Pc

[roscoe2000]

Ok here goes....

I'm looking either purchasing or building (for the first time) a new PC for my son.

His fav game is World of Warcraft but he does play others.

The main reason forr the purchase is because I want mine back (currently I have to book an appointment just to get on it)!!!!!

I'm looking at spending around £600 (already got a 19 inch WS monitor he can use) and I'm looking for something which, obviously not top spec for that price pretty decent, with the ability to update as and when.

I live near www.scan.co.uk so I usually get my parts from there, they are very good and if I get the wrong thing then there no problem with refunds or exchanges.

Heres my first draft of what I was thinking I would need: -

CPU - £152

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 775, 2.13 GHz, 1066MHz FSB, Allendale Core, 2MB Cache, Retail

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/productinfo.asp?WebProductID=488170

Case and PSU - £52.82

Xclio 6010 Black (Silver Alumin Front) Midi Tower Case w/o PSU Hi End Prescott Ready

480W XClio-SCF aPFC Super Silent (21Db) 12cm Fan 8/20/24 ATX2/2.01 12vEPS + SATA+PCI-E

http://www.scan.co.uk/mixit/

Graphics Card - £70 ish

Inno3D 7300 GT - scan don't sell this but I can pick it up at www.dabs.com

HDD - £52

200 Gb HGST (IBM/Hitachi) 0A32012 Deskstar T7K250, SATA300, 7200 rpm, 8MB Cache, 8.5 ms, NCQ

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=314930

Motherboard - £129

ASUS P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe NF4 SLI, S775, PCI-E (x16), DDR2 533/667/800, SATA II, SATA RAID, ATX

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/productinfo.asp?WebProductID=488363

Memory - £108

1Gb (2X512Mb) CorsairTwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC6400 (800), 240 Pins, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS

4-4-4-12, EPP

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=447064

------------

£563

So my questions start with: -

1/ What ya think ??

2/ Have I missed anything that I am going to need (go easy on me)?

3/ Do you think this is 'balanced' or is there an obvious weekness with the build?

4/ I've never actually bought a CPU before so I presume I need some kind of cooler seperately?

5/ Any tips etc that I need to look out for when I actually putting the thing together!

NB I know the graphics card may but a bit on the 'week' side but I've read some really good reviews on the GDDR3 version and can always slot another one of the same in there at a later date.

Thanks for any help!

Edit......Ooops I missed off the O/S - I'll have to add another £60 for XP

 

[Dav0s]

hmm, if its only for your son playing games i would spend a touch less ont he cpu (maybe get a 6300) and get a better graphics card (7600/7800?)

 

[roscoe2000]

Jeez that was quick!!

I was thinking the same, how about

256MB Gainward 7900GS Bliss

+ 250 Gb Western Digital SATA300 Combo

http://www.scan.co.uk/mixit/

£164 for HD and graphics card - adds about £40

 

[llwyd]

Yea, E6300 and could maybe shave a little off the PSU and go with a Hiper or something. A 7900GS would be great and that combo looks like a good deal

 

[FarFarAway]

Agreed with dave on the GPU and CPU. get the e6300 and the better GFX card.

Don't get the Asus - get something cheaper like the Abit AB9. You won't need SLI when you actually think about it.

Bit concerned about the PSU tbh. With a 7900GT you will want a decent PSU and not one that comes with a case - a Hiper like Llwyd said should be ok

 

[Ham]

Have a look into getting at least some of your stuff from Speacialtech. 10% off when your spending that much is well worth it.

 

[roscoe2000]

Have a look into getting at least some of your stuff from Speacialtech. 10% off when your spending that much is well worth it.

Ok thanks for the feedback so far....keep it coming!

My thoughts so far: -

I've had a look at Speacialtech, Scan seem about the same price on most price if not a couple of pound cheaper on most products. I'll also pick everything up when its on 'Today Only' when the knock off upto 10%. It's just easy for me as well, no postage and 10 mins away if I need to return anything. Thanks anyway.

>> would spend a touch less ont he cpu (maybe get a 6300)

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=439209

That would save £45'ish

>> and go with a Hiper or something

How about this (is Hiper the same as HiperPower):

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=228620

I also noticed this: -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....10045368879&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

any good??

>> Bit concerned about the PSU tbh. With a 7900GT you will want a decent

>> PSU and not one that comes with a case - a Hiper like Llwyd said should >> be ok

Its a 7900GS, does this still apply?

>> Don't get the Asus - get something cheaper like the Abit AB9.

Theres 2 here: -

http://www.scan.co.uk/search/search.asp?criteria=Abit+AB9&Submit=Go

ones £14 more expensive than the other.

One other thing, is there any point getting XP or should I put Linux on it?

Do all 'modern' games play on Linux?

Cheers.

Mick.

 

[roscoe2000]

I noticed AMD win of the people who replied 4 to 1.

No reason I've picked Intel it's just because thats what I've always had before!

Maybe I should think again?

 

[WC Annihilus]

Nonono, that was before Intel pulled C2D out of their hat. C2D so far pwns all AMD proccys

 

[roscoe2000]

Nonono, that was before Intel pulled C2D out of their hat. C2D so far pwns all AMD proccys

Thanks, thats 1 decision made then

The main thing I'm unsure about is the cooler for the CPU. As standard does one come with the CPU or do you buy them seperate.

If the latter how much am I looking at for a decent enough one for the processor I'm looking at.

 

[FarFarAway]

OEM it's the CPU on it's own.

Retail comes with the stock intel cooler

 

[roscoe2000]

OEM it's the CPU on it's own.

Retail comes with the stock intel cooler

Thanks that explains the difference in price between these 2: -

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/productinfo.asp?WebProductID=488168

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/productinfo.asp?WebProductID=488169

So that leads onto the next question.....

Will the 'stock intel cooler' be good enough for my 'rig' or should I really be looking at buying a seperate one?

 

[Ares210]

Thanks that explains the difference in price between these 2: -

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/productinfo.asp?WebProductID=488168

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/productinfo.asp?WebProductID=488169

So that leads onto the next question.....

Will the 'stock intel cooler' be good enough for my 'rig' or should I really be looking at buying a seperate one?

If your looking to overclock it then I would go with an after market cooler. If your not, then the stock cooler will do just fine.

Make sure you get some AS5 though.

 

[roscoe2000]

Make sure you get some AS5 though.

??

 

[Dav0s]

AS5 is thermal paste, the best for heat conduction between your cpu and heatsink. well worth investing in some if u plan to continue building in the future.

yes most games will be windows only

 

[roscoe2000]

Thanks, sound like I have a lot of reading upto to do!!

Problem is I'd be 'scared' of damaging something when I put it on!

 

[FarFarAway]

Nah you just follow the instructions on the AS5 website and you'll be fine - there's not much you can damage if you're careful

 

[FragTek]

One other thing, is there any point getting XP or should I put Linux on it?

Do all 'modern' games play on Linux?

Cheers.

Mick.

Windows my friend, Windows Gaming on Linux is a PITA to be honest... Cedega is getting outdated and not supporting much anymore, and Wine is just a straight PITA for the most part.

Just slap XP on it and be done with it.

 

[roscoe2000]

I Just FragTek's thread about his recent build....maybe I just copy from that !!

Although it sounds like you had some problems with the HDD.

 

[FarFarAway]

Although it sounds like you had some problems with the HDD.

Butterfingers tbh