Reluctant New Build - Advice please :)

How does this look?


773x4.png


Adding in Windows 7, this should come close to the top-end of your budget. Do you have a previos copy of windows you won't be using (so you can use the cheaper upgrade version of windows 7) and are you a student (who can buy windows 7 for cheaper due to student deals)?

I went for the Phenom II because it was much cheaper than the i5 +P55 option and in games it will be just as fast. It is also using the AM3 socket, which should give it some good upgrade prospects in the future. Admittedly, the Phenom II X4 is not as fast as an i5 in most CPU heavy tasks and doesn't overclock as well - but it is still very fast and costs less in total so you can afford a nice 5850 for gaming.

I omitted the DVD drive as I assumed you have a working one you can use from your old system.

Out of interest, what is the resolution of your monitor?

@Phage: sorry man, but I think you missed out the motherboard.
 
wannabedamned said:
I Phil_Cs spec so far, only swap out the tri channel RAM, for dual.
Click to expand...

Its a good spec for sure (RAM aside), but maybe not ideal for the OP.

There is no GPU, so the OP will have to reuse his GT 240, which works in modern games, but it doesn't perform particular well (this review puts its performance in context). Considering the OP is planning to spend ~£800 and lists his main use will be gaming, I think it would be a mistake to buy a shiny new system and just make do with the existing GT240.

Also, the OP stated that he won't be overclocking, so he won't be needing a £60 cooler.
 
Last edited:
That advice is exactly why i posted it, you guys are all legends 
I figured the statement about pre builts would come up and its true, you don’t really know what you’re getting.

I’ll have a proper look at some of the suggestions later on tonight, when i’m not supposed to be “working”
 
I think cmndr_andi makes a good point going for AMD. You don't seem to upgrade very regularly hence asking for a system 'as future proof as possible'. That makes going AMD potentially a good move as it fits with your budget now (allowing a decent GPU too) and you can move to their six-core solution later on the same mobo. Cood call. Unfortunately there is really no recommendable Nvidia GPU at the moment for your budget (or for any budget other than cost-no-object:)), so there goes your brand preference! Amd/Ati all the way this time:)
 
cmndr_andi said:
Its a good spec for sure (RAM aside), but maybe not ideal for the OP.

There is no GPU, so the OP will have to reuse his GT 240, which works in modern games, but it doesn't perform particular well (this review puts its performance in context). Considering the OP is planning to spend ~£800 and lists his main use will be gaming, I think it would be a mistake to buy a shiny new system and just make do with the existing GT240.

Also, the OP stated that he won't be overclocking, so he won't be needing a £60 cooler.
Click to expand...

Very good points. Knock off the cooler cost and the RAM.

That gives us £577

Add this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-030-PA&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1516

That gives us £665.98

The op is wanting to spend between 600-800. So is there a graphics card at the £135 mark worthy of a pretty new spec? I doubt it but i havent looked :p
-

I do think the spec you posted up seems very sensible, and since the op isnt overclocking maybe take away the Cooler and put the extra cost towards a 965 and use the stock cooler.
 
Last edited:
In the past, I would recommend i5 750 built over a Phenom II X4 build. But now with the i5 750 price creeped up to £170 (ridiculous!), the Phenom II X4 option seem to be more bang for bucks. Also, you can get a AM3 motherboard with 8x/8x Crossfire for around £80, whereas socket 1156's 8x/8x Crossfire board would cost around £130-£140. The money saved going Phenom II X4 instead of i5 750 would be enough for getting a 5850 instead of a 5770...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom