spec check & opinions

a1cap0ne · 9 Aug 2007 at 12:29

I decided on the below for a pc to be used mainly for internet & a few games.

ASRock 4CoreDual-VSTA PT880 Ultra Socket 775 SATA 8 channel audio ATX
Samsung SH-S182M 18x DVD�RW/RAM Lightscribe Black Bare Drive - OEM
Seagate ST3250820AS 250GB 7200RPM SATA300 8MB Cache - OEM
Extra Value 1GB KIT (2X512MB) DDR2 800MHz / PC2-6400 Extra Value Ram
Intel E4400 Socket 775 2x2.00GHz 800MHz FSB 2MB Cache
Inno3D 8600GT 256MB 128bit DDR3 DVI PCI-E Graphics Card
Antec Black NSK4480B Mini Tower - With 380W EarthWatts PSU

I'm on a budget so dont want to spend too much. The PC wont be overclocked.

is the 380W PSU enought power?
is the 8600GT good enough card ro run most games decently?

mp260767 · 9 Aug 2007 at 12:51

Whats the budget you;re working on ?

what spec are you upgrading from ?

might want to have a look at the x1950pro graphics cards, could drop the processor to the 2140/2160 and up the case to antec sonata 2/3.

a1cap0ne · 9 Aug 2007 at 13:06

this is a new PC. not upgrading.

budget of about £350 left after monitor and keyboard etc..

mp260767 · 9 Aug 2007 at 14:29

if you can afford it i would go for :

PowerColor ATI Radeon X1950 Pro AC Heatpipe 256MB GDDR3 VIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail £81.99 (£96.34)

Corsair 1GB DDR2 XMS2-6400C5 TwinX (2x512MB) £29.99
(£35.24)

Samsung SpinPoint P SP2504C 250GB SATA-II 8MB Cache - OEM £33.99 (£39.94)

Antec Sonata II Piano Black Quiet Case - 450W Smart Power PSU £59.99 (£70.49)

EVGA nForce 650i Ultra (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard (122-CK-NF66-T1) £54.99 (£64.61)

Intel Core 2 Duo E2140 "LGA775 Conroe" 1.60GHz (800FSB) - Retail £39.99 (£46.99)

Samsung SH-S203BEBN 20x20 DVD±RW Dual Layer Serial ATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.99 (£19.96)

£317.93
Shipping : £9.95
VAT : £57.38
Total : £385.26

could drop the price by going for the following IF someone can confirm the PSU will be ok for the x1950pro/8600GT:

Antec NSK4400 Mini Tower Case - 380W SmartPower PSU

£39.99 £46.99 inc VAT

that would drop the overall price to £362.93.

a1cap0ne · 9 Aug 2007 at 16:17

will a 380W PSU be enough?

mp260767 · 9 Aug 2007 at 20:42

a1cap0ne said:
will a 380W PSU be enough?

no reason why not, main thing with the 1950pro (not sure about the GT) is it needs a 12v with a minimum of 28A or thereabouts iirc.

EDIT:
from what i can google the 380W doesnt have the 12v ampage for the x1950pro