Custom build pc

[MoogleViper]

I'm thinking of building a new PC. My budget is around £500 but can be adjusted if absolutely neccessary. I'll be using the pc for gaming, coursework, films and music.

Heres one that I've come up with:


Intel E2160 CPU
Gigabyte GA P31-DS3L Motherboard
2GB (2x1GB) Corsair DDR2 PC2-6400 RAM
PowerColor HD 3850 Graphics Card
250 GB Western Digital WD2500AAKS Hard Drive
Samsung SATA DVD-RW
Antec Sonata III Case (inc. 500W PSU)
19" ASUS Widescreen Monitor

Total: £474.54


What do you people think? Please feel free to make any changes. But please state the reasons why. Bear in mind that I'm not very knowledgable when it comes to computers.

I also need a mouse, keyboard and speakers. I'm not looking for anything amazing just something half decent.

Edit: I've just noticed that this may not be the right board for this thread. Sorry about that I'm new here. Would somebody please be able to move it to the appropriate board?

[Cozwin]

Ok id change two things

1.Change video card to a 9600gt or 8800gt 256 depending on budget, nvidia are alot better in every way tbh.

2.Change case to one of the artic cooling cases, i bought one for sister and it comes with a seasonic (good brand) 500/550 power supply, is extremely quiet and very good cooling and great ideas. Is around 60 quid in most places.. i believe its at scan and ebuyer.

other then that all id maybe recommend is go Seagate as they are better warranty's (longer) and awesome returns service.

[Cozwin]

if one tight budget btw maybe this

Coolermaster Elite 330 Black Case With CM eXtreme Power 460W PSU *SPECIAL OFFER* - Ebuyer


or what i said above

Arctic Cooling Silentium T1 Eco Mid Tower Case - With 550W PSU - Ebuyer
This case is awesome i guarantee it.

[shaffaaf27]

the sonata III is an amazing case, esp with a very good PSU with it. leave that.

But change the GPU to a 9600GT. one can be had for £106 from CCL

[streetster]

see if you can stretch to a 20" widescreen (1680x1050 vs your 1440x900), you wont regret it (unless you then wish you'd gone for a 24"..)

[Cozwin]

the sonata III is an amazing case, esp with a very good PSU with it. leave that.

But change the GPU to a 9600GT. one can be had for £106 from CCL

when he can save 50 quid on coolermaster and its probably a better case and psu anyway? and i for one wouldnt buy off CCL because scan/ebuyer both free shipping and both more reliable.

[Blitzen]

if one tight budget btw maybe this

Coolermaster Elite 330 Black Case With CM eXtreme Power 460W PSU *SPECIAL OFFER* - Ebuyer


or what i said above

Arctic Cooling Silentium T1 Eco Mid Tower Case - With 550W PSU - Ebuyer
This case is awesome i guarantee it.

That Coolermaster case/psu you linked is fantastic.
I just built a C2D system in one for a friend and it was fantastic for the price.

The quality felt like it should be £30 more tbh....the PSU was also excellent to my suprise.

[staffsMike]

1.Change video card to a 9600gt -maybe or 8800gt 256 -certainly is not better depending on budget, nvidia are alot better in every way tbh. -not really..

The HD3850 is a great card and at the new prices is very good for the money as is the HD3870

[Behemoth]

If you do go for an 8800 GT then get the 512 meg version, the 256 is nit much use to be honest.

That said though the 3850 is a very good card

[Cozwin]

The HD3850 is a great card and at the new prices is very good for the money as is the HD3870

staff i think you need to do a bit more reading... its better by miles, the 9600 beats the 3850 and 70 and the 8800gt beats both by miles. And nvidia are better because they will get physics for free built into 8800, there company is going down the drain, better fps on most games, simple as this nvidia are better no fanboyism here just they are.

[MoogleViper]

Ok I'm really confused. I'm going to have a think about it. I'll probably choose one that will save me money without too much compromise on quality.

Is the coolermaster better than the sonata?

[freddie]

re the graphics card. 256mb is not the way forward so 3850 and 8800gt with 256 is weak.

amd/ati are better at idle power draw, and run cool.

the new 9600 I see from reviews is just as good for the price. thats the thing for the price.

i'd say there are no winners or losers from any of these cards, it will be little personal preferences like how load the fan is or what outlets the card has. price/performance ratio seems to fairly even.

thats my take.

the case seems great, what about the antec 4480? 380w power, nice black case.

[staffsMike]

staff i think you need to do a bit more reading... its better by miles, the 9600 beats the 3850 and 70 and the 8800gt beats both by miles. And nvidia are better because they will get physics for free built into 8800, there company is going down the drain, better fps on most games, simple as this nvidia are better no fanboyism here just they are.

I din't say they were better than the 9600GT. I said they are good cards. Both provide very decent framerates at 1680 x 1050 or below which is more than enough for most users of 22" screen or lower.

Nvidia aren't simply better in every way, what kind of statement is that? It's taken Nvidia 3 goes (cards) to match or better the performance of the HD3870 at it's price .. they must be better

AMD's prices are better and they are probably the only reason you have a 9600GT released this early and probably the only reason it's at the price it's at.

the case seems great, what about the antec 4480? 380w power, nice black case.

It's a pretty good case and 380W will be enough for that system.

[MoogleViper]

What do you guys think to this?

Komplett.co.uk - PC kit - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ 2.3GHz, GA-M57SLI-S4,2GB ,500GB, GF8600GT 512MB

I think this is what I will get. That just leaves a monitor, mouse, keyboard and speakers.

[Cozwin]

What do you guys think to this?

Komplett.co.uk - PC kit - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ 2.3GHz, GA-M57SLI-S4,2GB ,500GB, GF8600GT 512MB

I think this is what I will get. That just leaves a monitor, mouse, keyboard and speakers.

well first thing id point out is 8600gt is weak at best if you want to play games etc.
Also keep in mind these companies dont always build these systems and test them the combos could not work together well.

Also maybe check scan and yoyotech combos there normally pretty good.

[Lord Midas]

Your original spec is decent for a beginners rig. However:

Rather than the 3850 256MB for £101 you could get the 3870 XT 512MB for £111.

And your ASUS 19" @ 1440x900 is £116 which is good but not a good enough res.
Try the OcUK 20" @ 1680x1050 which is £117. It'll make all the difference.

Adding £11 to your price. Making it now £485. Throw in an extra tenner an you can get the Orange Box