Help with specing a computer
Hey all, been out of the computer game for a while and have lost touch with all the new technology. Im wanting to build a new pc but have no idea where to start with buying components. At the mo ive got an athlon xp based system which ive had for ages and has become a no no with games now, so an upgrade is in order.
I have around 500-600 to spend and dont need a monitor, keyboard/mouse.
Can you help me???
Thanks Lee
Re: Help with specing a computer
How about:
Corsair 520W PSU £64.50;
ABit IP35 motherboard £84.00;
320MB Leadtek 8800GTS £180.00;
Intel Core2Quad Q6600 £170;
320GB WD Caviar SE16 hard drive £48;
2GB Corsair PC6400 cas5 £59;
Total = £605.50
Graphics card good for gaming as long as you aren't playing at silly high resolutions, motherboard fairly future proof although the X38 chipset boards will be out soon (a few threads on here about them) and a quad for when multi-core gaming takes off properly.... forgot to include Windows, might have to cut back on a few things to fit that in as well if you need it.
Re: Help with specing a computer
You'll want a decent HSF on top of that..and a case..maybe an optical drive.
Looking at at least £50 - £75 more.
You can save £20 on the motherboard by getting the IP-35E (unless you need raid), i'd probably have the IP-35 myself though.
Can you use any part of your current pc, like teh case and optical?
Re: Help with specing a computer
If you do do after market cooling with the IP-35, I would avoid the Scythe Mine.
Re: Help with specing a computer
Cheers for the replies.
From my current computer i can use case, dvd drive and hdd. Ive got a hiper type r 580w psu so i assume i can use that?
Dont think i can use out else as its all to old now.
Never used raid so probably never will.
Re: Help with specing a computer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GSte
How about:
Corsair 520W PSU £64.50;
ABit IP35 motherboard £84.00;
320MB Leadtek 8800GTS £180.00;
Intel Core2Quad Q6600 £170;
320GB WD Caviar SE16 hard drive £48;
2GB Corsair PC6400 cas5 £59;
Total = £605.50
Graphics card good for gaming as long as you aren't playing at silly high resolutions, motherboard fairly future proof although the X38 chipset boards will be out soon (a few threads on here about them) and a quad for when multi-core gaming takes off properly.... forgot to include Windows, might have to cut back on a few things to fit that in as well if you need it.
looks spot on from here tbh, obviously u can skimp on the cpu if need be & overclock, but seeing as youve been out the game for a bit, the 6600 looks perfect for you.
Re: Help with specing a computer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
C14RKEY
Ive got a hiper type r 580w psu so i assume i can use that?
Yup - that'll be fine. I've used the exact same power supply in a similar setup and it was all OK, well apart from the fact that the PSU started making weird squealing noises like a pig was trapped inside it... but it's unlikely that yours will be the same.
Re: Help with specing a computer
idealy i want to keep the cost as close to 500 as i can.
Dont mind overclocking if i can save a bit.(my chepo studentness coming out now)
Was looking at the core2duo's but is it worh getting the core2quad?
Re: Help with specing a computer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fraz
Yup - that'll be fine. I've used the exact same power supply in a similar setup and it was all OK, well apart from the fact that the PSU started making weird squealing noises like a pig was trapped inside it... but it's unlikely that yours will be the same.
Well mine hasnt had a hard life, its only been powering a 2600xp and 9700pro :D
so im sure it can last a fair bit longer
Re: Help with specing a computer
65 quid off for the PSU makes it 550 so thats not bad tbh. The quad is prob worth it, just for added banter. year or so's time u will be v happy u went quad. Seems that everyone has a c2d on here and all seem to use similar motherboards, so in terms of getting bios settings to o clock, it will be v easy with a little help from the resident pros
Re: Help with specing a computer
Quote:
ABit IP35 motherboard £84.00;
320MB Leadtek 8800GTS £180.00;
Intel Core2Quad Q6600 £170;
2GB Corsair PC6400 cas5 £59;
Total = £493
so does this spec look good?
Re: Help with specing a computer
You could save money and get a C2D..... the E6750s look good value at £120. Don't know how they overclock, but I have no probs with anything using an E6600 even at stock speeds, which is slower than a 6750. If you did want to overclock though it may be worth spending the extra tenner on an E6600 as they all seem to reach 3.2GHz plus, but check out the how the E6750s do first. That mobo will be compatible with the new intel CPUs that are coming early next year, so you could hold off on a Quad until after then, when it will be easier to assess whether you need one or not. Would be worth spending the extra £10 on this ram if you can afford it:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-090-CR
OCUK are generally dodgy, but you can rma the ram to Crucial directly if you have any problems, and they are UK based and hassle free:)
Re: Help with specing a computer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GSte
You could save money and get a C2D..... the E6750s look good value at £120. Don't know how they overclock, but I have no probs with anything using an E6600 even at stock speeds, which is slower than a 6750. If you did want to overclock though it may be worth spending the extra tenner on an E6600 as they all seem to reach 3.2GHz plus, but check out the how the E6750s do first. That mobo will be compatible with the new intel CPUs that are coming early next year, so you could hold off on a Quad until after then, when it will be easier to assess whether you need one or not. Would be worth spending the extra £10 on this ram if you can afford it:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-090-CR
OCUK are generally dodgy, but you can rma the ram to Crucial directly if you have any problems, and they are UK based and hassle free:)
Im using a 1.8 C2D im my macbook and thats seems nippy enough. ill wait and see how the 6750s do
Usually use cruicial for my ram cause its lifetime warrenty so would most likley go for that
Re: Help with specing a computer
Cool, I think you'll be fairly impressed by the performance of that system if you're using an Athlon XP system at the moment, especially the graphics:)
Re: Help with specing a computer
Hopefully i will. Now its just time to wait for my student loan to come through.
Where did you get those prices from?
Re: Help with specing a computer
You can get better ram than the corsair especially if overclocking
this is amazing value for money
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...d=8&subcat=813
pretty much the best overclocking ram you can get