Comments - new system

[Cistron]

Additionally, I'd like to get a HD3870, but will probably wait until the price cuts come into action.

RAM from OcUK

For a monitor I was looking at a Viewsonic VX2255wmb, but I can't find it for a price that suits me and where to stock is available.

Comments, banter, all appreciated.

[format]

For a 22" monitor, check out the Acer X222w from play.com
169.99 free delivery, great monitor AFAICT

[SiM]

How about going for an Antec Sonata 3 instead of case/psu?
don't forget windows too

[Templar87]

Have you already got RAM I take it? (or am I being blind? :-) )

[Cistron]

How about going for an Antec Sonata 3 instead of case/psu?
don't forget windows too

I don't like the design and I think my cooling is better this way, no? I also thought about suspending the HDD with some elastic strap, like many people do at SPCR. Will probably attach my old Athlon heatsink body for better cooling (at least some use of the old junk, hehe).

I can probably get WindowsXP via Uni for a start and if I'm in a generous mood I might even buy the upgrade student version from software4students. Good remark, I keep forgetting about this.

For a 22" monitor, check out the Acer X222w from play.com
169.99 free delivery, great monitor AFAICT

I'm picky about the monitor. It's very likely to outlive the PC, so I want quality and comfort for a reasonable price. I haven't heard anything good about Acers yet, besides their dumping price policy.

Have you already got RAM I take it? (or am I being blind? :-) )

See OcUK link. Comes to just below £28 with postage.

[Biscuit]

I don't like the design and I think my cooling is better this way, no? I also thought about suspending the HDD with some elastic strap, like many people do at SPCR. Will probably attach my old Athlon heatsink body for better cooling (at least some use of the old junk, hehe).

Cooling is ofter better in cases where it has been designed logically for good airfow rathr than sticking lots of huge fans on so you may be suprised, the antec would probably be more effciant

Suspending the hard drive on straps? never heard of this... you have any links?

When you say an athlon cooler are you referring to an old XP cooler? chances are it wont live up to modern standards and you are better off with something from thermalright or scyth

I'm picky about the monitor. It's very likely to outlive the PC, so I want quality and comfort for a reasonable price. I haven't heard anything good about Acers yet, besides their dumping price policy.

See OcUK link. Comes to just below £28 with postage.

I have a viewsonic monitor and to be honest im not impressed, i got dead pixels, the colours are woefully inaccurate and the contrast ratio is pants! I cant comment on acer screens but the acer laptops i have worked with have been a bit of a nightmare!

[Cistron]

Cooling is ofter better in cases where it has been designed logically for good airfow rathr than sticking lots of huge fans on so you may be suprised, the antec would probably be more effciant

Hmm, I don't see any special airflow design in the Sonata either. After all they just follow the ATX design.

Suspending the hard drive on straps? never heard of this... you have any links?

Silent storage - try the first sticky thread, the users present a real plethora of methods.

When you say an athlon cooler are you referring to an old XP cooler? chances are it wont live up to modern standards and you are better off with something from thermalright or scyth

Not on the CPU, wanted to attach it to the harddrive. I do have a CPU cooler on my list.

I have a viewsonic monitor and to be honest im not impressed, i got dead pixels, the colours are woefully inaccurate and the contrast ratio is pants! I cant comment on acer screens but the acer laptops i have worked with have been a bit of a nightmare!

This whole screen business is so damn confusing. Might simply go for a Dell now...

[Biscuit]

For some reason i thought the Sonata had some kind of cooling device to help get cool air to the graphics card but i dont see it listed anywhere... oh well. The other issue with cases that have huge non standard size fans is that once they brake there is no way of replacing them and your left with a huge fan broken on the side of the case.
Somthing like this coolermaster centurion maybe better?

Check out the sharkoon golfball fans aswel, of all the fans i have tried these have been the best

Going the dell route for a screen is definately a good idea, Dell have a very good reputation for screens. Considering your previous comment of them outliving computers it seems like a worthwhile investment.

Are you going to be overclocking at all?

[Cistron]

For some reason i thought the Sonata had some kind of cooling device to help get cool air to the graphics card but i dont see it listed anywhere... oh well. The other issue with cases that have huge non standard size fans is that once they brake there is no way of replacing them and your left with a huge fan broken on the side of the case.
Somthing like this coolermaster centurion maybe better?

Oh, I'm not going with the rubbishly huge side-panel fan. Apparently that just impedes the airflow and quite possibly aids the uncontrolled dust-accumulation.

Going the dell route for a screen is definately a good idea, Dell have a very good reputation for screens. Considering your previous comment of them outliving computers it seems like a worthwhile investment.

They are some that are actually cheaper than the Viewsonic.

Are you going to be overclocking at all?

I'm aiming at 2.8-3Ghz. From what I've read that's a "piece of cake", but I remain sceptical until I receive my CPU and work it out myself.

[Biscuit]

Oh, I'm not going with the rubbishly huge side-panel fan. Apparently that just impedes the airflow and quite possibly aids the uncontrolled dust-accumulation.

In which case go for coolermaster or antec

They are some that are actually cheaper than the Viewsonic.

22" 1600 x 1050 ones?

I'm aiming at 2.8-3Ghz. From what I've read that's a "piece of cake", but I remain sceptical until I receive my CPU and work it out myself.

It should be easily obtainable however my E4500 couldnt get past 3GHz so remaining sceptical is wise. I would suggest going for a slightly higher end cooler though,

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

this seems to have recieved quite good reports although im a fan of the thermalright and scyth products myself

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

There are more to choose from in their ranges these are just some quick examples

[-iceblade^]

you could get the Sapphire HD3870 from ebuyer... it's like £116 or so... real cheap... also, i personally would recommend a better PSU.

[amjedm]

If you're still open to suggestions on the monitor, put the AG Neovo 22" on your shortlist, Today Only for around £141. Recommended it to a friend - he bought one and was quite impressed. IMO the AG Neovo monitors are underrated.

With regards PSU, I know Enermax make decent PSUs but the Corsair 450VX is on Today Only just under £40.

[UseItNow]

... also, i personally would recommend a better PSU.

I thought that the Enermax Pro82+ PSU was supposed to be good, Enermax are generally a very reliable brand. Costly, like Seasonics.

[staffsMike]

Those new enermax PSU's are supposed to be amongst the very best if not the best

And 380W high quality watts are more than enough for that system.

Check scan today only though. They have pretty much everything you might need on there. Ip-35 is £57 for a start

[Cistron]

Those new enermax PSU's are supposed to be amongst the very best if not the best

And 380W high quality watts are more than enough for that system.

Check scan today only though. They have pretty much everything you might need on there. Ip-35 is £57 for a start

Yes, I've seen all those nice offers. Now I'm procrastinating whether I should actually buy NOW, aaaaahhh *nibbles fingernails*

[staffsMike]

Are you waiting for anything specific?