Ben_Copeland
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| posted on 25/6/05 at 09:09 PM |
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HomeBuilt PC Component Advice
Help needed please.
Been thinking about buying a new computer and I was wondering what bits are recommended. Been out the loop for a while, so not sure what bits are
best.
Want to spend no more than about £400. I've got CD drives, keyboard, mouse, etc... Just looking at Motherboard, Processor, Memory, HDD, maybe
new graf card, not bothered about soundcard really. New case and powerpack is probably needed too.
Whats people opinions ?? I'm looking at ebuyers prices and they seem to be pretty good.
Thanks
Ben
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phelpsa
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| posted on 25/6/05 at 09:49 PM |
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Why build when you can buy?
http://www.nsysonline.co.uk/Shop/Builder_Systems.asp?BC=254
Adam
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pbura
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| posted on 25/6/05 at 10:06 PM |
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I got fired up by the other thread, am now buying parts to build a new computer 
I read a couple of articles about CPUs and decided on the Athlon 64 chip. Supposed to run much cooler than a Pentium 4 with equivalent performance.
On eBay, there seems to be a good price break on the 3200+ model. Just got one for $117 on eBay while writing this post
Bought a motherboard for it last night, a MSI K8T Neo-FIS2R VIA K8T800 socket 754 board, BTW, for $71. Reviews were pretty good for this processor,
board combination.
Next is memory and a case and that will do it. Going to use old disk drives and peripherals. Weirdly enough, memory is cheaper elsewhere than eBay.
Going to try ECC type this time to see if it adds stability.
Have fun!
Pete
Pete
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EddThompson
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| posted on 25/6/05 at 10:10 PM |
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hi, no real advice on components, but have a look on :
www.scan.co.uk
www.microdirect.co.uk
ive use both a lot, good prices etc.
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EddThompson
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| posted on 25/6/05 at 10:11 PM |
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oh and www.europc.co.uk have a lot of pre built jobbies cheap, spent thousands with them, great service.
edd
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DorsetStrider
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| posted on 25/6/05 at 10:36 PM |
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Having built a couple of puters my advice is this...
try to keep things balanced.... there's no point splashing out on a top processor if you then can't afford much in the way of memory.
check out reviews on products before you buy. And when it comes to case and fan make sure you get a CSU that's at least one step up from the one
you need as a minimum
Who the f**K tightened this up!
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flak monkey
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| posted on 25/6/05 at 10:41 PM |
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We get all our bits from eclipsecomputers.com. Based in coventry so handy for me at uni.
As for bits i have built several computers on the following brands:
MB - Gigabyte
CPU - AMD
RAM - Crucial or generic
HDD - IBM or Maxtor
GPU - NVidea (killed a few ATI cards, but the GF have stood up)
All recommended as good quality, not had any prbs wit any of the parts I have bought in the past few years.
David
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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pbura
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| posted on 25/6/05 at 10:47 PM |
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A couple more suggestions:
-- My understanding is that for Windows XP, 1G of memory is optimal. I don't believe in skimping on memory but to look at brands recommended by
the motherboard manufacturer. The memory supplier, in turn, can usually tell you which item numbers go with your motherboard. FYI, I found 1G of
Kingston DDR400 memory for $107 without shopping too hard.
-- With the newer chips, a 450 watt power supply is the norm. Good article about cases here:
http://www17.tomshardware.com/howto/20040122/index.html
BTW, my goal is a decent general purpose machine that will hold up for five years, not gaming or doing fancy multimedia stuff. So, I'm aiming
below the top rung, but buying decent stuff, I think. The cutting edge will make you bleed 
Pete
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Ben Graber
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| posted on 26/6/05 at 06:27 AM |
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Hi, i recently bulit my pc for undr £400, i chose the Amd64 cpu (only a 3200 but still fast!) i chose the best motherboard going by reveiws and spec
at the time was a Asus K8V-SEDeluxe, a matched pair of Crucial 512 PC3200 memory, a middle of the road graphics card (about £50 for a saphire
256mb)and a case with side window and lots of uv lights and a 600w psu. I used my old hard drive and it works a treat! Would definately do it again,
may not be any cheaper but its built how i wanted and you get the satisfaction of knowing you built it
 
Rescued attachment 1.jpg
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Richard Y
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| posted on 26/6/05 at 07:56 AM |
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remember the rules it dont need to be alot as long as its fast
also you dont nessasaraly need the best all the time 
kind of a contrdiction but things like cpu and motherbaord you can skimp on 3200 64 is the norm now with a resonably priced mobo, i recomend fast ram
rather than lots of slow ram you will notice the difference in windows access as well as amount of returns hard drive sata is great if your mobo
supports it but you cant argue at 68 quid for a 200 gb ide drive!!! bargin i brought my 5th one the other week, nobody buys cd drives now one dvd
burner does the lot for 30 quid and graphics cards dont go silly 100 pounds is plenty and either ati or nvidia both are good but persnoally i prefer
ATI less problems ! more drivers!
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Ben_Copeland
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| posted on 26/6/05 at 08:05 AM |
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Thanks people, I tend to get a bit carried away when selecting hardware
Nice computer Ben, might look into components (or similar) you used.
Didn't realise the power packs had got so powerful now and needing it. Will make sure i look at getting the right one.
There is so much choise on ebuyer now it's rediculous!!!
Thanks to everyone for your advise, keep it coming
Ben
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Ben Graber
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| posted on 26/6/05 at 08:15 AM |
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All of my stuff came from ebuyer, customer service is crap if youve got a problem (about two weeks to reply to e-mail and no phone number) but
i've only had one problem with them and have placed loads of orders. It's worth paying the extra for a big psu, especially if your
planning on running lot's of cathodes, lazers ect
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Ben_Copeland
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| posted on 26/6/05 at 08:27 AM |
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Wasn;t really planning on lots of bright lights and stuff. Cos it'll drive me mad if i leave computer on over night. Dunno, we'll see how
carried away i get
Ben
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ReMan
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| posted on 26/6/05 at 10:15 AM |
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Build it...
Use the bits you've got if you must, but you may find they lag behind your new bits?
You gave no clues as what you want to use it for, may make a big difference to the spec. ie if you're into gaming you want a hot graphics card,
but can save money by choosing a MB with onboard sound, would be a whole different spec if your an audiophile and going to want to use it as a home
recording studio.
If your just surfing and word processing, save your money and spend it on your car!
Another plug for a local(to me) company would be http://www.komputerkrazy.co.uk/ competitive and had good service from them.
Regs
www.plusnine.co.uk
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Ben_Copeland
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| posted on 26/6/05 at 03:50 PM |
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Not big on games on the computer, would like good graphics and plenty of RAM for other programs.
Just want a computer that'll do things quickly lol more USB slots would be nice too.
I've got a list of harware i'm working on, so i'll post it later see what people think
Ben
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Ben_Copeland
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| posted on 26/6/05 at 08:56 PM |
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Ok, so i've come up with a list of hardware.
CPU
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Skt 754
MOBO
Gigabyte GA-k8VNXP Skt 754 VIAK8T800
RAM
2 x Crucial CT6464Z40B 512MB DDR 400MHZ
HDD
Maxtor Diamondmax 120Gb 7200rpm ATA133 8mb
GRAPHIX
GigaByte GeForce FX5500 128M AGP
CASE
I-Cute ATX Gaming Case 400W PSU
Anyone see any problems with that lot??
Ben
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EddThompson
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| posted on 26/6/05 at 11:28 PM |
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id realy go for a 939 socket amd, with the venice core chip, even the 3000 would be fine (nearly as fast as the older core 3200 anyway)
and pci-e graphics card.
that should give you a more future proof machine.
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Andrew+dad
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| posted on 26/6/05 at 11:33 PM |
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if ure building urself dont forget what alot of ppl do the importance of a QUIET power supply and some nice colling fans .. and if ure computer is in
the same room u sleep in and left on over night a soundproofign kit might be a good idea not to expensive from
www.aria.co.uk
good site fairly cheap parts fast delivery
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EddThompson
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| posted on 26/6/05 at 11:34 PM |
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oh and a sata hard drive rather than ata.
if you realy want to stick with the 754 route, ive got an agp geforce fx5900 you could have for about 20 quid, (just got a 6800gt)
edd
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pbura
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| posted on 27/6/05 at 02:04 AM |
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You might want to get a heavier-duty power supply.
I screwed up myself. Bought a 450W case, but it has only 18 amps in 12V output. Have read numerous places now that the AMD 64 should have at least
30 amps in +12V supply.
Allegedly, my processor and two HDs will eat up all my 12V capacity, with nothing left over for memory, CD/DVD, floppy drive, etc. 
So, I'm looking at different power supplies now 
Pete
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Ben_Copeland
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| posted on 27/6/05 at 07:19 PM |
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Edd,
A computer forum i asked on said the same thing skt 939 is best, so changing to that.
They suggested:
AMD Athlon 64 Venice 3000+ SKT939
EPOX EP_9NPA+ ULTRA
PQI Turbo DDR400 1GB (Dual Channel 2x512Mb) (Cant find that tho)
GeForce 6600 256Mb PCIe 16x
Maxtor Diamond MAX Plus 9 SATA 120Gb
(Might go for Plus 10 SATA 160Gb)
What you recon ???
I thought I might stick with Crucial RAM ...!!!???? dunno
pbura, I'll have a look for more power, get a bit expensive tho
Ben
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EddThompson
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| posted on 27/6/05 at 08:00 PM |
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that looks good, i dont know the motherboard, but they a much of a muchness.
the 6600 is a great gfx card buy at the moment.
yeah id go for the plus 10, but for the price of a 160 (55 quid) id got for the 200 (65 quid)
crucial is good ram, as is kingston, and corsair. any will work just fine.
edd
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EddThompson
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| posted on 27/6/05 at 08:02 PM |
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oh and as for powersupplies, mine is a 400 odd watt hiper jobbie, was same as the cheaper coolermasters i think, was 20 quid, runs my 3400+ amd 64,
geforce 6800gt, 2 hds, a dvd burner, a host of usb devices and ive never once had a hickup, since september i think ive only had one blue screen of
death. (which was my fault)
edd
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Ben_Copeland
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| posted on 27/6/05 at 08:03 PM |
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Edd where do you buy bits from ? or where would you ?
Ben
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EddThompson
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| posted on 27/6/05 at 08:06 PM |
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http://www.microdirect.co.uk
thats where ive ordered my last 3 pcs from, i tend to buy everything in one go to save on postage, and hassles if something should go wrong.
http://www.scan.co.uk
is also apperently good, similar prices to micro direct, i used to live very close to md, so i started using them, then moved away and carried on with
web orders, not to sure why, no good stores round here
edd
[Edited on 27/6/05 by EddThompson]
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