Haven't built a system in a while, so does this one look ok..

[XA04]

Looking at buying a nice new gaming rig. So if you could look at the screeny below and let me know what you think that would be great. I wasn't supposed to go over £600 really but I can stretch to £700.

I have a few bits already (like the keyboard, soundcard, dvd drive, etc..) but I'm going all out with some bits, like a new mouse and monitor too :-)




Mainly just asking you guys because I don't want to end up buying this stuff it won't work! I don't see why it wouldn't though

Cheers!
Adrian

[SiM]

1) I would look at the Intel quad core cpus (Q6600). They are regarded as the best value at the moment, and they overclock like mad. Or even the intel dual cores are good. Also the E7200 is fantastic value for money and can overclock to 3.8ghz quite easily. You will have to get a motherboard that is compatible, look at the Asus, Abit, Gigabyte and DFI P35/P45 boards and choose one that has the features you want.
2) I would go for a different case... The Antec 300 fits your budget nicely... If you can get the Antec 900, that's even better...
3) You are missing a PSU! Corsair HX520W or TX650W are the ones to go for imo.
4) Don't get those hard drives. Get the 320gb platter ones. The 640gb one cost about £55 and the 320gb costs about £35.
5) You can save a bit by getting a 9800gtx or a HD 4850... both are powerful enough to run games on that 22" screen perfectly....

[XA04]

1) Alright, I'll certainly do that.. I always used to tend to stick to AMD because they were cheaper and generally better value for money?

2) I saw it on today only, looked very pretty so I thought why not

3) Sorry I forgot to mention that, I currently have a 480W Tagan EasyCon.. would this be adaquete?

4) Hmm, main reason for me getting these two were because they are quick and cheap.. I was gonna make a RAID setup with them? I don't need anything bigger than 150gb either really.


Very useful info thanks! Any more is highly appreicated.

[SiM]

1) Alright, I'll certainly do that.. I always used to tend to stick to AMD because they were cheaper and generally better value for money?

2) I saw it on today only, looked very pretty so I thought why not

3) Sorry I forgot to mention that, I currently have a 480W Tagan EasyCon.. would this be adaquete?

4) Hmm, main reason for me getting these two were because they are quick and cheap.. I was gonna make a RAID setup with them? I don't need anything bigger than 150gb either really.


Very useful info thanks! Any more is highly appreicated.

That PSU might struggle a bit... I can't say for certain it will power a quad and a GTX260... but there is a good chance it can...

Still get the 320gb single platters and do them in raid... won't cost you much more, but they are faster...

[XA04]

Ok thats great. I'll spec another one up in a bit then. I'll risk the PSU for now I think..

[XA04]

How does this look then?

I want this system to last me a few years really at least so I'm gonna keep that GFX card. I'll keep the case cos it's pretty and I think I found the HDD's you were talking about..




Thanks!
Adrian

[staffsMike]

Why not get the ATi HD4870, pretty much blows the 260GTX into the weeds and is around £30 cheaper.

I'm not sure those 320GB's are the single platters.. might be wrong.

The 640GB AAKS would be cheaper than the two drives unless you want two drives.

480W should be enough but if it's getting old now it might be worth a refresh.

That motherboard isn't really the best way to go but it shouldn't cause too many problems.

[SiM]

I wouldn't go for that motherboard, its old and the good Nvidia chipsets are much more expensive than the good intel chipsets. Look at the IP35 or the PK5-E.

The reason why I suggested the other cases is not because of looks - because they have good cooling and will keep your case temps low and they are usually easier to setup (especially cabling). I know that this Xclio case has fans on the side, but I don't think the rest of teh case is as well designed as the Antecs...

Those are the wrong drives... you want the HD322HJ which scan doesn't have

[XA04]

I'm definetly going for the ATI card. Looked at some reviews and it definetly looks better value for money. Thanks

Does this motherboard look ok?

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=771270


Thanks,
Adrian

[SiM]

That mobo isn't great... I would go for this:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=818514
or this:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=787775

[XA04]

Ouch, expensive . I really can't push it over £700 in total tbh. So the motherboard can't be anything over £60. Anything else I could get for £60?

[SiM]

Its worth breaking the budget a bit for the mobo imo... Its the single most important part of the system. I would suggest cutting the money elsewhere if you can, or pick up some stuff second hand...

[XA04]

OK. Thanks a lot for your help SiM. You've been great

Thanks to staffsMike too about the GFX card.

[Cozwin]

as said above

i personally would do this.

antec case
asus or giga mobo with intel chipset
new ati video card
2 gig corsair memory (4 if you want it)
700 watt FPS psu as there cheap at mo
Samsung 1 tb hard drive for storage and a smaller drive for windows
sound card (use on board if you want to save a few pennies)
monitor http://www.ebuyer.com/product/143051 - dirt cheap awesome monitor

hope that helped

[Zhaoman]

yeah swap the CPU and Chipset for Intel and swap the GPU for Ati and you're good. in my opinion the HD4850 will last a long while with that monitor, and you can always upgrade it with a 4870X2 or 55nm GTX280 after a few months: when they're cheaper. No point going for the 4870 when it's 20% more performance for 50% more price.

[staffsMike]

If you are gaming on a 19" and will continue to game on that monitor then Zhaoman is right. The HD4850 is more than enough. The HD4870 is best for high resolutions such as you find on 24" screens and above.

22" screens would pose more of a problem, as right now the HD4850 is again more than enough but as games move on the Hd4870 might be the better buy for long term use. I personally don't often sell my PC bits on so for me I go for long term use and then give them away to someone who needs it

With £560 (taking the monitor away using the typical today only price ) I would do this.

Intel Q6600 + scythe mine ~£150
DFI P35 ~£75
4GB PC6400 ~£55
HD4850 ~£125 (perhaps change the cooler if possible +£20)
Coolermaster CM-690 ~£60
Corsair 520W HX ~£65
320GB AAKS ~£35

Comes in around £565 but worth the little extra