Suitable computer?

Lydzor

Lydzor

Lydzor

Associate
Joined
19 Apr 2007
Posts
781
Hi guys, I see there are a few clever guys on these here forums and thought it's the obvious place to look for some advice.

I'm looking for a new computer which will be primarily used to play games from past - future. I play mainly Counter-Strike: Source and am interested in buying some other games like Farcry and Command and Conquer 3.

I've been eyeing up this system http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-032-OK&groupid=43&catid=781&subcat= but i'm a bit hesitant as i've never owned an overclocked system and am worried it may die after a year or so, also i don't really need the webcam or the mouse.

I'm not really a computer builder, i know the basics of doing it but haven't tried, my Dad has built AGP systems before and wouldn't mind setting it up for me, are there any important differences between the systems that need to be noted? I'd prefer a system set up, but if PCI-E is not too different from a AGP and it will save some money i'm up for it. I'm not really up to OCing a system myself.

For this computer i'd like it to have an 8800 gtx and 500gb of disk space, 2gb of ram at minimum really and obviously a decent CPU and er USB slots :P. I'm also going to need a monitor, my eyesight will be less than a metre away from the screen so i don't want a size too big, i also don't really like widescreen as some games don't have resolutions for it and it stretches the screen. Keyboard and speakers will also be needed. o_O

Thanks, i don't think i've missed anything, there may be an edit otherwise. :)
 
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Welcome to the forums, you can save a bit of money over that system by building yourself although obviously it is a bit more effort and doesn't come pre-overclocked. I know nothing about speakers really so I've just included some that seem reasonably specified and as for monitors this Dell Ultrasharp 20.1" is one of the few that OcUK sell that isn't widescreen but is over 19". I should also say that I have downgraded a few parts slightly over the pre-built OcUK system to save cash but they will not make a noticeable difference. :)

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit Edition DVD - OEM - 1Pk (66I-00788) £63.99
(£75.19) £63.99
(£75.19)
Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-620HXUK) £84.99
(£99.86) £84.99
(£99.86)
Samsung SH-183LBEBN 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer Serial ATA Lightscribe ReWriter (Black) - OEM £17.99
(£21.14) £17.99
(£21.14)
Lian-Li PC-7 PLUS Aluminium Midi-Tower Case - Black £49.99
(£58.74) £49.99
(£58.74)
Creative Inspire T6100 5.1 Speakers - Retail £39.99
(£46.99) £39.99
(£46.99)
Asus GeForce 8800 GTX HTDP 768MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail £324.99
(£381.86) £324.99
(£381.86)
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-6400C4 800MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT12864AA804) £99.99
(£117.49) £99.99
(£117.49)
Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB 5000AAKS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM £67.99
(£79.89) £67.99
(£79.89)
Saitek Eclipse 2 Illuminated Keyboard - Blue/Red/Purple £27.99
(£32.89) £27.99
(£32.89)
Gigabyte GA_965P_DS3P (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £74.99
(£88.11) £74.99
(£88.11)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail £129.99
(£152.74) £129.99
(£152.74)
Sub Total : £982.89
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
City Link Parcel Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £14.95
Vat : £174.62
Total : £1,172.46
 
Hi there, thanks for the response. That looks like a good spec there, i was going to ask whether i should ask for a 64 bit vista instead of 32, it's like you read my mind choosing the 64 bit. I like the look of the monitor, i tend to stay away from Dell stuff as i think the lower budget stuff looks tacky, this however doesn't. I guess i should also say that i don't mind spending up to £1,500 for my system, so what would you suggest upgrading in that spec? Again with the speakers, i'm not too fussed as i've got along with £5 speakers very well so far! I use headphones for gaming anyway. I was also thinking of maybe getting Crysis when it's released, so maybe you could suggest an addition to the specs which could compliment this. Thanks :D.
 
I just picked Vista 64bit as it will allow you to get 4gb of Ram or more if you wanted to, it isn't 100% settled though with all drivers etc but then you'd expect that with a new OS and it will only get better.

The only thing that is likely to give you a really noticeable difference is changing to a 24" monitor but then it is widescreen which you don't want.

You could go for 4gb Ram but 2gb is quite enough for most people still, other than that I'd consider an aftermarket cooler which will cost around £35 for any one of the following - Noctua NH-U12F, Scythe Ninja or Tuniq Tower. Pick the one you like the look of as there is little performance difference.

There are always more expensive choices in Ram or graphics cards that you could go with but unless you are overclocking quite heavily you wouldn't be likely to notice. Overclocking a Core2Duo is pretty easy though, take a look through the motherboard or overclocking sub-forums and you will find a few guides.

Case might be a worthwhile upgrade if you find a more expensive one you like the look of but be sure to check that an 8800GTX will fit into it. :)
 
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