for a decent gaming rig.
 
I guess you need to define your version of good upgradability. Personally I'd say good upgradability comes in the form of the socket AM2+/AM3 and socket 1366 boards. But the 1366 boards will be way out of your price range so if you want intel chips you'll have to get a socket 775 board. However we have seen the best chips that are gonig to be available for these boards and intel won't support them anymore so. They're good chips and will last you for a while but no more will be made. You could buy a board with a cheap core2duo chip now with a view to put something like http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-231-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=567 later on when you need it and the price comes down.

The problem lies in that the budget you're in you may have to end up with quite a cheap mobo something you will most likely regret in the future.

I think to be realistic you might want to save a bit more money if possible and look to spend.

Board £100-120
Memory £35 (atm)
Processor £60

With a view to upgrade your processor when you get more cash. I think the money invested in the board now is money well spent if you're looking for logevity.
 
For intel I'd suggest saving some cash and going for something like:



You can always knock off the £20 and go for 2gb memory and in essence you're paying £40 more for the board. Alternatively go for the AMD route like ro55o suggests no idea how good that board is but it's cheaper and am3 chips should go in there at a later date so you should be less limited. Hard to predict the future though. Just wanted to offer an alternative.
 
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Thanks guys - I have to admit to already having thought about the 7750 Black Edition. OCs are doing a bundle I think - although out of stock at mo..
 
Id second the intel suggestion that Rawkus has come up with, it might be £70 over your budget, but to be honest your getting good components there that will last you for ages, and be well worth the speed and reliability over most other things on offer
 
True, I agree that the E5200 option is a good one.

I have been offered a brand new Asus P5QL-E (LGA775) motherboard - please can you tell me if you would recommend this?
 
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