First self build. I think I've done my homework and got a good system, but I'm no expert.
 
Hard Drive Western Digital WD5000AAKS 500GB SATA II 7200RPM 16MB Cache - OEM
Case/Cooling/Power Extra Value Black/Silver Wizard 25cm Side Fan Mid Tower Case - With 600W PSU
Memory OCZ 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 CL 4-4-4-15 PLATINUM XTC * 2
Processor Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 Stepping (2.4GHz 1066MHz) Socket 775 L2 8MB Cache  
TV Card Hauppauge WinTV-Nova-t PCI Freeview Receiver / Remote  
Other Belkin Pro Series DVI Cable, DVI Digital to DVI Digital, Dual Link Cable 3m (for DVI Monitor)
Optical Drive HP DVD1040 20x DVD±RW RAM Lightscribe Black - OEM
(Ebuyer)
Soundcard Asonic 4 Channel Soundcard C-media 8738 Chipset 3D - PCI
 
Graphics Card Zotac GeForce 8800GT / 512MB GDDR3 / PCI-Express 2.0
(Play)
 
Motherboard XFX S775 nForce 680i LT SLI DDR2 ATX  
(Dabs)
 
For a grand total of £687.44. (My budget has already been upped from 650. I'd not mind sliding back down a bit, and I certianly don't want to go any higher)
 
Concerns
* I am in a poor reception area, will that TV card do okay? Going to replace the tv in the room which can only pick up 2 analogue signals even with a powered arial.
* How is the onboard networking? With only 2 PCI slots I don't have room for a network card.
 
I will be running XP Professional.
 
ty ty.

Hello,
 
Things I would consider changing:
 
-The PSU. I'm quite skeptical about PSUs that come with cases, and I think that you should be too. Since my mouse doesn't work, I'll leave the task of posting a PSU tier chart to someone else.
 
-Never done the whole tv card thing before, so I couldn't really say.
 
-Are you sure that it  only has 2 PCI slots? You would thing being a SLI motherboard, it would have more.
 
-Speaking of being an SLI mobo, is there any certain reason you went fot it? If you wanted to, you could go down to a non-SLI board and save a bit of money.
 
-If you really do need to cut down on you budget, I would suggest a HDD with less storage.
 
-Adam

Agreed. Dump the case with bundled psu. Get a bare case & a psu separately. 425W 28A on +12V combined minimum. 500W would be better for a few more video upgrades. As for makes & models:
 
http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiere [...] ngs?t=anon
 
The XFX 680i LT has only 2 pci slots. Maybe he can get a deal. Anyway, the Gb LAN is pretty good. I've used almost all nvidia networks & never had a problem with them. Remember to NOT install nvidia firewall (ActiveArmor). Use a software firewall if you want.
 
http://www.xfxforce.com/web/produc [...] tId=989544

Hey. Thanks.
 
I’ve gone and looked at PSU prices. Very expensive. £50 for the cheapest 500w model I can find by a tier 2 manufacturer. Which I suppose indicates the quality of the one in the case. I really liked that case.  
 
The motherboard is limited to 2 slots because it’s a budget, stripped-down version, of the 680i (only £100). I was going for an SLI board with a view to adding a second graphics card when my system starts chugging when I try to play new games. I thought that would be better than having to buy new motherboard + card when the time comes. Is that wrong?
 
The big hard drive, er. I’ve never come near using all of my current 160. I was going for that one for 3 reasons; it gets universally good reviews, it’s been indicated that recording tv shows takes up a lot of space, and I don’t want to find that I later have to replace it.
 

(can't edit)
 
This is the PSU in the case http://www.swift24.co.uk/product_i [...] cts_id=303
 
Would spending my case money just on PSU and sticking with my ugly old Time case be an option? I've had it since 2002/03.

This is a terrible time to buy. New products are being rolled out right and left in anticiaption of the hoilday season. Wait for January to get the most bang for your buck. That, and Intel will roll out the next generation of cpus in the 1st quarter ... generation skipping (at least 1, multiple is even better) is the smart way to upgrade.

I'm not sure my machine will last that long. I'm getting 'no disk' errors every time I turn it on and most times I start an application. On Sunday something burnt and I was without sound for a day, although that started working again. Floppy drive had already gone, and front USB died today.
 

sure there are new products out, but at what prices? Will everything fit in £687.44 budget?

You might be able to fix some errors by doing a repair windows install. Your existing apps won't be lost. It's a good idea to do a clean install once in a while. For me, it's when I upgrade the mobo. You have to install windows on the new pc or else there'll be more problems.

Well, you get what you pay for. We're not pointing a gun to your head. You can buy a $10 psu or pick one up for $2 at a garage sale. But if it goes down & destroys your other components, don't blame us.

Unfortunately, the psu's at the e-store you listed are not good enough, IMO. It's not like they're the only store in the world. Shop around. Look for deals/sales. Ask around in uk pc forums.

That puts a different slant on it.  
 
I've seen a special offer of SEASONIC S12 650W ATX 12V ±3% for £50 p&p. It's Tier 2, and cheaper than I've seen any other Tier 2 even at the 500watts. I'll get that instead of the new case.
 
I have a licensed copy of windows ready for the new machine.

And maybe make do with 2 gig of ram for now.

The Seasonic would last a LONG time under good care. Like hook it up to a surge suppressor so that will go first in the event of a power surge/blackout/brownout. & put the pc in a well ventilated shaded area.
 
2 gigs is plenty for most everything.

My equipment's plugged into surge protected extension cables.
 
Thanks for all the help. I've done most of my ordering now
 
Case NZXT Hush
PSU Seasonic S12 650W
Hard Drive Western Digital 500GB SATA II 7200RPM 16MB Cache  
Processor Q6600 G0 Stepping Energy Efficient 8MB Cache  
Memory OCZ 2GB OCZ Platinum XTC
Graphics Card Zotac 8800GT 512MB  
Optical Drive Lite-on 20x SATA LH-20A1S-11C 20x Lightscribe
 
TV and sound cards can get added any time, as can the other ram. The 8800GT isn't in stock until the 25th, so I've a week or so to decide whether to stick with the 680i motherboard or swap to a P965.
 

Wow. The case looks sexy! Good job at getting the quality parts.
 
You can get a cheap, used PCI or PCI-E video card as a placeholder for everything but games & a backup in case the main video card goes out. I expect the 8800GT will be sold out as soon as the 2nd shipment arrives. There are TONS of people on a wait list.
 
If you decide to go with an Intel-chipset mobo, get the P35 at least. P965 is old. GA-P35-DS3L for no raid or DS3P/R for raid would be my suggestion.