Yet another setting up a new rig..

[Shantei]

This is only a small plan at the moment as I simply can't wait for Nhelaem and the 4800s push me for a new build. My budget extends to basically what I need and no further ^^

I'm having difficulty with the processor as I don't wish to purchase a very expensive one. If I was to go Quad it's be the Q6600, however, purposes are mainly for gaming, so dual core could be taken into consideration. I've looked at a few reviews and can't really determine which is better, as different reviews give different results -.-

The motherboard needs to fulfill the requirements of the 4870 X2 I'll be getting, so preferably one with PCIe 2.0, a support of high FSB and memory for overclocking. I was thinking along the lines of either:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard

I was checking out the X38 and above boards, but the expense only comes from not so important features really right? Or support of higher memory, processor speed, etc which I won't be needing.

I'll be selling my current computer to my brother .. m/b, gpu etc .. but I couldn't decide whether to keep the 3gb of RAM and buy him some £35 2gb dual, or like give him the 3gb and go for some pc2-8500 ram for £45. I think purely to make use of the motherboards support I'd buy myself some pc2-8500.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...5 1066MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT12864AA1065)

I'll also be getting Vista (should I?) so would 2gb be enough?

I need some advice also on a Power Supply (as that's going as well ) ... Something of great quality but not too expensive. With a 4870 X2 I'm not sure if the requirements would be too great. Maybe even like .. a 400 - 500W?

Thanks.

Edit: Also, which version of Vista do you recommend I get?

 

[freestyler105]

Get the E8400 for the processor.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-192-IN

The P5Q Pro should be more than enough for what you want.

With the prices of RAM, you may as well go for 4GB. Here's a good deal:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...2GB) CAS5 Dual Channel Kit (F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ)

This PSU is a great deal, and has more than enough power:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-008-CS



Go with Vista Home Premium. It has more than enough features, yet is decently priced:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...ista Home Premium SP1 64-Bit - OEM (66I-01939)

 

[BigLu]

wait on the proc. intel is doing price drops in like 2-3 weeks. and the 8400 is supposed to have a pretty significant drop in price. wait.

 

[Shantei]

Get the E8400 for the processor.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-192-IN

The P5Q Pro should be more than enough for what you want.

With the prices of RAM, you may as well go for 4GB. Here's a good deal:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...2GB) CAS5 Dual Channel Kit (F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ)

This PSU is a great deal, and has more than enough power:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-008-CS



Go with Vista Home Premium. It has more than enough features, yet is decently priced:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...ista Home Premium SP1 64-Bit - OEM (66I-01939)

Aye, thanks very much. Is G-Skillz a good make? I hear it's good, just not very popular.

Still burning between a Quad or the 8400. I mean, there's no real significance in gaming between the two really is there? And trying out a Quad would be nice.. hmm..

 

[_-..zKiLLA..-_]

G.Skill makes great RAM i've never had a problem with them

 

[worshipme]

Aye, thanks very much. Is G-Skillz a good make? I hear it's good, just not very popular.

It's not so much which brand is good and which isn't with memory, it's what modules are used. You can see here: http://ramlist.ath.cx/ddr2/ What memory uses what. Unfortunatly I have revision 2.1 of Corsair XMS2. Like Freestyler, I would recommend 4GB for Vista, and make sure you get 64 bit.

Still burning between a Quad or the 8400. I mean, there's no real significance in gaming between the two really is there? And trying out a Quad would be nice.. hmm..

There is, especially at stock. A Q6600 also runs A LOT hotter than the E8400/E3110, especially when overclocked. An E8400 is also faster clock for clock than the Q6600 because of the larger L2 cache. If the apps you use run no more than two threads (which 99% do), then the E8400 will be faster than the Q6600 at everything.

BTW, have you tried www.Scan.co.uk, they don't have quite as much choice as OCuk, but for the core components, they are often cheaper.

I was checking out the X38 and above boards, but the expense only comes from not so important features really right? Or support of higher memory, processor speed, etc which I won't be needing.

P45 is 65nm, the P35/X38/X48 are all 90nm, the P45 also has the ICH10R SB, the X38 has the ICH9R. The X38/X48 supports 16x + 16x Crossfire, the P45 supports 8x + 8x. The P45 only takes a performance hit running Crossfire at resolutions of 1920x1200 and above.

I need some advice also on a Power Supply (as that's going as well ) ... Something of great quality but not too expensive. With a 4870 X2 I'm not sure if the requirements would be too great. Maybe even like .. a 400 - 500W?

This is a great buy: http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=700886 It's exactly the same PSU as Freestyler recommended, but is modular. (CWT (Channel Well Technology) is the OEM for both, in fact CWT are the OEM for loads of PSUs, Thermaltake Toughpower, Corsair TX series, Xclio Greatpower, Xigmatek, I'm sure there are others)

 

[®ΔĐĮǾĦĘΔĐ]

Hello Shantei,

Continuing with what worshipme was detailing on, if you are gaming, go dual. The E8400 is an excellent choice, however multimedia rendering, encoding, processing, and converting will not be as strong as it would be with a Core 2 Quad. So long as you are not doing a significant amount of that, I guarantee a fantastic experience with the new 45nm Core 2 Duo processors.

Good Luck, Shantei!