Spec me a machine please

[Braderz]

Hi all,

Im looking to upgrade my pc, but ive been out of touch will all the latest advancements etc . Im going to be using the system for gaming, i mainly play Mmorpg's or RTS.

At the moment im running a P4 3.4 ghz socket 478 with 1gb (512*2) Ram and an old Ati 9600 card.

Now because im using the 478 socket but i want the new PCI-E cards im going to have to upgrade my mobo i believe.

So if some one can spec me a Mobo, Graphics Card, Processor maybe a good psu as well that would be great. It doesnt need to be overclocked, i just want a stable system that will be able to handle most new games.

Now i dont really want to be paying top dollar for everything but i dont mind spending where i need to. If any one could spec for maybe under £700 that would be awesome but i could go higher if need be.

Work your Magic!!

 

[t31os]

If you want the newest stuff you'll need to move over to DDR2 so factor that into the budget to matey....

 

[Braderz]

Is this related to Ram?

 

[semi-pro waster]

Is this related to Ram?

Yes DDR2 refers to the Ram speed.

Given the budget I'd probably go for something like this, good enough at stock but with a fair bit of potential for overclocking as well.

CP-126-IN Intel Core 2 DUO E6300 "LGA775 Allendale" 1.86GHz (1066FSB) - Retail (CP-126-IN)
£114.99 £114.99
MB-061-GI Gigabyte GA_965P_DS3 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard (MB-061-GI)
£91.99 £91.99
MY-034-GL GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC5300 667MHz Value DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB5300DC) (MY-034-GL)
£129.99 £129.99
GX-047-CO Connect3D ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512MB GDDR3 AVIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (3056) (GX-047-CO)
£189.99 £189.99
CA-008-TG Tagan TG530-U15 530W ATX2.01 Easycon SLi Compliant Modular Silent PSU (CA-008-TG)
£62.99 £62.99
Subtotal £589.95
Shipping (City Link Parcel Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)) £8.95
VAT £104.81
Total £703.71

 

[t31os]

Yes, DDR2 memory, new boards ie, socket AM2(AMD) and 775(Intel) both use DDR2.

 

[semi-pro waster]

Or on second thoughts, if you don't want to overclock this might be better, the graphics card isn't quite as good but still more than capable and you have a better CPU and Ram.

CA-008-TG Tagan TG530-U15 530W ATX2.01 Easycon SLi Compliant Modular Silent PSU (CA-008-TG)
£62.99 £62.99
MB-003-AK Asrock ConroeXFire-eSATA2 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard (MB-003-AK)
£53.99 £53.99
CP-128-IN Intel Core 2 DUO E6600 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail (CP-128-IN)
£194.99 £194.99
MY-058-GL GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400UDC) (MY-058-GL)
£149.99 £149.99
GX-057-HT HIS ATI Radeon X1900 GT ICEQ 3 SILENT Heatpipe 256MB GDDR3 AVIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GX-057-HT)
£129.99 £129.99
Subtotal £591.95
Shipping (City Link Parcel Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)) £8.95
VAT £105.16
Total £706.06

 

[Braderz]

Just a quick question with regards to the CPU, is either of the ones you listed more powerful than the one i currently have, i only ask this as i had a 3.4 ghz but the one you suggest is 2+ ghz?

I imagine the new one is better because its duo? thanx

 

[GhostRider]

Both those CPUs speced will be faster

 

[semi-pro waster]

Ghz means very little as a method of comparison except perhaps amongst CPUs in the same range, it used to be more useful but nowadays CPUs function slightly differently and some are more 'efficient' than others. The 6400 is roughly comparable with an X2 5000 even with the disparity in actual ghz clock speeds and both would knock the 3.4ghz CPU into a cocked hat

 

[Braderz]

Lol i thought as much, see i hate it when ive been out of the pc tech loop for so long, so much changes. Things that used to be so clear are now so differant.

Thanks for help and suggestions i think ill get ordering.

Just another quick question will i be able to use my other DDR mem sticks as well or is there no point or will it be incompatible if i get ddr2 mem?

Cheers Guys

 

[semi-pro waster]

DDR and DDR2 are incompatible, there are or at least I think there used to be some motherboards that supported both(i.e. one type at a time) but none of the recent ones I've seen do and there isn't much point in mixing them even if you could.

 

[Braderz]

Ah thought as much, well atleast ill have spares for my Bro's pc then.

So you reckon this setup will be able to handle games ok then, will i be able to play in high detail?

And is heat going to be an issue i have some case fans on my current pc which im sure i should use!

 

[Trusty]

if gaming is the most important factor here, i would be swayed to go with the 1900xt setup and try and stretch your budget 40quid more to get the 800mhz ram that the other guy suggested, then mate you will have an extremly quick system!

 

[Braderz]

Well i already put on the 800mhz Ram but i think im going to say sod it and fork out for the better Graphics card as well.

Whats the Graphics card like, any one had trouble with it? Or am i looking at a nice bit of kit?

 

[semi-pro waster]

Well i already put on the 800mhz Ram but i think im going to say sod it and fork out for the better Graphics card as well.

Whats the Graphics card like, any one had trouble with it? Or am i looking at a nice bit of kit?

Good man, the graphics card is excellent, particularly with AA + AF on and a very good price. I can't absolutely guarantee that you won't have problems, like with any electrical components there is always a chance it won't work but as a general rule they seem be be very reliable.

 

[Braderz]

Thanks for your help guys in assisting me in my decision. I feel im a bit more update to date with the current technology now as well.

Ive placed my order so all i need to do is wait.

Fingers crossed the install with go smooth but im looking forward to the build process.