£800 Desktop

[Agnostic Bear]

Vista Home Premium x64 has no problems for me.

XP x64 was so crap it should never have been released.

XP x64 Pro is ok, cause it's built on win server 2k3

[N!ck]

Currently:
Intel CPU Core 2 Quad Q9300Quad Core 2.5GHz 1333FSB LGA775 6MB cache - 172.71 - CPUIP4775Q9300
Gigabyte motherboard GA X48-DS4 LGA775 Intel X48 1600 FSB DDR2 ATX - 139.59 - MOTGIGX48DS4
Corsair 4096MB TwinX XMS2 8500C5 DDR2 5-5-5-15 1066Mhz Memory Kit - 81.71 - MEMCORTX485DF
BFG GTX 260 OC 896MBGraphics Card DDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI - 264.96 - VIDBFGGTX260OC
DVD-RW - Current
PSU - Current
HDD's - Current
Vista :s

Need a case some fans and a CPU heatsink.

The changes you've made are better components, but slightly less value for money. Judt to confirm, is the RAM you've put down this? http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(37333)...DR2-55515.aspx If it is then good and if it's not which is it?

Depending on which case you go for it may come with plenty of fans or it may need a few more. Depending on whether the CPU you buy is retail packaged or OEM packaged it will come with the stock Intel HSF or not. It's uup to you if you want to use a different cooler than the stock if it comes with stock.

According to one of Stephen's posts "Actually, they overclock brilliantly, but they don't last near as long. On the overclocking forum I use people have killed their new 45nm quad cores within months with only a moderate overclock. I'd steer clear of them" it may sway you decision on whether you want one of the new generation quads and whether you want to overclock etc.

[Stephen!]

Scrap the GTX 260. ATI's new cards (4870 and the 4870X2) are really going to pwn.

[N!ck]

Scrap the GTX 260. ATI's new cards (4870 and the 4870X2) are really going to pwn.

I read somewhere that they're not going to meet the performance of the nVidia 200 series, but will be better value for money.

[Stephen!]

Well, the 4870 is going to beat the 9800GTX+ at a cheaper price, and the 4870X2 beats the GTX280 at a cheaper price.

[N!ck]

Well, the 4870 is going to beat the 9800GTX+ at a cheaper price, and the 4870X2 beats the GTX280 at a cheaper price.

Ok fair enough then. How'd you know this?

[Stephen!]

Well we don't know it yet as a fact, but i'm hoping. Nvidia should be put in their place for charging over £500 for a graphics card. To be beaten by a £300 card, it will be a deadly blow.