I'm going to build a PC

cookie_365 · 05-10-2005, 19:39

Well, I've decided I need a new PC - well, OK then, I've decided I want a new PC

The one I've got is an Athlon XP 2800+, IDE, 512 Mb bought assembled - this time I'd like to bite the bullet and build the thing myself

I've never done this before (I've added drives to the old one, and changed the CPU fan, but never put a mobo into a case, connected up any of the lights or USB ports, never even put a PCI card or memory into the mobo) but I figure that assuming I don't burn the house down the worst that'll happen is that I'll just have to scrap it all, it's only money after all, & call Mesh!

I won't be playing games (except very occassionally and never the latest releases) - I really just want something that's a bit nippier than what I've got at the moment.

Problem is: I don't have a clue what to get!

I've got a budget of about Ã‚Â£450 to spend on the case, mobo, CPU, and graphics card; in addition I'll get a couple of 1GB corsair memory chips and something like a DiamondMax Plus10 or Seagate Barracuda 300Gb Sata drive.

Ideally I'd like to spend a bit on the case and get a cool, quiet one that already has a power supply, and I really want bits that are a doddle to set up, with no compatability issues, good quality manuals, that sort of thing.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

**Rob** · 05-10-2005, 19:50

What sort of things are you doing at the moment where you think your current PC is slow?

The CPU you have at the moment is quite adequate for web browsing, Wordprocessing and most general use. You say you don't really game much. Do you mess around with photo's and stuff?

What is it you do that makes you need more power? Without knowing that it's difficult for anyone to judge what combinations of kit might be best for your needs.

cookie_365 · 05-10-2005, 20:31

Thanks for the reply Rob

Yes, I do a bit of photoediting and some (basic) video editing for work; I also tend to work on big (200 page +) documents with images, which take their toll.

I also use the PC as a PVR which makes the graphics card work a bit - an old ATI 9800.

I can probably actually live with the speed of the current PC - the reasons I've decided to go for a new one are:

I've run out of HDD space again - that's 240Gb before backups

- and since I'm going to have to buy a big new drive I thought'd I'd bump the system up to SATA to speed copying time. At the moment it's IDE.

Because I've only got one machine at the moment I can't risk making any serious configuration changes in case it goes pear shaped - I've had the thing 2 years and haven't reinstalled XP once (in fact, I've never installed XP at all; it came preloaded). So Registry Mechanic can do what it can, but I'm sure XP is begging me for a freshen up

With a second machine I'll be able to play around and still have a working system if I meet any problems.

I also use Grabit as my binary newsreader - very buggy, leaks memory. It'd be good to be able to stick that on the old PC and carry on working on the new one however much the first slows down.

And, probably most importantly, I really just want a new computer

I know, I'm so shallow ......

. But I do actually fancy the challenge of doing it myself. I know someone once said that if you've got Ã‚Â£600 to spend on a challenge, learn how to fly a helicopter, but that just sounds way to scary to me

pedantic · 05-10-2005, 20:45

I'm thinking of taking up the challenge too, been reading info here http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/sho...php?t=17168895 seems to be a lot of info here and plenty of forums to read through for advice. My comp is feeling the strain now, so have decided to have a go at building my own as company's seem to want a small fortune these days.

Regards.

**Rob** · 05-10-2005, 20:49

The editing of big documents, especially if there is a number of images in there, is telling. If the PC keeps almost "hanging" and you see the HD going beserk, then memory will be key. Having said that my 1GB RAM on this 3500+ CPU PC is doing just fine, and I can be editing word documents that have 30 pages worth of photos attached.

I quite like the SATA RAID I have on here. Don't worry too much about backups as if one drive dies the other mirror should take care of it. On the other hand if there were a fire or flood

the 9800 is a quite respectable graphics card. It's all I have and does adequately for games. I'm surprised it's no good for your PVR use.

But yep there is no problem in you spending money, and building it yourself is straight forward, if you work out what to fit. Put simply I'd get the biggest CPU you can afford now, motherboard to suit, together with a nice case. You can compromise on the HD size and even have just enough memory for now. Those are easy enough to add more later. Don't forget the small things like a floppy drive - Windoze want to load most RAID drivers from floppy, before it will read the windoze CD for installation.

Halcyon · 05-10-2005, 20:56

Well all I can say is that you are starting out in the right way.
I once remember writing a reply here in another thread about building PC's. I too once had never been under the bonet or built my own system, but if you take your time and do things slowly and carefully, then most of the time things go fine.
And even if it does go wrong, there are some fine people here who are ready to help you out so no need to worry.

Check out this thread HERE
It contains lots of useful information on building your own system, the way in which to order your components, and other useful info.

Building a PC is really good becuase you get this great feeling that you've accomplished something at the end of it all, and you learn a great deal about computers at the same time too.
Good luck.

cookie_365 · 06-10-2005, 19:23

Thanks for all the replies

Having done a bit of looking around I'm thinking of getting something along the lines of:

Mobo: Asus A8V-E Deluxe

CPU: AMD (Venice) Athlon 64Bit 3200+ Socket 939

Case: Antec Sonata II 450W

Piccie drawing card thing: Gigabyte GeForce 6600GT 128MB PCI-E

If any of you are reading this thinking 'what, he can't possibly be thinking about that pile of junk/daft combination/etc' please let me know

Dave Stones · 06-10-2005, 19:27

i got slated for getting a pair of 6600GT's.... never understood why. think zinglebarb is jealous personally

__________________

can vouch for the antec cases though, i have an antec overture sitting downstairs, it is deathly silent. also the finish is amazingly glossy too, they even supply a little cloth to wipe off fingermarks

__________________

oh, you know your motherboard is AGP but graphics is PCIX? incompatible

Wicked_and_Crazy · 06-10-2005, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Stones

i got slated for getting a pair of 6600GT's.... never understood why. think zinglebarb is jealous personally

i assumed its because 2*6600 are about as good as 1*6800 plus the Nvidia SLI needs to have the software specifically wirtten for it doesnt it? I dont think it benefits DirectX

pedantic · 06-10-2005, 19:45

cookie

Try this board instead which DOES have pci-E and is 2 quid cheaper

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=256876

Regards.

cookie_365 · 06-10-2005, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Stones

i got slated for getting a pair of 6600GT's.... never understood why. think zinglebarb is jealous personally

__________________

can vouch for the antec cases though, i have an antec overture sitting downstairs, it is deathly silent. also the finish is amazingly glossy too, they even supply a little cloth to wipe off fingermarks

__________________

oh, you know your motherboard is AGP but graphics is PCIX? incompatible

Oops, I was thinking about this one - I had found the right one on Asus' website - Dabs are rubbish at identifying the products they sell

- thanks for the heads up though - you've saved my a bit of a blunder - I'll edit the post

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wicked_and_Crazy

i assumed its because 2*6600 are about as good as 1*6800 plus the Nvidia SLI needs to have the software specifically wirtten for it doesnt it? I dont think it benefits DirectX

I had a look at SLI but I just knew I'd never buy two video cards so didn't see the point.

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedantic

cookie

Try this board instead which DOES have pci-E and is 2 quid cheaper

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=256876

Regards.

I'll find out what the difference between SE and DELUXE is and see if it's worth the extra

I'm pretty shallow so the word 'Deluxe' is swaying it at the moment even though I haven't got a clue what's 'Deluxe' about it

pedantic · 06-10-2005, 20:36

I found a comparison here http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/computi..._278673=278673 see for yourself and take your pick

Regards.

**Rob** · 06-10-2005, 20:57

I know you are on a budget, but is that CPU really all you can afford. Yes you will see a performance boost over your current PC, but I'm not really sure it is going to seem worth the effort.

AndrewJ · 06-10-2005, 21:06

I moved from a Athlon xp 2800 to a Athlon xp 64 3000... and was one hell of a boost.

cookie_365 · 06-10-2005, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedantic

I found a comparison here http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/computi..._278673=278673 see for yourself and take your pick

Regards.

I think that's wrong.

According to the Asus website the difference seems to be that the Deluxe has everything the SE has, plus Firewire, Wifi, and a tool to play audio CDs when the computer's in standby.

I'm sticking to Deluxe at the moment

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob C

I know you are on a budget, but is that CPU really all you can afford. Yes you will see a performance boost over your current PC, but I'm not really sure it is going to seem worth the effort.

Well, the 3500+ is rated about 10% better, but costs 20% more ... I'll probably buy in about 2 weeks so if prices drop by then I'll reconsider - unless I'm having a 'shopping day' in which case I could end up with anything