New build - Opinions please

[Blenster]

Hi,

Looking to build a well balanced system that runs cool and quiet.
Very general purpose use....2D graphics, HTPC, a little gaming, email/web etc.
I have PSU/Case/KBoard/Mouse/DVD and will be looking to add Blu Ray Drive and probably the HD 4670
Any opinions appreciated


Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2, AMD 740G
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4850e AM2 Dual Core 2.5GHz (or 5050e when available)
500 GB Western Digital WD5000AAKS
AKASA AK-876
2GB (2x1GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400

Comes to £170 delivered.

[staffsMike]

Looks nice. I'd probably spend the few £ extra on the 640GB AAKS. Other than that it's good, nice and cheap

740G (essentially a 690G) is happy to play blu ray off it's own IGP but you will want the dedicated card for gaming.

[Webby]

I would probably stump up the extra £8 for the Abit 780G, board power consumption is lower than that of a 690 based chipset (though if this has been sorted in the 740G revision I don't know) and they come with a newer improved southbridge it will also allow for more memory later if you decide you need that, oh and PCIe v2 graphics slot rather than PCIe v1 but that is knit picking!

Oh and I agree with Mike about spending a little more and getting the 640GB drive

[staffsMike]

740G is supposed to be the lowest power now.

[Webby]

fair enough I stand corrected, in adition I checked and it is likely that both chipsets use the SB700 southbridge so the only real advantages of going to the 780G (if your not using the IGP) is PCIE 2 and more memory slots (in the case of the two boards were looking at) worth £8 I probably would but maybe thats just me

Oh and with a 780G you could always run a Phenom in the future perhaps one of the energy efficient 65W ones but not more than a 95W or else the board will fry!

[staffsMike]

I would buy the 780G too but there is certainly nothing wrong with te 740G especially if you are going for dedicated gfx.

[Blenster]

Thanks for the replies.

Any reason for the 640GB Hard drive as opposed to the 500GB ?
I shall be getting an HD4670 so IGP performance isn`t really an issue for me.
I did hear that Abit are ceasing Mobo production shortly, and don`t want to be lumbered with a board that has a short support life.

[staffsMike]

Abit are supporting the boards as long as the warranty lasts (3 years).

The 640GB is based on 320GB platters which are the highest density making their performance formidable

[Blenster]

Hmmm, I`m still dubious as to how much effort they`ll put into a BIOS update, knowing the clock`s ticking. Deckchairs and Titanic come to mind.

Anyway 640GB (or 320GB) it is,
Thanks.