Please help me spec my PC!

spakkker

The amd cpu scores 2723 on this chart - http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php
That is what the cpu can "do" when fully loaded on all 3 cores -however just having lots of tabs open isn't going to stress the cpu -in which case you have a cpu capable of scoring maybe 900 per core, which is a little better than a celeron e3400- @35quid- not bad little cpu's at all.
My brother just built an amd x3 system and doesn't seem impressed at all.
A lot depends on what you are used to.
Software running unnecessarily can bog down any system.
Maybe in 2/3/4 years a quad core may be needed but at the moment the fact that amd hex core shut down half their cores when un-needed speaks volumes.

edit -after your current pc this would impress -seriously.
Forgot link . . . http://www.ebuyer.com/product/253549

irisandalex

Do I need any cooling fans? Presumably the CPU comes with a heat sync and I shouldn't need one for the case?

custardy

irisandalex wrote: »

Do I need any cooling fans? Presumably the CPU comes with a heat sync and I shouldn't need one for the case?

a retail CPU will include a heatsink and fan
I would always fit a case fan (at least one) to expel warm air from the case
you have various options and can use two fans in a push/pull or whatever

the case I ordered has 4 fans
2 in the front,1 in the rear and a large fan in the top
plus im fitting a large cooler to the CPU
however I want to be able to overclock the system and keep it running cool

irisandalex

I think I'm ready to order! Any final comments?

AMD Athlon II X3 450 3.2GHz Socket AM3 95w 1.5MB L2 Cache Retail Boxed Processor 238326 33 in stock £58.84 £58.84

MSI 880GM-E41 880G Socket AM3 onboard graphics 8 channel HD audio mATX Motherboard 244433 49 in stock £50.52 £50.52

Extra Value 4GB DDR3 1333MHz Memory Module 232760 80 in stock £29.99 £29.99

Casecom KB-7760 Black ATX Midi Tower Case - No PSU, No Case Fans Included 108280 296 in stock £10.89 £10.89
Compucase Green Earth 350W 80plus Certified PSU - 20+4pin 2x SATA 1x PCI-E 151783 2 in stock £30.87 £30.87

Tenda Wireless-N150 USB Adapter 149672 250 in stock £8.99 £8.99

80mm Black Case Fan - 3pin Connector - Screws Included 023880 1927 in stock £0.99 £0.99

Plexus DVI-D Dual Link Flat Panel Replacement Cable (Black) 2m 130568 714 in stock £4.06 £4.06

Kingston 64GB SSDNow V100 2.5" SATAII Read=250MB/sec, Write=145MB/sec - Desktop Bundle 246993 > 10 in stock £81.74 £81.74

Cart total inc vat: £276.89

Toxteth_OGrady

I would go with this RAM for £36 link. For the sake of £6 more Mushkin is superb RAM and it has a lifetime warranty (plus heatspreaders).

As I said early you are not really going to get the full performance benefits of a solid state drive in such a low end system. Save 40 quid and get a Samsung F3 1TB, it's one of the best HDD you can get. link

spakkker

+1 for the above F3 hdd.

Percy1983

Is there a reason you want a USB wireless device, I would go for a PCI card unless you want it on USB to move it to other machines?

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/155641

At first when I saw the ram price I thought no, but looking at the reviews its micron stuff, so I would stick with it.

I would swap the fan for one of these: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/138590 yes they cost a bit more but I have used them in a few systems and they are spot on.

I think one exhaust fan should be enough for this system, there no graphics card cooking it up and the processor isn't overclocked.

I would agree with the above and get the F3 hdd, you are paying a premium for a hard drive you won't really see the benefit off, by all means its still in the expensive early adopter phase.

I think we have cracked it.

irisandalex

I was under the impression that the Ssd (which is big enough to be my sole internal drive) would clearly pay off in speed improvements. Why would you all argue otherwise?

Percy1983

To be honest there will be a slight improvement with SSD, but to say the rest of your system is reasonably budget an SSD is still a rather high end part.

I think the bigger thing is the same ssd will be half the price in 1 year, as I say its still young technology and the price you pay to the benefit is out of proportion.

By all means its not a bad thing to do but you would get more performance buying cheaper hard drive and chucking the money at a quad core.

Have you looked up hybrid drives: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/222312

Lookup a few reviews, not as good as some of the full on ssd's but a good middle ground.

irisandalex

Percy1983 wrote: »

An SSD is still a rather high enBy all means its not a bad thing to do but you would get more performance buying cheaper hard drive and chucking the money at a quad core.

Have you looked up hybrid drives: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/222312

Lookup a few reviews, not as good as some of the full on ssd's but a good middle ground.

I did look at the hybrids, but as I can work within the SSD capacity I figure it's a faster option for the same money.

Interesting you think I'd get more performance chucking that extra money at a quad core, I was thinking faster disk access all the time would make more difference than occasional fourth core usage.

Plus I'm hoping I can unlock the fourth core on my chip.....