Christmas build opinions please.

[piXel]

For a few months i have been trying too budget a decent computer for gaming i didnt bother choosing the Core 2 duo in this rig because it always turns out over my budget im trying too get the computer as close too £700 as possible this is what i have come up with,

M2n4-sli Socket Am2 Nvidia Nforce Sli 116486 18 in stock £49.09 £49.09
Logitech Cordless Desktop EX 110 - USB/PS2 093725 6207 in stock £14.45 £14.45

CoolerMaster Centurion 5 Silver Trim With Side Window - NO PSU 085282 97 in stock £34.03 £34.03

LITEON DVD8900/DW1670 16x DVDRW/RAM Bare Black - OEM 119566 232 in stock £15.25 £15.25


Hiper 530W Black Type-R Modular PSU - SLI Certified with Active PFC 112897 20 in stock £46.04 £46.04

OCZ (OCZ26672048ELGEGXT-K) 2Gb (2x1024MB) DDR2-667 PC2-4200 CL 4-4-4-12 ENHANCED LATENCY GOLD GX XTC DUAL CHANNEL KIT(LIFETIME WARRANTY) 105990 6 in stock £142.31 £142.31

Sapphire X1950Pro 256MB 256bit GDDR3 Dual DVI TVO PCI-E 119203 71 in stock £110.62 £110.62

Western Digital WD1600JS Caviar SE 160GB 7200RPM SATA2/300 8MB Cache - OEM 094406 686 in stock £31.51 £31.51

AMD AM2 Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 3800+ OEM 119732 7 in stock £83.46 £83.46
(click if you have changed any details) Cart Total: £526.76

Tax and shipping £632.60

I chose this monitor i havent any seen any reviews on it but it seems alright, please tell me if it seems good enough for games

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MO-006-HY

I know i have a ATI card so if you want too suggest another Mobo for around the same price i dont mind, what would over clocking the processor be like on that Mobo aswell, and what kind of speeds would i bet expecting from the processor or is that Mobo not really an over clocking board.

[newbuilder14]

There are some changed I'd make. If you can, try to stretch for an nForce 5xx chipset. You can cut down on the PSU to FSP or Antec. The only other thing I'd change is the RAM. OCZ has been having compatibility issues lately. You'd be better off with Corsair, preferably DDR2 800. Also, you have an OEM processor, you need a RETAIL processor to receive the warranty and heatsink fan.

[piXel]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 There are some changed I'd make. If you can, try to stretch for an nForce 5xx chipset. You can cut down on the PSU to FSP or Antec. The only other thing I'd change is the RAM. OCZ has been having compatibility issues lately. You'd be better off with Corsair, preferably DDR2 800. Also, you have an OEM processor, you need a RETAIL processor to receive the warranty and heatsink fan.

Alright im a bit of a dumb ass when it comes too ram i dont understand it properly, but doesent DDR 2 800 cost a fortune , i didnt realise i picked the OEM version it was like 2 in the morning when i decided too price it up so i will change that, can you suggest a PSU baring in mind it needs too be able too power a hefty CRT aswell?

[newbuilder14]

Well, here is the RAM that would give you the best performance: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-092-CS - You do not need DDR2 800 memory, but the AM2 platform really benefits from it. As for the power supply, I'd recommend this one: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-005-SK

[piXel]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Well, here is the RAM that would give you the best performance: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-092-CS - You do not need DDR2 800 memory, but the AM2 platform really benefits from it. As for the power supply, I'd recommend this one: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-005-SK

I would like too go for that but im on a very tight budget would that ram really be neccsiary, im trying too keep this build around £700 at the max , im already stretched.

[newbuilder14]

That RAM isn't necessary, but it is necessary to replace the OCZ with Corsair memory for stability and compatibility.

[flanzig1]

The size of a CRT monitor has NO affect on the power requirements of a PC PSU. The video card sends out a standard video signal at about 1volt peak.

[piXel]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 The size of a CRT monitor has NO affect on the power requirements of a PC PSU. The video card sends out a standard video signal at about 1volt peak.

Ok thanks i think i will go for this system then, im not sure what connection from the video card the too the monitor is but he graphics card im getting wil contain a cable for it am i correct, i dont know why but i keep worrying about the crt monitor monitor and games can anyone reasure me it will be fine?

What about this ram iis it any good because it is £25 cheaper then Corsair and looks pretty much the same or should i just go with corsair? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-034-GL

[newbuilder14]

No guarantees that that RAM will work. People have had luck with the Corsair memory. You have to ask yourself if it is worth the time you'd spend trying to get it to work and possibly eventually returning it.

[piXel]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 No guarantees that that RAM will work. People have had luck with the Corsair memory. You have to ask yourself if it is worth the time you'd spend trying to get it to work and possibly eventually returning it.

I think for the price i will risk it, im going too have a look for HCL list for the ram if i can find one.

[newbuilder14]

Go with the Asus M2N-E motherboard, and here is the QVL list for the memory:

http://www.asus.com/999/download/pro...81/1181_10.zip

[piXel]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Go with the Asus M2N-E motherboard, and here is the QVL list for the memory: http://www.asus.com/999/download/pro...81/1181_10.zip

Alright you meen this Mobo http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...uct_uid=112086 ?

There is also mention of geil ram on any of them lists.

[flanzig1]

The video card is dual DVI and CRT monitors use HD-15 VGA connections. But the card probably comes with a DVI to VGA adapter.
Most gamers are changing over to LCD monitors since to image quality and bigger sizes are available. 19" would be the smallest I would go. Quaility LCDs will be in the 130 to 160 quid range.

[piXel]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 The video card is dual DVI and CRT monitors use HD-15 VGA connections. But the card probably comes with a DVI to VGA adapter. Most gamers are changing over to LCD monitors since to image quality and bigger sizes are available. 19" would be the smallest I would go. Quaility LCDs will be in the 130 to 160 quid range.

It's mixed opinions really, some people say CRT are the best others say LCD's are and seen as though im on a budget i will just change later on when i actualy have a job but for the meen time a CRT should be fine i suppose, anyway thanks for the reply, i think i will chance the Geil ram it seems alright price wise.

[Alaron]

If you have a CRT already, by all means use it to stay in budget. But right now there is no reason not to buy an LCD when you're looking for new monitors. All of the old issues that CRT fanboys bring up, such as ghosting, have been resolved.

[Mr.Ferrari]

This is seriously worth the extra 10 quid.
2gb Corsair VS DDR667

[piXel]

Originally Posted by Mr.Ferrari This is seriously worth the extra 10 quid. 2gb Corsair VS DDR667

What is the difference between that ram and XMS2?

[moodyblues100]

When I am trying to decide on the correct ram for a particular board, I go to the Ram manufacturers site and look for their recomendations for compatibility. I have used Crucial as well as Kingston and never had an issue with incompatibility.

[newbuilder14]

Originally Posted by piXel What is the difference between that ram and XMS2?

Mr. Ferrari was trying to suggest that over the GeiL memory. I also recommend Corsair over anything else for AM2.

[piXel]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Mr. Ferrari was trying to suggest that over the GeiL memory. I also recommend Corsair over anything else for AM2.

Yeah i will get that ram then, i was wondering if there are any good sites for mother board reviews?

[piXel]

Say if i got this Mobo http://store.pagecomputers.com/store...#tab_technical and the corsair value ram suggested and a 3800 X2 AM2 socket how much would i be able too overclock the CPU too?

[newbuilder14]

If your goal is overclocking, you should get Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 memory, HOWEVER, you should be able to overclock a fair amount with the value memory. I do not know how to overclock AMD processors, but the default FSB for an AMD processor is 200, and that memory can handle up to 333 guaranteed, then probably higher.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

[piXel]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 If your goal is overclocking, you should get Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 memory, HOWEVER, you should be able to overclock a fair amount with the value memory. I do not know how to overclock AMD processors, but the default FSB for an AMD processor is 200, and that memory can handle up to 333 guaranteed, then probably higher. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

It isnt my goal, my goal is too play games better then this crap laptop with a Athlon 3200 processor, 1 gig of ram and a Ati X200 , i just want some thing that will play games fine the overclocking is just too get that little bit more out of the processor i dont intend too over clock it a GHZ or anything .

[flanzig1]

Should see a huge differance in gaming between your build and that laptop.
As for OCing, you can do some mild OCing, as you get more aggressive the ram, PSU,HSU,case cooling all start to limit the system in terms of stability.

[piXel]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 Should see a huge differance in gaming between your build and that laptop. As for OCing, you can do some mild OCing, as you get more aggressive the ram, PSU,HSU,case cooling all start to limit the system in terms of stability.

Thanks thats all i needed too know .

[piXel]

Well my dad is going too order the parts tommorow morning so thanks for the help everyone, you were alot better help then tomshardware forums.