Help on computer build

Cannibalsnail · 07-01-2009, 09:48 AM

Me and my foster brother are building identical gaming machines on a fairly tight budget. I need advice on which parts are most suited and thoughts from the experts on where to draw the line between performance and price. Heres the specs so far (everything is open to discussion and suggestion). All prices are quoted from Ebuyer.com or Play.com

CPU - Candidates are
E7400 2.8Ghz £89
or E6850 3Ghz £112
or Q8200 2.33gHZ £115
OR E8400 3Ghz £125
or Q6700 2.66Ghz £133

Motherboard
I dont know much about mobos eyond obvious stuff (FSB, no. RAM slots etc.) so any advice on gaming motherboards woulod be appreciated. Basically I need one compatible with above processors, DDr2, 2 slots minimum but 4 preferrable, PCI-E x16 (obviously) with an AGP optional, FSB 1066+ (1333 preferrable and good performance. Price is a biggie I dont want to spend lots so cheap is better.

RAM
Not fussed. Any 4gb set that fits in the motherboard.

Graphics card
Most likely HD 4770 but any card which offers better bang for buck let me know.

PSU - Again I dont know much except obvious stuff but it must accomadate all above components plus extra for future upgrades would be good.

Thats all for know all help is good.

btw. I am from England so preferrably link to English sites and quote in GBP that would be a great help thanks.

**Tyree** · 07-01-2009, 12:36 PM

For a gamer, go with the E8500/8500.
Intense multitasking/graphics work go with a Quad Core.
For Mobo, I use Asus.
RAM....CorsairXMS-G. Skill-OCZ-Patriot.

Cannibalsnail · 07-01-2009, 04:37 PM

okay then. This is what Ive come up with on the motherboad end:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152885#
any comments?

This for RAM:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/141930...specifications

An E8500 is well out of my price range. Any other suggestions?

Plus some case advice would be good. I dont want to spend more than £50 on a case though.

**linderman** · 07-01-2009, 04:56 PM

you want to stick with the Intel P45 chipset >>>>>>>>the P43 is lame for a gaming board

have a look at the GA-EP45-Ds3l or GA-EP45-UD3L both awesome choices

E8400 is the best choice of the cpu's you referenced

look for coolermaster centurion case

OCZ 700 watt power supply

http://www.ebuyer.com/search?q=GA-EP45-Ds3l&x=24&y=9

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152506

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/147113

your price desires really take you out of the gaming world; unfortunately

Cannibalsnail · 07-02-2009, 04:43 AM

Well those all look like good parts but far out my desired price range. Is it possible to buy this case: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/134798 and Cut areas out to add my own fans etc to improve cooling on the cheap?
Could you please find a reliable PSU closer to 500w Im sure that would work out cheaper.
And im gonna try to squeeze the price of the mobo a little more would any of these be suitable?:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161009
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161008
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150285
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/160933
Bear in mind Im looking for support for overclocking and Dual Channel Memory.

dai · 07-02-2009, 05:59 AM

you don't cut back on the power supply

you cut back on something else a 500w is not going to cut it

pcie start at a quality 550w psu then the higher the spec of the video card means a higher spec power supply

if you go with a cheap or underpowered psu you will be back here with bsod error messages if you are lucky

or if unlucky with a number of components gone west

the asus p5q m/b

Cannibalsnail · 07-02-2009, 06:05 AM

Okay Ill take the advice on the PSU. Would 600w cut it?
Also I would like to know if its worth buying RAM with Heat spreaders and then putting a cooler on it or buying it with fins attached? See this example;http://www.ebuyer.com/product/141930...specifications

Also Im going with an E8400 as it appears to give close on I7 performance when gaming for MUCH cheaper.

Still waiting for answer on mobos linked to above.

**linderman** · 07-02-2009, 06:23 AM

the Asus P5Q SE is the better board in your linked submissions

the asrock WITOUT the "T" is an "ok" board too

avoid the "T" models, they are DDR3

yes; you can also cut holes for fans and make a cheap case work

**Tyree** · 07-02-2009, 06:29 AM

RAM with heat spreaders doesn't hurt but go with PC6400.
Go with the Asus over the ASRock Mobo.

fgfg9 · 07-02-2009, 07:14 AM

For your Graphics card i would go with the Nvidia 9600 GSO (http://www.ebuyer.com/search?q=Nvidi...+GSO&x=19&y=11), its pretty dam cheap considering it can play crisis

... Good Bang for your buck, eh?

Cannibalsnail · 07-02-2009, 08:43 AM

Right. Ive selected the mobo then: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150285
This is the case Im going for and then im gonna add fans to it: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/134803
Im interested with the RAM how much difference does speed make?
Im either gonna go for a 4gb kit with basic heat spreaders and buy a cooling fan for them or get them with advanced heat spreaders already fitted (eg. topside fins).
And with the gfx card a 9600 is too weak. Im probably going with a 4770 and a custom cooler to overclock it to match a 4850. Seeing as it has a 40nm architecture this shouldnt be all too difficult. This is the cheapest Ive found: http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/976851...d/Product.html

Just wanted to know if this PSU was suitable for my build: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124927

**linderman** · 07-03-2009, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannibalsnail

Just wanted to know if this PSU was suitable for my build: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124927

any power supply listing which does not include its efficiency rating and operatign system temp should be avoided!

I would not get any lower in spec than the OCZ 700 watt

http://www.ebuyer.com/search?q=OCZ+700

these are what specs look like on a worthy unit

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152506...ctype=extended

this power supply is rated at 80% efficiency at operating temps of 40C internal computer case temp ............... thats not great when you compare the Corsair 650 / 750 is rated at over 80% and its operating system temp is 50C

but the OCZ unit in comparision to your linked unit is a leap upwards in quality and longivity

Cannibalsnail · 07-03-2009, 05:22 AM

Im grateful for the advice but Id still rather not spend £70. Would i really need 700w for those components plus overclocking?
This maybe?: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127861
It doesnt have operating temperature but does have efficiency.

Ive also decided to swap my graphics card choice to either a Powercolor 4870 1gb version: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127861...oduct_overview
or a 4850 1gb sapphire; http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161308
Which one would you reccomend?

**linderman** · 07-03-2009, 05:31 AM

the powercolor is a very good card manuf

the 4870 is a real powerr hog .........over 250 watts when gaming

all electrical devices are designed to work at 25-30% less than their rated capacity

overclocking puts a serious load on a power supply; only high quality units will take that load without puking

The OCZ 600 certainly stands a MUCH better chance of "pulling the wagon" than does your other link

plus; something about the 230V power use is easier on power supplies than 115Volt US power; an electrical engineer was explaining the reason for that; but the info went right thru my ears without sticking to the wax

Cannibalsnail · 07-03-2009, 01:02 PM

This is my first mock up. All parts come from Ebuyer.com. Any opinions suggestions are extremely welcome. Plus anything Im missing.

EV Black Mid Tower Gaming Case With 12cm Tri-Colour Front Fan - No PSU £22.50

ASUS P5Q SE iP45 Socket 775 8 channel audio ATX Motherboard £68.44

OCZ 4GB Kit (2x2GB) DDR2 1066MHz/PC2-8500 Reaper Memory HPC Edition Dual Channel £48.26

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Socket 775 (3.0GHz) 1333FSB 6MB L2 Cache Retail Boxed Processor £125.00

LG GH22NS40 22X SATA DVD±RW/DL/RAM Black Bare Drive - OEM £16.00

Maxtor STM3320614AS 320GB Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 16MB Cache - OEM £32.66

Arctic Cooling AC-FRZ-7P Freezer 7 Pro Socket 775 Processor Cooler £14.86

OCZ Stealth XStream 600W PSU - SLI Ready ATX2.2 12cm Fan £55.00

PowerColor HD 4870 1GB GDDR5 Dual DVI HDTV Out PCI-E Graphics Card £107.99

Oh and the cost of several fans for the case
So about £500.

**linderman** · 07-03-2009, 01:44 PM

looks good .............pull the lever

Cannibalsnail · 07-03-2009, 04:19 PM

wow Im truly amazed how much power this thing has for such a low price. True it has no peripherals but still....
Now can anyone reccomend somewhere to buy them cheaperthan Ebuyer?

dai · 07-03-2009, 07:43 PM

do a price search on google for each component

07-01-2009, 09:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Cannibalsnail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 40 OS: Win XP My System	Help on computer build Me and my foster brother are building identical gaming machines on a fairly tight budget. I need advice on which parts are most suited and thoughts from the experts on where to draw the line between performance and price. Heres the specs so far (everything is open to discussion and suggestion). All prices are quoted from Ebuyer.com or Play.com CPU - Candidates are E7400 2.8Ghz £89 or E6850 3Ghz £112 or Q8200 2.33gHZ £115 OR E8400 3Ghz £125 or Q6700 2.66Ghz £133 Motherboard I dont know much about mobos eyond obvious stuff (FSB, no. RAM slots etc.) so any advice on gaming motherboards woulod be appreciated. Basically I need one compatible with above processors, DDr2, 2 slots minimum but 4 preferrable, PCI-E x16 (obviously) with an AGP optional, FSB 1066+ (1333 preferrable and good performance. Price is a biggie I dont want to spend lots so cheap is better. RAM Not fussed. Any 4gb set that fits in the motherboard. Graphics card Most likely HD 4770 but any card which offers better bang for buck let me know. PSU - Again I dont know much except obvious stuff but it must accomadate all above components plus extra for future upgrades would be good. Thats all for know all help is good. btw. I am from England so preferrably link to English sites and quote in GBP that would be a great help thanks.

07-01-2009, 12:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,729 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Help on computer build For a gamer, go with the E8500/8500. Intense multitasking/graphics work go with a Quad Core. For Mobo, I use Asus. RAM....CorsairXMS-G. Skill-OCZ-Patriot. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

07-01-2009, 04:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cannibalsnail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 40 OS: Win XP My System	Re: Help on computer build okay then. This is what Ive come up with on the motherboad end: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152885# any comments? This for RAM: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/141930...specifications An E8500 is well out of my price range. Any other suggestions? Plus some case advice would be good. I dont want to spend more than £50 on a case though.

07-01-2009, 04:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,399 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	you want to stick with the Intel P45 chipset >>>>>>>>the P43 is lame for a gaming board have a look at the GA-EP45-Ds3l or GA-EP45-UD3L both awesome choices E8400 is the best choice of the cpu's you referenced look for coolermaster centurion case OCZ 700 watt power supply http://www.ebuyer.com/search?q=GA-EP45-Ds3l&x=24&y=9 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152506 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/147113 your price desires really take you out of the gaming world; unfortunately __________________ Even a Broken Clock is Right Twice a Day ! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial Last edited by dai; 07-02-2009 at 05:41 AM.

07-02-2009, 04:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
Cannibalsnail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 40 OS: Win XP My System	Re: Help on computer build Well those all look like good parts but far out my desired price range. Is it possible to buy this case: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/134798 and Cut areas out to add my own fans etc to improve cooling on the cheap? Could you please find a reliable PSU closer to 500w Im sure that would work out cheaper. And im gonna try to squeeze the price of the mobo a little more would any of these be suitable?: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161009 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161008 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150285 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/160933 Bear in mind Im looking for support for overclocking and Dual Channel Memory.

07-02-2009, 05:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,168 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Help on computer build you don't cut back on the power supply you cut back on something else a 500w is not going to cut it pcie start at a quality 550w psu then the higher the spec of the video card means a higher spec power supply if you go with a cheap or underpowered psu you will be back here with bsod error messages if you are lucky or if unlucky with a number of components gone west the asus p5q m/b __________________

07-02-2009, 06:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
Cannibalsnail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 40 OS: Win XP My System	Re: Help on computer build Okay Ill take the advice on the PSU. Would 600w cut it? Also I would like to know if its worth buying RAM with Heat spreaders and then putting a cooler on it or buying it with fins attached? See this example;http://www.ebuyer.com/product/141930...specifications Also Im going with an E8400 as it appears to give close on I7 performance when gaming for MUCH cheaper. Still waiting for answer on mobos linked to above.

07-02-2009, 06:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,399 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	the Asus P5Q SE is the better board in your linked submissions the asrock WITOUT the "T" is an "ok" board too avoid the "T" models, they are DDR3 yes; you can also cut holes for fans and make a cheap case work __________________ Even a Broken Clock is Right Twice a Day ! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial Last edited by dai; 07-02-2009 at 09:42 AM.

07-02-2009, 06:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,729 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Help on computer build RAM with heat spreaders doesn't hurt but go with PC6400. Go with the Asus over the ASRock Mobo. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

07-02-2009, 07:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
fgfg9 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 37 OS: Windows 7 and XP SP3	Re: Help on computer build For your Graphics card i would go with the Nvidia 9600 GSO (http://www.ebuyer.com/search?q=Nvidi...+GSO&x=19&y=11), its pretty dam cheap considering it can play crisis... Good Bang for your buck, eh? Last edited by fgfg9; 07-02-2009 at 07:19 AM.

07-02-2009, 08:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
Cannibalsnail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 40 OS: Win XP My System	Right. Ive selected the mobo then: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150285 This is the case Im going for and then im gonna add fans to it: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/134803 Im interested with the RAM how much difference does speed make? Im either gonna go for a 4gb kit with basic heat spreaders and buy a cooling fan for them or get them with advanced heat spreaders already fitted (eg. topside fins). And with the gfx card a 9600 is too weak. Im probably going with a 4770 and a custom cooler to overclock it to match a 4850. Seeing as it has a 40nm architecture this shouldnt be all too difficult. This is the cheapest Ive found: http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/976851...d/Product.html Just wanted to know if this PSU was suitable for my build: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124927 Last edited by dai; 07-03-2009 at 05:52 AM.

07-03-2009, 05:22 AM	#13 (permalink)
Cannibalsnail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 40 OS: Win XP My System	Re: Help on computer build Im grateful for the advice but Id still rather not spend £70. Would i really need 700w for those components plus overclocking? This maybe?: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127861 It doesnt have operating temperature but does have efficiency. Ive also decided to swap my graphics card choice to either a Powercolor 4870 1gb version: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127861...oduct_overview or a 4850 1gb sapphire; http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161308 Which one would you reccomend? Last edited by Cannibalsnail; 07-03-2009 at 05:28 AM.

07-03-2009, 05:31 AM	#14 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,399 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Help on computer build the powercolor is a very good card manuf the 4870 is a real powerr hog .........over 250 watts when gaming all electrical devices are designed to work at 25-30% less than their rated capacity overclocking puts a serious load on a power supply; only high quality units will take that load without puking The OCZ 600 certainly stands a MUCH better chance of "pulling the wagon" than does your other link plus; something about the 230V power use is easier on power supplies than 115Volt US power; an electrical engineer was explaining the reason for that; but the info went right thru my ears without sticking to the wax __________________ Even a Broken Clock is Right Twice a Day ! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial Last edited by linderman; 07-03-2009 at 05:35 AM.

07-03-2009, 01:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
Cannibalsnail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 40 OS: Win XP My System	Re: Help on computer build This is my first mock up. All parts come from Ebuyer.com. Any opinions suggestions are extremely welcome. Plus anything Im missing. EV Black Mid Tower Gaming Case With 12cm Tri-Colour Front Fan - No PSU £22.50 ASUS P5Q SE iP45 Socket 775 8 channel audio ATX Motherboard £68.44 OCZ 4GB Kit (2x2GB) DDR2 1066MHz/PC2-8500 Reaper Memory HPC Edition Dual Channel £48.26 Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Socket 775 (3.0GHz) 1333FSB 6MB L2 Cache Retail Boxed Processor £125.00 LG GH22NS40 22X SATA DVD±RW/DL/RAM Black Bare Drive - OEM £16.00 Maxtor STM3320614AS 320GB Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 16MB Cache - OEM £32.66 Arctic Cooling AC-FRZ-7P Freezer 7 Pro Socket 775 Processor Cooler £14.86 OCZ Stealth XStream 600W PSU - SLI Ready ATX2.2 12cm Fan £55.00 PowerColor HD 4870 1GB GDDR5 Dual DVI HDTV Out PCI-E Graphics Card £107.99 Oh and the cost of several fans for the case So about £500.

07-03-2009, 01:44 PM	#16 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,399 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Help on computer build looks good .............pull the lever __________________ Even a Broken Clock is Right Twice a Day ! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

07-03-2009, 04:19 PM	#17 (permalink)
Cannibalsnail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 40 OS: Win XP My System	Re: Help on computer build wow Im truly amazed how much power this thing has for such a low price. True it has no peripherals but still.... Now can anyone reccomend somewhere to buy them cheaperthan Ebuyer?

07-03-2009, 07:43 PM	#18 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,168 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Help on computer build do a price search on google for each component __________________