What do you think of these parts for a budget spec?

[zaphox]

Hi,

I'm spec-ing for a budget gaming system which ideally I'd like to order this evening. Just need your advice on the core parts as they seem pretty good for their price to me.

Intel Core i3 2130 Dual Core 3.4GHz £111.30 (Today Only)

Gigabyte GA-PH67-DS3-B3 H67 - £59.46 (Today Only)

Corsair Memory XMS3 Classic 8GB DDR3 1333 Mhz CAS 9 Quad Channel Desktop - £38.16

Dell ST2220L LED LCD 21.5" - £123.59 (Today Only)


Notes

It will be running Win7 64bit and I won't be doing any over clocking.

The RAM seems very cheap for 8GB of DDR3.. have I picked out something poor here?

Also I'm wondering if a 4*2GB sticks works as well as 2*4GB sticks? (and if so how much difference is there?)

Looking at the MOBO specs for supported RAM types, (DDR3 - 1066, DDR3 - 1333, DDR3 - 800) I'm assuming that Quad channel 1333 is the best type I can fit.

I will worry about PSU/GPU/case etc. later

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Don't skimp on the PSU! 8GB of DDR3 in dual channel will be cheaper and stress the memory controller less. Get a Core i3 2100 or Core i3 2120.

This monitor gest good reviews:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/215-b...-m-10001-black

However,this monitor uses an IPS panel:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/215-l...-50000001-vesa

[zaphox]

Thanks for your quick reply CAT. Following your CPU advice I have found this Intel Core i3 2120 3.3GHz on ebuyer for £95.26inc. vat but why would this be better than a Dual Core 2130?

[Domestic_Ginger]

I have the Benq and its okay. The colours are not that great though. The IPS would be my choice if buying again and the Dell in the OP is okay I think but I was not convinced. Keep checking HUKD as there are loads of offers on atm.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Thanks for your quick reply CAT. Following your CPU advice I have found this Intel Core i3 2120 3.3GHz on ebuyer for £95.26inc. vat but why would this be better than a Dual Core 2130?

Yes.

Put the money saved into the PSU or graphics card. I would suggest getting an HD6850 1GB for around £110 to £120 or an HD6870 1GB or GTX560 1GB for around £130 to £140.

Regarding the PSU a decent 450W or 500W would be more than enough. A 400W PSU would be fine with a Core i3 2100 and an HD6850 1GB or HD6870 1GB.

You can get 8GB of 1.5V DDR3 for around £30 to £35. Also I would suggest the following case:

http://www.ebuyer.com/289021-bitfeni...rc-100-kkx1-rp

It can take even an HD6990 4GB!!

[scaryjim]

... why would this be better than a Dual Core 2130?

It's better value. With the 2130 you are paying more than 15% extra for only 3% extra speed, which you simply won't notice in day-to-day use. So you may as well get the cheaper processor and put the saved money towards upgrading other components, like a higher quality PSU.

[zaphox]

It's better value. With the 2130 you are paying more than 15% extra for only 3% extra speed, which you simply won't notice in day-to-day use. So you may as well get the cheaper processor and put the saved money towards upgrading other components, like a higher quality PSU.

ok thanks. Does the dual core not count for anything on the 2130 though? I know the extra cores only work if the applications are programmed that way, but I feel like I'm regressing going back to a single core CPU!

[shaithis]

All newer PC CPUs are at least dual core.

[zaphox]

oh ok, didn't realise that about the CPUs.

I'm taking PSU, GPU & case from my current system for now which is why I'm not mentioning them.. they will be fine for now, and upgraded later in the year. So, updated spec:

Intel Core i3 2120 3.3GHz £91.18 Inc VAT

Gigabyte GA-PH67-DS3-B3 H67 Motherboard - £60.80 Inc VAT

Corsair Memory XMS3 8GB DDR3 1333 Mhz CAS 9 Dual Channel Desktop - £33.36

(and probably one of the VGAs you guys suggested - not decided yet)

[scaryjim]

oh ok, didn't realise that about the CPUs.

Yeah, the i3 2120 and i3 2130 are identical apart from the clock speeds. That's generally true of processors within a given range - in this case the Core i3 21xx range. But it's always worth asking if you're not sure.

As shaithis said, there are very few single core processors made now (although both Intel and AMD do have single core variants in their current ranges), and they are a *lot* cheaper than the processors you're looking at.

[Pob255]

One question is what do you plan to use this pc for?
if it's just basic internet/office use then you might as well drop down to 4gb of ram you'll not see any difference vs 8gb

I'd take the BenQ over the Dell when you're looking at cheaper monitors, the high end expensive IPS panel dell's are very good but their low end TN panels are ether overpriced or not very good.
The LG IPS is not actually a full IPS using a reduced colour gambit, however it's still a good step up from a TN without the price tag of a full IPS.

[zaphox]

One question is what do you plan to use this pc for?
if it's just basic internet/office use then you might as well drop down to 4gb of ram you'll not see any difference vs 8gb

I'd take the BenQ over the Dell when you're looking at cheaper monitors, the high end expensive IPS panel dell's are very good but their low end TN panels are ether overpriced or not very good.
The LG IPS is not actually a full IPS using a reduced colour gambit, however it's still a good step up from a TN without the price tag of a full IPS.

It will serve as a multi-purpose system.. Internet/Office/DVDs/iPlayer/gaming will be the main usage, with some 3D level editing & photoshop.

I ordered last night & went with the i3 2120, 8GB of RAM (since it was £33!) and the LG IPS. Also bought a 60GB SSD so really looking forward to putting this puppy together =)

Thanks again for everyone's help - what would I do without Hexus?

[Pob255]

You're going to need a grapics card to go with that then, the ondie GPU one the i3 is fine for Internet/Office/DVDs/iPlayer. photoshop can benefit from a good gpu but it's not vital, some games will be possible but not at high settings.

When start throwing games and 3d level editing (I take it you mean game modding/makeing maps) you'll probably also hit issues.

[zaphox]

Yeah, as I said earlier in the thread I'm taking the GPU out of my current system for the time being. It's an 8800GT so will do for now.

[lainux]

You should be able to get a better display for the price you are quoting