Need help choosing a computer

Ashok_2

Cerro wrote: »

I would say this one because I don't touch ebuyer... but i suppose the first link (super-overclocked) would be the same one at much the same price.

Here's that tiered listing of PSUs (just for info, but it gives you an idea). They do some pretty extensive testing on PSUs there, so they know what they are talking about.

The MB is debateable, I don't like non-intel boards (from experience) and if you check Tom's hardware you'll find the P965 boards are secondly only to the P35 (in general - there are exceptions of course) both of which are intel chipsets.

I dunno about Inno3D, they tend to be one of the cheaper brands and less well known. EVGA and XFX would be my choices, failing that Gainward (at least they are cheap). I'd avoid brands like Club3D, super cheap and super nasty.

You know, I didn't actually list any problems - so what problems are you talking about? I just nit-picked in my last post.

Problems like with your motherboard, with internet cutting off etc..

Cerro

Ashok wrote: »

Problems like with your motherboard, with internet cutting off etc..

Avoid a non-intel board then

GoofyGAT

Something to keep in mind if building yourself.

I've been reading a few articles about the E6750 & apparently it won't work with the older motherboards unless they support the newer 1333Mhz FSB - e.g., a Gigabyte Rev 3.3 P965 series mb (I mentioned one model earlier), certain 650i (including the XFX nForce 650i Ultra MCP in your quoted spec) & all 680i & P35 chipset mbs will be OK. Confirm this before purchasing though. G

Ashok_2

Okay, with prices down, I was trying to decide whether to stick to Q6600 or E6600 (or E6750).. It depended on whether I'd notice a performance improvement, someone else told me that I wouldn't notice any performance improvement on Q6600 unless I was using video editing programs etc..

Is that true? If so, there would be no point in me spending extra on a Quad Core PC.

BTW, my Alienware is currently at £970 on eBay, doubt it will go any higher, but I'll put in another £130 or so to still keep budget at £1100.

I've choose Dell 2007WFP for monitor though, so maximum budget on the components etc.. is about £800, which should be okay I think.

GoofyGAT

I think you can safely leave the E6660 out as it's still more expensive than the E6750, and the latter is the better performer - slightly better than the older E6700 even that costs £65 more! As you're going for quite an expensive monitor, the E6750 may be your only option?

It's probably true about the Q6600 performing better in certain/specific tasks, but it's the better processor overall & being quad core is more 'future proof' (if the term holds any water in the IT industry nowadays!). For me the more important question is: will it fit in your budget or not?

How much are you getting the 20" Dell 2007WFP for? There's the superior Dell E228WFP 22" for ~£230 (see post #3) that may be similar in price.

Btw, the Antec P180 cases on Amazon (eBuyer - black only) are now down to just £60 delivered! I'm very tempted indeed!

I'm glad your laptop is doing well - hope it does even better & you're actually paid this time. G

Ashok_2

Thing is with the monitors, I've been mainly looking through specs, and the Dells response time and ratio are incredibly slow compared to a lot of other models, but still have better reviews, so I guess they are superior..

I've looked through a lot of reviews, and the Samsung SM206BW looks good, but most people get a panel made by another company, which are apparantly not as good as the Samsung made ones..

So the company I would stick with is Dell... They have another 20" one too, but this is apparantly the best 20" around, so may stick with this, if it fits in budget.

The main thing is, to see if it fits in with budget, but may be a week before I know, when I get money for laptop and raise some more, if I can fit the better model in I will!

GoofyGAT

So the company I would stick with is Dell... They have another 20" one too, but this is apparantly the best 20" around, so may stick with this, if it fits in budget. - Fair enough if that's your preference, but how much will you be paying for it?

The main thing is, to see if it fits in with budget, but may be a week before I know, when I get money for laptop and raise some more, if I can fit the better model in I will! - I like your logic - we're getting somewhere now! G

Cerro

Dell monitors tend to be a little slower but they also have a more accurate quoted response time. However, I find them too expensive and the lower contrast ratios don't appeal to me.

You want a monitor with a good contrast ratio 700:1 or greater (1000:1 would be nice) - the average LCD is 500:1. 12ms response time or less. Widescreen (since your watching movies), at least 20" and have a DVI connector. Since you are also watching films you want a decent viewing angle on it, 145 degrees or better... at a price of no more than £200? That is quite possible and you should have a fair few options, though checking the viewing angle isn't easy since not all sites give that information.

I wouldn't personally go Quad core, since new quad cores that come in the next generation of cpus will be far better, best to save your money and get a dual core for now. If you are not keen on a E6750 (due to the slightly restricted motherboard list) then you can try an E4400 since processor power is not a priority in your case.

Ashok_2

Well I have a fair few options for monitor, but I do want something that looks nice, and the Dells do look nice! And something black definitely.

By the way most of the movies I watch are downloaded DVDrips.. So I don't know if that makes a difference in choosing monitor.

Ashok_2

Hey guys.. Was a bit bored so went on eBuyer, and added the system parts together.. I'd lost my up-to-date specs, but I'm pretty sure this is near enough.

This may well be the final spec, so just final thoughts please? I know I don't actually have the cash yet, but if this really is the final spec I want, then going to start getting more quotes so I can order as soon as I get money on Saturday.

Things I just needed second opinion on:

• Motherboard, is it okay?
• RAM.. I originally went for OCZ Gold edition, but was told performance wise this would be just as good.. Is this good enough, or is it worth paying more?
• GPU.. probably pay another £10 and get superclocked.. Not sure if it will make much of a difference, but hopefully worth it.
• PSU, I was going to go for 750W, but was again told (by a PC builder) that it would be overkill, and even 400W is more than enough? IS that true? I did want it as silent as possible.

That's it, sorry I don't want to go around in circles and start all over again, but it is pretty final just wanted quick second opinions on above..

Here it is:

Asus P5K Deluxe/WiFi-AP, iP35, S 775, PCI-E (x16), DDR2 1066/667/800, SATA II, SATA RAID, ATX
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750, S775, 2.66 GHz, 1333MHz FSB, Conroe Core, 4MB Cache, Retail
Ebuyer 1GB DDR2 800MHz PC2-6400 240pin Extra Value Ram x 2
Seagate ST3500630AS 500GB Hard Drive SATAII 16MB Cache 7200RPM - OEM
Innovision 3D 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 DVI PCI-E Graphics Card
2xLiteOn LH-20A1H 20x DVD±RW-RAM DL Lightscribe IDE Int Black - Bare Drive
Coolermaster eXtreme Power 500W PSU - ATX 12V V2.01 120mm Fan 20+4pin
Antec P180 Black SPCR Advanced Super Mid Tower - No PSU
Samsung SM206BW 20" TFT Monitor Widescreen 1600x1050 3000:1 300cd/m2 2ms RGB/DVI 3 Years Warranty
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium x32Bit OEM 1PK DVD

TOTAL (ebuyer): £944.03+ delivery + building cost