Guys

I have been considering upgrading my system for a while but was put off by the lack of availability of reasonably priced parts in my area and the hassle of having to build the thing myself.

I recently came across a site that allows you to choose each component; they build and test it for you, and deliver it to you for 50 euro extra. Not bad. So I have been doing some research, looking for at reviews here and elsewhere, and matching these parts with availability on the website.

The website is www.alternate.es and under www.alternate.es/html/builder/circle.html you get to choose your components. Its in Spanish but pretty straightforward.

I do a lot of non-intensive multi-tasking on my PC, enjoy playing the latest games, although in no way will it be a dedicated games machine, and use it for both movies and music.

I’m thinking of using it with a 32’’ Philips Full HD LCD – any comments on how machines play on HD TVs would be useful.

I want some kick from the system but also want it to be fairly quiet as I have it in the front room. I’m not obsessed with it being completely silent, but my old system can be heard from the downstairs, and I would pay extra to keep low db.

Options I’m considering are below. Prices are in brackets in euro.

CPU: http://www.alternate.es/html/builder/circle.html

Originally thinking Core Duo 2 E8400 (179), but based on some comments in this forum now thinking Core 2 Quad 6700 (199). 6700 is only 20euro more than 6600 – so I guess its probably worth it. Haven’t heard anything positive enough about the Core 2 Quad Q9300 (234), but if its worth the extra let me know.

MB: http://www.alternate.es/html/build [...] ard&source

Unsure here – decided provisionally on P5E (159) as it’s using the x38 chipset. Also considered the P5-K Wifi (117) as liked the integrated Wifi and EP35 DS4 (134) as heard good things.

GPU: http://www.alternate.es/html/build [...] cscardPCIe

EN8800GTS/ HTDP (199) – only read good things.

HD: http://www.alternate.es/html/build [...] s=harddisk

Samsung HD103UJ (129) – good price and good reviews for a big disk. Some have suggested I get a small faster disk for OS and a big disk for storage and this would improve performance. Is this good idea?

PSU: http://www.alternate.es/html/build [...] owerSupply

Corsair CMPSU -520HX (99) or could upgrade to 620 version for 25 extra.

RAM: http://www.alternate.es/html/build [...] ?class=ram

OCZ Kit DIMM 4GB DDR2-1066 (109)

DVD: Asus DRW 1814BL

Case: http://www.alternate.es/html/build [...] ass=pccase

Probably what I’m stuck on the most. Most reviews and forums rave about Antec, which isn’t stocked here.

I was considering Coolmaster Cosmos (174) but it big and ain’t cheap. I’d like to get a case that has very good sound proofing and wouldn’t look out of place in a living room, so the fewer flashing lites and exposed panels the better.

So that’s were I’ve got so far. Any comments and suggestions (especially based on what’s available from the store) would be really helpful.

My budget is 1000 – 1500 Euro.

Thanks guys

h.

Ok, I've come up with a couple of rival options at different ends of my budget.

Any suggestions on whether the more expensive one is worth the extra money would be appreciated. Prices in Euros are in brackets.

Option 1 // Option 2.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 (199) // Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 (309)

MBO: GB GA-EP35-DS4 (134) // GB GA-X48-DQ6 (212)

GPU: Asus EN8800GTS/HTDP (204) (both)

PSU: Corsair CMPSU 620HX (124) (both)

HD: Samsung HD103UJ (129) // WD Raptor X 150MB (151) & WD WD7500AAKS (110)

RAM: OCZ 2 GB DDR-2-800 (49) // OCZ 4GB DDR2-1066 (109)

DVD: Asus DRW 1814BL (27) (both)

Case: Lan Li PC-A05B (124) // CM Cosmos 1000 (174)

CPU Cooler: CM Hyper TX 2 (19) // CM Hyper 212 (39)

Brings the cheaper one in at 974 and the expensive at 1404. Dont mind spending the extra cash if it would be a signifcant difference, but my guess is its probably not worth it.

Any comments on any of the components, or a mid build between the two would be useful. Also comments on how noisy the system would be and how i could reduce it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

h

Here's my thoughts :
Motherboard : check if they have ASUS P5E or GA-EX38-DS4, alot cheaper than the DQ6 here (both around 165-170 EUR here), X38, great features, solid price.

Q6700 (199)
8800GTS (204)
If that's the 1TB Samsung drive you can take that (or 2).
Otherwise take the Raptor and WD7500AAKS.
Another alternative is 2x WD6400AAKS (great drive for ~100 EUR here).
For Q6700 you don't need 1066MHz ram so take 2 2GB sticks of DDR2 800MHz instead.

Check if they offer the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 CPU cooler.

Not sure how this configuration stacks up against the other two but I'd go with this.