Desktop Recommendations - £1,000 (ish)

[chuckskull]

You can use a 32Bit OS with a 64bit processor like Core 2, but 64bit allows you to have 4GB of RAM and upward. you mentioned wanting more than 2GB in the future that's why I put it in.

[chadders]

Columbo's back: "Just one more question..."

The motherboard is listed as not SLi compatible nor HDCP compatible, yet the graphics card is?

I trust it doesn't matter about SLi since the graphics card chosen is quite a good spec. and can always upgrade later on life - either motherboard or better gfx card.

As for HDCP I assume that since the gfx card has this, then it will be fine for DVD playback and such? i.e. the gfx card handles this rather than 'on-board'.

[SiM]

HDCP is not a motherboard feature (unless it has integrated graphics)...

Unless you want 2 graphic cards, don't worry about SLi on the motherboard...

[chuckskull]

One faster graphics card is better than 2 slower ones almost everytime. Sli is a waste of money IMO. The Sli Core 2 motherboards are still a bit buggy and cost more than the 965 chipset's. If you want a faster card later, just sell the old one and slot in another newer/faster card.

The motherboard isn't HDCP compliant, just because it has no graphics output. HDCP will work fine on the graphics card.

[msr]

Can anyone recommend a decent gaming mobo for an E6600 core 2 duo chip?

[chadders]

Think you'd be wise to state how much you've got to spend?

The I've been pointed to certainly looks good...

[msr]

Went for this in the end:

Mobo Asus P5B Deluxe WIFI Socket 775 Core 2 Duo P965 FSB1066 DDR2 SATA Audio ATX 113.86
CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.4ghz) Socket 775 FSB1066 4MB Cache Retail Boxed Processor 150.91
Memory Part No. BL2KIT12864AL663 2GB kit (1GBx2), Ballistix Tracer 240-pin DIMM (with LEDs) Upgrade for a ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP System 91.64
Graphics BFG 8800GTS OC 320MB DDR3 Dual DVI PCI-E 185.67
Case Antec Nine Hundred - Gaming Case with 200mm Top Fan - No PSU 67.99
HD1 Western Digital WD5000AAKS 500GB SATA II 7200RPM 16MB Cache - OEM 75.99
HD2 Western Digital WD5000AAKS 500GB SATA II 7200RPM 16MB Cache - OEM 75.99
HD3 WD Raptor WD360ADFD 36GB SATA 10KRPM 16MB Cache - OEM 65.32
DVD LG GSA-H42LBRL 18x DVD±RW DL/RAM Lightscribe Internal - Black Retail 24.67
Power Antec TruePower Trio 650W PSU - With 3x 12v Rails and 120mm Fan 70.99
Cooler Zalman CNPS7500-ALCU LED Socket 478, 775, AM2, 754, 939 & 940 CPU Cooler 18.29
Total 941.32

Was gonna buy it pre-built and would have had to get a lower spec CPU
CASE
and drives

[chadders]

Well here's what I've ordered just now:-

620W Corsair HX Series Modular SLi PSU, ATX, EPS 12V, whisper quiet, 5 year warranty

Abit AB9 QuadGT iP965, S775, PCI-E (x16), DDR2 533/667/800, SATA II, SATA RAID, ATX

Optiarc (Sony/NEC) AD-7170S-0B 18x DVD±R, 8x DVD±DL, DVD+RW x8/-RW x6, DVD-RAM x12, SATA, Black, OEM

Scan Black Internal All in 1 (50+) Card Reader (SM/MMC/SD/mSD/CF/Mdrive/MS/ MSPro/MSDuo/MSDuoP)

Windows XP PRO OEM

Total: £323.81 inc VAT + delivery

Opted for 32-bit XP, due to "work" constraints and lots of umming-and-ahhing from them over certain applications.

I'm going away on holiday so wouldn't have the time to build everything and figure I'd buy the stuff that shouldn't really fall in price (I hope!).

Just leaves the CPU, RAM, GFX, HDD & monitor, along with a case to buy with approx £700 left to do so.

QUESTION: I'm completely stuck on a case choice! Would go for the AKASA Mirage but £105 plus £14 for 2 x fans is a big chunk out of the budget! Any recommendations??? I see the case as something that is a "fixed-asset" so perhaps I should go for the AKASA?

Oh, all from SCAN so I'll let you know how I get on...

[chadders]

Okey dokely, I'm expecting to have everything delivered ready for the weekend build.

So before I potentially p*ss £900 on a small fireworks display, are there any (idiots) guides / checklists etc that people adhere to?

For example: get the motherboard on the tray, hook up CPU and memory, get power on, do a post-test.

What post-O/S software install (if any) do people use to check everything is ok (burn-in tests).

It's been over 5 or 6 years, so I'd like to be safe than sorry, oh and I don't want to consider overclocking until I've got it all setup and running happily.

Obviously from the sounds of this you're wondering why the hell I didn't buy pre-built - in which case get behind me in the queue!

I've put my spec in my profile now.

[Recoil]

You seem like you know pretty much what to do when building a system - just double check your work on everything you do..

Depending on space you also might want to mount your CPU cooler on before to make sure yo get a good firm contact between the core and heatsink so that the temps be decent - as with most chips - if the heatsink isnt sitting fully flush it can send temps sky high..

Just sit back - relax and dont get stressed out, when working take it slowly!

If your wanting to stress test - use programs like SiSandra/Prime95 so on to put it underload. also 3dmark06 etc - to check that theres no graphical issues..

[chadders]

Thank you for the info. good to know am on the right track.

I did say £1,000-ish... just picked up a Samsung 226BW... they are very very very nice indeed!

[chadders]

Argh...

OK got the CPU and fan-heatsink in the m/board only and hooked up the 24-pin and 8-pin connectors from the PSU.

There is a 4-pin from the PSU but nowhere on the m/board for it.

POST code 8.7 is all I get...

"Check CPU core voltage"
"Check 4 pin power plug or replace power supply"

Marvellous.. any ideas?

[chadders]

Whoops, been a little lazy but all done and working - just before I went away on holiday.

Chuckskull: it does indeed tear through Generals! Woo it's like a whole new game.

Firstly, I would definately recommend SCAN. Although I was bemused about a stock item that was originally in stock, then out of stock (before I'd ordered it) - SCAN did call and sort out an alternative, I did very little apart from send one email.

City Link are idiots - due to above delivery delayed to the following day, which I wasn't available for. Told them, but still turned up! Petrol to burn...

MicroDirect - bought RAM from there, turned up all OK.

PC World - got Samsung 226BW, as was an expensive monitor (for me anyway) wanted to have a look at it first-person. Very nice, unwrapped in shop. As for dead pixel were happy that if I plug it in and found anything I wasn't happy with, could take back and replace/refund.

So, all in all very satisfied. Going to leave it a few months, then look at overclocking... all sounds fun!

My only advice, common sense - always use a credit card for every purchase.

Oh, and the Akasa Mirage-62 is a monster! Having not self-built for such a long time, was a joy to use - especially as you forget the order of things and have to repeatedly whip the tray in/out!!

Thanks to ChuckSkull et al...

Finally, I'd post a pick of it all set up, but our new puppy is just so much cuter than any PC-system!!

[Gr44]

Glad you've got it all up and running. Just about to build myself a new pc, very similar spec to your new toy : )

Enjoy!!

To answer your question, overclocking is easy enough if you have a good motherboard, I don't know much about the one you've picked but I'm sure someone on here can help you out when you start feeling a little daring!

[chavo]

Hi mate, My 2 pence worth is this.

Dont waste your £1000!

Go to dell they have a deal on at the moment its a dual core e4300 great little chip for your number crunching. it comes in at about £350 UK pounds.

That comes with win XP pro.
17inch monitor gig of ram 300 gig SATA drive. etc.

Spend about £100 uk pounds on a 8600 graphics card. no need for 8800gts not for C&C generals thats for sure!!

total expenditur under 500 quid! if you want to push the boat out upgrade the chip through dell for a further 50 quid odd get a dual core 2gig or somethin (2 gig on each core that is plus 2mb L2 cache on each)

Real work horses... I am on one now at work.

I hate pre built systems but for what you want this sounds perfect!

[chadders]

Thanks to the advice in here, it seems the Abit QuadGT is a good board for overclocking - helps that Hexus.Net has a good walkthrough as well!

Appreciate the pointer chavo - problem is I'm all up and running (wallet now empty!).

It's the old-addage, what you actually need vs want you want!

edit: how do you go about adding "trust" ratings on Hexus.net for the retailers I've used???