new build

[oddjob]

Due to a motherboard failure i am looking to build a new pc , i am looking for a new mobo, cpu,memory and psu. Basically i need the pc for general web surfing and media streaming maybe the occassional encoding(would infact be rare),i have read through peoples suggestions in other threads and am been drawn to the following so far (poss bit more than i need)

mobo
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-M4A785D-M-PRO

processor
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-M4A785D-M-PRO

what are peoples thoughts on the mobo and processor? what would be good memory to use and what power psu would i need to run this with 2xsamsung TB drives and 1x500gb hitachi

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

You have linked to the same motherboard in both cases!! I would think an Athlon II X3 or X4 should be than powerful enough for the task IMHO. I would also look to undervolt the CPU if possible as there is evidence to show that AMD is actually setting the default voltages for their Athlon II processors too high!!

Regarding the PSU I would get a high efficiency one. This Enermax will do the trick:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/350W-...ready!-24-740C

[Pob255]

Ummm both are the same link

They are AM2+ so ddr2 not ddr3, here's the AM3 version (so you'd need ddr3)
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-M4A785TD-M-EVO

But if you're planning on reusing current ddr2 memory, then yes it's a good choise, 785 is probably the chipset you want

For cpu AthlonII x2 250 or maybe the tri core 425 which is only £5 more

[oddjob]

oops my apologies for linking the processor to the mobo , this is the processor i had in mind

http://http://www.scan.co.uk/Product...MHz-95W-Retail

wasnt going to reuse any other parts from my old pc just the hdds as mentioned earlier and just realised my opitcals will need replacing too as they are pata so i will also need a sata dvdrw drive.looking around i notice that the price of memory seems to have risen recently so not sure whether to go for 2x1 gb or just bite the bullet and get 2x2gb ...decisions,decisions,decisions....

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

4GB of RAM is nice to have but TBH 2GB will still do the trick especially for light usage. You could always plonk in some extra RAM in at a later date if prices have settled down.

[oddjob]

4gb def would be nice , i have considered getting two lots of this

http://http://www.scan.co.uk/Product...d-CAS-7-7-7-20

but wonder if in the long run this is beneficial as if i wanted to get more memory i would have to replace them with 2gb modules which does seem to be the more expensive way of going about things. just to point out i have chosen all components from scan purely because i want all the bits to arrive at the same time(thats the theory anyway)

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

You seem to be adding another http:// to your urls!!

[Pob255]

ps you managed to up the link again

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/AMD-A...MHz-95W-Retail

In all honesty I think a faster dual core would be better (and cheaper ) as nothing you mentioned really needs or uses 4 cores
Ok the rare encoding will but a slightly faster and more responsive system would be better day to day.

Agree with cat on memory no real need for 4gb, stick with 2x1gb you can put more inlater as long as you get a motherboard with 4 slots

an AMD3 & ddr3 would probably be best, you'd not notice that much difference but ddr2 has really shot up in price and unlike the old intel 775 cpu's memory speed have become more of an issue again.
So the price point is probably going to be ddr3

Power requirements probably a good 350w is all that's needed, esp as you're only running this off onboard graphics, that means the cpu is the only real power hungery component.
(HDD's are around 20w or less each)

EDIT: ok looks like DDR2 is still edgeing out ddr3 for cost on 2x1gb
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/2GB-(...d-CAS-7-7-7-15

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I think that the X3 425 is good for the price as you could probably unlock it to a quad anyway!!

[oddjob]

sorry for the F### ups , i do appreciate your input in helping me get the right combo

based so far on the input received i am going to get the AM3 board suggested and more than likely 2x1gb of memory so at the moment its just the processor i am dragging my feet on. For the extra £8 would the x3 435 be worth going for ?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The advantage of the X3 is that you can specify what core processes can use. Also with the 785G based motherboard you can use the SB710 southbridge to try and unlock the X3 425.

Here is a review comparing the E6300 and the X3 425:

http://en.inpai.com.cn/doc/enshowcon...88&pageid=6097

[oddjob]

thanks for all the help . i have placed an order with scan for the new build and eagerly await them so i can get up and running again