Hello all. I'm currently in the middle of creating a spec for my first pc build and could do with some friendly advice. Budget: £400 - £450 Main uses of intended build: Workstation for assignments etc, Internet browsing, Light gaming (with the possibilty of getting back into playing WoW), Photo-editing (photoshop/gimp) Parts required: Just parts for the pc base unit. Will re-use peripherals. Monitor resolution: Will be using a 19in monitor with possible upgrade to 20in-21in in the future Storage requirements: 500GB would be enough Will you be overclocking: No. With the current bugdet I am aware that overclocking the build I buy would help 'future proof' the machine and save me a few ££, I have starting reading up on it, but it's started to confuse me. So maybe a bit too complex for me atm. Any motherboard requirements (no. of USB, Xfire/SLI, fan headers): No need for SLI or anything too fancy Extra information about desired system: Will be wanting to use Windows 7 64bit, I have included this in my build but I may be able to get it cheaper with a student card. I don't know how much cheaper it would be though. I have been reading the forums for inspiration/ideas and have come up with this spec. It's basically the bit-tech All-rounder: http://www.scan.co.uk/savedbasket/ce17e0a82a304fe89dd7ba3cc9179a88 I would like the build to last me a few years and to stick to the budget as much as possible. My questions are: Is there a better alternative to the cpu, I'm aware of the fact that it has no L3 cache. Would the gpu suit my needs, ideally I would have gone for the 1GB 5770 or better yet a GTX 460 but the bugdet will not allow. Is there an alternative to the gpu? And finally will it all work together? Any better builds people may have in mind are welcome.
Personally I'd go for this... Gelid Tranquillo on top for another £23 and a copy of windows upgrade from here for £30 http://www.microsoft.com/uk/education/studentoffer/. I have that GPU and it copes perfectly fine on all the games I play at 1440 x 900. If you do plan on overclocking, the cheaper G9650 would be a better as it's a wonderful overclocker. You could save yourself a tenner on the HD if you wanted but for a tenner it's worth it for the 1TB.
I'd go for the AMD system with 5670 personally, it's more meaty than the GTS 240 which is barely an upgrade from the GMA-HD in the Core i3. Both this and the G6950 + Gigabyte H55 are good choices of mobo+CPU
Thankyou Zinfadel, that link to the Windows 7 deal was very helpful. I'm quite interested in giving overclocking a go, but am finding it quite daunting atm. Seeing as this is my first build, I think I'd rather build something which will work fine as it is, and then later on think about overclocking it. Here are my options so far: http://www.scan.co.uk/savedbasket/055db172bd6d4b6298fb17bf63ab4652 http://www.scan.co.uk/savedbasket/0a80b8c5b88f4189b21f9814b7f29b11 http://www.scan.co.uk/savedbasket/69220c7ca3274e8a877dd5db7f6662e1 I'm leaning more towards either 1 of the 2 intel builds. I'm guessing the i3 would be better suited, but am unsure how it would overclock later?
This is a good review for deciding which CPU route to go as it contains all of the CPUs you're considering and more on top. For the price the X3 is great but personally if you have the cash I'd always go for the 530. Like you I'm not much of an overclocker. I'll tinker but never anything serious so I'd feel more comfortable with it and it's the one I'd go for despite the overclock potential in the G6950. As Bindi suggested the 5670 is definitely a better choice than the 240 so if you can afford it go for it. There's a review Here for the 6950 which shows how good it is against the respective Athlons, but not against the 530. The choice is yours! EDIT: I should add, Bindi is a well respected super legend of the forum and I'm just some guy so his opinion is perhaps just slightly more valid than mine!
Oh one other thing. That Windows is upgrade only so you'd need to install a legal copy of windows onto your new HD before you can put that on but it's worth it for less than half price. If you don't have an old copy of windows there are ways around it but I'm not sure how banned I'll get for discussing.
Oh, why thank you very much! AMD's only advantage is you can unlock the extra core, although I'd actually probably go for a 785G/880G board over the 770X and run with onboard video - save some more - then buy a 5750 or whatever GTS 450 turns out to be Tbh you could do the same with Intel, except the drivers will be *******.
Have just realised that the builds don't include the £30.00 for Windows 7. That would crank up the cost of the i3 530 to almost £500. The AMD Athlon II x3 440 does stay within budget with the extra £30.00, and as bindi does suggest this over the intel i3, I am more than happy to settle with the AMD unless there is a strong uproar that the i3 is the better way to go?
I would highy recommend this case (saving £15) http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Xigm...ase-with-4x525-6x35-Bays-inc-120mm-Fan-No-PSU
Oh, bindi piped me to the mark with the post. Ok, so knowing that I wouldn't have a clue about unlocking cores etc, would that now infact make the intel the better buy? I am quite happy to pay the extra if it really is the right way to go, but sticking to budget would be more ideal. I could always round up the extra ££, or stick with loading xp onto the build and upgrade to Windows 7 at a later date. Thankyou for your input sponge, but Tbh i've had my heart set on the antec 300 from the get go, it's got great reviews and comes highly recommended by both bit-tech and CPC.
Zindafel you have been more than helpful to me, and btw those last few links were a great help, thanks again. Is there anyway that I can add rep to you both?
So, i've been talking to a relative and have come to an arrangement which will allow me to purchase my build Ex VAT I have decided to stick with the i3 530 build and have assembled two builds: http://www.scan.co.uk/savedbasket/055db172bd6d4b6298fb17bf63ab4652 http://www.scan.co.uk/savedbasket/59a1d3ffdc314a28aee9b2b5b26eeccf In the second build I have added the 5750 after bindi's advice, and overall there is only a £12 difference between the two. Is the compromise to the arctic worth it?
