New Build Advice Please

[stevenhomz]

Hi just about to start a new build and have been looking at the various components available to build a pc for gaming and general use and have chosen this setup so far

intel core 2 duo e7300: 2.66 ghz, 1066 bus speed, 3mb cache
gigabyte ep43 ds3l motherboard : ip43, 1333 fsb, 2xDDR2 SDRAM, BIOS type : award
RAM: 4gb PC2-8500, (2x2gb)
Nvidia Geforce 9400GT 1024mb ddr2 ram : gpu clock speed-550mhz, memory clock speed-700mhz
Western digital caviar 500gb, 7200 spindel speed, sata hard drive
650w PSU

This is my first new build and if anyone could give me some advice on the parts i have chosen and thier compatability ( I think it should all work together) or if you have any suggestions for a better setup for roughly the same price I would be very grateful.

 

[raybay]

Looks good.
Let us know how it goes... particularly problems during install.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

I can post an alternative build. Just post your location, whether or not you can buy online, a budget and what components you'll be needing.

 

[PCIGamer]

You dont mention how much your total cost will be here. And, will you be using Vista or XP?

If you are using it for gaming I doubt you will be happy with the 9400GT. Recommend you swap it out and get something better. For example a 512Meg GDDR3 9600GT will smoke a 1Gig DDR2 9400GT.

It would add 50-60 dollars to your price.

 

[stevenhomz]

Overall costs

Hi thanks for the input. I live in the uk and will be buying the parts online and was looking to spend around 500 pounds (800 dollars), Im not to rigid with the cost but would like to keep the cost down and achieve the best performance available and allow for upgrades in the future if possible. Also I have budgeted in that 500 pounds ,60 for case, 30 for optical drive, 60 for vista and 10 for a wifi card and a flash card reader. Which leaves 340 pounds (530 dollars) for the parts listed in my initial post. Thanks again for any advice

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Try these parts:

• ASUS M3N78-VM GeForce 8200 Socket AM2+ onboard graphics 8 channel audio mATX Motherboard - £59.72
• AMD Athlon X2 7750 Black Edition 2.7GHz Socket AM2+ 2MB (2x1MB) L3 Cache Retail Boxed Processor - £66.89
• OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC6400 Titanium Memory CL4(4-4-4-15 - £50
• ASUS HD 4850 512MB DDR3 Dual DVI HDCP HDTV out PCI-E Graphics Card - £118.06
• Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 16MB Cache - OEM - £55.19
• Sony DRU-V200S 20X DVD?RW DL & DVD-RAM Serial ATA - Retail Black & Silver Bezel & Nero - £16.50
• Corsair 400W CX PSU - 12cm DBB Fan 80%Plus Certified Efficiency 6x SATA 1x PCI-E - £39.14
• Coolermaster Elite 330 Black Mid Tower Case - No PSU - £29.13

Grand Total = £434.63 including VAT. 5-day shipping is free at eBuyer on all orders over £49.99.

 

[stevenhomz]

Thanks for the advice

Just a couple of questions. How great will the difference in performance be between the AMD processor you suggested and the Intel i was looking at as one has a 1mb cache and the other a 3mb? Will the performance be noticable?

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

There would be a some, yes. I didn't know eBuyer had this CPU in stock, otherwise I would've recommended it instead. I'll change my previous post accordingly and add a DVD drive recommendation as well.

 

[stevenhomz]

If you would it would be a great help also what 775 motherboard would you reccomend

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

I've edited my second post (post #6) to include a DVD drive recommendation and the new CPU recommendation. I also updated the prices accordingly.

As for LGA 775, I wouldn't go for it, since spending money on a comparably good LGA 775 CPU and motherboard as the AMD ones I've recommended would mean you'd have to spend lesser on the video card. And gaming performance depends primarily on the video card. If your budget allowed for it though, I would've recommend an LGA 775 CPU & mobo for sure.

 

[stevenhomz]

Thanks Rage

Looks like Im about ready to order the parts. I think I will take your advice and go for a AMD setup espcially with the revised procceser with the 3MB L3 cache and the money you saved me on cpu+mobo has freed up some cash for a more appealing case. So thanks again you,ve helped loads

 

[stevenhomz]

One more thing Rage

would this motherboard be compatable and be an improvement on the one in your list. Its on 10 pounds more?

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150948/show_product_specifications?spectype=extended

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Nah, it only has better onboard graphics, which you don't need.

 

[stevenhomz]

what does the onboard graphics do?

 

[raybay]

Yes, it is better than the other ASUS board because it has more options, but we are not fond of ASUS for AMD processors... and their tech support has slipped terribly in the past year... Take a look, also, as Gigabyte, MSI, Biostar, DFI, and Jetway.
The on-board graphics provides suitable, but not gamer quality, video graphics while saving much money you would otherwise spend on a video graphics card.

 

[stevenhomz]

Thanks, the parts are ordered now so I'll have to see how well they do for myself now. Thanks for everyones input I'll no doubt need it agaid when it comes to putting the bits together.

 

[stevenhomz]

Thanks for the advice rage

Built my first rig this weekend I took your advice rage and went for the amd setup. The build went better than expected for a first attemp no real problems booted first time, forgot to enable Lan function in the bios setup which gave me a headache trying to go online for a while. Apart from that it went to plan and its running just fine. So thanks again you're advice was a great help

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Congratulations! Glad to know it worked out for you.