New PC

Obsidian

Ok, so i just bought a new mini pc from Dell.

Specs:

Intel® Core™ 2 Quad-Core Q8300 Processor (2.50GHz, 4MB cache, 1333MHz FSB)

Dell ST2310 23" Full HD Widescreen Monitor

8GB Dual Channel DDR2 800MHz Memory

2TB (2X1TB) 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive - Dual HDD Config

512MB ATI® Radeon™ HD 4350 graphics card

Total was £950.34 inc. VAT & DELIV

A few questions though. What is the best graphics card i can hope for for around £300?
I might be being a bit thick, but since it is a mini tower and the components are closer together, does this mean the system will run at a warmer temperature? If so, is there anything i can do to cool it down a bit?

Deano12345

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=498843

If you can stretch your budget and your PSU can take it,The new 5 Series are very good preformers.Mini tower an Dell usually equates to hot hot hot though

Obsidian

Lol yeah, i thought as much.
Try getting an 8 gig quad core beast for much less though!

That looks pretty damn sweet, i think i may be able to stretch that little extra

Deano12345

Yeah,it's not a bad prebuilt.forgot to mention the 5850 is quite a long card,about 10'' so if you decide to pick it up make sure it will fit

Obsidian

That is a little chunky, i'll have to check that out. I don't actually set eyes on my new pc until the 12th october, then i'll have no internet while i move house.

I'll have to check it out, finding cards for mini's can be a pain in the arse at times!

Deano12345

I know what you mean,also you can cool your CPU a lot better with an aftermarket heatsink

Obsidian

I'm now hanging my head in shame. Really should have thought of that!

Do you have any experience with them/know a reputable place to get them?

Deano12345

Depends on your budget,I have a Thermalright IFX-14 (check out my thread about it in the modxin section here) but you need a huge case (I have a HAF 922) and it's expensive (cost me about 95 euro for the HSF and fans).A good budget cooler Is the xigmatek dark knight that about 40 euro.Check out komplett.ie for a nice selection of heatsinks.pick one that you like and I'll let you know if it's a good'un

Obsidian

I'm liking the look of the dark knight there. Not least because the one i have in my laptop sounds like my phone!

I was thinking about a case mod, but this will be my first half-decent system, so it's not the best to start out on. I've only ever modded laptops before, so desktops are still a myth to me yet!

I think i'll probably go for the Dark Knight. Thanks a lot for the advice dude, very helpful!

Deano12345

No problem.Just make sure to mesure your case before you order the heatsinks.the dark knight is fairly big.also,don't forget to order some thermal paste too,most heatsinks include some but it's usually rubbish lol