New Build critique

[Stu_M]

I've finally decided to update my system, seeing as it's rather slow, irritating and can't play any new games on even the lowest settings.

So far I've put together this package:
ANTEC MIDI CASE SONATA III 500W BLACK/MIRROR RET
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (2 x 3.0 GHZ) 1333FSB - 6 MB
ASUS P5K PREMIUM/WIFI S/L 1333FSB (Intel P35)
Corsair XMS2 4GB DDR2 PC-6400 800 MHZ (2 x 2 GB 800) - Lifetime Warranty
ASUS 512MB RADEON HD 4850 PCI-E 2.0
320 GB SATA HDD UDMA 300 7200 8MB - FREE UPGRADE TO 400 GB
Samsung DVD +/-RW 18x6x18x8 D/LAYER Black (IDE)
Samsung 16x DVD-ROM Black (IDE)
Motherboard Integrated 5.1 Sound
Motherboard Integrated Ethernet Lan (Broadband Ready)
4 X USB 2.0 Ports
ThermalTake Blue ORB II
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-BIT (Genuine DVD & COA included)

£709.28

I have an old Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum, but i've heard conflicting things on whether it can be put in the new system. On one hand, I've been told it's a good card, but others have said that there is no driver support with vista so it may not work.

It's going to be used for gaming, general use and internet browsing.

Thanks

[TAKTAK]

get a better cooler than the blueorb

and i'll go more in depth in a bit

are you building yourself ?(reccomended , nice and easy and cheaper)

&in b4 Mike FTW

[Zhaoman]

Lol Cyberpower system is it?

Everything looks very neat, try to get a 640Gb HD as they are faster. Or one of the Samsung F1s.

[neoboy]

Well if you decide to build yourself you might want to hold on until new stepping for the Wolfdales. Those suppose to overclock better than the current ones, however, if Intel can't provide good supply then those may end up costing a premium.

[Stu_M]

I built my current machine myself, and while it's been ok I'd say it's been more hassle than its worth. I'm using a custom build company - you select the parts you like, upgrade what you want and they build it and test it all.

I can't imagine myself doing much overclocking so it's not a huge concern.
I'm tempted by a bigger HD, just to cover myself.

[staffsMike]

The blue orb will probably be fine in terms of noise and cooling especially if you are not considering overclocking

The case and PSU are decent value for money but feel quite cheap. If you can get them to stick it in an antec sonata Plus, that would be awesome

@ TAK TAK I was reformatting my laptop

[Stu_M]

I was considering the Antec Mini P182, but then I'd need to buy a PSU as well. Adds a fair bit of money overall.
I don't mind it feeling cheap as long as it doesn't explode in flames or something - it's not like I'm going to be sitting stroking it Well...I might at first.

And if you couldn't post due to reformatting, surely you should have something on standby for that reason...seems like bad planning!

[staffsMike]

Plenty of backups just no effort to turn them on

The P180 mini is awesome but it's actually as big as most full towers and very expensive, you would also need a different motherboard with that case.

Something like the coolermaster CM-690 and a Corsair PSU gets my vote but the Sonata 3 will do the job nicely anyway. It's cooling is adequate rather than good and it's pretty quiet not silent. These are things the Sonata PLUS do better and something like the CM-690 does amazingly well.

[Stu_M]

If I'm not going to be overclocking, and the fact the Core 2's run fairly cool means I shouldn't really have a big problem. Unfortunately the site i'm looking at (http://www.computerplanet.co.uk ) doesn't offer the Sonata Plus, but the 3 looks pretty good. Oddly enough, case was a worry for me. Quiet but not silent is fine - once I've been in a room with a comp I don't notice the fans much at all.

The P180 is a gorgeous looking case, but its optical drive bays are positioned rather weirdly.

Now to convince folk to spend money! :/

[Stu_M]

I had a sudden panic last night for no reason at all - is that the best motherboard I could be getting? When I say best, I don't mean top of the line, but it's not gonna restrict anything?

[staffsMike]

It's a great board. There are newer P45 chipset boards but they don't really offer anything much,

1600MHz FSB support - not required
Crossfire 8x - .. do you want that?
PCI-e 2.0 - nothing really uses the bandwidth PCI-e 16x delivers yet.

[Stu_M]

My concern, was when looking at a website it had a "Max CPU support" thing, and the E8400 didn't appear on the list. I'm not terribly savvy with motherboards, and I wouldnt want something that can be easily swapped limiting my comp

[staffsMike]

All current CPU's bar the £600 1600MHz FSB one's are supported by that board

[Stu_M]

Excellent. I'm extremely appreciative of the help - I've not got a new comp for several years and I'm making sure I don't make any major mistakes with this one