Proposed new build

[BigGlenn]

Ok folks, should hopefully be receiving a little bit of money very shortly so the time is almost here to replace my old PC and bring myself into this century

Machine will be used for gaming - usually CS:S although this will allow me to try some of the latest titles like CoD4 etc

This is what I have been looking at, based on a budget of about £500

Case - Antec Sonata III with 500W PSU
Mobo - Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L
CPU - E6550
Memory - 2GB Corsair TwinX XMS2 PC2-5400 (to go with the 2GB I already have)
HDD - 160GB Samsung Spinpoint
Gfx - Considering the 512MB 8800GT - thread over in the Graphics card section re this
CD/DVD - Pioneer DVR-212BK
OS - Vista Home Premium 32 bit

This all comes to just under £530 so slightly over my intended budget

Question - If I am only using 32bit Vista, is it necessary to have 4GB memory as I already have 2GB of the above memory, hence why I chose it (which would also drop me back to my budget if it isn't needed)

I will also be adding a second hard-drive to the setup as well so the above 160GB will be for the OS and programs, with the second drive being added for storage although I only have 120GB in my current machine and that isn't full yet........

So, before I make my final decision on that order, can anyone give me their thoughts on what I have chosen

Thanks in advance

[daza]

Question - If I am only using 32bit Vista, is it necessary to have 4GB memory as I already have 2GB of the above memory, hence why I chose it (which would also drop me back to my budget if it isn't needed)

No 2gb will be fine, if you use 4gb with a 32bit os you'll only see about 3gb as the rest is reserved for system stuff.

My suggestion would be why not grab a quad core, but not a q6600 more along the lines of a X3210, it will overclock relatily easy but only has a 8x multi so its not everyones cup of tea but apart form that its the sever equivalent of the Q6600.

[vicar]

Increase your HD to 320 or better still the 500gb

[Thorsson]

CD/DVD - Samsung SH203.

OS - why go Vista and stick with 32-bit?

Memory in 32bit OS - it's not just that you are limited to using about 3.25Gb, but also that there is a maximum of 2Gb in any one program.

[Hunain]

You could try to save a bit at the CPU by looking at something with lower specs and perhaps overclock it later? and 2GB mem would be fine for Vista 32, I had Vista a month back, ran all the games fine, everything very smooth.

[Pob255]

Just a couple of things, is your current memory DDR2 or DDR? They are not cross compatible (ie they use a differnt slot, you cannot put ddr in a motherboard that uses ddr2 and visversa)

You could consider an ATi HD3870 512mb instead of the 8800gt it's slightly cheaper, the performance is slightly lower (but not by much) and it's got a far better stock cooler. (the stock cooler is the current reason I've not bought an 8800gt)

[master811]

No 2gb will be fine, if you use 4gb with a 32bit os you'll only see about 3gb as the rest is reserved for system stuff.

My suggestion would be why not grab a quad core, but not a q6600 more along the lines of a X3210, it will overclock relatily easy but only has a 8x multi so its not everyones cup of tea but apart form that its the sever equivalent of the Q6600.

Surely for the price difference perhaps £10 at most and you can prob find it on today only for less, the Q6600 would be the better option, a higher multi and stock speed would make it the better option?

Also as the Q6600 will be G0 stepping the TDP will be 95w vs 105w for the X3210, so will run cooler as well and better for OCing.

[BigGlenn]

Thanks for the replies everyone, much appreciated

Daza - My suggestion would be why not grab a quad core

I had considered that, but it depends how much money I finally get so there may well be a quad core in the final build but I have to confess it would probably be the Q6600 rather than the X3210 you suggested

Vicar - Increase your HD to 320 or better still the 500gb

Again, this would depend on the finances, but I would probably change it to a 250GB if I did for now as I do intend adding a second drive which would probably be a 500GB anyway, and like I stated, this drive is only for the OS and programs

Pob255 - Just a couple of things, is your current memory DDR2 or DDR?

Yes, the memory is DDR2 as it was given to me when my dad placed an order and ended up with some wrong memory so I 'borrowed' it

Thorsson - OS - why go Vista and stick with 32-bit?

A couple of reasons for this...
First is that I still hear stories from people about driver issues with the 64 bit version of Vista
Secondly, I can purchase Vista through my work organisation which works out cheaper for me and it is the 32 bit version I would get

Once again, thanks for the replies, and seeing as there has not been any big changes suggested then as soon as I get the money I will be placing my order and starting my first 'complete' PC build

[daza]

Also as the Q6600 will be G0 stepping the TDP will be 95w vs 105w for the X3210, so will run cooler as well and better for OCing.

Wrong all X3210's are now GO so run cooler, and theres a lot of debate about the Q6600 been a better overclocker but for 24/7 clocks you would normally run around 3.6~3.8 with a Q6600, I can get my X3210 to 3.8ghz for 24/7 clocks but only using 1.44v. Alot of people say the xeons are handpicked due to them been server grade chips but who knows all I know is Im likeing mine 3.6ghz with a 1800fsb Im not complaining.

[Thorsson]

First is that I still hear stories from people about driver issues with the 64 bit version of Vista
Secondly, I can purchase Vista through my work organisation which works out cheaper for me and it is the 32 bit version I would get

Drivers are generally no problem with mainstream new gear outside creative soundcards. And that's not a 64-bit problem but a Vista one. Software can more of a problem if you have legacy stuff. The only problem I've had is a little DOS database that I can no longer run.

You get a free upgrade to 64-bit. MS run a swap program.