£500ish new rig

Hello all,

I'm looking to build my own computer as my current one is over five years old now:ill:, and it's impossible to upgrade any further.

I'm looking for a rig that can game resonably well (not fussed about Crysis, but I would like to play Oblivion, it doesn't run on mine!). Also, i'm going back to Uni or the third time this autumn studying aerodynamics, so i'd like something that can handle whatever programs come my way. It's likely to be something like FORTRAN, which isn't going tax any rig, but I might be able to get hold of some 3d software, so I'd like it to be able to run something like Studiomax.

I'ev set the budget at about £500, but I can increase it if there's any components that are worth spending the extra on. That's just for the box, and I don't need an OS.

I would like something where I could up to about 4 hdd's, but I only need one at the moment, and I would need a floppy drive!. Also I'd like something which I could run for a few years, with only upgrading the RAM and gfx card.

I would like to overclock, but nothing too silly!

Any ideas?

Thanks

Something like this:

Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2140

Abit IP35-E

2GB Corsair TwinX XMS2 DDR2 PC2-6400

512MB BFG 8800GT OC

320Gb Samsung Spinpoint 7200 rpm, 16MB Cache

Pioneer DVR-212BK

Coolermaster CM-690

450W Corsair VX

+ Cheap Floppy for £5ish

From Scan this would be £487.79 with free delivery (Scan2Hexus), and you may be able to save some money using today only. This PC will play most games at 1680x1050 and will overclock nicely.

I would go for a better compromise on components.

Intel Q6600 - £160
IP-35 - £65 (check scans today only prices next week it will pop up)
2GB PC6400 - £30
ATi HD3850 - £105 Or Nvidea 8800GS £115
Antec Sonata 3 with 500W Earthwatts PSU - £70
320GB Samsung or Western Digital AAKS - £40/£45
DVD Drive and floppy drive - £25
Scythe Ninja HSF - £25 (for overclocking and silence)

All that comes to about £500 .. A little over perhaps.

It will give great gaming performace on a 22" screen or lower and will also be a shed load better at rendering in studio max etc..

Persoanlly I would get 4GB or RAM while it is so cheap, studiomax will love it and it still should be around £550 which is a bargain for all that PC :)

Thanks very much ELCapitan and staffsMike, really useful.

Just a couple of questions, if I may.

I've got a bit of flexibility in my budget (say about £100-£200). Is it worth upgrading the mobo to a darkraider or a pro? What kind of improvements would there be.

Is it worth getting the 45nm Q9450? I realise it's new but do you think there would be better o/c potential.

Finally, the power supply in that case, is it alright? Many of the threads here, everyone says how important a good power supply is. For a little bit more, is it worth getting a separate case/PSU combo

Cheers

need a monitor?

I'll use my current one until a couple of months time, when the company I work for is getting rid of a 20" jobby I can have! :)

The dair raider is the mobo I suggest originally :)

Check here each day and it will pop up for around £64
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

I wouldn't bother with the Q9450 at that price but you can if you like. You can easily get 3.4GHz out of a q6600 though.

That PSU + case cobo is one of the few I would actually get. It's a very good quality, high efficency PSU and i've not heard of many problems with them. Not like your typical £30 case + 700W jobbies.

If you have the extra money though something like what ELCapitan recommended is very good for a little bit extra, neither will cause problems though.

Thanks for the heads up on the case and the motherboard.

What i've cobbled together at the moment is:

Intel Q6600 ~ £160
IP-35 Dark R. ~ £75 (hopefully £65 on Today Only)
4Gb Geil PC2-6400 ~ £70
Asus HD3870 512Mb ~ £140
320 Gb Samsung HDD ~ £50
Antec Sonata w 500W PSU ~ £75
Scythe Ninja ~ £25
DVD & Floppy ~ £25

Look alright to you guys?

Looks very nice yeah :)

The 3850pro does overclock to 3870 speeds but if you want to save yourself the bother its still a very good card for the money.

Think I'll save £20 and overclock it. After all, that's what o/c is for!:lol:

I'll let you know how the build goes

Kool. Enjoy it and I hope it goes well :)

Nice advice, I'm also looking to upgrade with the same sort of budget. Cheers!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Almafi

Nice advice, I'm also looking to upgrade with the same sort of budget. Cheers!

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Well if you need any extra help you know where to post :)