Should I build myself ?

mike gunnz · 4 Feb 2008 at 22:48

Id be tempted by the 8400 if you are building an out-and-out gaming machine. Should overclock like a dream.

I love the spec above but would look at the new X48 mobos if money no object rather than the X38 and I wouldnt bother with Raptors anymore, the competition have caught up and offer far greater capacity.

crazyDAJT · 4 Feb 2008 at 22:57

IMO there is no point in speeding almost 2K on the tower.

I just dropped 1.4K on a complete system, 22" widescreen etc. its not the fasting thing on the planet, but it dam good.

And blue ray is a waste of time.

EDIT: that includes my backup system of a offline 500GB harddrive + caddie

SBD · 5 Feb 2008 at 10:24

TBH since the new quads are coming out very soon and so are the new graphics cards. Get an E2200 clock it to 3Ghz+ and wait until you can get one of the new quads. Same with graphics cards. Get like a 1 8800GTS or 8800GTX and when the new cards come out sell that then buy 2 brand new cards. That is if you can wait

oh and i agree with mike gunnz Raptors are not worth the cash now just get some big drives with 16/32mb of cash

Is your £2000 just for the tower or do you need keyboard, speakers, monitor ect?

you don't need a BR drive atm they cost way too much wait until they drop to around £50-80 and then buy one. I would think £100-150 should be the max to spend on a PSU no point in buying the best because you are just getting ripped off

widdyst · 5 Feb 2008 at 10:42

2 grand is for a tower and monitor. I really dont want to wait as I just keep putting it off and feel I could do that indefinetly. I do like the idea of a 8400 and maybe uograde that in 12-18 months as for graphics I just cant decide to go 8800 or 3870 everything I read seems to be inconclusive about graphics choice at the moment Plus nobody seems to have high hopes for 9800 series do they ?

mike gunnz · 5 Feb 2008 at 15:09

widdyst said:
2 grand is for a tower and monitor. I really dont want to wait as I just keep putting it off and feel I could do that indefinetly. I do like the idea of a 8400 and maybe uograde that in 12-18 months as for graphics I just cant decide to go 8800 or 3870 everything I read seems to be inconclusive about graphics choice at the moment Plus nobody seems to have high hopes for 9800 series do they ?

There is never a perfect time to buy/build as something better is always "just around the corner."

That PSU is definitely overkill, no need to go over £120 as someone else has said. No one really knows with regard to 9800 we are all just speculating. An 8800GTX will have good resale value if you decide to upgrade to 9800 in the future. 3870x2 looks great but will all games be optimised for it? And dont forget its brand new so you will pay a premium for it. Its price is certain to fall in the near future. If you want a card that is guaranteed to work at its optimum from day one on all games and at all resolutions then the 8800GTX is the answer.

shaffaaf27 · 5 Feb 2008 at 17:46

ok for a REAL spec hows this

(btw you could loose the x48, and go for the x38 in the other spec, and save about £35. enough for better speakers, or a kb/m combi)

OH and the PSU is overkill, i only specced it incase you would go xfireX, in which case, save £15 and go for the HX620

Edinho · 6 Feb 2008 at 01:27

Building really is a piece of cake. If you have an ounce of intelligence, some patience, and can hold a screwdriver, there shouldnt be a problem. You'll do and it wonder what you were so worried about.

By far the biggest advantage of self building is when something goes wrong with it 9/10 you'll know what it is. Compare this to the goon buying from dell who wouldnt have a clue.