Rate this low-cost build

[Dreaming]

Hey guys.

Just put this together. It's a replacement for a system that's a bit past it's sell by date, being used casually to browse the internet. Potential in future to expand as a media server. Should play games such as The Sims 2, other girly games.




Bear in mind a few points:
a) hard drive is actually for my current PC. I will trade a Enterprise class sata 160 gb (WD1600YS RE) from my PC
b) OS is omitted for time being. Going to put Windows Server on it which I get for free, then when necessary it can have windows 7 or whatever. Ubuntu doesn't run sims 2.
c) peripherals still to be decided, if they are a worthwhile upgrade. currently have 17" CRT, oem mouse/keyboard

Old system:
MSI motherboard
1gb DDR ram
Radeon 9800 pro (now dead)
Athlon XP 2500+
80gb IDE HDD

Budget isn't strictly limited, just trying to get best value for money based on what it's needed for.

[NightshadowUK]

If I was being picky I'd flag up the single stick of memory and recommend spending an extra tenner on a HD4650, but to be honest I think it'll be fine.

[Dreaming]

I'll make those changes, I was iffy about the GPU as well actually.

Annoyed at scan's website, just deleted my basket. So going to price up the same componenets on ebuyer at the same time now to see if it's cheaper.

[mac124]

Looks reasonable to me but personally i would go for dual channel memory (2x 1gb) for the performance increase and would only cost £1-£2 extra, but that is just me.

[aidanjt]

Naw, I'd pick up another 2GB stick, may as well get it while it's going cheap. DDR2 will start going up in price in no small way over the year.

[Dreaming]

Ordered now with a few changes and a few logitech peripherals added, came to £400 which will be £330 in real terms because of the hard drive. Not too bad

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would go for an HD4650 GDDR3 for 55 quid from Ebuyer:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/151454

An HD4670 can be had for a bit more though:

http://www.ebuyer.com/search?sort=pr...imit=10&page=1

It is an underclocked HD4670. Also the 7750+ does not come with a heatsink as it is a Black Edition processor.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would go for an HD4650 GDDR3 for 55 quid from Ebuyer:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/151454

It is an underclocked HD4670.

An HD4670 can be had for a bit more though:

http://www.ebuyer.com/search?sort=pr...imit=10&page=1

Also the 7750+ does not come with a heatsink as it is a Black Edition processor.

[Dreaming]

Thanks, need to quickly amend order with a heatsink then! Heh

[mac124]

My 7750BE came with a heatsink?? Bog standard lump of aluminium mind nothing flashy.

[NightshadowUK]

If it's retail and not OEM (which it seems to be) then it'll come with a heatsink.

EDIT: Just had a quick read and it'd seem some of the Black Editions didn't actually come with a heatsink as they're 'enthusiast' chips. It might be worth dropping Scan a quick email.

[Dreaming]

I was planning to phone tomorrow morning anyway, so I'll ask then. Cheers guys

[Pob255]

Scythe Katana2 should be fine for that £19.41
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Scyth...iet-CPU-Cooler

[PwnDirect]

go for a 780g mobo & drop the grapics card it will play sims 2 fine.

get 2gb of corsair ram

get an 8or160gb drive for os.

get an lg drive as the sammys are very noisy.

Also theres in a no need for a 3rd party cooler as the stock AMD is quiet & fir for purpose.

[Dreaming]

Spoke to Scan this morning and they checked and apparently it does have a fan bundled

[UseItNow]

Dunno, if it's too late but 7DayShop (Don't know if it's any good) has an offer on 2Gb sticks of memory for £11.99 or 4Gb for £23.38 at: http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/prod...ucts_id=103355