I have XP 
300 quid challenge! I mean maybe I could collect the parts slowly. But I think it's good to set a money target.
300 quid challenge! I mean maybe I could collect the parts slowly. But I think it's good to set a money target.
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Can replace the graphics card with a 4850 for a bit better performance and a saving of £5-10 but that runs cooler and has DX11 support.
Can also go slightly cheaper with the case and PSU if you want. 500W if possibly more than you need but it will allow you to stick in a more powerful card (assuming it can fit into the case) in the future. Always get a branded PSU (google the names for reviews if you're not sure), branded cases aren't so much of an issue, just be aware that unbranded cheap cases will use uncurled raw cut metal inside which means you WILL slice your arm/hand at some point.
CPU is rarely a bottleneck for gaming unless you have a top of the range card but that CPU should OC well anyway.Comment
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Big thanks Smurf. The more options I can get from you guys the better. Is that Scan you've quoted there?Comment
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ebuyer
could save even more with this card: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/173758
compare cards (and CPU) performance at http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/charts/Last edited by abigsmurf; 13-12-2009, 13:49.Comment
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Wouldn't a used 6600 Quad Core Go be a better choice CPU as they dirt cheap now and offer some amazing OC'ing results
It would cost more, but i think the performance gain would far outweigh it.Comment
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I really don't want to be doing any overclocking to be honest. I'd probably fudge it up.Comment
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It's easy. You simply overclock the RAM and the multiplier handles the CPU itself. With Intel, the RAM runs real slow anyway.
I've never heard or a Q6600 not hitting 3ghz overclocked on air, so if you're that concerned, knock it down to 2.8 or something. You'll be fine. If it doesn't boot so you can't alter it in the BIOS, remove the CMOS battery, give it 10 minutes, put it back, and go again - it'll have gone back to default.
I don't understand why everyone doesn't overclock. I had my old P2 233mhz running at 300mhz before you could even buy CPUs running that speed If you're smart about it, you can get a £100 CPU running the same speed as a £300 one.
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Are HTPC not favourable then?
Let's keep the tech simple for now, I could come back at a later date for an overclock lesson. Just want to get some ideas for components and case. So far an AMD and an Intel CPU have been quoted here. Which is best for under a hundred quid? Again cheaper would be better.Last edited by hudson; 13-12-2009, 14:06.Comment
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I have a Q6600 and have never bothered to overclock. There are numerous reasons I haven't:- Power consumption/heat - PC is on most of the time, my chip is the hot running B3 stepping, stock cooler is weedy and I wouldn't trust it to deal with higher clocks
- Can't be arsed spending hours stability testing with both 32-bit and 64-bit apps (seeing as 32-bit stable does not guarantee 64-bit stable). This is a pretty essential step aswell, for the reason I give next:
- The previous PC I had suffered from stability issues at stock, and silently corrupted some of my important files over time (including backups I'd made). Overclocking would be tempting fate, and I'll be buggered if I'm dealing with that fiasco again
- I've just not felt the need to. Plenty fast for me as is.
Each to their own of course, but I'll pass personally.Comment
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Actually, Looking at the prices, I'd go for a AMD Athlon II X3 435. Same price as the intel one I quoted but significantly faster (almost matches the i5-750). It won't overclock well but you're not looking to. Best to get an AM3 board (you can get a £35-ish Matx one).Comment
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Ok had a bit of a look around and so far this is what's on my potential shopping list so far...
With say a remaining ?250 (or less!) to spend on top of the below specs, what mobo, graphics and memory would you recommend to accompany them?
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AMD Phenom II X3 720 - ?90
Coolermaster Elite 341 - ?30
Cooler Master 500W Extreme Passive PFC PSU - ?42Comment
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Memory:
Mobo:
GFX:
Dont forget you'll need a harddrive, dvd drive, keyboard mouse and display!
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You can go for a cheap motherboard as you won't be doing SLI, overclocking or maxing out performance. I personally like Gigabyte and have had great reliability from their boards. You'll get the best performance using an AM3 board. Make sure it's mATX.
4gb ram 2x2gb DDR2, you probably only need budget ram (but go for branded ones, having RAM fail is a PITA). You're not overclocking and it's unlikely for the RAM to bottleneck your system so you don't need expensive types. Faster speed ram is preferable if there's not much different in price.
Graphics cards give you 3 options for ~£80:
Nvidia 9800 - cheapest option, 2nd best performance, DX10
ATI 4850 - Best performance DX10, runs hot and is a physically large card (check the case dimensions)
ATI 5770 - Slightly behind the 9800 in performance. Runs cool (and eats less power), DX11
HDD - constantly changing so can't recommend one, check reviews for speed and noise levels (clunky hdds are irritating if you ever use it to play videos), 7200RPM, I'd go for 500gb but it depends on how many games and how much downloading you do.Comment
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I reckon I will leave graphics card until last and see how much money I can spare. May be able to enter the...drum roll.... HUNDREDS!
Well, the one hundreds that is
Thanks for the help so far, fellas.Comment
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Not sure if you've seen it but it might be worth picking up this months issue of Custom PC
They have a big feature on building rigs for about £440 I know it's over your budget but it might give you some useful ideas & then with a bit of shopping around you might get the same spec for closer to your budget?
Also as much as it's the forum of the devil have a look at Overclockers UK sometimes their weekly specials are really good value...just stay away from the forums, that place is just plain evil (although they do know their shizzle & the spec me threads can be pretty useful)
NeilComment
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