new build need help

[MFCGMFC]

hey all

got £400 to spend on a desktop i know its not a lot when it comes to computers but its what i've got to play with this must include keyboard mouse speakers

main uses

internet

office use

games

music

films

i was thinking of stickin the HD4870 but that take sup quite a bit of teh budget

Cheers
MFCGAVMFC

 

[techquest]

That's quite a high end GPU m8 so guess its more for gaming than anything else on your list?

 

[MFCGMFC]

yeah mate main focus is on that and a good sound card and mabye the E4500 2gb of 800mhz ram but apart from that please help me lol

Cheers
MFCGAVMFC

 

[techquest]

Any reason for intel as opposed to amd?

 

[MFCGMFC]

Any reason for intel as opposed to amd?

value for money

Cheers
MFCGAVMFC

 

[robc11]

You could try using LambdaTek's Pc Designer to put all the parts together it will also let you know if the parts are compatible with each other. You don't necessarily need to buy them off Lambdatek if you find them cheaper elsewhere. Just my 2 pence mate. I built mine using it but i found some parts cheaper elsewhere im getting a 2.4ghz quad core with 4gb ram and 1tg hdd for just over £500, using that method.

 

[little_pob]

You might want to set a bit aside for a branded PSU. Here's why: http://www.corsair.com/cinema/movie.aspx?id=622747

Corsair, Enermax, Seasonic all recommended. I've had an Antec die after 6 months, and a Tagan die after 14 months.

I've spec'ed up on ebuyer. They don't have the E4500 so for this example I've subbed in an E4600 (2.4Ghz, 800FSB, L2 2Mb cache). NB I've assumed you'll use your current hard drive, optical drive, case, monitor and peripherals:

• ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP AiLifestyle Series P35 Socket 775 Socket eSATA 8 channel Audio ATX Motherboard - NB I'm a bit of an ASUS fanboy at the moment; other brands are available. Other boards are cheaper, including other ASUS boards, but this Crossfire enabled board has the excellent P35 chipset, and supports up to 1333MHz FSB processors for future upgrades. I've got this board, and I really wouldn't recommend anything else for Intel CPUs running DDR2 unless you wanted SLi (which you obviously don't as you're buying an ATI GFx card).
• Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 Socket 775 2.4GHz (800MHz) L2 2MB Cache Retail Boxed Processor
• OCZ 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 CL 4-4-4-15 PLATINUM XTC with LIFETIME WARRANTY
• PowerColor HD 4870 512MB GDDR5 Dual DVI HDTV Out PCI-E Graphics Card - out of stock at the moment.
• Corsair 650W TX Series PSU - 120mm Fan, 80+% Efficiency, Single +12V Rail - the write up for the Sapphire 4870 says 500W minimum and 600W for Crossfire
• Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 OEM PCI Soundcard - Do not swap this out for an X-Fi (google 'x-fi snap crackle pop' as to why). If you need more up to date graphics get the ASUS Xonar.

Total: £438.64

£487.67 Would get you the above but the Q6600 and swaps the RAM to match the FSB of the CPU 1066Mhz OCZ PC2-8500

 

[digicol]

Can the lads on here who purchased a "B" grade motherboard from Overclockers let me know if they were ok? I know I pointed a few people to them and some of oyu bought them.

I bought one a couple of years ago and save about £100 on an old MSI diamond board, the board came as a bare board only, nothing else, but a saving of £100 was well worth it.

Just wondering if you lot have had the same good fortune, if so then I must say pop over to overclockers "sale" section and look at the motherboards. Just take a look at the Asus boards in this link, to change manufacturer just use the drop down menu at the top, you really do save hundreds of pounds on some boards.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=595&catid=689&sortby=nameAsc&catid=689&mfrid=1

Also if your into gaming and such then I would forget the e4 series or the Q6600, get the e8 series, the 8400 being the best bang for buck, a true gamers processor with plenty of room for overclocking. A greatm processor at just under £130. This processor is a bit of an animal.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/139971

 

[MFCGMFC]

thanks lads

but its totally brand new build including HDD dvd drive etc everything apart from teh screen

Cheers
MFCGAVMFC

 

[little_pob]

... If you need more up to date graphics get the ASUS Xonar...

Obviously that should say sound :doh:

thanks lads

but its totally brand new build including HDD dvd drive etc everything apart from teh screen

Cheers
MFCGAVMFC

Hmm, that complicates things if you want to stick to the £400 budget and have the 4870.

I've even looked at barebones systems to get a case, mobo and possibly a card reader for as cheap as possible. Worked out at £405.29 with an old 945 chipset, 2Gb RAM, 160GB HDD, DVD-RW, keyboard and mouse, but no card reader. I was going to post it until I realised that the PSU supplied in the case was only 300W, and the 4870 'needs' at least 500W according to the write up mentioned - a decent brand of that power adds >£50.

Col might be able to spec you some thing up within your budget, but I'm drawing a blank.

 

[digicol]

A 500W PSU is not needed for the 4870, that is just a guideline, a 400W will be more than sufficient. But as I keep saying, those cheap OCZ 500W jobbies for just over £30 are marvellous buys. I used to be a Corsair/Saesonic fanboy but when OCZ can put out PSU's this good for such a small price it makes you wonder how much profit the other companies actually make out of us?

Anyway let me get this straight, you are wanting a decent PC base with a good gaming card for £400? I will see what I can do.

 

[digicol]

On your budget I would say the 4870 is out of the question, the reason I am saying that is because I am pushing you to get the 8 series Core 2 Duo processor over the 4 series. It costs about double but is well and truly worth it. I am building this PC with the 4850 graphics card, which is a very very good performer for the cash, you will see more benefit from the 8400 processor and the 4850 card than you would a lower 4 series processor and the 4870 card.

These 8 series processors are loaded with cache which is perfect for gaming, they are probably the best gaming processor on the market, and at just over £100 at throw are at an amazing price also. Also the higher bus speed is a massive boost when coupled with a 1333mhz board, whereas the e4 series are 800mhz, (I think, never checked for ages.)

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/145527
Gecube HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 Dual DVI HDCP HDTV Out PCI-E Graphics Card
£115

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/139971
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Socket 775 (3.0GHz) 1333FSB 6MB L2 Cache Retail Boxed
£128

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...SLi (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
**B Grade** MSI P7N Diamond nForce 780i SLi (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
£60

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131214
Maxtor STM3250310AS 250GB SATAII 8MB Cache - OEM
£28

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129177
Kingston 2gb Kit (2x1gb) Ddr2 800mhz/pc2-6400 Hyperx Memory Non-ecc Cl4
£29

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/109552
Hiper 580W Type-M Black PSU - SLI Certified with APFC
£38

Add your own case and your away, obviously you may need kayboard, mouse and speakers, but that again is personal preferance.

I chose that motherboard from Overclockers because it is an awesome board at a wicked price, you seriously will not get a better deal on this board anywhere else. You may need to purchase your SATA cables separate and maybe a back plate, but taking that into consideration it is peanuts considering the price you are paying for one of the best boards on the market.

Also I have gone for the Hiper PSU as I can't seem to find the OCZ 500w, so this will do, not quite as good quality but they are good enough while trying to keep costs down.

Total is £398, then you need your case and mouse and stuff.

A great buy in my eyes.

EDIT:

Also add a DVD burner for about £15, one to match a case of your choice. Overall if you need keyboard and mouse and such I think the whole build will touch about £450, but well worth it mate.

 

[MFCGMFC]

cheers folks

his budget is £450 but i took £50 off cause i can get him a second hand 20" screen for that

i'll tr and squeeze more dosh out him but i dunno lol

thanks for the replies everyone the 4870 was just so i could have a play with one to see if i like it so i could throw it into the build lol

Cheers
MFCGAVMFC

 

[digicol]

Now then MF me old bud. Yes the 4870 would be nice to play with. But unless you have the hardware to run it, then you are not really playing.

 

[MFCGMFC]

Now then MF me old bud. Yes the 4870 would be nice to play with. But unless you have the hardware to run it, then you are not really playing.

what do you mean by the hardware to run it?

a decent board decent cpu decent ram and a decent screen?

can it play crysis at the highest settings?

Cheers
MFCGAVMFC

 

[little_pob]

Intel have just knocked 11% of the wholesale price of the E8400, and 31% off the E8500! Watch for savings on the Q6600 and E7200 too.

Source: http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/07/22/intel-cuts-desktop-processor-prices/1