Lads, long time Tomshardware forums member here, but I’ve decided to jump ship in search of a forum with more Brits – and the fact that its galling watching the yanks post links to Newegg where they can get an i7 for $1.20 (well ok, but cheaper than us) Anyhow, I’m building a computer for a friend who wants to replace his 2003 laptop (with its blazing fast ATI Radeon 9000m graphics card and melted side where the cpu sits – still good of DOW1 though) He’s on a budget – but wants to play Deus Ex: Human Evolution, DOW2, and some more of the latest classics. Here’s what I was thinking Coolermaster Elite 341, Black, micro-ATX Case Athlon II X3 435 CPU 2Gb DDR3 1333mhz Crucial RAM 500GB Samsung 7200rpm HD Gigabyte GA-MA78LMT-US2H AM3 MAtx Mobo Leadtek 280GTX GPU (managed to pick it up 2nd hand but in ‘as new’ condition for £125 22” V223 Acer Monitor 1680 x 1050 The whole lot comes to £515 and I have a few things like DVD writers and copies of windows that I’ll give to him – and with a little overclocking (maybe just to 3Ghz) – should be able to handle everything he can throw at it. Nice and balanced I hope. However, does anyone have any other suggestions before we go through with it (ordering at end of the month)
You had a browse through this? http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/buyers-guide/2010/07/13/pc-hardware-buyer-s-guide-july-2010/1
Yep, you've been spending too long with our American friends Fingers is on it. Go do some reading, then come back to us....
Yeah ... the affordable all rounder on the buyers guide would be a good pick. I think that the X3 you mentioned is probably a sensible upgrade over the X2 CPU however. Try to squeeze 4GB of RAM in ... the 2GB you listed might be OK but it would be a close run thing. You don't want the system having to push anything much into virtual memory on the HDD. 4GB will keep it snappy.
I do agree! But RAM is so painfully expensive at the moment! - plus that GTX has 1GB of video RAM - and essentially games are where the real stress is going to come. I've read the guide at Bit tech, and also @ Toms hardware, and the 435 seems to be a sweet deal at just £60. It seems that because of the domination and extended lifespan of consoles, PC graphics don't move as fast as they used to. I think we are living through an age where a PC can still run most games at max res, with only modest specs. Good times and bad times! I'm doing it all at mATX because he wants it to be transportable for LAN games!
Well, I'd question an Athlon X3. I'd be tempted to go for a superior Phenom X2 555 BE and hope you can unlock a core or two. The rest of it is clearly designed to allow for the GPU and that's no bad thing for a budget gaming rig.
Unless im missing it, you havent spec'd a PSU. I would have thought with a GTX280 and overclocking you're going to need a decent 500W unit. Its not an area that should be skimped in imo especially if you're planning on OC'ing.
You should definitely get a decent 500w+ PSU for a build with a GTX 280. I'd suggest THIS one for pure value but still being a quality product. Also you might want to check that you can fit the GTX 280 into your mATX case as it's not the smallest card around.
Get the x2 250 it's a much better CPU for games than that x3 with no level3 catch which kills it for gaming. Or the 550 and hope to unlock a core You will need a good 500 watt psu and check the case size as the 280 is about 25-27cm in length
Sorry... what? The x2 250 is better than the x3 440? They have the same clocks but the x3 has more cores. None of the athlons have L3 cache, only the phenoms. As I said before, I'd recommend the Be Quiet 530w from Ebuyer. And the reference GTX 280 is 26.7cm long.
Hi guys! Silly me (thats what you get for posting on bit tech while you should be at work) The PSU I was going for is this... - Coolermaster GX 550 - has very good reviews and should be fine for that system. I did look at a x2 555 BE - but its around £85 whereas I can pick up the 435 for just £60! A modest overclock to about 3.3Ghz should sort things right out.
Also, that case should be fine for the GTX according to the reviews even though it is an MAtx. As a side not has everyone seen this - I know NZXTs styling is not to everyones taste, but I think it looks great - especially with that all black interior, and the price is reasonable.
That's an awesome little system! As others have said: 1) Get 4GB RAM as if you're going to run Vista\7 it'll choke on 2GB 2) Get a decent power supply (at least 500W from the recommended PSU list)
Yeah, I have a choice between giving him a copy of Windows XP and a copy of Vista Business that I have lying around. Not sure which to go for, Vista is pretty stable now.
I havn't heard of that power supply before & I can't find any reviews for it apart from one which lists it as ok (but not outstanding). Should be fine though & it has a decent amount on the 12v rail. Also you can get the x3 440 for £61 from Scan so you might as well just go for that.
The OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W Modular is a much better bet and is only £3 more expensive than the one you linked above - and it is in stock @ Aria. With a smaller case, a modular PSU makes for a much tidier case.
I looked at this review of the GX 550 - and they seemed to think it was ok! "It may be in the budget range of units but it boasts some fine engineering. It had no trouble powering the moderate gaming system I installed it in, and under 100% load quietly operated with no disturbances." I have the exact same version of that OCZ PSU except the 600w version in my own computer right now, its great! I would go for that - but 50 less watts and he's not going to be able to see into his case anyway, so as long as we get the zip ties out and tie any loose wires up airflow should be ok. I was going to put extra fans in the two side vents (one cpu, one gpu) - and then one exhaust fan. Any ideas for cheap 12cm fans?
Ok so the GX 550 seems fine. There's already a 120mm fan in the exhaust so I the extra fan should be put in as an intake on the front instead. As for which fan I'd suggest, if you want something really cheap then go for these Yate Loons: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/206652?utm_source=google&utm_medium=products If you want the best then the Gentle Typhhons are considered the best but are much more expensive: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/120m...0-rpm-Cooling-Fan-See-LN31513-for-Replacement
