Need help with new build components please

[ixos]

I am looking to build myself a new-ish PC. I already own:

Modular PSU 500W+
DVDRW
Thermalright True Heatsink

I need;

Motherboard
CPU
RAM
Case

I am looking for a possible quad setup. It needs to be relatively cheap, good efficiency and speedy. Onboard graphics is fine for me too.

This all needs to be housed in a small PC case. Quite possible a Micro case would suffice. Or a Mini if i can find one to fit a True?

Not sure on budget but want to keep costs down and i won't be overclocking at all.

I was thinking of going for an ASRock ION 330 but not sure if a 1.6 dual core cpu will cut the muster. I won't be gaming on it but may have a few things to do at once on it.

If anyone can help me through the component jungle i would be very grateful indeed.

I was going to purchase a 20" TFT but may go for a 19" instead.

[Blaineoliver]

What is the budget?

[ixos]

Cheap as possible with above considerations

[ixos]

Can anyone else help me out?

Which Quad should i look at getting. Intel looks costly and AMD looks great! Not sure as not up on these things. Have been using a X2 CPU but i gave that system away.

Not sure if i should go the Quad route and build my own system with an AMD quad, DDR3 and a nice Motherboard plus a decent case (Micro would be best for me) or go for the:

ASRock ION 330 and stick 4gig ram in it! Can't find any reviews on it but some say it is underpowered! Is that regarding gaming? I don't game much if anything these days. All i do is use the net, Microsoft Office, Putting pics on DVD or camcorder videos on DVD, shopping on net. I do tend to have quite a few windows open all the time.

Really am confused as to which way to go. The Asrock ION is dual core and can be bought for approx £400 without an OS. Is that good or should i try to build my own system?

I see it mentioned in another thread about the new AMD CPU's. Would that be a better route?

[dshepsman]

All i do is use the net, Microsoft Office, Putting pics on DVD or camcorder videos on DVD, shopping on net. I do tend to have quite a few windows open all the time.

if thats all you use it for, then i think a quad may be overkill. multiple windows (net browsing, office etc) shouldnt put much pressure on the CPU - unless they are all running lots of videos etc constantly.
Burning stuff to DVD will be limited by the DVD drive, and to a lesser extent, the Hard drive.

ive been using an E8400 for months, and not really put any pressure on the CPU - and that includes gaming etc

but i could be wrong, of course....

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

This is what I would look at:

Cases

Lian Li PC-A01A

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Lian-...er-Case-No-PSU

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Lian-...ck-Case-No-PSU

Silverstone TJ08

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...silver-w-o-PSU

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...-black-w-o-PSU

Silverstone Sugo SG02

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SILVERSTONE-TO...3%3A1|294%3A50

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SILVERSTONE-TO...3%3A1|294%3A50


Motherboard

790GX mATX motherboard:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Biost...SATA-RAID-uATX

CPU

Phenom II X3 705e energy efficient edition:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/AMD-P...MHz-65W-Retail

[ixos]

Thanks Cat. Would my Heatsink fit in the Silverstone TJ08? Are the newer AMD CPU's a better buy (Ones discussed in a separate thread).

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Thanks Cat. Would my Heatsink fit in the Silverstone TJ08? Are the newer AMD CPU's a better buy (Ones discussed in a separate thread).

Are you thinking of overclocking?? If this is the case either the triple core Phenom II X3 720BE or dual core Phenom II X2 550BE would be a better bet. Some people have also unlocked the X3 720BE and X2 550BE to a quad core although YMMV.


I specced the slightly slower energy efficient version of the AMD Phenom II X3 as for normal usage it will be fast enough and has extremely low power consumption for the price. The stock cooler should be good enough for normal use too.

Also the motherboard I specced uses DDR2 as the Phenom II X3 705e is an AM3 processor with both DDR2 and DDR3 memory controllers. DDR3 does not show a huge improvement with current Phenom II processors though and only DDR2 mATX boards exist for AMD processors currently.

Anyway, a Phenom II X3 705e,4gb of DDR2 RAM and the 790GX motherboard I specced would be the basis for relatively speedy and energy efficient system IMHO. Also the Biostar motherboard has 128mb of DDR2 RAM on the motherboard for the integrated graphics card. The HD3300 integrated graphics card is a slower version of the HD3450 graphics card.