Building My PC **Bitta Advice Please***

Watson1985

Hi,

Ok, so i was thinking about upgrading my PC. After doing a lot of research i decided on just building my own new one. I currently have a Dell Inspirion 530s! (I know, lol) No room for upgrading it...

So far I've bought:

Monitor: Samsung - SyncMaster T240HD 24" wide screen
Speakers: Logitech - X-540 5.1 Loudspeaker System
Keyboard: Dell, re-use
Mouse: Dell, re-use
Graphics: ASUS - Radeon EAH4670 DI - 1GB GDDR3 - PCI-Express 2.0
Sound: Creative - Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 PCI - EAX 3.0 Adv HD Tech
Wireless Card: D-Link DWA-547 PCI Rangebooster 802.11n WiFi
W Router: D-Link DIR-615 300mbps Wireless N
External Hard Drive: Western Digital 1TB
DVD/RW: Plextor 18x
= €500.00

I still need to get:
Case .... Im thinking a Mid-Tower ATX (but i want one that looks cool) I have room for a Full Tower ATX.
PSU .... How much W do I need? 500w? The min on my GPU is 400w.
MOBO .... Not sure which one to pick at all.
Processor .... Again not sure.
RAM .... Should i get less DDR3 for more money? Or more DDR2 for less cash?
Internal Hard Drive .... 500GB
Operating System .... I want a 64bit, but Windows 7 or Vista?

(Is there anything i'm leaving out, do i need to buy a CPU Cooler, or does the one that comes with it do the job?)

Budget Left = €700 - €900

I use my computer mostly for watching movies/tv shows, surfing the net, playing games, downloading.

I figure i use the thing everyday, so i might aswell have something that will carry forward and i wont have to change it or get annoyed with it being slow in the near future. Plus, its good crack and rewarding to build your own.

Any help with the 'still need to get' section would be most appriciated! And any advice at all!

Thanks Everyone.

Solitaire

When you say "playing games" do you mean Minesweeper or Peggle? Because I really don't see you playing anything that needs hardware rendering on a 24" Samsung TFT with a HD4670

Case: Billions out there, give us a list of what you feel is reasonably priced and you like the look of. Its a darn subjective field y'see...

CPU: Ergh... How much will you be using this? And do you do anything more intensive than watching videos? Because there's nothing on your list that needs much in the way of processing power. Unless you really do mean you want to play current 3D games - in which case the CPU is the least of your worries...

Mobo: Depends on CPU.

RAM: 4GB is the sweet spot regardless of type. I'll probably be shot for saying this, but I still like my DDR2. Its cheap, and makes up for slower speed with much lower latencies.

HDD: A 7200rpm 500GB SATA HDD should set you back €40-50 at the moment.

PSU: 400W for a HD4670?! I think this is where I go "LOLOLOLOL" On a serious note, at the moment its more dependent on the CPU as the HD4670 has difficulty hitting 50W of power consumption on its own... overclocked (not that it has a high ceiling or anything) Of course, if you do want to game the build will turn upside-down so I'm not giving a detailed list until I get the answer on that one!

Watson1985

Thanks for the reply.

I have an xbox360 hooked up to the monitor too, so that pretty much keeps me happy on the gaming front. However... I would like to be able to play the latest RTS on my PC, and have the option of playing the latest ones in the future. So gaming is a big enough factor.

My budget on a case is €50-80. I was thinking I might as well get a sweet looking case if im gonna do this.

Mainly, I want this PC to be a slolid machine for now and something that has the availablitly to upgrade and expand in the future.

Thanks.

Solitaire

Suffice to say that "€700-€900" should be more than enough. Unfortunately if you like your RTS then that HD4670 you bought is going to be headed straight for the bin You'd need at least a HD4850 and more realistically a HD4870 or (given the minimal price difference) HD4890 to push demanding 3D apps on a 1080p+ screen. I'll post a build later, given this is really a gaming rig (day-to-day computing doesn't need a fraction of the horsepower) and Adobe hasn't been mentioned I'm thinking a mid-range AM3 build

The case issue is difficult as I don't know what you like. Some people love the HAF, others vomit in a bucket. Some view Antec's gaming cases as kewl, others as too common and mainstream at this point (as everyone and their dog has at least one at this point ). Some love the bold styling on the Xigmatek Midgard and NZXT M59, others think it too juvenile. Some demand case windows, others think they look garish... the list goes on and on... Off the top of my head I recommend the Midgard and three extra cheapo fans (it bundles a fan controller ) or, if you like pretty lights, the windowed version of same with a white and a red CCFL and fans comes to a shade over €80 but it looks very striking... if you're not a secret member of the Death To CCFLs club :rolleyes:

Watson1985

These are my case choices:
*i have to buy from pixmania-pro (cause i get VAT off in work).

http://www.pixmania-pro.com/ie/uk/710456/art/thermaltake/v9-pc-tower-case.html

http://www.pixmania-pro.com/ie/uk/mad-x/dracula-bk-pc-tower-case/743829/fiche.html

http://www.pixmania-pro.com/ie/uk/advance/8508-gladiator-pc-tower-c/173340/fiche.html

http://www.pixmania-pro.com/ie/uk/758543/art/aerocool/pgs-series-vx-e-pro-pc-to.html

http://www.pixmania-pro.com/ie/uk/735454/art/cooler-master/storm-scout-pc-tower-case.html

http://www.pixmania-pro.com/ie/uk/663633/art/advance/neoxblade-8813s-pc-tower.html --- I really like this one

http://www.pixmania-pro.com/ie/uk/advance/8808gm-gamma-pc-tower/646327/fiche.html

I like the style of the Advance Cases.

Im nearly sure they are all ATX. I think the bigger the better also, i have room for a big case and they have better airflow...yeah?

So out of that list which one would you pick, considering... value for money, performance and easy to use.

Thanks again

Watson1985

Thanks so much for your help Solitaire!

Im looking forward to seeing your build and getting my reciepts out to start refunding the stuff i've bought already!!!

Watson1985

Im new to cross-fire with graphics cards and don't know much about it. But would it be worth my while to keep the card i have (Asus Radeon 4670) and cross-fire it with the new one i get... I'm thinking about getting the HD5870.

jonny72

Watson1985 wrote: »

Im new to cross-fire with graphics cards and don't know much about it. But would it be worth my while to keep the card i have (Asus Radeon 4670) and cross-fire it with the new one i get... I'm thinking about getting the HD5870.

As far as I know you can't crossfire 2 different cards, they have to be the same model. The 4670 coupled with a decent processor will play just about any game with good to average framerates. If you want silky smooth I suggest perhaps you just upgrade to an ATI 5850 in a month or two when the prices settle a bit, then you would be completely future proof with that card (they are just out and seem to be the 2nd fastest single slot card on the market after the 5870). If you want to save money but still have a faster solution than your 4670 I suggest you go with the ATI 4870 or 4890 cards - excellent value at the moment beween 130 to 150 euros.

Personally I think you'll find the 4670 is a great little card, but will be pushed a bit on the 24 inch monitor with the more graphical games. You can of course crossfire it with another 4670, but I am not such a fan of crossfire, but some people here may recommend.

Watson1985

Thanks for that. Did a bit more reading on it there myself. And i think your right. I'l just return the one i have and wait for the price drop on the newer one.

Watson1985

Ok so heres where we're at:-

Monitor: Samsung T240HD €270
Speakers: Logitech X-540 €65
Case: ADVANCE NeoXblade 8813 (Black or Silver) €38
PSU:
MOBO:
CPU:
RAM:
Hard Drive: Any 7200rpm 500GB SATA HDD (€40-€50)
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 €30
Graphics Card: ? (5850 or 4890) (€200-250?)
Network Card: D-Link DWA-547 PCI Rangebooster 802.11n WiFi €28
External Hard Drive: WD 1TB €90
Wireless Router: D-LINK WiFi 300mbps Wireless N Cable Router €33
Keyboard: Use old
Mouse: Use old

OS: Windows 7 64-Bit

Solitaire

First case is good, but pricey for what it is. Second and third cases are a joke. They just suck. Very cheap and flimsy and virtually no airflow. Fourth is flimsy, ugly, pricey and will make one hell of a racket with those chepo fans. But at least it can actully cool worth a damn! Fifth is decent but nothing special for the price. The one you like is pretty good for the low price but its not going to be anywhere near as nice as you'd think from the pictures owing to the masses of cheap plastic. And the seventh is well entrenched in the Excrement Brigade; refer to no.2 and 3 above :P

If there's no Photoshop involved I'd recommend an AM3 build but the X3-720BE is pricey there (should be around €100 inc VAT, not before VAT!) and there's no X4-945e either! i5 wins due to price scalping! But the mobos for LGA1156 are pricey there too! And navigating PixPro is like wading through excrement with the consistancy of treacle!!?! ARRRGH!!!!

And the whole "HD4890 now or HD5850 later??!" debate is doing my head in personally too! (eyeing up the latter for a casemod...)

Watson1985

CPU:?
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 - 2.83 GHz, 12 MB L2 Cache, LGA775 Socket
€164.53
Or
AMD Phenom II X4 965 - 3.4 GHz, 2 MB L2 Cache, 6 MB L3 Cache, AM3 Socket - Black Edition
€155.56
Or
Intel Core i5-750 - 2.66 GHz - 8MB L3 Cache - Socket LGA 1156 (box)
€152.18

-- Also, if PixPro is over pricing where should I shop?

Sol, could you tell me in your opinion what i should get regarding:
CPU, MOBO & RAM.
Then i can base around that and go surfing the net for the cheapest.
Thanks so much for your advice and help.

Farcear

Definately take the Intel i5 over the Intel Q9550, no competition there.

The real decision is between the AMD Phenom II X4 965 vs Intel Core i5-750. AMD is usually a better budget choice, especially since the Intel 1156 motherboards are also more expensive. However, if you're getting this VAT-free I think €150 is a great price for the i5; cheaper even than hardwareversand!

Motherboard for only €90 - http://www.pixmania-pro.com/ie/uk/759997/art/gigabyte/ga-p55-ud3-socket-1156-ch.html

A bbasic 1156 mobo is fine if you don't plan on Crossfire/SLI.

Watson1985

Core i5-750/2.66GHz 8MB QPI DDR3 LGA1156
€150.00
http://www.elara.ie/products/detailsfull.asp?productcode=ECE1782182

MB INTEL LGA1156 DDR3/2xPCIe i7/i5 LE
€94.00
http://www.elara.ie/products/detailsfull.asp?productcode=ECE1804604

EA650-GB/Earth Watts 80+ certified 650W EPS 12v v2.91 and ATX12v v2.2 PSU
€65.00
http://www.elara.ie/products/detailsfull.asp?productcode=ECE1492290

4GB 1800MHZ DDR3 NON-ECC CL8 8-8-8-24 DIMM KIT OF 2
€172.00
http://www.elara.ie/products/detailsfull.asp?productcode=MME3427807

Total: CPU, MOBO, PSU, RAM = €481.00 (no vat getting it through work)

What do we think?
Too much? Just right? Could get cheaper? Dont get that!?!

Thanks guys

Farcear

€172 for the RAM!!?? It says €104 on the site. You shouldn't be looking to spend much more than this anyway. Either way, that RAM is not suitable. Core i5 needs RAM with a supply voltage of 1.65v or lower. This has a supply voltage of 1.8v -- definate no-no!

Ideally, you want RAM along the lines of either:
DDR3 | 1333Mhz (higher is better) | CL7 (lower is better) | low voltage (1.65v or less) RAM.
DDR3 | 1600Mhz (higher is better) | CL8 (lower is better) | low voltage (1.65v or less) RAM.

Seems fine:
http://www.elara.ie/products/detailsfullat.asp?productcode=MME3427792#spec

jonny72

CHIP and PSU are good

MB I am afraid I dont know

and RAM seems v v pricey?

I wouldnt go above 100 euro for 4 gigs

batman2000

Hi Solitaire, (sorry Watson minor hijack here!!)

I went looking a GPU online and noticed there is ASUS ATI Radeon 4870 and Sapphire ATI Radeon 4870. Can you shed some light for me. (I'm looking to play Unreal Tournament 3 etc.. on my PC) My current GPU doesn't cut it

AMD owns ATI right !!


http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=56&subid=939

Watson1985

Core i5-750/2.66GHz 8MB QPI DDR3 LGA1156
€150.00
http://www.elara.ie/products/details...ode=ECE1782182

MB INTEL LGA1156 DDR3/2xPCIe i7/i5 LE
€94.00
http://www.elara.ie/products/details...ode=ECE1804604

EA650-GB/Earth Watts 80+ certified 650W EPS 12v v2.91 and ATX12v v2.2 PSU
€65.00
http://www.elara.ie/products/details...ode=ECE1492290

4GB 1333MHZ DDR3 NON-ECC CL7 7-7-7 DIMM KIT OF 2
http://www.elara.ie/products/detailsfull.asp?productcode=MME3427792
x2 = 8GB = €156.00

.....

Now I just have to decide on the Case and wheter or not to wait for the 5850GPU.

What do yous think of these?:-

– http://www.pixmania-pro.com/ie/uk/771306/art/msi/radeon-r5850-pm2d1g-1-gb.html --- theres this one for €245, but its MSI, dont know wheter thats the best brand or not!
....

Think I might just save the money and rather than waiting for 5000 series get one of these, upgrade my GPU in a year or so.

http://www.pixmania-pro.com/ie/uk/sapphire-technology/radeon-hd4890-vapor-x-2-g/742725/fiche.html
or
http://www.pixmania-pro.com/ie/uk/asus/eah4890-radeon-top-1-gb-d/720901/fiche.html
or
http://www.pixmania-pro.com/ie/uk/sapphire-technology/radeon-hd4890-vapor-x-1-g/734818/fiche.html

I just want the best 4890 model, so if one of you kind people could send me a link for it i can go shopping for the cheapest price.

Farcear

>>Operating System .... I want a 64bit, but Windows 7 or Vista?<<

I was looking at upgrading to 64-bit Vista a while ago and came across a *lot* of negative stuff about it, so I'd stick to 32-bit Vista/XP until you get W7.

---

Graphics card: http://www.pixmania-pro.com/ie/uk/sapphire-technology/radeon-hd4890-vapor-x-1-g/734818/fiche.html

I like the 1GB factory overclocked Sapphire HD4890 with Vapor-x cooling. Someone else can probably correct me on this, but I don't think the 2GB shows any real benefit until you go to a hi-res 32" screen.

Ocsmoke

has anyone ordered from tigerdirect.com? are they good?how long did it take for shipping?

Farcear

Ocsmoke wrote: »

has anyone ordered from tigerdirect.com? are they good?how long did it take for shipping?

There's a thread for this kinda stuff stickied at the top of the forum. Do a search in that and see what you get.

Watson1985

Ok, so i've pretty much decided on everything im getting/got.

Just a small debate had arrisen in my noggin:

Should i pay 50eur extra and get an i7, it takes the same mobo as the i5 i was planning on getting.

http://www.pixmania-pro.com/ie/uk/758716/art/intel/core-i7-860-2-8-ghz-8mb-l.html

?

Jeez this is all harder than i thought... TOO many choices!!!! lol.

Farcear

To be honest, unless you are going to be using some very demanding multi-threaded applications, it is pretty difficult to justify a 33% increase in CPU cost for a 10-15% increase in performance.

Personally, I would only get 4GB of RAM -- unless you are doing 3D work it's pretty hard to use more than 4GB at any time. Then you could use to some of the savings on one of those RAM kits to upgrade from the i5 to the i7 processor for peace of mind of nothing else.