Hardware New computer

[Digeman]

Alright guys I've decided, I'm buying a new computer. The reason....well i got a hellof a lot of money from my relatives this christmas

Anyways so my budget is about 1200 euros so i can pretty much go all out on this thing i think. The only important thing that should be noted is that I do not want it to last for only one year. Since I know very little about computers I thought to myself, why not ask my fellow gbatempers

Here are some things that I've considered about getting:

* A flat widescreen
* A quad core processor (or phenom) whichever is better, you tell me

* A motherboard that'll last a long time
* A pretty good sound system (no surround, rather better base and stuff)
* About 4 gig ram, like a pair of 2 gigs

Well that's about all the things I've thought about, keep in mind though that I know very little about computers and am open for advice

 

[Banger]

What do you plan on using the computer for? I noticed you didnt mention video card. Or any nice hard drive (Raptor or SSD)

 

[Digeman]

Well basically i want a gaming computer. That can handle pretty much anything. Video card, well i've been hearing a lot of good stuff about 8800 gt. And I would very much like a motherboard that could have 2 gfx card at once.

Edit: Oh and about the hard drive, I have no clue

 

[TaMs]

Isn't there allready motherboards withgoo crossfirex from ati that supports 4 gfx cards? or was it 3? can't remember. you should try those ones : D but could be too expensive.

 

[Banger]

Where would you be more comfortable ordering from? As I am from the states and you are not this way I can go by what the prices there are and build off that.

 

[kellyan95]

Does http://www.overclockers.co.uk/ ship to where you live?

 

[Digeman]

I don't know if they deliver here, I would be most comfortable ordering from here. I think the prices are pretty much the same wherever you buy'em from with only a few euros difference. But what would you guys recomend me getting?

 

[kellyan95]

Well, Vista x64 if you want 4GB of ram. I'll give you prices in USD...

~$90 for 4 (4x1GB) of G.Skill RAM
Q6600 for ~$250
2 8800GT ~$500
OCZ GameXStream 700w PSU ~$130
Antec 900 case ~$120
ASUS P5E or P5K mobo ~$230

That is a top-o-the-line PC right there.
1,200.00 EUR = 1,765.80 USD

For a monitor, the Dell 2407WFP-HC is the (second) best 24" (the first is $200 more expensive) ~$660

 

[laminaatplaat]

(processor)Intel Core 2 duo Q6600
(mobo)Asus P5K, Intel P35
(Cpu-cooler) Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro
(memory) Kingston KVR800D2N5K2
(graphics) Asus GeForce 8800-GT 512MB
(soundcard) (or maybe just choose not get one ) Club3D Theatron DD
(harddisk) Samsung SpinPoint T166 HD501LJ, 500GB
(Dvd-burner) Samsung SH-203N (20x)
(Flash-reader) Apacer Embedded Card Reader 15 in 1
(Casing) Coolermaster CM 690
(teh power) Zalman ZM460B-APS 460W ATX12V 2.2
(screen) Samsung Syncmaster 226BW
(keyboard and mouse)

Logitech Cordless Desktop EX 110
(speakers) Logitech X-540 (5.1)


I think its about 1200 euros maybe bit more or less..

 

[kellyan95]

That PSU is insanely underpowered for that rig. And I would reccomend an X-Fi sound card and logitech Z 640s if he wants speakers

 

[laminaatplaat]

That PSU is insanely underpowered for that rig. And I would reccomend an X-Fi sound card and logitech Z 640s if he wants speakers

I didnt read that well yesterday

he doesnt want 5.1

he does want 4gb memory (i did 2)
and the power isnt enough probably

 

[R-Unit 4]

I recommend waiting until the middle of nex year...good things come out next year...

 

[slayerspud]

Q6600 ( G0 Stepping) + Thermalright Ultra 120 + 120MM 1600RPM scythe fan + Artic Silver 5, then O'C to 3GHz
OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB x 2
8800GT ( Only go Sli if you are using a resolution of 1900x1200 or more, not worth the moeny if you are not)
OCZ GameXStream 700w PSU
Antec 900
Fayta1ty Soundcard

Pretty close to your budget.

 

[ZeWarrior]

Q6600 (Â G0 Stepping) + Thermalright Ultra 120 + 120MM 1600RPM scythe fan + Artic Silver 5, then O'C to 3GHz
OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB x 2
8800GT ( Only go Sli if you are using a resolution of 1900x1200 or more, not worth the moeny if you are not)
OCZ GameXStream 700w PSU
Antec 900
Fayta1ty Soundcard

Pretty close to your budget.

He doesn't need a 700watt PSU for that. 600w would be fine... And you never posted a mobo. I personally like the DS3L P35

 

[slayerspud]

Q6600 (  G0 Stepping) + Thermalright Ultra 120 + 120MM 1600RPM scythe fan + Artic Silver 5, then O'C to 3GHz
OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB x 2
8800GT ( Only go Sli if you are using a resolution of 1900x1200 or more, not worth the moeny if you are not)
OCZ GameXStream 700w PSU
Antec 900
Fayta1ty Soundcard

Pretty close to your budget.



He doesn't need a 700watt PSU for that. 600w would be fine... And you never posted a mobo. I personally like the DS3L P35

GameXstream is pretty cheap, reliable and his budget is quite big that's why I picked it. For the Mobo pretty much any PK5/P35 will be fine tbh.

 

[The_Cylon_Surfer]

What OS do you intend on using? 4 gig of ram will be a total waste of time when used in combination with any 32-bit M$ OS as only 3GB will be supported.

You may wanna take a look at the ASUS Striker Extreme motherboard - its a great gamers board with quality onboard sound. I'm running one in combination with a 2.6 quad core CPU, 2 GB of ram and a XFX 8800 ultra GFX card and the thing flys. I run all games on the highest settings possible with no problems... My 360 now has some competition

Sorry forgot to mention - that motherboard is SLi compatible (so you can add 2 GFX cards) and BOTH PCI express slots are full speed, be VERY careful when choosing a board as in many cases one PCI express slot will only work at a reduced speed. The chipset is NVidia so dont buy a crummy ATi GFX card if you do go with that mobo..

IMO stay away from ATi and AMD if you want a robust PC. ATi's drvers suck and AMD CPU's come overclocked to thier maxium potential so no room for OC'ing at a later date.

 

[Critical_Impact]

4GB aint that bad even on 32-bit. I have around 3.2gb out of 4 because I'm too lazy to upgrade to 64-bit. The extra 1.2gb still makes things a bit speedier.

 

[laminaatplaat]

I think starting with some fast 2GB memory is smart. If's to slow for your use you can always buy another tray.

 

[The_Cylon_Surfer]

4GB aint that bad even on 32-bit

Whats good about it....Its not supported LMAO. So you are saying you paid money for 1GB of ram and your OS only uses 200MB of it...Next time you cross the road please dont bother to look left or right....

 

[Commander]

Q6600 (Â G0 Stepping) + Thermalright Ultra 120 + 120MM 1600RPM scythe fan + Artic Silver 5, then O'C to 3GHz
OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB x 2
8800GT ( Only go Sli if you are using a resolution of 1900x1200 or more, not worth the moeny if you are not)
OCZ GameXStream 700w PSU
Antec 900
Fayta1ty Soundcard

Pretty close to your budget.



He doesn't need a 700watt PSU for that. 600w would be fine... And you never posted a mobo. I personally like the DS3L P35



He would need a 700W PSU such as the 700w Seasonic M12-700 to begin with even at full load that would be more then enough to run those specs. Your PC needs between 620 and 670 watts depending on the load when the CPU is at 100% it will reach the top band of 670W.
If you want to same some money get Corsair XMS2 1Gb sticks there about £25 which is 33Euros.

For the CPU try getting the OEM version of the Intel C2Q6600 its slightly cheaper but exactly the same.
For a CPU HSF I reccomend the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro for socket 775 CPU, brilliant cooling and is very cheap.

Sound cards are pointless in my opinion they cost you money and don't help alot in most cases. The onboard sound the motherboard supplies is more then adequite in most cases.

Motherboard - Asus P5N-E SLI 650i

I recommend slightly cheaper parts so you have room to spend on upgrades on the future and because most the parts being reccommend are overly expensive and not worth what they cost.

QUOTE

IMO stay away from ATi and AMD if you want a robust PC. ATi's drvers suck and AMD CPU's come overclocked to thier maxium potential so no room for OC'ing at a later date.

I have an AMD overclocked AMD AM2 Athlon 64 4800+ cost me £50, stock it is 2.5GHz I got it running stable at 3Ghz for my BitTorrent machine. AMD are great for overclocking because they are very stable.
You only need to stay away from ATi if you have linux due to bad linux drivers.
The standard Windows drivers for ATi are good and the utilities they provide are powerful mainly in the overclocking.