Bit of advice building a new rig (£400-500)

[Whiternoise]

Price only needs to cover mobo, CPU, RAM, GFX and a new HDD

Basically my PC at the moment is getting to the point where i can't stand it much longer and i need a good old speed boost that'll last me a few years. The current shopping list i've got from Scan is as follows:

Core2Duo E4500 - £77.20
Asus P5KC - £76.42
512MB BFG Tech 8800GT - £173.77
2GB Corsair DDR 800 - £36.99
Scythe Miné CPU HSF - £23.49
500GB WD AAKS - £63.67

Comes to a nice total of £458.53

Primary concerns are if there are any better value options, i'm not fussed about Quads so Duo will do me fine. Also i'm getting a 24" monitor at some point so i think 512mb RAM is probably best. I'm planning to overclock the processor, and the E4500 seemed like the best option.

Any suggestions are muchly welcome!

[staffsMike]

At your res it's best to stick with the 8800GT if not the GTS.

I would get

Pentium Dual Core E2180 (or 2160) for around £50
IP-35 Dark raider (check today onlys this week on scan you will get one for about £65)
8800GTS - £190
2GB of PC5300 would do for around £25 but £35 is the most you will need to spend.
Scythe mine is fine
as is the hard drive.

The pentium dual cores are typically able to hit about 3.0Ghz and offer amazing value for money because of this.

comes to a bit less than yours I think.

The motherboard is very good as is the graphics card. The processor at that price is pretty disposable so you can look at upgrades quite soon if you feel need.

[Webby]

You might want to consider the new E8200 as a potential CPU option they overclock really well and the smaller manufacturing process should make it more energy efficient and hence cooler.

I would also suggest either the Scythe Ninja or the Thermalright Ultima 90 with a 120mm fan.

[Whiternoise]

Thought about the Ultima but it's a bit of a beast! The Mine had good reviews and it seems to be what i want in terms of cooling performance vs noise.

With regards to the Pentium Dual Core - it's definitely on my considering list, but would it be worth just spending the extra 20 on a C2D?

I also considered waiting for the Wolfdale chips, but that'd bump up the price a fair amount..

[staffsMike]

not worth getting the C2D unless you have significant need for the extra mb of cache which you don't really for gaming.

I would stick with the pentium dual core, at it's price it is pretty expendable in terms of upgrade and will give near enough the same performance.

[Blitzen]

Thought about the Ultima but it's a bit of a beast! The Mine had good reviews and it seems to be what i want in terms of cooling performance vs noise.

The Scythe Mine would suit almost anybodies needs.

I have a 32% overclock (not enormous i know) and use this HS/Fan.
Its silent and my temps, under load, never exceed 38 degrees. For £23 its the best value

As for CPU...take a look at the E2140.
I have just done a build for someone using this and its incredible. Clocked to 3.0ghz so easily and stayed quite low in temps. For £43 thats amazing value.

[Whiternoise]

Righto, points well made gentlemen!

I think i shall stick with a Pentium DC then

(gives me a bit more to throw towards periphs)