My new setup ~ improvements? [+REP!]

[jackass]

Yeah, i'm going to buy my new computer soon, built up from various parts, and I wanted to know your opinions of it so far. This isn't final yet, but is loosely based on what i'm actually going to get.

Feel free to suggest improvements/changes to this, but it HAS to stay under £500. :)

http://i29.tinypic.com/359jyit.png

I'm not too sure about the Graphics Card, the case (much cheaper than the Antec 300, and looks nicer in my opinion, but the Antec is most probably higher quality/quieter/better air flow?), and the motherboard i'm not too sure about either.

Thanks, and +rep to any help! :D

[Recursion]

The power supply is cheap for what it is, just remember the power supply is the only thing in your PC that can take everything with it if it breaks, you also don't need 700w, 550w will do with room to spare; http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132563

Oh also I wouldn't buy a 9800GT, it's getting fairly old and for the time being ATi are the best way to go for a graphics card; http://www.ebuyer.com/product/190132

When you're looking at a case you should think about the amount of stuff you're putting in it, wether sharp metal edges bother you etc etc, indeed the Antec 300 is a nice case.

[jackass]

Yeah, I looked at the reviews for the PSU and it seemed to be pretty break-proof. But I do see your point about the price, i'll consider that Corsair one. :)

And I normally stay clear of ATI because i'm not too knowledgeable about them, and I dislike their product naming, so i'll have to just trust you on that one. :P

Thanks man, appreciate the help! :D

EDIT; Need to spread for rep!

[jackass]

Sorry, couldn't edit!

I've updated the system a little bit, taking into account your advice. :)

I've gone for a less power, more expensive PSU, which actually seems to be pretty good and efficient by the looks of things, and have also gone for the 1GB 5670 GPU, instead of the 512MB.

Might still change though, depending!

Here is the update...

http://i31.tinypic.com/72px4x.png

[Recursion]

Looks good so far! :P

I'll let someone else check the motherboard for ya, I don't know too much about AMD at the moment.

[jackass]

Awesome, thanks for your help! :)

So does anyone know if that case/motherboard is any good?

[jackass]

Just a little update - I don't want to make a new thread, so sorry for double post!

But... can EVERY Phenom II X2 555 black edition be unlocked to 4 cores (and then overclocked)...?

[xxMATTGxx]

Just a little update - I don't want to make a new thread, so sorry for double post!

But... can EVERY Phenom II X2 555 black edition be unlocked to 4 cores (and then overclocked)...?

Edit: I found this; http://www.overclock.net/amd-cpus/535501-amd-phenom-ii-core-unlocking-guide.html

[N!ck]

http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?t=784302

[jackass]

Edit: I found this; http://www.overclock.net/amd-cpus/535501-amd-phenom-ii-core-unlocking-guide.html

A-ha! Thanks Matt, helped a lot. :)

I'm thinking of changing my motherboard now, as the M4A785TD doesn't seem to be able to unlock to all 4 cores.


http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?t=784302

Again, thanks for this! Helps me a lot. :D

+Rep to both of you!

EDIT; Need to spread for both of you. :P

[Axel]

As stated previously, you really don't wanna look at a super cheap PSU, and running a graphics card like that needs about 550w, but again this has all been posted...

I don't have tons of cash to throw around, so I was looking at the 9800GT too, it's still not a bad card?

[jackass]

As stated previously, you really don't wanna look at a super cheap PSU, and running a graphics card like that needs about 550w, but again this has all been posted...

I don't have tons of cash to throw around, so I was looking at the 9800GT too, it's still not a bad card?

I updated the image further down the thread buddy, so it's not a super cheap PSU, and is 600w. :P

[LMS16]

Can I ask, is this just gonna be a general PC or a gaming PC?

The specs are good, I suggest you go through the motherboard specs and see if everything is compatable :)

Good setup :)

Lew.

[jackass]

Can I ask, is this just gonna be a general PC or a gaming PC?

The specs are good, I suggest you go through the motherboard specs and see if everything is compatable :)

Good setup :)

Lew.

Thanks dude, general PC really, but I will be playing games a lot on it (nothing too major, just things like CSS, Portal, HL2, and some newer games such as Portal 2 and HL2:EP3 when they come out). :)

[Markeh]

Your optical drive is a damn good one, I use one in my own rig, and it's a hard little worker.

I'd avoid Kingston RAM, their RAM isn't so great nowadays

Go with Corsair or Crucial.

[jackass]

Your optical drive is a damn good one, I use one in my own rig, and it's a hard little worker.

I'd avoid Kingston RAM, their RAM isn't so great nowadays

Go with Corsair or Crucial.

Okay thanks, i'll bear that in mind. :)

Anyone got any news on the case or GPU?

I'll post an updated image soon!

[xxMATTGxx]

Okay thanks, i'll bear that in mind. :)

Anyone got any news on the case or GPU?

I'll post an updated image soon!

The reviews on ebuyer for it seem pretty positive regarding the case. It should fit your motherboard and whatever else nicely tbh, although me being me I would go for an Antec 300. (A)

[Luke]

The reviews on ebuyer for it seem pretty positive regarding the case. It should fit your motherboard and whatever else nicely tbh, although me being me I would go for an Antec 300. (A)

Agreed on the 300. Flawless.

[jackass]

But the 300 is like... twice the price of the Casecom. :(

And I prefer the look of the Casecom too, despite it probably being less quality and stuff. How does the airflow compare with the 300?

[xxMATTGxx]

But the 300 is like... twice the price of the Casecom. :(

And I prefer the look of the Casecom too, despite it probably being less quality and stuff. How does the airflow compare with the 300?

Well with the 300 you already get two fans for cooling. You have an option to install another three :P

Some of the reviews might mention the cooling on the casecomm, I'm not saying don't go for it. If you want it, get it. :D

[jackass]

Alright, thanks Matt! :)

Also (again...), are the two fans that come with the 300 blue LED ones?

[xxMATTGxx]

Alright, thanks Matt! :)

Also (again...), are the two fans that come with the 300 blue LED ones?


Normally the case just comes with:

1x 120x25mm rear fan (comes with a 3-speed switch control)
1x 140x25mm top fan (comes with a 3-speed switch control)

I'm guessing you mean the Blue LED ones that some Antec 300 cases have at the front? Sadly they are optional.

[jackass]

Normally the case just comes with:

1x 120x25mm rear fan (comes with a 3-speed switch control)
1x 140x25mm top fan (comes with a 3-speed switch control)

I'm guessing you mean the Blue LED ones that some Antec 300 cases have at the front? Sadly they are optional.

Ah, damn, you see, the Casecom has them included. :(

[xxMATTGxx]

Ah, damn, you see, the Casecom has them included. :(

Well like I said, it is really up to you! :P

[jackass]

Well like I said, it is really up to you! :P

I know buddy, but I can't decide. :'(

[Recursion]

I know buddy, but I can't decide. :'(

Antec 300, done. LOL

[Stephen!]

Antec 300.

[jackass]

URGENT GUYS - NEED HELP!

Okay, i've updated my system again, and it's now (going to) reach £600. :'(

http://i32.tinypic.com/2iqkb3r.png

A few questions, i'll +rep and be forever in your debt...

Can you find ANYWHERE to cut costs?!
Are all these parts good, quiet and value for money?
Do I actually need DDR3 memory?
Can I stick with X2 or should I upgrade to quad core (X4)?
Is that motherboard any good, and can you find a cheaper/better one?
What other fans will I need (and which ones should I get)?


I'd really appreciate it if you could answer all those questions (or attempt to), it would really help me out, and i'm short on cash! :(

[Recursion]

1. You don't need the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro unless you're going to overclock, the CPU already comes with a heatsink and fan that'll do the job
2. Yes, but I still don't like the case you picked :P
3. Get DDR3, it's the cheapest option now anyway because hardly anyone is making DDR2 or DDR memory nowadays, and it's extremely likely you'll have to find another motherboard that supports both DDR2 RAM and your CPU if you choose otherwise
4. Dual core will be fine
5. ASUS make good motherboards, you should Google around for reviews of it by major tech sites
6. You won't need other fans.

[N!ck]

If you want a 500GB drive, get this one. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/146252

Or 1TB for not much more. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/173804

[jackass]

If you want a 500GB drive, get this one. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/146252

Or 1TB for not much more. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/173804

Can't afford the 1TB one now, and I want the quietest PC possible, and judging by others, the F3 can get VERY loud at times. It may be slightly faster, but I NEED it to be quiet. :(

But thanks man!


1. You don't need the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro unless you're going to overclock, the CPU already comes with a heatsink and fan that'll do the job
2. Yes, but I still don't like the case you picked :P
3. Get DDR3, it's the cheapest option now anyway because hardly anyone is making DDR2 or DDR memory nowadays, and it's extremely likely you'll have to find another motherboard that supports both DDR2 RAM and your CPU if you choose otherwise
4. Dual core will be fine
5. ASUS make good motherboards, you should Google around for reviews of it by major tech sites
6. You won't need other fans.

Awesome, helped a lot. Thanks buddy! :)

And also, the case only comes with 1 fan, and I want the components and computer as a whole very cool, so they don't have to work as hard.

Finally... is that GPU over-doing it a little? It would save me a lot of money to the 5670, but, I also want to be able to play games nice and smooth. Predicament! :(

[N!ck]

If you want it to be quiet, use a third party cooler such as that Arctic one.

My PC is, comparably to most, pretty quiet. The loudest thing in it though is the HDDs.

[Luke]

I don't see how people have 'quiet' PCs >:[
I buy 'ULTRA QUIET' CPUs etc and they're just NOT.
Only quiet ones I find are in OEMs computers..

[N!ck]

You've got to set things up so that fan speed varies with temperature. I can only hear my CPU fan over my HDDs when it's at 50+ degrees Celsius. And it needs full load for at least 5-10 minutes before it reaches that.

The fan on my graphics card varies with temperature and I've never seen it spinning faster than 39%.

[Luke]

You've got to set things up so that fan speed varies with temperature. I can only hear my CPU fan over my HDDs when it's at 50+ degrees Celsius. And it needs full load for at least 5-10 minutes before it reaches that.

The fan on my graphics card varies with temperature and I've never seen it spinning faster than 39%.

Just realised I wrote CPUs instead of PSUs in my previous post ;P

[N!ck]

Just realised I wrote CPUs instead of PSUs in my previous post ;P

Buy PSUs only from the mtop brands. Otherwise disappointment shouldn't be a surprise. If you buy a top PSU it is expected to be quiet - therefore they don't need to tell you ;).

[Recursion]

Just realised I wrote CPUs instead of PSUs in my previous post ;P

My Corsair PSU is silent, I have to physically look at the fan to tell if it's actually working lol

[xxMATTGxx]

My Corsair PSU is silent, I have to physically look at the fan to tell if it's actually working lol

My OCZ PSU is quiet as well, the only loud thing in my machine is the GPU or when the CPU fan wants to start spinning faster.

[jackass]

More questions i'm afraid...

I've just found out the GPU i've chosen (MSI 5770) isn't the Hawk edition, meaning it's performance isn't as good, and it's also much louder. So i'm now in need of a new GPU!

I've been looking at performance, and the ATI 4890 and other 4-series GPUs actually seem to perform BETTER than many newer 5-series cards - is this true? Should I get them, as they are cheaper?

FINALLY, how does that Antec 650w PSU look? Is it a good PSU to have (and silent...)?

So sorry for all these questions, but i'm very limited in money, and I can't afford to have the wrong parts for my system. :'(

Thanks guys!

[jackass]

Okay, i've decided (for now) to go with this GPU, after a hell of a lot of research on performance, price & loudness, this seems to come out top...

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/222088

Opinions?

Also, does anyone know of any silent/very quiet hard drives? Thanks! (Haha, more questions :D)

[jackass]

Sorry for triple post, but there's no need in making a new thread...

Okay, ALMOST final look at the setup, I just really need someone to answer the questions from the previous two posts, and also these...

Views on the motheboard?!
Any extra cabling needed

Meh, either way, here is the latest update...
http://i26.tinypic.com/2mg5l6o.png

[N!ck]

Motherboard will come with cables.

And I don't know, but it should be fine.

[jackass]

Motherboard will come with cables.

And I don't know, but it should be fine.

Oh, sorry, I meant cabling in general, as certain components, people were complaining that the cables for them were very short/missing. Especially as the GPU i've selected is OEM. :P

[N!ck]

GPU needs a power cable... already connected to the PSU.

[xxMATTGxx]

Jack, will you be taking photos of you building it?

[jackass]

GPU needs a power cable... already connected to the PSU.

Alright, thanks. :)


Jack, will you be taking photos of you building it?

Yeah, could do. I was also thinking of reviewing every part as well (based on noise, power consumption, aesthetics, performance etc.), for people that want to build a decent computer for around £500. :)