Hi, I've just signed up because I'm looking to buy or build a new PC. I've not been following the PC hardware market for some time, so I could do with some advice before I decide to spend my money. Seeing as you have a nice template to use, I'll let that give you all the info you need. Budget: around £500 Main uses of intended build: Gaming / Software Development Parts required: pretty much everything, along with the parts listed below I've got some old hard disks, and DVD writers (all IDE), and a spare PSU (400W Akasa). I will need a copy of Windows, but I'm okay for Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse. Previous build information (list details of parts): 3000+ Athlon 64, AM2+ motherboard (can't remember specs or make), 1GB RAM (both slots used), 160GB hard disk (IDE), 7600GS graphics card. It was a media PC sitting under my TV (running MythTV), but I'm finding more use for it under my desk at the moment. I would quite like to put it back under the TV - I don't think much is re-usable, save possibly the motherboard. Monitor resolution: 1920*1200 Storage requirements: 500GB will be more than enough, seems silly to go with less after looking at prices. will you be overclocking: possibly Any motherboard requirements (no. of USB, Xfire/SLI, fan headers): I'd quite like Xfire or SLI support for future upgrade potential. Extra information about desired system: I've said its for gaming, but I'm quite happy to go with integrated graphics or steal the 7600 from my current box (it also has integrated graphics) to save a bit of money, and then buy a graphics card in another months time. I know nVidia have a new card due out, so I'd also quite like to see how that affects prices as well. Part of me would quite like it all together in one go, however. I've done a bit of research, reading through a lot of build guides, yours included. At the moment, I'm deciding between something based on an Intel i3 530 or something based on the Athlon II X3 435 or X2 250. Not sure about the graphics card, as I said, I'm happy to see how nVidia's new cards change the lineup, but if I went with something now, it would probably be the Radeon HD 5770 (although, I've read the 4850 is still a pretty decent card). A few questions, though, as well: How big a difference does DDR3 make over DDR2 on the AMD systems? Is it a case of future compatibility, or is there a performance benefit now? How future proof are the i3 based systems? I know they are fairly new, but the top end i7 processors have a different socket - are they likely to live on side by side, or will Intel eventually move everything to the 1366 socket? Also, can you talk me out of getting a Dell Inspiron 580 base model for £420. I mean, the PSU will be crap, but I can replace that, and then stick in a decent graphics card...? I'm guessing the motherboard will also be crap and over-restrictive?
1. The Dell board will have everything locked out in the BIOS except like system time. 2. Take the time to read this article http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/memory/2007/11/15/the_secrets_of_pc_memory_part_1/1 and the other 3 that follow it. It should answer all of your RAM related questions. DDR3 on a AMD processor will act the same as DDR3 on a intel. Assuming they (RAM and CPU) are clocked at the same speeds and on comparable boards. 3. Future proof isnt possible with most computer things. Supposedly intel will be releasing sandy bridge (i3/i5/i7's successor) next year and could use a new socket. For the same price you can get a 720 or 550BE from AMD. As far as GPU's go I would get a 4850 because it performs similarly to a 5750 and sells for less. If you can stretch for a 5770 then take it. As far as boards go if you are going the intel route then H55M-UD2H got a good review and on the AMD side M4A89GTD got a good review as well
Not alot of difference in terms of performance. DDR2 is a bit old hat now though and few future systems will use it. In terms of future compatability it will do you to the hex core thubans and thats it; I do not think AMD has anything else coming. With DDR3 it may see you to the next chip 'bulldozer' in 2011 but whether the current motherboards are compatable remains to be seen. The choice is yours! I went DDR2 last year due to the ridiculas price of the memory. [/QUOTE]How future proof are the i3 based systems? I know they are fairly new, but the top end i7 processors have a different socket - are they likely to live on side by side, or will Intel eventually move everything to the 1366 socket?[/QUOTE] Not sure anything is that future proof to be honest. I would presume with 1156 being newer it would be teh way to go(?), I'm no intel expert though. Wikipedia has some nice pages on future updates etc. The i3's are good overclockers [/QUOTE]Also, can you talk me out of getting a Dell Inspiron 580 base model for £420. I mean, the PSU will be crap, but I can replace that, and then stick in a decent graphics card...? I'm guessing the motherboard will also be crap and over-restrictive?[/QUOTE] The motherboards are definately not feature laden. However in terms of low power consumption it would be great! Most modern mobo only have one ide header. If you want to re-use your mobo with a newer cpus make sure it has hypertransport 3. I like the AthlonII x3's.
Hey, Made this topic recently when I needed a gaming rig for 500quid, but recently upped the budget to £600: http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=184982 Still should be plenty of info there. Maybe something like this?
HI i think I3 with 1600Mhz RAM is the way to go. Here's a pre build @ £500 with 5770: http://www.easypc-uk.com/business-systems/85-intel-i3-business-pc-computer.html
Thanks for the help so far. The Antec 300 seems to be the case recommended everywhere for a budget build, so I think I'll go with that. I've got to buy a copy of Windows, so I think I'll go with an X3 based system to save money, plus AMD seem to support their sockets for longer making an easier upgrade path. I noticed the bit-tech buyers guide recommends the MSI 770-C45, but thats only got one PCI-Express x16, and I wouldn't mind having crossfire or sli as an upgrade option, so what do people think of the 770-G45? So I've got (scan prices, rounded): 500GB Western Digital HD (£38) Antec 300 (£42) Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM (£79) Athlon II X3 435 (£62) MSI 770-G45 (£59) Corsair DDR3 PC3-10666 (£85) Total including delivery: £376.38 Reusing the 400W PSU I mentioned in my first post, and one of the IDE DVD re-writers I have (which I can't see getting much use anyway). That leaves me a bit to buy a pretty decent graphics card at the same time or the following month (money permitting). I've noticed the 4890 is quite cheap for the performance if its still in stock. Either that, or maybe I could strech to a 5830?
