New Rig [Please Assist]

[Kev32]

Been having a bit of a problem with a new build I'm deciding on. Basically I am wanting to upgrade my Motherboard, CPU with 3rd party CPU Cooler, RAM and Graphics Card. Probably a new PSU if I can afford it. I'd like to keep it at around £800 or lower preferably but everything keeps going OOS or just dissapear. Please any assistance would be appreciated with complete rig examples!

What I've thought on so far is:

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK - CPU (Epic amounts of Stock fail)
Abit IX38 QuadGT Intel X38 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard - Motherboard (Although apparently I'll be completely destroyed if I order from ocUK but this is the only place that stocks this awesome motherboard it would seem since it vanished off Scan today)
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK - RAM

As for Graphics. Not a clue. ATI drivers still in beta means that performance could be badly misjudged. 9800GX2 costs way too much and getting an 8800GT may mean being left behind after 2 seconds of buying in the tech market.

I really just want a PC that's going to play games now and future releases fairly well. So please any ideas throw them here!

Any ideas on a good 500gb HDD makes would be appreciated as well.

[distantt]

might be better waiting for scan to get them back in stock? they were about £25 cheaper + delivery savings - was thinking of getting one myself

[SuicidaL]

Been having a bit of a problem with a new build I'm deciding on. Basically I am wanting to upgrade my Motherboard, CPU with 3rd party CPU Cooler, RAM and Graphics Card. Probably a new PSU if I can afford it. I'd like to keep it at around £800 or lower preferably but everything keeps going OOS or just dissapear. Please any assistance would be appreciated with complete rig examples!

What I've thought on so far is:

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK - CPU (Epic amounts of Stock fail)
Abit IX38 QuadGT Intel X38 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard - Motherboard (Although apparently I'll be completely destroyed if I order from ocUK but this is the only place that stocks this awesome motherboard it would seem since it vanished off Scan today)
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK - RAM

As for Graphics. Not a clue. ATI drivers still in beta means that performance could be badly misjudged. 9800GX2 costs way too much and getting an 8800GT may mean being left behind after 2 seconds of buying in the tech market.

I really just want a PC that's going to play games now and future releases fairly well. So please any ideas throw them here!

Any ideas on a good 500gb HDD makes would be appreciated as well.

what about the new 8800GTS? i'd take that over a GT

[Kev32]

Not sure if they're stocking that particular x38 motherboard at scan anymore

As for graphics, I was looking at a 3870X2, would the drivers really make that much of a difference? Otherwise I guess it'll have to be a 8800GTS unless I wait around for 9800X2's to come down.

[Blitzen]

Been having a bit of a problem with a new build I'm deciding on. Basically I am wanting to upgrade my Motherboard, CPU with 3rd party CPU Cooler, RAM and Graphics Card. Probably a new PSU if I can afford it. I'd like to keep it at around £800 or lower preferably but everything keeps going OOS or just dissapear. Please any assistance would be appreciated with complete rig examples!

What I've thought on so far is:

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK - CPU (Epic amounts of Stock fail)
Abit IX38 QuadGT Intel X38 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard - Motherboard (Although apparently I'll be completely destroyed if I order from ocUK but this is the only place that stocks this awesome motherboard it would seem since it vanished off Scan today)
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK - RAM

As for Graphics. Not a clue. ATI drivers still in beta means that performance could be badly misjudged. 9800GX2 costs way too much and getting an 8800GT may mean being left behind after 2 seconds of buying in the tech market.

I really just want a PC that's going to play games now and future releases fairly well. So please any ideas throw them here!

Any ideas on a good 500gb HDD makes would be appreciated as well.

Yoyotech stock that motherboard. Here ya go: YOYOtech
(So do Komplett but give them a swerve. Their P&P is a rip off)

Its a great board.....best buy i have made for a while.

I picked up a couple of the 500GB Samsung Spinpoints 2 weeks back. Only £50 each.

[distantt]

Not sure if they're stocking that particular x38 motherboard at scan anymore

As for graphics, I was looking at a 3870X2, would the drivers really make that much of a difference? Otherwise I guess it'll have to be a 8800GTS unless I wait around for 9800X2's to come down.

ah no, its been in my basket since morning and it really has disappeared

it still shows up as i go to checkout but the actual item description page isn't there anymore!

[distantt]

Abit IX38 Quad-GT Motherboard Intel Core 2 Duo/Quad S775 ATX (Graphics Not Inclu - £128
Abit motherboard IX38 Quad GT LGA775 Intel X38 Core 2 multi-core 1333 FSB DDR2 ATX - IX38 QUAD GT - www.microdirect.co.uk - £131

never personally used either shop but still quite a saving

[Kev32]

Haha, brilliant guess I didn't look very hard. Well I guess that sorts the motherboard as it's definitely a must buy for any single graphics card user.

Think I'll stick with my Q9450. Anyone got any good ideas for a nice Quad core cooler?

[Blitzen]

Scythe Mine works increibly well for me.
Still well under 40 degrees with OC @ 3.2ghz load

[Kev32]

Cool, that leaves just a graphics card. I'd like something thats going to last me a fairly long time (I've had to upgrade on average every 1.5 years due to always getting ****ty budget equipment). Is a 3870X2 a wise investment even if the final drivers arn't that great?

[Blitzen]

Horses for courses really.
I not an ATi fan. I have had them but they seem to die (for me anyway).

Cant go wrong with the 8800GTS 512 or even the 8800GTX at the price they are.

GTS 512mb - £160-190
GTX - £200

The 3870X2 is good. I CBA to look at the price but a few weeks ago its was £250-270 and its certainly not £100 better than a GTS 512mb

[LoPan]

8800GT and GTS are likely to drop in price a bit with the release of the 9800GTX today (basically an over clocked re badged 8800GTS), but might take a week or so to come through.

Only reason I'd consider ATI is if you upgrade regularly, as crossfire gives extra life to old cards.

[Blitzen]

8800GT and GTS are likely to drop in price a bit with the release of the 9800GTX today (basically an over clocked re badged 8800GTS), but might take a week or so to come through.

Only reason I'd consider ATI is if you upgrade regularly, as crossfire gives extra life to old cards.

By the looks of it, its going to go the other way.
I was reading an American forum this morning and over there the prices of the 8800GTS 512 are rising because the new 9800 series cards are under performers for their price.

I think, if you want a good card, now is the time to buy rather than leave it a few weeks.

[Kev32]

So 8800GTX would be a good investment for my money? Any particular card? Thanks for the help so far guys

[staffsMike]

I wouldn't call it a good inverstment but it's certainly the best card at it's price. It's getting on a bit now and it's a bit power hungry but it's certainly a performer.

I personally would either get the the HD3870X2 at around £235 (ebuyer had them at this price) or the 8800GTS at around £165 which is a hell of a card at that price.

[Blitzen]

I personally would either get the the HD3870X2 at around £235 (ebuyer had them at this price) or the 8800GTS at around £165 which is a hell of a card at that price.

It certainly is. My BFG8800GTS 512 OC does all that the GTX's do on my 22" monitor every bit aswell.
I paid £200 (when it was released)
For £165 its the best card price vs performance around.