Reluctant New Build - Advice please :)

stu_pendus2002

stu_pendus2002

stu_pendus2002

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Joined
2 Apr 2010
Posts
8
Hi all,

First post on here so go easy on me if I’ve said anything stupid J

Basically I built my first and only system about 4 years ago and just recently its started playing up. Nothing major until the last couple of days where it’ll just freeze, then have a solid beep and I have to reset, I’ve virus checks etc and took any software off that may be causing issues and it still does the same thing. I reckon it must be that the processor is packing up as it freezes under processor load - could be wrong though.

Anyway…I think its about time that I lay it to rest and get a new system - problem is, things have moved on a fair bit since I built it (core 2 duos and the 8800’s had just come out) so I’m pretty lost as to what I need and am after some advice.

I’ve read the guides, and the typical system in the stickies but am after a bit more. I’m looking to spend around £600-800ish but as it’s kinda a necessity rather than something I want to do, I don’t want to blow money if its not necessary.

The system needs to be mainly for gaming, with some video editing and my only preferences are NVIDIA and Intel - never tried overclocking so I doubt that will change J

Also, I had to get a replacement graphics card as the 8800 burnt out about a month ago so if I can re-use the gt240 that would be good even if its jut temporary - I’d like the system to be very future proof so I can add in upgrades as and when I get more money!

Also is there any point in trying to re-use my existing case - it’s a coolermaster preatorian 730sli? Albeit I’ll need new fans etc.

Thanks for reading my ramble lol
 
CAT-THE-FIFTH said:
If the card was anything other than an 8800GS or an 8800GTS 320MB a GT240 GDDR5 would be a downgrade.
Click to expand...

It was originally a 8800GTS but that packed in and i needed a cheap replacement pretty sharpish, so yeah it was a downgrade.

Yup, i'd need windows 7, got a monitor so just the tower.

The old PSU is a Jeantech 800w (i think) modular. Same story as the 8800, it packed in so i got a quick replacement.
 
If you are not overclocking go with a socket 1156 based build over a socket 1366 based build. The socket 1156 Core i5 and Core i7 processors have a better implemented form of TurboBoost over the socket 1366 processors meaning that they often do better for gaming at stock speeds. I would also look at what options AMD have to offer as you can save some money. The Phenom II X4 processors are slower than the Core i5 but tend to be much cheaper too and have some nice motherboards for under £90 too.

Also Nvidia is not really the best choice for a gaming build at the moment IMHO.
 
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Something like this? Anywhere i can save some money without losing performance? (sorry, cant post pics :P)


Intel Core i7 860 2.80GHz (Nehalem) (Socket LGA1156)
Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD4 Intel P55 (Socket 1156) DDR3 Motherboard Patriot Viper 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 (1600MHz) Tri-Channel (PVT36G1600ELK)
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5750 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
Antec TruePower New Modular 650W Power Supply
Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (0F10383)
Akasa AK-967 Nero Direct Contact Heatpipe CPU Cooler (AM2/AM2+/939/LGA775/LGA1366) LG GH22NS50 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - Retail
Total : £852.65
 
The sammy f3 is the new standard for the HDD. I'd spend a few extra quid and get a 5850. If you're not OCing the i7 why get the Akasa ? The retail cooler would be fine, and spend the extra on the GPU.
 
id personally just start from scrath apart from the graphics card for the time being... ditch the case and psu and see what you can scrape together off them.

heres the go ive had, its minus a graphics card but your 250 will do fine until you raise more funds for a better card... doing it this way will provde your best bang for buck and of course better in the long term for future proofing. with the cooler you can easily OC to the 3.8-4ghz area.

compt.jpg
 
Thanks for all the advice so far guys, its almost time to bite the bullet – while searching though, i found a pre-built system, straight from one of the household manufacturers with the following spec for £899, seems good on paper and would cut out the time needed to build my own without sacrificing spec. Doesn’t look like i’d be saving much money if i were to put one together myself either?

Obviously i know its not that simple but what do you think?

Operating System : Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium
Model : Intel® Core™ i7-860

Installed memory : DDR3 6 GB

HDD size : 1000 GB
HDD rotation speed : 7200rpm SATA

Multimedia card reader : 21 in 1 card reader

CD-RW/DVD-RW
Optical drive : DVDR+-RW+R9 BLACK SATA

ATI® Radeon™ HD5570
Dedicated Graphic Memory : 1 GB

Realtek ALC 888S HD audio 7.1

Integrated on motherboard or on PCI Slot : Integrated
Wireless : Yes

Connectors
USB Port (total/front/rear) : 4x Front, 6x Rear
HDMI : 1
VGA out for external monitor : 1
Audio line out : 1
Audio line in : 1
Microphone in : 1

Entertainment
Adobe Photoshop Elements 7
Nero 9 Essentials
Microsoft® Works SE 9 : Word Processor
Norton Internet Security 2010
 
phil_c_ said:
id personally just start from scrath apart from the graphics card for the time being... ditch the case and psu and see what you can scrape together off them.

heres the go ive had, its minus a graphics card but your 250 will do fine until you raise more funds for a better card... doing it this way will provde your best bang for buck and of course better in the long term for future proofing. with the cooler you can easily OC to the 3.8-4ghz area.

compt.jpg
Click to expand...

And here confirms the confusion of the Intel naming ...

Only the 1366 platform requires triple channel memory. The 1156 uses dual channel memory. So you need a 2x2Gb kit :)
 
Seems a little expensive given that's a poor GPU.
OcUk have the following - without looking for better oprices or special offers.

Product Name Qty Price Line Total
Intel Core i7 860 2.80GHz (Nehalem) (Socket LGA1156) - Retail £239.99
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5850 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £232.99
Gigabyte GA-P55-UD5 Intel P55 (Socket 1156) DDR3 Motherboard £124.98
Corsair HX 650W ATX Modular SLI Compliant Power Supply (CMPSU-650HXUK) £102.99
G.Skill Ripjaw 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (F3-12800CL8D-4GBRM) £99.99
Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD103SJ) £65.99
Antec 300 Three Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case - Black £44.99
LG GH22NS50 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - Retail £18.99
Sub Total : £792.27
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £11.75
VAT is being charged at 17.50% VAT : £140.70
Total : £944.72

The difference is how hard you think it will be for you to build, and the value you put on any warranties. In my experience, it's surprisingly easy. (get a bundle if at all unsure), and warranties are notoriously time comsuming to use.
 
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I wouldn't suggest going for the pre-built PC you list above that costs £899.

First, it uses a 5570 graphics card, which if you look at this review is actually slower than the GT 240.

The CPU is nice, but with 5570 graphics card it won't play games any better than your old system did. Also, I would be concerned that the 6GB of memory will only be running in single channel mode if they installed 3x2GB sticks. Though it conceivable that they installed 2x2GB + 2x1GB. Also, the speed of the RAM isn't stated.

In all, building one yourself would be a MUCH better option. If you give me a minute I will put together a spec and aim for the same budget as the above pre-build costs (£899).
 
stu_pendus2002 said:
Thanks for all the advice so far guys, its almost time to bite the bullet – while searching though, i found a pre-built system, straight from one of the household manufacturers with the following spec for £899, seems good on paper and would cut out the time needed to build my own without sacrificing spec. Doesn’t look like i’d be saving much money if i were to put one together myself either?

Obviously i know its not that simple but what do you think?

Operating System : Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium
Model : Intel® Core™ i7-860

Installed memory : DDR3 6 GB

HDD size : 1000 GB
HDD rotation speed : 7200rpm SATA

Multimedia card reader : 21 in 1 card reader

CD-RW/DVD-RW
Optical drive : DVDR+-RW+R9 BLACK SATA

ATI® Radeon™ HD5570
Dedicated Graphic Memory : 1 GB

Realtek ALC 888S HD audio 7.1

Integrated on motherboard or on PCI Slot : Integrated
Wireless : Yes

Connectors
USB Port (total/front/rear) : 4x Front, 6x Rear
HDMI : 1
VGA out for external monitor : 1
Audio line out : 1
Audio line in : 1
Microphone in : 1

Entertainment
Adobe Photoshop Elements 7
Nero 9 Essentials
Microsoft® Works SE 9 : Word Processor
Norton Internet Security 2010
Click to expand...

Uuurggh!! Horrible. You can bet your life that has a complete carp case and PSU, and the cheapest HDD and RAM going (and why do they have 6GB with an i7 860 - do they know what they're talking about?). And only a 5570 for that money:eek: For only just over £800 on here you can build an i5 system with a 5850 with all quality components. You're assessment that it wouldn't be worth building yourself needs to be revised :).
 
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