My last build was around 2005 but I've been out of the 'tech loop' since then and find myself struggling to take stock of everything considering my time requirements. I need a build as soon as possible, as my previous one has been damaged despite holding up well this far.
(If it's relevant, the basic specs of my previous build: x2 4400+, 7800GTx2, 4GB, 1TB, X-Fi. Little of it is salvageable.)
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: May 2010, as soon as possible.
BUDGET RANGE: ~$700 or ~£500. Lower is better.
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:
--Adobe Creative Suite 4/5 (Flash & Photoshop in particular)
--Valve/Source Engine game library
--Constant web browsing, general multitasking
--RAM hungry games(Elder Scrolls, STALKER, casual MMO)
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Headset/Speakers, Optical Drive. Antec EarthWatts EA-650 650W PSU.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: ebuyer or overclockers. I am content to order from newegg or amazon, but international shipping costs must be included in my available budget. Websites offering pre-made custom builds are fine, if applicable.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: UK
PARTS PREFERENCES: My past CPU experience has been with AMD, but from what I've read I should be leaning Intel? I strongly prefer nVidia GPUs and Antec cases, but efficiency and compatibility are my chief concerns.
OVERCLOCKING: No, though I'm open to the possibility.
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes, as an option in the future. Two cards not necessary immediately.
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024 native, 1280x800 fixed aspect ratio for gaming. HD not needed.(Samsung SyncMaster 930BF)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
The PSU was bought fairly recently, and as it coincides with the March $750 System Builder Marathon I will likely default to that build if needed. HDD 500gb minimum. On-board audio is fine as I haven't fully diagnosed my X-Fi card yet - at the least it can simply be a future purchase. OS not needed, but Windows 7 Professional wanted if possible within the budget. At least two USB ports on the front of a case desired, not required.
The components I care most about are the motherboard and the CPU, and the amount of longevity/future-proofing that can be done with them. Desires for the motherboard are not using all RAM slots (allowing a future upgrade) and at least 2 standard PCI slots, 1 for a soundcard and possibly room for an exhaust fan.
With most games I use low graphical settings where possible and my emphasis is on FPS consistency. I would also want a motherboard with the option of SLi/CrossFire even though it'll be using only 1 GPU to begin with. For these reasons, it is not a problem for the GPU to be the slight bottleneck of the system, knowing that a future 2nd GPU would eliminate the bottleneck but not outclass the CPU. (Within the capability of the PSU, of course.)
To reiterate, my main concern is "value*performance/efficiency" with a strong CPU, lasting motherboard and the availability of adding more RAM/another GPU. I'm aware that this might be a tall order considering my budget, in which case the core of CPU/MoBo/RAM is my priority.
This post was somewhat rushed, so apologies to any missing or mistaken information.
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.
(If it's relevant, the basic specs of my previous build: x2 4400+, 7800GTx2, 4GB, 1TB, X-Fi. Little of it is salvageable.)
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: May 2010, as soon as possible.
BUDGET RANGE: ~$700 or ~£500. Lower is better.
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:
--Adobe Creative Suite 4/5 (Flash & Photoshop in particular)
--Valve/Source Engine game library
--Constant web browsing, general multitasking
--RAM hungry games(Elder Scrolls, STALKER, casual MMO)
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Headset/Speakers, Optical Drive. Antec EarthWatts EA-650 650W PSU.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: ebuyer or overclockers. I am content to order from newegg or amazon, but international shipping costs must be included in my available budget. Websites offering pre-made custom builds are fine, if applicable.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: UK
PARTS PREFERENCES: My past CPU experience has been with AMD, but from what I've read I should be leaning Intel? I strongly prefer nVidia GPUs and Antec cases, but efficiency and compatibility are my chief concerns.
OVERCLOCKING: No, though I'm open to the possibility.
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes, as an option in the future. Two cards not necessary immediately.
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024 native, 1280x800 fixed aspect ratio for gaming. HD not needed.(Samsung SyncMaster 930BF)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
The PSU was bought fairly recently, and as it coincides with the March $750 System Builder Marathon I will likely default to that build if needed. HDD 500gb minimum. On-board audio is fine as I haven't fully diagnosed my X-Fi card yet - at the least it can simply be a future purchase. OS not needed, but Windows 7 Professional wanted if possible within the budget. At least two USB ports on the front of a case desired, not required.
The components I care most about are the motherboard and the CPU, and the amount of longevity/future-proofing that can be done with them. Desires for the motherboard are not using all RAM slots (allowing a future upgrade) and at least 2 standard PCI slots, 1 for a soundcard and possibly room for an exhaust fan.
With most games I use low graphical settings where possible and my emphasis is on FPS consistency. I would also want a motherboard with the option of SLi/CrossFire even though it'll be using only 1 GPU to begin with. For these reasons, it is not a problem for the GPU to be the slight bottleneck of the system, knowing that a future 2nd GPU would eliminate the bottleneck but not outclass the CPU. (Within the capability of the PSU, of course.)
To reiterate, my main concern is "value*performance/efficiency" with a strong CPU, lasting motherboard and the availability of adding more RAM/another GPU. I'm aware that this might be a tall order considering my budget, in which case the core of CPU/MoBo/RAM is my priority.
This post was somewhat rushed, so apologies to any missing or mistaken information.
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.
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