Need advice on PC specs

craig86

Hi, I'm thinking about buying this PC here: http://www.cclonline.com/product-configure.asp?item=CCL-AMD-HIGH

The specs are:

• AMD Phenom II X4 945 Quad Core CPU
• 4GB CCL Choice 800MHz DDR2 Dual Channel Memory Kit
• Asus M2N68-AM SE2 Socket AM2+ Motherboard
• 1TB Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 3.5" Hard Disk Drive
• CCL Choice Radeon HD 5770 1GB
• LG GH22NS50 22x DVDRW
• Xigmatek Asgard ATX Mid Tower Case
• 460W CoolerMaster eXtreme Power Plus Power Supply - OEM
• 1 Year Return to Base Warranty
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM

(Note: I have upgraded the graphics card from the default Radeon HD 5670)

My question is will these components be compatible? Would it be better to customise any of the other components?

Thanks

bengalknights

i would swap the motherboard for something AM3 as AM2+ is quite old and also swap the processor for 955 which is more overclockable unless you can budget the 965 in and maybe opt for the sapphire 5670 unless you game alot.

Spank

That memory is quite slow by today’s standards (I have that speed & it knocked my Vista windows experience down to 5.3 (everything else is 5.9). What are you planning on using the computer?

craig86

bengalknights wrote: »

i would swap the motherboard for something AM3 as AM2+ is quite old and also swap the processor for 955 which is more overclockable unless you can budget the 965 in and maybe opt for the sapphire 5670 unless you game alot.

Thanks. Can you explain what AM3 is? As far as the CPU goes, I don't think I would be brave enough to try overclocking so that isn't something I was worried about.

I thought that the 5770 might be worth paying extra for. I do play PC games (though not a lot) and I want something that won't go out of date for a few years.

craig86

Spank wrote: »

That memory is quite slow by today’s standards (I have that speed & it knocked my Vista windows experience down to 5.3 (everything else is 5.9). What are you planning on using the computer?

It will be for general use and some gaming. What memory speed should I aim for?

Spank

Simple answer is the most you can afford (& the fastest you motherboard will support).

The fastest you MoBO will support is DDR2 1066 (about £110 for 4GB)

If you want to go faster you need a MoBo that will support DD3 (which goes up to DDR3-PC3-16000), but costs well over £300 for 6GB (& the MoBo will be on the pricy side)

craig86

Spank wrote: »

Simple answer is the most you can afford (& the fastest you motherboard will support).

The fastest you MoBO will support is DDR2 1066 (about £110 for 4GB)

If you want to go faster you need a MoBo that will support DD3 (which goes up to DDR3-PC3-16000), but costs well over £300 for 6GB (& the MoBo will be on the pricy side)

That's probably out of my price range. The specs listed above come to about £600 and I'm not looking to spend any more than that really. Can you explain what DDR2 and DDR3 are please?

Spank

DDR stands for Double Data Rate. DDR3 can transfer at twice the data rate of DDR2.
Although as I said my memory is the slowest part of my system, I am still able to play the latest games @ reasonable FPS so if you can afford get 1066MHz, but 800 should be fine on your system.

craig86

Spank wrote: »

DDR stands for Double Data Rate. DDR3 can transfer at twice the data rate of DDR2.
Although as I said my memory is the slowest part of my system, I am still able to play the latest games @ reasonable FPS so if you can afford get 1066MHz, but 800 should be fine on your system.

Ok thanks. On the link I posted there is only the option for 800MHz 4GB memory. Do you have any links to something in my price range that might be a bit better?

Spank

This from scan.co.uk
should be fine for you.

craig86

Spank wrote: »

This from scan.co.uk
should be fine for you.

Thanks but I don't really want to have to build the PC myself. Are there any other custom build sites that you'd recommend?