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Thread: New Gaming Rig Spec

  1. #1
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    • awzm's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Abit IP-35E
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core 2 Quad-Core Q6600 G0
      • Memory:
      • 2x Crucial Ballistix 1GB DDR2 PC2 6400 800MHz
      • Storage:
      • 2x 320 Gb Samsung HD321KJ Spinpoint
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 768MB ScanFX 8800GTX, PCI-E
      • PSU:
      • 520W Corsair HX Series Modular PSU
      • Case:
      • Antec P182
      • Monitor(s):
      • Hanns.G HW191D 19"
      • Internet:
      • Nildram ADSL

    New Gaming Rig Spec

    Budget: ~£1000

    Use: Gaming as the most intensive use

    Firstly, I haven't built a PC for quite some years and this one is slowly dying so I'm wanting to upgrade. I have a monitor already so the £1K is for the case and insides only. I already have an existing idea of what I want to get in terms of basics but I'm really stuck as to the finished spec. I've looked at previous threads but wanted opinions on my specific spec.

    CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad-Core Q6600

    HS+Fan: No idea

    Mobo: Asus P5K (I don't know which model though. I don't intend to RAID and already have a PCI wireless card.)

    RAM: No idea really

    PSU: Corsair HX 520w (unless the 620w is necessary)

    GFX: Again no idea really, I guess an 8800 of some kind

    Case: Antec P182

    HDD: Not fussed particularly so I'm guessing 2x 250GB SATA300, probably Samsung

    CD/DVD: Again not fussed though open to suggestions on particulars


    I'm open to suggestions on any part I mentioned but what I'm really looking for is a definitive spec that I can hopefully get from Scan and Scan alone though getting from additional vendor's isn't the biggest problem.

    Thanks in advance for all comments/suggestions.

  2. #2
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    Re: New Gaming Rig Spec

    It seems like you're aiming for roughly the same price/performance point that I'm going for on my new system

    For a HSF, the Tuniq Tower 120, and the Thermalright ultra 120 extreme (with a good fan) come strongly recommended. They are, however, not exactly stocked by everyone, making ordering a little more annoying!

    If you're going to overclock that Q6600, the P5K-E and -deluxe seem to be recommended, but the -E alone would add £50 to your budget. Personally, the P5K-E tempts for the ability to use Matrix Raid. You'll probably still get reasonable results from the plain P5K, so if you have to keep the cost down, don't worry about sticking with that!

    RAM is a bit of a red herring in some respects. It looks really strange and complex and super performance effecting, but in reality as long as you have 2GiB, you'll be happy no matter what speed it runs at You can get a 2Gb pair of nicely branded Corsair TwinX XMS2 PC6400 (800MHz) for less than £65, and that should keep you in good stead. You can almost certainly shave £20 off that figure for a lesser brand, but I'd let others advise on that.

    Depending on the rest of your setup, you could just squeeze in a generic 8800GTX for £320 (or less, depending on today only offers and the like). I'm going to guess, however, that it would probably be total overkill for your old monitor, and a £180 320Mb 8800 GTS would work great!

    I'll set someone who understands power supplies comment on those

    Hard drives could possibly be left until you know how much budget you have to spare for them. As you're after storage space (rather than super-amazing speed), you're unlikely to loose much by waiting to select something to fit your budget.

    I'm very curious about DVD-R drive recommendations! As they are all around £22, it will be interesting to see which makes are prefered!

  3. #3
    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
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    • staffsMike's system
      • Motherboard:
      • evga 680i
      • CPU:
      • e6600
      • Memory:
      • geil ultra pc6400
      • Storage:
      • WD 320gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • leadtek 8800 GTS 640mb
      • PSU:
      • ocz gameXstream 700w
      • Case:
      • akasa eclipse
      • Monitor(s):
      • dell 2007wfp and Lg L194WT
      • Internet:
      • pipex homecall

    Re: New Gaming Rig Spec

    Well you're on the right path.

    Are you planning to overclock this?

    HSF wise i'm a big fan on the scythe ninja.

    For the mobo the asuk p5k is good but i'd personally have an abit IP-35 (completly down to personal preference but its a lovely board and the support is great from abit..asus support is rubbish)

    RAM. Crucial ballistix PC5300 is great stuff and easily clocks in most cases to PC8500 speeds.

    That PSU is perfect.

    GFX: your budget would probably fit an 8800GTX of some description but the 8800GTS 320mb/640mb are awesome.

    Nice case

    I'd have either samsung spinpoints or my personal choice would be the western digital 500GBAAKS. Lovely quiet and fast hard drive.

    CD/DVD. i'd have a sata samsung dvd writer. super quiet for a dvd drive.

  4. #4
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    • awzm's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Abit IP-35E
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core 2 Quad-Core Q6600 G0
      • Memory:
      • 2x Crucial Ballistix 1GB DDR2 PC2 6400 800MHz
      • Storage:
      • 2x 320 Gb Samsung HD321KJ Spinpoint
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 768MB ScanFX 8800GTX, PCI-E
      • PSU:
      • 520W Corsair HX Series Modular PSU
      • Case:
      • Antec P182
      • Monitor(s):
      • Hanns.G HW191D 19"
      • Internet:
      • Nildram ADSL

    Re: New Gaming Rig Spec

    Should have said that I'm not really bothered about overclocking, it's not a priority at all so i'll probably leave it.

  5. #5
    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
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    • staffsMike's system
      • Motherboard:
      • evga 680i
      • CPU:
      • e6600
      • Memory:
      • geil ultra pc6400
      • Storage:
      • WD 320gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • leadtek 8800 GTS 640mb
      • PSU:
      • ocz gameXstream 700w
      • Case:
      • akasa eclipse
      • Monitor(s):
      • dell 2007wfp and Lg L194WT
      • Internet:
      • pipex homecall

    Re: New Gaming Rig Spec

    OK then the standard abit IP-35 or even the Ip-35E would be a good board. The IP-35 has some solid caps so better for reliablilty/length on life etc.. so i'd probably have that but the E would serve your purpose.

    The ram i'd just get the pc5300 ballistix, very stable ram and leave potential for overclocking likethe IP-35 would.

  6. #6
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    • awzm's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Abit IP-35E
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core 2 Quad-Core Q6600 G0
      • Memory:
      • 2x Crucial Ballistix 1GB DDR2 PC2 6400 800MHz
      • Storage:
      • 2x 320 Gb Samsung HD321KJ Spinpoint
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 768MB ScanFX 8800GTX, PCI-E
      • PSU:
      • 520W Corsair HX Series Modular PSU
      • Case:
      • Antec P182
      • Monitor(s):
      • Hanns.G HW191D 19"
      • Internet:
      • Nildram ADSL

    Re: New Gaming Rig Spec

    Thanks for the comments so far, been a great help.

    As far as the graphics card goes... I'm currently on a Hanns.G 19" widescreen (max res 1440x900) THOUGH I might very well upgrade to a Samsung 22" which has much higher res and contrast ratio etc.
    I don't know how this would affect GFX card recommendations.

  7. #7
    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
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    • staffsMike's system
      • Motherboard:
      • evga 680i
      • CPU:
      • e6600
      • Memory:
      • geil ultra pc6400
      • Storage:
      • WD 320gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • leadtek 8800 GTS 640mb
      • PSU:
      • ocz gameXstream 700w
      • Case:
      • akasa eclipse
      • Monitor(s):
      • dell 2007wfp and Lg L194WT
      • Internet:
      • pipex homecall

    Re: New Gaming Rig Spec

    Both 320mb and 640mb 8800GTS are very capable at 1680x 1050 (22"). Saying that as the dx10 games start filtering through the GTX may have a big advantage. Problem is..we are flying blind at the moment which is why some people are getting ati x1950pro's for the moment and then waiting for the new gen dx10 cards to come.

    the 320mb 8800GTS is the best compromise if you do want DX10 though. Normally around £180 for a good brand and will perform very well at those resolutions.

  8. #8
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    • awzm's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Abit IP-35E
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core 2 Quad-Core Q6600 G0
      • Memory:
      • 2x Crucial Ballistix 1GB DDR2 PC2 6400 800MHz
      • Storage:
      • 2x 320 Gb Samsung HD321KJ Spinpoint
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 768MB ScanFX 8800GTX, PCI-E
      • PSU:
      • 520W Corsair HX Series Modular PSU
      • Case:
      • Antec P182
      • Monitor(s):
      • Hanns.G HW191D 19"
      • Internet:
      • Nildram ADSL

    Re: New Gaming Rig Spec

    one more thing..An OS.

    I'm on XP and I'm guessing I'll need a new one for the new PC. Best to go for Vista? If so which variant? Or is it best to stick with XP or possible XP-64bit?

  9. #9
    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
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    • staffsMike's system
      • Motherboard:
      • evga 680i
      • CPU:
      • e6600
      • Memory:
      • geil ultra pc6400
      • Storage:
      • WD 320gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • leadtek 8800 GTS 640mb
      • PSU:
      • ocz gameXstream 700w
      • Case:
      • akasa eclipse
      • Monitor(s):
      • dell 2007wfp and Lg L194WT
      • Internet:
      • pipex homecall

    Re: New Gaming Rig Spec

    i'd go with XP 32bit if you want to keep that.

    If you want to go 64bit i'd go to vista64 as its properly supported for the most part.

  10. #10
    No-one's Fanboi Thorsson's Avatar
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      • CPU:
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      • Graphics card(s):
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      • Operating System:
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      • Internet:
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    Re: New Gaming Rig Spec

    If you have a non-OEM XP you can transfer it to the new machine. Otherwise I would recommend Vista, as XP will start to see a drop off in support in the next couple of years.

    Best Vista IMO is Upgrade Home Premium from EBay. I got one for £60. You don't even need a qualifying disk: http://www.windowssecrets.com/comp/070201#story1

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