Audigex
26-06-08, 22:53
Okay, I've thought about my "Cheap and expand, or just build it" (question (http://forums.aria.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5656)), and I've decided that it's more cost-effective to just build it straight away.
For that, I need to try to work out how much cash I need, but my component-knowledge is pretty appalling, and there are many of you far better at it then I, so if anyone can spare 10 minutes to pick out a decent set of components I'd be very grateful. I'll give as much detail as I can below.
Budget is approx £450-600 (I could stretch to £650 if I was getting a lot more bang for my buck and an absolute max of £700) - I go for cash over performance, so if a little can be saved now but without waste (so I don't want to replace a CPU, but I wouldn't mind putting in 1 stick of 2gb ram and doubling it later)
General useage intentions of the system are as a decent everyday rig, preferably useful for gaming. I don't play all the latest titles, but I play several fairly recent games and I wouldn't rule gaming out in the future. I'm not looking for a top spec gaming beast, but I want it to be useful for several years.
It needs everything This is important, I have NOTHING for this rig. It needs to include a case, monitor and operating system along with components. We'll ignore keyboad, mouse, webcam and speakers, but I need everything else.
Right, down to detail - I'll try to help as much as I can. Note: I care only abou t performance, LEDs and nice cases bother me not.
Motherboard - Socket 775 naturally, I'd prefer it to handle up to 8gb of ram and 2/3 HDDs Crossfire/sli (depending on which graphics card you're recommending) and any degree of "future-proofing" would be a plus. Other than that, I just want it to handle the system.
PSU - Enough to power the system, with up to 2 graphics cards and 2/3 HDDs. Modular wouldn't go amiss, but I don't want to spend a lot extra for it.
CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo/Quad - I'd guess a Q6600(?) is the CPU I'd be looking at. Quad core preferred but if I'm pushing it, a decent Duo is surviveable.
RAM - Preferably 4gb, but I wouldn't mind a 2gb stick and double it later. I prefer fewer larger sticks than several smaller ones
HDD - SATA, 250GB+ I don't know what pricing is like on these, Ideally I'd like 2x500GB and 1x160GB, but I suspect that's pushing it. I'd prefer a system drive, and something for my music and DVDs, so one drive can be significantly smaller. You, I'm sure, know more about these than me.
Graphics card - I like ATI, nothing against nVidia. This is a case of "I'd like a good one, pleaes" - Crossfire/SLI compatability is much preferred, and it needs to play Counter Strike: Source at high (60+)? frame rates. I'm not looking for super-speedy top end, but some performance wouldn't go amiss.
DVD drives/External card readers One DVD drive will do me fine, it can be cheap and cheerful for all I really care, but I don't mind spending a few pounds for a better quality one
Monitor I'm fine with scrimping here. Flat screen is a must (need to be able to move it) - 17" will do fine (but if there's a 19 for the same money, so much the better). Keep it cheap :)
Case It holds the rest of the stuff, don't care what it looks like whatsoever. I'd prefer one with enough bays for what I want +1, and I need to be able to keep it cool (so feel free to add a couple of fans to my bill)
And that's itI think I've covered everything, sorry if it's too much detail :p all suggestions welcomed. Just to finish off, I'm not looking to get the top of the range item for each category, but something good providing good value for the money.
Thanks :)
For that, I need to try to work out how much cash I need, but my component-knowledge is pretty appalling, and there are many of you far better at it then I, so if anyone can spare 10 minutes to pick out a decent set of components I'd be very grateful. I'll give as much detail as I can below.
Budget is approx £450-600 (I could stretch to £650 if I was getting a lot more bang for my buck and an absolute max of £700) - I go for cash over performance, so if a little can be saved now but without waste (so I don't want to replace a CPU, but I wouldn't mind putting in 1 stick of 2gb ram and doubling it later)
General useage intentions of the system are as a decent everyday rig, preferably useful for gaming. I don't play all the latest titles, but I play several fairly recent games and I wouldn't rule gaming out in the future. I'm not looking for a top spec gaming beast, but I want it to be useful for several years.
It needs everything This is important, I have NOTHING for this rig. It needs to include a case, monitor and operating system along with components. We'll ignore keyboad, mouse, webcam and speakers, but I need everything else.
Right, down to detail - I'll try to help as much as I can. Note: I care only abou t performance, LEDs and nice cases bother me not.
Motherboard - Socket 775 naturally, I'd prefer it to handle up to 8gb of ram and 2/3 HDDs Crossfire/sli (depending on which graphics card you're recommending) and any degree of "future-proofing" would be a plus. Other than that, I just want it to handle the system.
PSU - Enough to power the system, with up to 2 graphics cards and 2/3 HDDs. Modular wouldn't go amiss, but I don't want to spend a lot extra for it.
CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo/Quad - I'd guess a Q6600(?) is the CPU I'd be looking at. Quad core preferred but if I'm pushing it, a decent Duo is surviveable.
RAM - Preferably 4gb, but I wouldn't mind a 2gb stick and double it later. I prefer fewer larger sticks than several smaller ones
HDD - SATA, 250GB+ I don't know what pricing is like on these, Ideally I'd like 2x500GB and 1x160GB, but I suspect that's pushing it. I'd prefer a system drive, and something for my music and DVDs, so one drive can be significantly smaller. You, I'm sure, know more about these than me.
Graphics card - I like ATI, nothing against nVidia. This is a case of "I'd like a good one, pleaes" - Crossfire/SLI compatability is much preferred, and it needs to play Counter Strike: Source at high (60+)? frame rates. I'm not looking for super-speedy top end, but some performance wouldn't go amiss.
DVD drives/External card readers One DVD drive will do me fine, it can be cheap and cheerful for all I really care, but I don't mind spending a few pounds for a better quality one
Monitor I'm fine with scrimping here. Flat screen is a must (need to be able to move it) - 17" will do fine (but if there's a 19 for the same money, so much the better). Keep it cheap :)
Case It holds the rest of the stuff, don't care what it looks like whatsoever. I'd prefer one with enough bays for what I want +1, and I need to be able to keep it cool (so feel free to add a couple of fans to my bill)
And that's itI think I've covered everything, sorry if it's too much detail :p all suggestions welcomed. Just to finish off, I'm not looking to get the top of the range item for each category, but something good providing good value for the money.
Thanks :)