View Full Version : New Build For Under £300
Hi people im new here as you may guess. Well i been looking around and decided to build a pc myself as its cheaper and i get to choose what goes into the build. Dont really need it for games as i have an 360 Elite, but would be a plus. Hav'nt built a pc before but am quite knowledgable around computers. I have had one bulit before which my dad's m8 done but he did'nt do a great job. Well here's what i got.
Arianet Gamer DarkStar 500w Case
320GB Hitachi Deskstar SATA2 16MB
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5200+ 2.60GHz (Retail AM2)
Corsair 2GB PC2-6400 C4 XMS2 (2x1GB)
XFX GeForce 8600GTS 256MB PCI-E Retail
Asus M2N-VM HDMI nForce630a Socket AM2+ Motherboard
Sony DRU-190S 20x DVDRW Retail Kit - SATA
Pinnacle DVB-T PCI Digital TV Tuner
Just wanted to know if the system will be ok, i mean all the bits work with each other. If so i'll be ordering next week. Thankyou
Hi and welcome to the forum :D.
It all looks ok BUT, and pretty much everyone will around here will say the same, don't buy a case with a generic psu. It may well turn around and bite you in the backside later if the psu dies, cheap nasty psu's, as used in cases like that, will probably take out other components too when they die. You are best to buy a cheap case that comes witout a psu, the Akasa Zen gets my vote, and a reasonable branded psu (ocz, pc power and computing, xilence as a few examples) for around £30.
Also you say you don't want / need to play games on it? The motherboard has built in graphics so the 8600 isn't needed so the money you save by not buying that would pay for a decent psu.
Ah thought it cheap, nice looking though. The onboard graphics will they play some games as i may want to play afew like guildwars. Is the motherboard ok it says HDMI which i want because i can hook it up to things. Or what if i get a cheaper one. Do you recommend a cheaper graphics card? Cheers good help
Obviously the 8600gts will be better but you can easily add that at a later date. A solid psu would be a much wiser choice from the outset. If you like that case then by all means go ahead and get it but i would advise you to seriously consider changing the psu for a more reliable unit.
Went on your advice and came up with this. One thing though is that case for intel's because it says some feature about it, cooling i think. Is it meant for an Intel processor or is an AMD ok.
Xilence 480W Gaming PSU (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/450w+to+499w/Xilence+480W+Gaming+PSU+?productId=19869)
320GB Hitachi Deskstar SATA2 16MB (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Hard+Drives/Serial+ATA/320GB+Hitachi+Deskstar+SATA2+16MB+?productId=24793 )
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5200+ 2.60GHz (Retail AM2) (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/CPUs+%2F+Processors/AMD/Athlon+64+X2+Socket+AM2/AMD+Athlon+64+X2+Dual+Core+5200%2B+2.60GHz+%28Reta il+AM2%29+?productId=25079)
Akasa Zen Silent-Cool - Black (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Cases/MIDI+Tower/Akasa+Zen+Silent-Cool+-+Black?productId=25262)
Pinnacle DVB-T PCI Digital TV Tuner (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/TV+Tuner+Cards/+Pinnacle+DVB-T+PCI+Digital+TV+Tuner?productId=25550)
Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 PRO PWM (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Fans%2C+Heatsinks%2C+Coolers/Socket+754%2C+939%2C+AM2/Arctic+Cooling+Freezer+64+PRO+PWM+?productId=25586 )
Corsair 2GB PC2-6400 C4 XMS2 (2x1GB) (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Memory/DDR2/DDR2+800+%28PC6400%29/Corsair+2GB+PC2-6400+C4+XMS2+%282x1GB%29+?productId=27958)
XFX GeForce 8600GTS 256MB PCI-E Retail (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Graphics+Cards/PCI-E/nVIDIA+GeForce+8+Series/XFX+GeForce+8600GTS+256MB+PCI-E+Retail+?productId=29713)
Asus M2N-VM HDMI nForce630a Socket AM2+ Motherboard (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Motherboards/Socket+AM2+%28AMD%29/Asus+M2N-VM+HDMI+nForce630a+Socket+AM2%2B+Motherboard+?prod uctId=29981)
Sony DRU-190S 20x DVDRW Retail Kit - SATA (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/CD%2FDVD+Drives/Internal/SATA/Sony+DRU-190S+20x+DVDRW+Retail+Kit+-+SATA+?productId=30585)
Abit more than i wanted to pay but it looks like a decent pc for the price. Cheers
wonderlust
23-08-08, 21:05
you may want to look at this Ram
http://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials/Other+products/Patriot+2GB+PC2-6400+C4+Extreme+Performance+%282x1GB%29+?productId =26802
Its a lot cheaper than what you have selected.
Yh did see that but was'nt sure on the brand if they anygood? but the timing on them sticks are good, and yh for the price it may be worth it. Would you do that then?
Oh yes i see you use them in your pc's, they allright then?
wonderlust
23-08-08, 21:19
I am running 2 sets, and I have 2 friends running a set each.
they also have EPP and are rated at 4.4.4.12@800 2.2v and 5.5.5.15@1000 2.3v
If you do a "google" they have had a good rating, although some people feel that the more recent modules aren't a s good quality as the older ones.
But a £10 saving imho it's a no brainer
Obviously the 8600gts will be better but you can easily add that at a later date. A solid psu would be a much wiser choice from the outset. If you like that case then by all means go ahead and get it but i would advise you to seriously consider changing the psu for a more reliable unit.
Just to add my support for this.
PSU now means a better system life... and if you find the onboard graphics aren't up to what you want for them you can get it then. By the time you've got the money, you'll know whether or not you can live without it.
Edit: I also really want to send an email to 4.4.4.4@800 and see if I get a reply
and if you find the onboard graphics aren't up to what you want for them you can get it then. By the time you've got the money, you'll know whether or not you can live without it
Yh true, think that sounds like the best idea. Maybe then i might have enough to upgrade it abit more if i needed.
Cheers guys, very helpful
Went on your advice and came up with this. One thing though is that case for intel's because it says some feature about it, cooling i think. Is it meant for an Intel processor or is an AMD ok.
I assume this is the bit you are on about? "Optimised cooling with Intel recommended chassis airflow" This is going onabout the side panel vent which "apparently" lines up with the stock intel cpu cooler. You may find it lines up with your cooler or it may not, as you are using the Arctic cooler 64, which is quite tall, you might find it gets in the way so just unscrew it from the side panel.
Abit more than i wanted to pay but it looks like a decent pc for the price. Cheers
Should be a nice little allrounder with the tv card and gfx, are you going to get the 8600 then?
Better to spend a bit more now than to have to spend almost the same in 6 months time if / when the psu dies and takes out half the pc with it, and yes it has happened to someone on here iirc.
I have made up my mind what im getting now lol
Xilence 480W Gaming PSU (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/450w+to+499w/Xilence+480W+Gaming+PSU+?productId=19869)
320GB Seagate Barracuda SATA2 16MB (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Hard+Drives/Serial+ATA/320GB+Seagate+Barracuda+SATA2+16MB+?productId=2368 4)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5200+ 2.60GHz (Retail AM2) (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/CPUs+%2F+Processors/AMD/Athlon+64+X2+Socket+AM2/AMD+Athlon+64+X2+Dual+Core+5200%2B+2.60GHz+%28Reta il+AM2%29+?productId=25079)
Akasa Zen Silent-Cool - Black (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Cases/MIDI+Tower/Akasa+Zen+Silent-Cool+-+Black?productId=25262)
Pinnacle DVB-T PCI Digital TV Tuner (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/TV+Tuner+Cards/+Pinnacle+DVB-T+PCI+Digital+TV+Tuner?productId=25550)
OCZ 2GB PC2-6400 Platinum Rev 2.0 (2x1GB) (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Memory/DDR2/DDR2+800+%28PC6400%29/OCZ+2GB+PC2-6400+Platinum+Rev+2.0+%282x1GB%29+?productId=26605 )
XFX GeForce 8600GTS 256MB PCI-E Retail (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Graphics+Cards/PCI-E/nVIDIA+GeForce+8+Series/XFX+GeForce+8600GTS+256MB+PCI-E+Retail+?productId=29713)
Asus M2N-VM HDMI nForce630a Socket AM2+ Motherboard (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Motherboards/Socket+AM2+%28AMD%29/Asus+M2N-VM+HDMI+nForce630a+Socket+AM2%2B+Motherboard+?prod uctId=29981)
Samsung 20x LightScribe IDE Retail
wonderlust
24-08-08, 10:13
One thing you may want to watch with the board you have selected is that the PCI-E x1 is next to the x16 slot, you may find that the airflow to your graphics card is very restricted and could cause overheating.
The OCZ RAM that you picked is out of stock. Patriot Stuff is in stock and £5 less
https://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials/Other+products/Patriot+2GB+PC2-6400+C4+Extreme+Performance+%282x1GB%29+?productId =26802
Also, if I may say so, I'd suggest a motherboard with ATi's 780G graphics instead. I've had a go with nForce 400/600 integrated and recently built a Home Theater PC with the 780G. I haven't got my own figures but I find the 780G to be considerably quicker and personally find the ATi Catalyst Control Center more reliable. Figures on the web will show that 780G is a fair amount quicker and overclocks well too.
I bought this motherboard
https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Motherboards/Socket+AM2%2B+%28AMD%29/MSI+K9A2GM-FIH+AMD+780G+AM2%2B+Motherboard+?productId=31229
It's fairly well packed in terms of feature set and overclocking settings. Got a 1.8GHz Sempron to 2.7GHz with it, no problem. The major selling point is that this board has Vdimm settings up to 2.4V so it's peachy with just about any set of RAM. I'm not sure how much the M2N-VM offers.
wonderlust
24-08-08, 14:56
If he were to go for the board you suggested, Mul, it would help the air flow to his graphics card as the tv card will be above it.
He picked a normal PCI tuner though so surely it'd be the same?
wonderlust
24-08-08, 18:56
oops my bad... :redface:
I dont really wanna pay much more for motherboard as it looks good for what i need. just gonna use it as stock, aint gonna do no o/c. So... did you say the pci tv tuner card and graphics card will be ok? like overheating or is it cool. I might get a few extra fans too. I dunno why but i like to go for branded names i know, hav'nt really heard of them but they seem very good, just preference and if you wanna pay that bit more.
Is there much difference between this motherboard and https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Motherboards/Socket+AM2+(AMD)/Asus+M2A-VM+HDMI+AMD+690G+Socket+AM2+Motherboard+?productId =29983 (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Motherboards/Socket+AM2+%28AMD%29/Asus+M2A-VM+HDMI+AMD+690G+Socket+AM2+Motherboard+?productId =29983) or is it just different graphics, and no hdmi but you can get adaptor cant ya.. Is it much better?
I see the case on **** in white and it looks luch. You dont sell the white one here do ya, will you ever get it?
Cheers
Eit by mac, sorry matey no mention of competitors please ;)
I missed that you're getting an 8600GTS. In that case it doesn't really matter. I would however get a 780G for full Phenom support later on.
I missed that you're getting an 8600GTS. In that case it doesn't really matter. I would however get a 780G for full Phenom support later on.
The one you have a can only find. Pay the extra you mean so if i wanna upgade the memory, psu, graphics, etc in a year or two or something. Or i could sell it when it no more use to me and i need a better system. My mate would proberly buy it
Been looking around on the net comparing products. im sticking with the AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5200+ 2.60GHz (Retail AM2) but i dunno if i should get an normal motherboard or sli for futureproof. but i was thinking if i do get a sli motherboard will i be able to take the cpu of motherboard if i ever wanted to upgrade the cpu to like a phemeon. or is it better to go with the one i was originally looking at Asus M2N-VM HDMI nForce630a Socket AM2+ Motherboard (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Motherboards/Socket+AM2+%28AMD%29/Asus+M2N-VM+HDMI+nForce630a+Socket+AM2%2B+Motherboard+?prod uctId=29981)or ASUS M2N-SLI DLX nF570 Socket AM2 Motherboard (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Motherboards/Socket+AM2+%28AMD%29/ASUS+M2N-SLI+DLX++nF570+Socket+AM2+Motherboard+?productId=2 3584)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5200+ 2.60GHz (Retail AM2)
320GB Seagate Barracuda SATA2 16MB
XFX GeForce 8600GTS 256MB PCI-E Retail
or
Gainward BLISS GeForce 8600 GT 1024MB DDR2 HDTV/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail
Asus M2N-VM HDMI nForce630a Socket AM2+ Motherboard
or
ASUS M2N-SLI DLX nF570 Socket AM2 Motherboard
Hiper 530W HPU-4M530 SLi Certified ATX 2.2 PSU
Akasa AK-ZEN-01-WH Rev.2 Zen White Case - No PSU
Asus DRW-2014L1T 20x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer Lightscribe ReWriter (Black/Silver) - Retail
GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400UDC)
Thankyou for your time and support. Just cant decide what to do!
wonderlust
28-08-08, 21:04
I would go for the Samsung F1 HDD 33292 instead of the Seagate, it is faster and cheaper...
If you are sticking with the 8600 series get the GTS over the GT the performance difference is quite large.
Personally I like Hiper Psu's but the opinions here seem to be very anti Hiper.
The Patriot Pc6400 2Gb kit is cheap and has the same timings as the Geil Black Dragon you've selected.
Sli is a imho a waste of time, by the time youv'e lashed out on a 2nd card you will find that there is something available for not much more that will beat the 2 cards you have in Sli.
Seek time on the samsung is 8.9ms on seagate 8.5ms
wonderlust
28-08-08, 21:37
And in the real world do you think you will ever notice that? :D
And you will get faster loading times out of the samsung though. So in real world the samsung is better.
I kno it's just id end up buying it and then wish id pay that lil exta bit because its a bit better.You recon go for the samsung one. it must be fast if they calling it F1
wonderlust
28-08-08, 21:55
I posted a review link for the f1 in a post yesterday
http://techreport.com/articles.x/14200
and this thread from this very forum...
http://forums.aria.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6229&highlight=samsung
I've just ordered an F1 500Gb for myself btw, with a Samsung H653b burner, (not from Aria :( couldn't get anyone to price match, not for the sake of Jon trying)
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