Wanting to build a PC

At long last.....

Finally, something we agree on 150%!!
Or as I like to put it, Rejoice, the wait is over, Vista is now available from Microsoft in 32 and 64 bit suppository form.

Lol.

Just to mention more about why not to get vista. Vista has problems running some hardware because of the lack of drivers. This is especially true if you use something thats not for the general consumer.

You also run into problems with older software. Again especially true if its not a widely used one. There has been numerous reports that some old games just won't work on the same machine after Vista. I don't see why other programs won't run into the same problem.

Its a whole new interface. Its supposed to be easier to use, but Office Vista was really confusing to me after being used to the old versions of office. My suggestion to Microsoft: Leave the option open for old style menus!!


Btw, nice quote

Thanks for your suggestions, here is what I think I will go for, please tell me if you know if they are incompatible or you know how to get more power from these parts,
MOTHERBOARD[/U]
INTEL DG965RY
form factor- ATX
memory- 4x 240 pin DDR2 RAM DIMM, support for 800mhx DIMM
support for up to 8gb of mem
Audio- 5.1 using SigmaTel* STAC9227 audio codec
Video- Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3000 (Intel® GMA X3000)
RAM
1gb module
240 PIN ddr2 non-ecc
DDR2 PC6400
UNBUFFERED
CPU
Pentium 4 duo processer D915 DUAL CORE
2X2.8GHZ
800FSB
2X2MB CACHE
LGA775
95W POWER
L2 CACHE (4MB-2X2MB)
64 BIT
PSU
ATX V2.0
500W
WEIGHT-- 2KG
HDD
80GB
300MBPS TRANS
SEEK 8.9MBPS
SPINDLE 7200RPM
8MB BUFFER
DVD-ROM
MADE BY HP
16XREAD 5.25"
CASE
ASPIRE X-CRUISER WTH 2X80MM LED FANS
...........................................................
I have decided to go for vista in a few months time after problems are sorted and depending on how much I can get it for and have decided I will actually use it for gaming, such as Doom, COUNTER STRIKE E.T.C. Other than screen, keyboard e.t.c do you think everythong is o.k? Just thought id get a second opinion before I started buying.

Given That Set Of Variables......

You should get RAM in sets of 2 for that board. 2 x 512MB NOT 1 x1 GB

You can normally download any of several audio codecs from Intel's web site.

There's no point at all to buy a DVD-Rom drive, since Dual layer DVD burners such as Pioneer DVR111 is available in OEM for about $32.00.

Since you've settled on an Intel ATX motherboard, I would recommend the DG965WHMK (retail box) pretty much the same thing but it has more room for expansion, PS2 ports for keyboard & mouse, and 7 channel sound. (like 5 isn't enough, right). It's within $10 to $15. of your choice.

The 80 GB HDD is good for a system drive, but small for a storage drive. As you go bigger, the price per GB comes way down. I like to store files off the system drive, so I did it "backwards" and just ordered an 80 GB to install Windows on. I had 2 250GB drives, so I'll wipe the OS off and install Windows Monday when I get the smaller drive.

Ok then ill search for them then. What would i have to do to build in wireless internet connection or is it better to just use a usb dongle?

Relax...

The Intel board should have built in LAN for broadband, the drivers are on the software and driver DVD that comes with the Board. (In the retail Version). You would need to buy a modem if you have Dial-up.

Link to this Intel page to compare the different models of 965 chipset boards: http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/motherboard/index.htm?iid=mbd_main dt

I'm not convinced on that processor, eh so what.

The case looks alright, they're calling it TAC (thermally advantaged chassis),which is good.

You can install a 120mm rear fan in that case and it would be a very good idea to do so.

To run DDR2 800 (PC6400) in the Intel 965 boards it must have 5-5-5-15 timings and be 1.8 Volt. Again Intel's site has tested various RAM modules and will tell you which ones will work. I wimped out and bought DDR2 667 in Kingston Value RAM. That memory always works for me. The choice of particular brand always stirs up a hornets nest. My suggestion is to visit Intel & the product reviews of the 965 boards on Newegg to get a feel for what's going on.

As always, post back as you refine your choices.

You don't need 5-5-5-15 timings for RAM to work on P965 boards. I've got a 4-4-4-12 timings RAM, which is running quite happily at those timings. Its also rated 2.1V, but was running happily on 1.8V.

I'm not a big fan of P4s, the Core2Duo would give much better value for money, but if the P4 is significantly cheaper, stick with it.

80gb HDDs won't last too long on my comp, I can fill it up in just a few months. Given that larger sizes are just a few dollars more, you might want to reconsider. Of course, if you don't plan to download much, 80gb can take forever to fill up with word documents.

I second the notion about DVD-RWs. You might as well grab one for a few dollars more. You'd never know when you'd need to burn that DVD.

I don't know too much about Intel brand boards. It'll work, but people usually go for other makers.

i agree with CMH, go for it, upgrade 8it you can yoiu compoenents

!!!! cpu

i agree with CMH, go for it, upgrade if you can yoiu compoenents and go from there

Thanks for the help,
Ive tried to change to what you said but the DG965WHMK and CORE2 DUO processer is too expensive for my budget.
But I have made some changes
HARD DRIVE
WESTERN DIGITAL 120 GB SATA2/300
7200RPM
8MB
SEEK 8.9MBPS
DVD DRIVE
LITE-ON LH-20A15-11C
DVD+-RW(+-R DL) DVD-RAM

Do you think these are o.k? they are the most i could afford. Will the DVD burn dvds as im not sure what all the letters mean.

Here are the prices of my components at the cheapest I could find
RAM
66POUND ($120)
CPU
55POUNDS ($110)
MOTHERBOARD
70POUNDS ($140)
PSU
45POUNDS ($90)
HDD
40POUNDS ($80)
DVD
30POUNDS ($60)
CASE
45POUNDS ($90)
WINDOWS XP
60POUNDS ($120)

Do you think these are good prices for the spec of components I am getting, I tried several price comparison sites and these are the best I could get.
Many thanks,
P.S Since i cannot buy all in one go i am buying bit by bit, do you think i should build it as i get the parts or wait till i have all the parts to build it?

Motherboard
RAM
CPU
High-Quality Case + PSU combo
HDD
DVD Writer
Video Card
Total comes to about 390 pounds, without considering the OS and with VAT included. All the parts I have chosen are of the best quality. I chose the AMD processor and mobo because it's cheaper and more powerful than any of the offerings from Intel, except the Core 2 Duo of course.
Those are my personal recommendations. Feel free to mix and match wherever you think appropriate. I hope I helped.

Ok thanks for your recommendations. I still havent decided on which to buy yet tho. I may set the system up and wait a month or two and then buy a good graphics card for about 200poounds. Do you think the motherboards graphics card is good enough for running oblivion, doom or chenobyl games. on the spec it says Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3000 (Intel® GMA X3000) onboard graphics subsystem. I dont know what this means but would it run these games?
Many thanks,
jackgallagher

Hmmm....

First I'm "stateside", and I think we're a bit spoiled on price here in the "colonies". IE: Windows XP home would be $90.00. Ya got me on the conversion to pounds.

The memory issues I ascribed to were on Intel boards, not Intel chipsets on other boards, and occurred when only running certain DDR2 800 RAM.

I don't/ won't run a system with 1 HDD. With the scenario in play at the moment, when you fill up the original 80 (or 120) is when I would install the 2nd drive and begin to transfer my files to it. Would you agree that a box doesn't have to be "all that it could be", on first power-up.

I can say with certainty that the processors I recommended originally are the best dollar value in Intel's line. Here again I am making recommendations based on upgrading later to the C2D.... NOT THE INTEL DUAL CORE 900 series. Over here the 641 P4 is $75.00, while the C2D 6300 Is about $183.00. This doesn't present any talking point, since the P4 costs only about 40% of the C2D. I can't speak to a dollar for dollar comparison to the AMDs, I simply don't know enough about them.

Burner VS ROM, check, on the same page. I don't have any experience with the Lite-On drives, but MY experiences with TSST drives has been very far from satisfactory, I usually find the Pioneers at Best Buy for about $40.00 retail (on SALE), with some Nero software. (Far from the whole suite). For me, these work really well and the $8.00 more for the retail package, well I get to hold it the day I buy it.
The Intel board issue is this; Intel's boards are of high quality and very stable.
They're "mainstream" boards. Since they don't have the potential for,"modding",(I'm sort of old so I call it "abuse"), they aren't going to be popular with "enthusiasts", ( and here again I possibly differ on terminology).

Don't misqoute me on that.....

I've always maintained that a high end Celeron D or Pentium 4 (Cedar Mill) processors would get you up and running just dandy.

I'm all for buying a system piece by piece but, should you have a defective component, it may have outlived it's return or replace date just sitting in the box.

P.S. I'm building a system with the GD965WHMK board, and the Celeron 356 in it just flies. I'll get a C2D when my finances recover.

Insufficient RAM is a the root of more speed issues than processor speed.

No, it won't run any of those games. If you're willing to wait, the 85xx and 86xx series of NVIDIA DirectX10 cards will be out in a couple of days. They'll be a lot better than the card I suggested.

I have looked at all the prices and I have estimated that it would take me for ever to buy all these things and save up for them, as some weeks I will only have 20pounds to spend. I have searched again for the exact same specs at cheaper prices,
is this ok for the RAM, as far as i can see its exactly the same but half the price;
http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Memory/DDR2/DDR2+800+%28PC6400%29/+1GB+PC6400++Elixir+DDR2+800++SDRAM?productId=24474

Yeah that RAM will be alright.

Thanks for your help. I have now decided that I will buy everything in one go and wait till I had plenty of time to build it as if I am building at different times I will probably forget where I was. I am now going to wait till mid-July so I will have a budget of 430-500pounds to spend on the system. As I thought I might as well spend a lot once instead of over different months e.t.c so I can get the full power a.s.p. Ill let you know what choices of things I have made now I actually know my budget.

The list I gave you has excellent quality parts all around and is considerably cheaper than your earlier list, along with the RAM from Aria. You might be able to get the PC earlier than usual. The only thing is, you might want to wait for the new mid-range DirectX 10 video cards to release. Anyways, whatever you get, do let us know beforehand if you want any advice.

Hello, just so i can recalculate my costs, do all the components needed come with the different parts?, ssuch as wires, the frame for cpu heatsink and fan. I am buying all retail ones btw.