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Thread: Help with specing a computer

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    Question 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

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    Senior Member GSte's Avatar
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    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.

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    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
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    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?

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    Re: Help with specing a computer

    If you do do after market cooling with the IP-35, I would avoid the Scythe Mine.

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    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.

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    Re: Help with specing a computer

    Quote Originally Posted by GSte View Post
    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.
    Rig: Amd 64 3700+ San Diego | Abit AT8 | 4x512 Corsair XMS3200C2PRO | PowerColour X850XTPE / Arctic Cooled | Samsung Spinpoint 250Gig | Enermax NoiseTake 485w | Arctic Freezer 64 Pro | Coolermaster Wavemaster Silver | Dell 2405FPW | Logitech G5 / Everglide Destrukt Monstermat |

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    Get in the van. Fraz's Avatar
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    Re: Help with specing a computer

    Quote Originally Posted by C14RKEY View Post
    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.

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    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?

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    Re: Help with specing a computer

    Quote Originally Posted by Fraz View Post
    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

    so im sure it can last a fair bit longer

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    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
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    Re: Help with specing a computer


    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?

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    Senior Member GSte's Avatar
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    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

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    Re: Help with specing a computer

    Quote Originally Posted by GSte View Post
    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

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    Senior Member GSte's Avatar
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    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

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    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?

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    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
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    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

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