Spec check

Aman · 21 Dec 2009 at 15:19

Plan on building a new computer in the next few weeks and a mate suggested this spec.

Use will be for gaming(nothing extreme but i do expect to be able to play most new games.)

Any changes/recommendations welcomed. Not looking to spend more than £500 really.

raralis · 21 Dec 2009 at 15:22

Get a quad cpu instead.

Didaco · 21 Dec 2009 at 16:42

use a samsung F3 500gb drive instead
this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-035-AR
cooler instead
if you say its only for gaming and nothing extreme a quad isnt likely to improve much just over clock the cpu a little and you will be happy
good luck

jms198 · 21 Dec 2009 at 16:52

As above if you are OCing then get a better cooler, preferably with a 120mm fan. i'd
Make sure the case comes with enough fans; one in and one out should be okay.
The Samsung is meant to be excellent; second that.

Good luck on unlocking your CPU too; Iwouldn't run it for any length of time on the stock cooler though.

Kellogz · 21 Dec 2009 at 17:48

slight change of your cooler and HDD but kept in budget.

evoyear · 21 Dec 2009 at 18:01

looks a good build for me

Didaco · 21 Dec 2009 at 21:41

The Geil ultra series memory used in the OP build is better and cheaper than that corsair memory for gaming especially its a good 400mhz faster

shinester184 · 22 Dec 2009 at 00:05

Core unlocking on that processor is apparently quite easy with the right BIOS revision on your board, so turning that dual into a quad could be reasoably easy.

See here, although on Asus boards...

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18091385

Mazimba · 22 Dec 2009 at 00:24

Unlocked the 550BE in a GA-MA770 UD3 - DDR2 equivalent of the board linked in OP - from what im told and read, same bios on the GA-MA770-T UD3 should have similiar outcomce to unlocking the chip.

Bear in mind though - its chance based - might work, might not. Very chip dependant - but i will say this, the 550BE is a great little dual core chip.

Taziir · 22 Dec 2009 at 11:08

Thought I recognised that build, that's my screenshot

I went for the Phenom IIx2 550be readymade system that was offered last week that has a 770 variant mobo, forgot which, being lazy. System runs like a dream though

I successfully unlocked two extra cores but as it shipped with a stock cooler set it back until I can get a decent cooler. Was a breeze through BIOS and win 7 picked up the extra cores, listed CPU as PhenomIIx4 BG550 !?