Help with first time SFF system

[Schmooze]

Hi,

I am looking to build my first SFF system and would like some help on choosing a suitable set-up.

The system would be mainly used for gaming (Bit of online Black Hawk Down action ) along with general office and online duties. I would also prefer something that would last me a couple of years before requiring any major upgrades. I have therefore been looking at the latest 64 bit AMD systems from Shuttle together with a 9800 graphics card, 1gb memory and hard drive.

My problem is that I am thinking about waiting for the release of the SK83G but can’t help wondering that I am going OTT and could quite easily satisfy my requirements with a more affordable option that is available now – maybe a non 64 bit system.

As this is my first DIY job I don’t want to do any groovy stuff with it like overclocking but just need something that is easy to build, reliable and up to the task. My budget is approx £600 so any system suggestions would be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance for your time.

Schmooze

[XTR]

i think i'd be going down the A64 route or a high end intel system..... possibly look at the new SB61G2 V3 that HEXUS reviewed last week?

I run a Shuttle Reflexion with a 2.8ghz P4. its a speedy little PC. Although i dont play games on it.... but if ya throw in a Radeon 9800 it'll be the daddy!!!

I think if ya stick to the Intel route then ya'll stay within budget...

[Knoxville]

If you don't wanna go intel i'd reccomend the SN45, I have one with an xp2700 @ 2.4ghz a 9700pro and 512mb of pc3500, I use it for quite a few games and all my general work and browsing and its a great system. Very stable, even during the hot weather I've been able to leave it for weeks at a time and have it perfectly usable, it runs every game i've tried beautifully and with an extra 512mb of ram and a slightly more up to date graphics it'd be even more awesome.

[r1zeek]

I'd say Intel would be the easiest route to go down as they give you the least problems (usually )
With the release of the new sockets for Intel iminent it means that prices of Pentium 4's will begin to drop. This means there is less demand and they will become cheaper. This means that you could pick up a 2.8 or higher for round about £100 in a couple of months (thats my guess anyway) so you'd easily be able to build a nice system for £600
Pentium 4 is on its way out within the next couple of years but it doesn't mean the machine will be out dated. A P4 (over 2.8) will easily last you for a long time before you need to upgrade. 9800 Pro is also a very good choice, I have one running in my system at the moment and if the need be, you could easily overclock it if your framerate begins to drop in a couple of years. The card will do you for a good 2 years now
Hope that helps a bit

[Jiff Lemon]

To give some idea.....

My system is a SB51G. Used to have a 3.06 in it, but I just couldn't justify keeping it in there, so dropped in a 2.4.

It's got a gig of 2700, 120gig Hard drive and a 128mb Ti4200.

Does it play far cry, UT2k4 and all the others? Yup.
Does it do everything I need it to, in terms of office apps? Yup.
If I stuck a better GFx card in, would it make things prettier? Possibly.... but I've never spent more than £100 on a Gfx card and never will!

You can pick up the older shuttles for around £100 - Makes for a VERY interesting argument.

[Schmooze]

Thanks for all your replies and I think I am going to go with

SB61G2 v3
Pentium 4 2.8Ghz
Sapphire 9800 pro
Seagate Barracuda 160Gb SATA

Just two more questions that I have and hopefully I should be able to crack on.

1. Just wondering about what memory to get, do I go for 1gb of value memory or half a gig of some decent stuff and then add on later?

2. Looked at SB61G2 on the web and prices range from £180 to £220. Quite a difference, so are they all version 3s or are the cheaper ones an older version? Is there an easy way to tell?

Again, recommendations greatly received.

Cheers

[Schmooze]