Spec Check

Captain_Slick · 20 Dec 2007 at 12:20

Got myself a job recently, so I'm planning an upgrade just after christmas.

Here's what I've got planned...

Antec Sonata III + 500W Earthwatts PSU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 2.33Ghz (1333Mhz FSB)
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Skt 775 Cooler
Asus P5K-E WiFi Motherboard
GeiL 2Gb (2x1Gb) DDRII 800 CAS 4-4-4-12 Dual Channel Kit
Asus GeForce EN8800GT 512Mb GDDR3 PCI-E Graphics Card
Samsung SpinPoint T 500Gb SATAII HDD
LG 18x DVD-RW SATA Dual Layer Drive

Should come to about £600~.

What do you guys think? Compared to my current computer, it should be pretty slick.

Captain_Slick · 23 Dec 2007 at 22:42

Mmm, changed my mind.

Going to get something like this instead:

Abit IP35 Pro
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750
Corsair TwinX XMS2 DDR2800 2GB
Sapphire HD 3850 PCI-E
Samsung 500GB SATA
Samsung DVD-RW
Zalman ZM600-HP 600W PSU
Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme HS + 2x Scythe S-Flex 120mm Fans
Akasa Fan Control Pro
3x Scythe Kama Bay Coolers
1x Scythe S-Flex 120mm fan

All in the rather large Sharkoon Rebel 12 Economy case:

About £740, for the lot.

Captain_Slick · 23 Dec 2007 at 23:05

I might do just that.

I'll probably hold on until the place I'm ordering from has the 3870s in stock as well, since they aren't that much more and are a bit faster.

Captain_Slick · 29 Dec 2007 at 00:07

Right, I'm going to hold on a month till I buy the components. Should be a better selection of stuff to select from by then and hopefully prices should have gone down.

For now, I might just get a new case and psu as well as a fan controller that I've wanted for a while, into which my new system will go at the end of Jan.

For £200 total, is this a good deal?

Changed my mind on the case, but that Armour super case looks brilliant. Any thoughts on that? How are those Coolermaster Real Power PSUs as well? I've seen reviews for a 550W model, but they appear to be dated.

Thanks guys!

Captain_Slick · 29 Dec 2007 at 00:14

Why? Is the Corsair somehow better than the Coolermaster?

No point telling me to spend more without a reason, man!

Captain_Slick · 29 Dec 2007 at 00:18

Cheers man. What about the Armour tower case? Is that recommended? Any good?

I just need plenty of space in a stable tower that can be used over and over for different systems.

Captain_Slick · 29 Dec 2007 at 20:48

K, I'm looking at getting the Gigabyte 3D Mars in black. Looks pretty good. Aluminium construction, tool-less throughout, 5 fans included as standard, and plenty of space.

Also, if I buy my PSU now (whilst I have the money), if I leave it in it's box for the next few weeks till I'm ready to buy the rest of my new system, will it be ok? I mean, I know that sounds newbie-ish, but I was thinking it might like... leak or corrode or something if it's just sat there. Or would it be best just to buy it later?

Captain_Slick · 29 Dec 2007 at 22:54

Right, I've ordered the black Gigabyte 3D Mars, so I'll put some pictures up when it arrives in a couple of days. Was only able to find one proper review of it. Is this case brand brand new?

Looks like it should be a good home for my future computers. :cool:

I'll get the PSU with everything else.