Building a PC, what do you lot think of the Specs...

[TurkzZ]

This is the computer im planning to build,

£500 budget

CPU: AMD ATHLON 64 4200 Duel Core 1.2 ghz, 512kb L2 Cache AMD 2 940 pin (£120)

Ram:Corsair Memory TWIN2X1024A - 6400 XMS2-6400 2x512MB 240DIMM CAS5 DDR II (£100)

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (£53)

VGA: Novatech GeForce 7600GT PCI-E 256MB DDR3 (£93)

MoBo:Asus M2N-E Socket AM2 NF570ULTRA Audio Lan USB2 2000FSB SATA ATX (65)

Case:Antec Metallic Grey Soho Tower Case with 350w psu (£45)

what you lot think, shall i improve / change any parts
£500 budget

thanks

 

[1Tanker]

This is the computer im planning to build,

£500 budget

CPU: AMD ATHLON 64 4200 Duel Core 1.2 ghz, 512kb L2 Cache AMD 2 940 pin (£120)

Ram:Corsair Memory TWIN2X1024A - 6400 XMS2-6400 2x512MB 240DIMM CAS5 DDR II (£100)

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (£53)

VGA: Novatech GeForce 7600GT PCI-E 256MB DDR3 (£93)

MoBo:Asus M2N-E Socket AM2 NF570ULTRA Audio Lan USB2 2000FSB SATA ATX (65)

Case:Antec Metallic Grey Soho Tower Case with 350w psu (£45)

what you lot think, shall i improve / change any parts
£500 budget

thanks

Sounds good, with the exceptionof the PSU. It may work fine, but 350w is generally the bottom end of acceptable PSU'S. Maybe something in the 480w range would offer more headroom, if you could swing it. GL

 

[TurkzZ]

yeh i was thinking of upgrading the psu, also i was thinkin of gettin a smaller atx cubu case type thing, i gota chek if theres any budgt versions lol

 

[UC7]

I used to be into AMD stuff, but I would say that in this specific instance, especially for overclocking, I would point you to the Intel E6300 chip. Most stores that I am looking at online show the prices for the 65W AM2 4200 chip to be about the same as the Intel E6300 one.

It was the performance that convinced me to switch to the new intel line. Ine the end, it is up to you. You seem to have a good build there, but I agree with 1Tanker about the PSU.

If you are looking for a very small build, as in a microATX build, currently you have more MB options with the AMD processer, but for regular ATX, you should have no problem finding something suitable.

 

[TSIMonster]

For cube cases, definately go AMD as the AMD mATX Mobo choices are much nicer. Also, you may want to consider the 4000+ instead of the 4200+. The 4000+ has 1M l2 and can be easily overclocked to out perform the 4200. . .

Other then that, looks like you have a good build, for a nice case look at the Ultra MicroFly, it is decent as far as quality, but has awesome airflow and tons of working room for its size. I can't reccommend a vendor since you are across the pond, but I got mine with a nice 400watt psu and an NEC 3550a burner for $100 from tigerdirect.com

 

[Slobogob]

This is the computer im planning to build,

£500 budget

CPU: AMD ATHLON 64 4200 Duel Core 1.2 ghz, 512kb L2 Cache AMD 2 940 pin (£120)

Ram:Corsair Memory TWIN2X1024A - 6400 XMS2-6400 2x512MB 240DIMM CAS5 DDR II (£100)

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (£53)

VGA: Novatech GeForce 7600GT PCI-E 256MB DDR3 (£93)

MoBo:Asus M2N-E Socket AM2 NF570ULTRA Audio Lan USB2 2000FSB SATA ATX (65)

Case:Antec Metallic Grey Soho Tower Case with 350w psu (£45)

what you lot think, shall i improve / change any parts
£500 budget

thanks

I keep seeing these duel cores, yet, i wonder why they would fight each other? Must be one of those 16th century honor-related hardware standards the x86 dragged along, right?

 

[UC7]

I have built a computer for someone using that Ultra case, with the PSU (400w) and the optical drive.

It was an odd build. In the end it worked well, but it was something i would do differently if I had the chance. I would still use the Ultra, but I think my choice in build progression would change. (Maybe I should have just read the instructions more completely .

The suggestion that I would make would be to definetly remove the PSU before installing anything. Also, once you have the CPU/heatsink/ram in place, take a look at the motherboard to see if you need to make any connections for speakers etc. I had to install the video card after I made some of these connections as the space is so darn tight. The motherboard slides on a tray into the back of the box (kinda like a crumb catcher under a grill.)

 

[TurkzZ]

Thanks for the Feedback, TSI Monster could you send a link to the case you were talking about if you have one thanks.

Also i was comtenplating a Intlel but in terms of Feature proofness i thought the AMD 2 chip set is newer so would last longer into the feature.

 

[UC7]

The case is here


$79.99 case with PSU/Drive

There may even be one (in a bundled deal) that has windowed sides, but I can't find it at the moment. I know that they sell it separately.

 

[purdueguy]

The 4000+ isn't dual core. The 4200+ that TurkzZ is looking at is. And the 4200+ is also one hell of an overclocker to boot. I doubt an OC'd 4000+ will beat a 4200+ dual-core OC'd. Not worth getting the 4000+, the 3700+ would be a better route for single-core.

TurkzZ,

Look to see if you can get the Antec Sonata II. It comes with a 450W PSU and the case is nice as it's similar to the Perf Plus I have which I like very much.

You might get the E6300 instead. You should be able to pick up this CPU & mobo for about the same price as an AMD system. On top of that, if you don't plan on OC'ing, you can get DDRII 533 or 667 over the 800 to save some money.

If you stay the AMD route, DDRII 800 is definitely the memory to get. Oh, I would recommend getting a 1GB stick for the time being and lose the 10% perf gain by putting 2x512MB sticks in dual-channel. 2GB will be the standard soon and that way you can buy another 1GB stick sometime next year or whenever you decide to get VISTA.

Also, for video card, see if the X850XT or PE edition is available. They are better than the 7600GT, around the same price, and don't require a mail-in-rebate. If you want SM3, then the 7600GT is a good choice.

Cheers.

 

[TurkzZ]

thanks, intrestin stuff, could you send me a link to that case if possible,

so you think its better if i just get a single 1g ddr II ram

 

[mad-dog]

I think 2Gigs of RAM is overkill for you're system, 1Gig would serve you well and save some dough..

With all the money you just saved now you afford a nicer Mobo, such as....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131013

The CPU you describe does'nt exist, is this the one you want...?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103747

The PSU is 200watts too small, get a 550

Other than that it looks good.....

 

[TurkzZ]

So, this is the new design for my PC:

Case: Casebuy Black Micro ATX Case With 450W PSU £50(http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/108079)

Ram: OCZ (OCZ26671024V) 1GB DDR2-667 PC2-5400 CL 5-5-5-15 VALUE SERIES MODULE (LIFETIME WARRANTY) £90(http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/105972/rb/22519874285)

HDD: Seagate 250GB ATA100 7200rpm 16mb Cache - OEM £55 (http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/115413)

VGA Card: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT 256MB DDR3 PCI-E DVI £90
(http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=40B7&CategorySelectedId=11137&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11137%2c12%2c43990000%2c379790000&InMerch=1&v=3)

im curently lookin for a better company that makes the 7600gt for simular price.

Optical Drive: Sony AW-G170AB2 18xDVD±RW/RAM Dual Layer Writer Black £21 (http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/116255/rb/22520214535)


Mobo: ASUS M2N-SLI DELUXE £91 (http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/113974)

so thats £397 , add postage, keyboard mouse ect onto it say its

£450,

what you guys think

 

[mad-dog]

You're getting warmer, trash the value series with the 667Mhz bus http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227059
and jump on the 800 Mhz express train for RAMsylvania
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227126
the timing is almost identical and the price is the same but it will run circles around that PC2 5400.
Are you sure i can't talk you into this 7900 GT for just a wee bit more....?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130035
I'm beginning to feel a bit a used car salesman haggling over details, but it's fun.........

 

[purdueguy]

You'll definitely want to get DDR2 800 for that AM2 system. Anything less and you might as well go C2D.

And Yes, I do believe 1GB is the way to go if one can't afford 2GB right away or is upgrading from 512MB. Currently 2GB might be overkill, but Vista will be out soon and I'm sure most people who are currently building a new computer will be upgrading to Vista before getting another new computer. So, I think you are doing the right thing in getting a 1GB stick of memory.

You only lose about 10% performance going from dual channel to single channel. I can live with this performance hit and wait to get another gig.

Here's a link to that Antec Sonata case for reference.

 

[TurkzZ]

I was thinking if the 7800 ect but as DX10 will be comming quite soon i just want a resonale priced Graphics card 2 carry me there.

 

[Rachel1234]

I would visit www.monarchcomputer.com and call up there sales team. I have 2 of there systems a furia with a Athlon 5000 and a Axis (2 ) with core duo. What I liked was the fact you can pick and choose every item from the board to the brand of memory.
and there sales guys speak English.
If not I would I would check out alien ware.
Also make sure you get a system that supports Microsoft vista.

 

[jamiepotter]

What are you doing? Get an Intel core2duo. Here's a different mobo and processor for EXACTLY THE SAME PRICE! (Quickfind code 112704 and 113965 on ebuyer). Your processor will overclock miles better, and that on top of about 25% performance gain anyway.

I'd also recommend the 7900gs over the 7600gt, but that's not as significant.

 

[TurkzZ]

imnot planning to overclock my system

 

[TurkzZ]

also how can i find out if the memory and components are compatible with each other

 

[purdueguy]

The best place to find memory/motherboard compatibility is to go to the memory manufacturer's website. They usually do more intensive testing with various mobo's.

Check out my little analysis for video cards here.

The X1900GT is the best bang for the buck. At least in the States.

Happy searching.

 

[neocristi]

get a real power supply.
get a 7900GT from a known brand instead of 7600 GT from nova..sommething (even if you exceed buget with 50).

 

[TSIMonster]

I disagree, I think the XT is easily worth the extra $30 . . . Afterall, the 7600gt is comparable to the x1900GT and would be a better deal

 

[TurkzZ]

so you lot sayin i should get the 1900GT?

 

[Rachel1234]

1950 PRO Baby ! under $300.00 and fast as all.

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190856


I cant find it any where else.