Spec Me A New Computer.

Mr.Bon

Mr.Bon

Mr.Bon

Associate
Joined
2 Dec 2007
Posts
821
Location
Suffolk
Hi guys/girls

First of all, No Overclocking, I don't know how... I just want a high spec tower for the following uses

I will be using it for University, I study Architectural Tech.

I want to use the computer for:
  • Auto Cad
  • Photoshop
  • Lots of media (HD Movies, TV shows, Music)
  • Surfing the Internet
  • Downloading media
  • ... and has to be quite/near silent - if possible.

I don't really play games an a lot, but would like it to be able to handle Doom3, Battlefield 2 on max settings etc...

Budget: Anything between £500 to £999

I already have a 23" Samsung HDTV, Logitech MX Revo. Mouse and a Panasonic 5.1 home cinema system 400 Watts
But will purchase a proper Computer LCD screen in future.


I currently have an ADVENT 3217 purchased from **WORLD several years ago, it cost £800 Lol. I understand £800 today can get me quite a decent spec computer...?

Thanks

Bon
 
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If its for uni consider getting a laptop, should be able to get a great machine for your budget. You can always hook up the DVI output to your samsung too. It is so much hassle moving a desktop machine around and not worth it if you aren't into gaming.

If you want a desktop pc then everyone on here will tell you to build your own. It isn't that difficult and you can choose the exact spec you want. Something like this:
specnq4.jpg


You need Vista 64-bit to make use of all the RAM though. If you get XP, you will be limited to 3.5Gb. You should choose a dedicated TFT too, CAD work will be horrible on a HDTV.
 
Cheers guys!

1337zor - why will a HDTV not be good for everyday use? ...just wondering... but I'll admit it can be too bright and in your face sometimes, but theres a low energy setting on the panel which makes it easier on the eyes.

Getting another screen wouldn't be a problem? Hellooo dual screen, right? :D
 
Mr.Bon said:
Cheers guys!

1337zor - why will a HDTV not be good for everyday use? ...just wondering... but I'll admit it can be too bright and in your face sometimes, but theres a low energy setting on the panel which makes it easier on the eyes.

Getting another screen wouldn't be a problem? Hellooo dual screen, right? :D
Click to expand...

Yes that is what I meant that it would probably be very bad for your eyes over a long period of time as HDTV's are very bright. Yes you can use dual screen each screen can be se to different resolutions. This is what I did when I had my main PC screen and my HDTV hooked up to my main rig.
 
Mr.Bon said:
Budget: Anything between £500 to £999
Click to expand...
How about...



Regarding building it, best to do it yourself. You'll find loads of useful info here on these forums & any queries, problems, etc will be answered if you post them up. Also, you might find this guide useful ;)
 
If you really are only playing Doom 3 and Battlefield 2 (and NOT Crysis) then a 2GB laptop with a 8600 GT will probably surfice. Dell Vostro would be a good place to start.
 
Ok so I just created my first spec list. Tell me what you guys think? I'm aware of the B-grade Item, can some one tell me exactly what that means?

spec1.jpg
 
b-grades carry a shorter than normal warranty i think as they are usually RMA'd items or returned items that cant be sold as new.
i would also change the MB to a p35 chipset based one as the MB you picked features a 975X chipset which isnt that good at OCign a q6600 and is old tech
 
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As above, you're not even really making much of a saving over a P5K and a wifi card. Most of the other parts are top drawer (i.e. good) except I would use something more capable for cooling that quad. Tuniq tower, scythe ninja or thermalright ultra spring to mind.
 
You going to spend that amount on 5300 RAM when you can get a 4GB 6400 kit for £54~£80 :eek:

As mentioned, mobo is old & doesn't even support upcoming 45nm CPUs. Also, for B-grade that price is to high considering that it might not come with original packaging, some items missing (e.g. I/O plate) & has a shorter warranty, etc :(

EDIT: Only get XP Professional if you need/use:
Wikipedia said:
Windows XP Professional offers a number of features unavailable in the Home Edition, including:
  • The ability to become part of a Windows Server domain, a group of computers that are remotely managed by one or more central servers.
  • A sophisticated access control scheme that allows specific permissions on files to be granted to specific users under normal circumstances. However, users can use tools other than Windows Explorer (like cacls or File Manager), or restart to Safe Mode to modify access control lists.
  • Remote Desktop server, which allows a PC to be operated by another Windows XP user over a local area network or the Internet.
  • Offline Files and Folders, which allow the PC to automatically store a copy of files from another networked computer and work with them while disconnected from the network.
  • Encrypting File System, which encrypts files stored on the computer's hard drive so they cannot be read by another user, even with physical access to the storage medium.
  • Centralized administration features, including Group Policies, Automatic Software Installation and Maintenance, Roaming User Profiles, and Remote Installation Service (RIS).
  • Internet Information Services (IIS), Microsoft's HTTP and FTP Server.
  • Support for two physical central processing units (CPU). (Because the number of CPU cores and Hyper-threading capabilities on modern CPUs are considered to be part of a single physical processor, multicore CPUs are supported using XP Home Edition.)
  • Windows Management Instrumention Console (WMIC): WMIC is a command-line tool designed to ease WMI information retrieval about a system by using simple keywords (aliases).
Click to expand...
Otherwise Home will suffice.
 
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Ok thanks guys :)

Took your advice. Here is my second spec list, please tell me what you guys think?

Keeping in mind I won't be overclocking this build... ( I don't know how )

spec2.jpg
 
Mr.Bon said:
Ok thanks guys :)

Took your advice. Here is my second spec list, please tell me what you guys think?

Keeping in mind I won't be overclocking this build... ( I don't know how )
Click to expand...

Hi

Just so you know the Leadtek 8800GT is on special offer this week at a cheaper price than the Asus and with the money you save you could go for G.SKILL 2x2GB it's got a lot better timings and only marginally more expensive.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-021-GS
 
Don't be put off overclocking because it is very easy to do, it only gets hard when you are really pushing a system. You can get significant performance increases by overclocking i.e. run your Q6600 at Q6850 speeds (turning a £160 CPU into a £580 one!). For a mild overclock, it is simply a case of changing a few settings in the bios, and maybe using a windows app to overclock your graphics card.

If you really don't want to overclock at all, don't bother getting such an expensive motherboard, PSU or a Tuniq Tower. The stock cooler will be fine and you can get a cheaper mobo, RAM etc and not suffer any loss of performance. You won't need a 520W premium PSU either tbh.

If you are planning on overclocking, maybe get two of the Geil 2x1Gb ULL RAM packs which are only £28 each. You will get tighter timings on these and save some money, although stick to 2Gb sticks if you can see yourself upgrading to 8Gb during the lifetime of the pc. Everything else looks great, as said just get the cheapest 512Mb 8800GT as they are really all the same. Maybe look at the other hard drive options too, may aswell get a 500Gb drive for a little extra.

You will need 64-bit windows XP to make use of all your RAM. 32-bit can only address 4Gb total (including GPU) so you will lose about 0.5Gb - no big deal though.
 
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Mr.Bon said:
Keeping in mind I won't be overclocking this build... ( I don't know how )
Click to expand...
Maybe this might be helpful?

Hard disk wise you want either a Western Digital WD*000AAKS or Seagate 7200.10/11. Both are slightly fast than the competition & the latter even offers a 5-year warranty. Samsung's are generally silent, hence the better choice if building a HTPC or silent PC ;)

You sure don't want to squeeze in a proper monitor onto that list? Can drop the GFX to HD3850 which can handle the games you listed in OP.
 
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