Really need help choosing PC, please please!

[n00dles]

ok next update... the quote is £667 for above spec, as changed.

I have the option of saving £30 if I go for an Asus P5GCMX Motherboard instead of the Asus P5K/VM Intel G33 LGA775 .... ??

I have built my own PC before but that was before I owned a toddler I'm a bugger for using lots of apps at the same time and wasting resources so I think from what I've read that the quad would be best for this?

[TheReaFireblade]

I have the option of saving £30 if I go for an Asus P5GCMX Motherboard instead of the Asus P5K/VM Intel G33 LGA775 .... ??

I'd suggest getting the P5K. They're one of the most highly respected series of motherboards

[Cistron]

I have built my own PC before but that was before I owned a toddler I'm a bugger for using lots of apps at the same time and wasting resources so I think from what I've read that the quad would be best for this?

Not necessarily, as this depends on the applications. But if you want one, you should get one

[Thorsson]

If you run multiple apps, especially if one is Photoshop, then 4 cores is appreciably faster than 2. It's that simple. And you absolutely want 4Gb and a 64-bit OS, because Photoshop likes memory more than John Prescott likes Jags.

I think the G33 is fine. It is a µATX board, which hopefully means you have a nice neat case - otherwise there's no point in getting one. I would worry about a no-name PSU. 450W is more than you need, providing it is a quality make like Corsair, Enermax or Seasonic. Some cheap as chips brand might cause a lot of problems.

BTW I wonder if onboard graphics are good enough for your game, as Wiki claims that a Radeon 9250 is sufficient to run it. You may need a different motherboard though as I don't think the one native to the G33 is much good.

[n00dles]

How about a MSI P6NGM motherboard with the Q6600 and 4Gb RAM??

I've been offered this at a fraction of the cost... I'm not planning on overclocking and no doubt if i want to upgrade the processor in a few yrs I'll upgrade the motherboard at the same time... would the MSI be a fair compromise on price against the Asus PK5?

[Thorsson]

There's more than one motherboard with that name. If it's the one with the NVIDIA GeForce 7150/nForce 630i chipset, then that has better onboard graphics than the G33, and is a lot cheaper than the G35. It does only have 2 memory slots though, so make sure you're getting 2x2Gb RAM.

It might be worth going to the game's own boards and check if anyone has tried any of these onboard graphic chips and how they worked.

[Eddd]

He doesn't need a mobo with onboard graphics because he's buying an 88600GT graphics card. Have a look at the P35 series - the gigabyte ds3l and the asus dark raider are two nice p35 boards.

[staffsMike]

He doesn't need a mobo with onboard graphics because he's buying an 88600GT graphics card. Have a look at the P35 series - the gigabyte ds3l and the asus dark raider are two nice p35 boards.

She and yes, but uATX boards tend to offer a lot of features for less money which I believe is the current dilema. I wouldn't get the MSI though.

[n00dles]

bloody hell this is confusing hahaha!!!!

So....yes deffo would like it to work with second life...good idea, will go and check boards for that thanks

Agree as will be using 9600GT graphics card dont need to worry about pants onboard graphics on MSI

Price is becoming more of an issue as OH is squeeeezing that purse!!!

[Thorsson]

And that is why I was suggesting dropping the 9600GT if that game (the only one you play you said) works OK with onboard graphics. From the Wiki a 9600GT would seem to be overkill, but maybe it scales.

[n00dles]

I understand what you mean Thorsson....I was playing second life on my compaq presario laptop and it struggled like buggery with it even though the onboard graphics were supported, I could play it but with most of the settings switched to their lowest settings. On my new PC I'd like to have them nearer the higher end. I may well play something else at a later stage also as I'm a bit faddy like that....at least the options there with a separate graphics card

[Thorsson]

True. In that case I agree with others, you want a P35 board if its an ATX case, and the G33 would do fine in a µATX case. And you still want to check out what the PSU is. It's a place where corners often get cut, and it's a really bad idea to do it. Besides possibly blowing up and taking other bits with it, a cheap PSU can cause instabilities.

[n00dles]

Would the MSI P6NGM be a no-goer then?

[n00dles]

he's also asked me to choose a mid range case....I presume some of these come with PSU's? or I guess I could choose a case and a PSU separately around the same price....dont need much help do I?!! hahah

[Thorsson]

I don't like MSI boards either, but you're probably OK if it's the one with the chipset I posted. I was worried by your description of much cheaper. There are older ones with very similar names which you definitely do not want.

[n00dles]

I'm not sure which one it is also I'm sure he'll tell me if I ask...

I could have the Asus P5K VM for £667

or the MSI for £608