System Recommendations

[Guppy]

Hi all,
I’m looking to build a new system and but am struggling with deciding on the PSU and graphics card. The only restrictions being that im looking to buy it all from scan so if you can recommend something they have.

The system im looking to building is: Antec P182, EVGA 680i nforce motherboard, Corsair 2GB ram, WD 500gb hard drive, Intel Q6600 CPU, Arctic Cooling Freezer 7Pro cooler, Pioneer DVD writer, all running on Vista home premium.

Im looking for around a 600w-700w psu (i believe that should be enough for this system and eventually for when i Sli it) but don’t want to spend a ridiculous amount of money on it.
I know that I want a EVGA 8800GT (or are the other GT's better?) graphics card but I wanted to know which version is worth going for, the normal, superclocked or ssc version? Is it worth waiting for the 9 series?

Any recommendations welcome.

Thanks,
Guppy

[staffsMike]

Corsair 520w HX would probably do the job tbh but the 620w would handle it no problem. It's a perfect PSU for the case, fits like a dream and the cables are all the right lengths

You're better off being the 780i or 750i I think as these support quads better. The 680i has trouble overclocking the quads passed 3.0GHz.

You would actually be better of not considering SLi at all though tbh. It's pretty much a waste of time especially when both nvidia and ati have dual GPU on a single card coming out or already out in the case of ATi
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

great card and amazing value for money given it's performance.

Nvidia will no doubt blow it away but will come at significant extra cost..

If you do choose to go single card route then look at the Abit IP-35's or X48's which are soon to be released.

[Guppy]

cheers for the avice mike. i think i probably will wait a little while and see what happens in the graphics department. I was looking at the 780i nforce boards but they are abit pricey for my tastes. I think ill wait and see what the reviews are like on those 750i's. What other sort of advantages do they offer over the 680i's?

[Hicks12]

i can recommend an asus p5n-d, no problems with mine, only 100£ too. I can also vouch for a Xclio 700W psu, never failed me so far and again its cheap, £65 i think (and there good too).
Either get yourself an ati 3870X2 or get the 8800GTS 512mb BFG OC edition, got the bfg card i have and its great. I have no idea if the GT prices have gone down but they were out of stock and were about £5 different then the gts hence why i decided to get that one.

[Guppy]

thanks hicks, definitely will take a closer look at the 750i and xclio, all helps to keep those costs down.

[donkiddik]

As Mike said earlier, the Corsair 520w HX Psu is a nice quiet unit as is the 620. For mobo I would go for an Asus P5K series or an Abit p35 series, both good boards in my opinion. Good luck with the build

[Saxamafone]

The Asus P5K is a nice board. I have the Gigabyte P35C-DS3R myself which is good. Only around £70too. Ive noticed that Scan are occasionlly putting the Corsair 620w up on the "Today Only" deals section which might sway your decision. Think theyve put it up twice in the last few weeks so keep checking as it knocks a few quid off the normal price

[Hicks12]

also about the evga card, i recommend contacting scan about warranty. As evga doesnt support outside of us and canada, europe has the standard 1 year but scan lists it as 999months so im guessing its lifetime with scan?

[Bhavv]

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

MSI P35 Neo 2 FR - £66 and highly reccomended for the cost.

Heres a review:

AnandTech: MSI P35 Neo2-FR: Platinum performance for under $100

Or the Abit IP-35 Pro:

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

Review here:

AnandTech: abit IP35-Pro: Houston, We Have a Winner

Easilly the two best motherboards currently available for the cost.