Spec check for a new computer

TJM

TJM

TJM

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10 Jun 2007
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I'm going to be buying my new computer in a few days and I've put this spec together:

Abit AB9 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
Corsair 2GB DDR2 Value Select PC5300C5 Dual Channel Kit (2x1GB)
Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "LGA775 Kentsfield" 2.40GHz
Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB 3200AAKS SATA-II 16MB
NEC AD7170A 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter (Black)
OcUK ATI Radeon X1950 Pro 256MB
OcUK Value AH191DPB 19" Widescreen LCD Monitor
Antec Sonata II Piano Black Quiet Case - 450W Smart Power PSU
Cherry G83-6105 PS2 Keyboard - Black
Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 3.0

This is about as far as my budget can stretch, so I can't swap out any components for more expensive ones to remove bottlenecks or whatever. Any comments?
 
The Abit AB9 is old hat nowadays. On the Intel side the P35 chipset is best. Do you intend on overclocking? What is your total budget? I'm too lazy to recreate your spec just to see how much it'd cost. :p
 
Hope you don't mind me asking, but what's the main use of the PC? You see if gaming or general use such as surfing, then you don't need a Quad.
 
I'm trying to keep it about the £600-650 mark. No real interest in overclocking it. So the Quad isn't of any particular use for gaming? I guess that I can ditch that then.
 
TJM said:
I'm trying to keep it about the £600-650 mark. No real interest in overclocking it. So the Quad isn't of any particular use for gaming? I guess that I can ditch that then.
Click to expand...
it will be in the near future, but u'd be better to get a cheaper dual core, and a better gpu.
 
I'd go for the following, allows for a slight overclock as well:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.33GHz (1333FSB) - Retail £97.99 (£115.14)

OcUK ATI Radeon X1950 Pro 512MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail £69.99 (£82.24)

Cherry G83-6105 PS2 Keyboard - Black £10.99 (£12.91)

Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB 3200AAKS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM £39.99 (£46.99)

Antec Sonata III Piano Black Quiet Case - EarthWatts 500W PSU £67.99 (£79.89)

Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 3.0 - Retail £19.99 (£23.49)

NEC AD7170S Serial ATA 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.99 (£19.96)

OcUK Value AH191DPB 19" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Black/Silver £94.99 (£111.61)

Abit IP35-E (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £59.99 (£70.49)

Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2-6400C5 TwinX (2x1GB) £56.99 (£66.96)

Sub Total : £535.90
Shipping : £14.95
VAT : £96.40
Total : £647.25
 
Thanks for the input, guys. I've decided to stretch my budget a bit more and go for this:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 2.67GHz
Maxtor Diamondmax 320GB SATA
Antec Sonata III with 550W PSU
OcUK GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB
Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2-5400C4 TwinX (2x1GB)
NEC AD7170S Serial ATA 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter
EVGA nForce 650i Ultra (Socket 775)
OcUK Value AH191DPB 19" Widescreen LCD Monitor
Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 3.0
Cherry G83-6105 PS2 Keyboard

Any thoughts?
 
TJM said:
Maxtor Diamondmax 320GB SATA
Click to expand...
Don't go for Maxtor. Couple of reliability issues last year & their rep went down.

Get either a Seagate 7200.10 or Western Digital SE16 ****AAKS. They use Perpendicular recording technology & are significantly faster (see here). Also search around for benchmarks ;)
 
i'd lok at the ballistix 5300 if you're not going for 6400, as from what i've seen posted it is still clocking well so if you decide to give it a try may be worth getting it anyway.

might be worth a look at the Abit IP35-E (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard being the newer p35 mobo.
 
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