Self assemble PC. Any suggestions/recommendations?

Dopey

Folks,

I am buying a new PC (budget 1100 Euro). I put together the following components from Komplett. This is my first self assemble PC. I'm a newbie. Any suggestions?

* 305075 Antec SLK1650B Miditower, Black w/350W PSU (79 Euro)
* 302986 Crucial DDR2 PC3200 512MB CL3 Unbuffered,1.8V,64Meg x 64, 240pin (104.02 Euro)
* 313500 LG DVD±RW burner, GSA-4167RBB, 16x, Dual, Black OEM (49.50 Euro)
* 304827 Logitech Cordless Desktop LX300, USB/PS2 (49.01 Euro)
* 306235 Samsung 19" LCD Syncmaster 913N TCO03 Monitor, Silver, 8ms (309 Euro)
* 316693 Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 250GB SATA2 8MB 7200RPM (102 Euro)
* 314944 Upgrade Kit AMD Athlon 64 3000+, nForce4, 1024MB, PCI-Express (294.01 Euro)
* 308132 XFX GeForce 6200 TurboCache, PCI-Express,supports 256MB, Tv-Out/DVI (56 Euro)

It comes in at 1042.54 Euro + delivery

Cheers,

Dopey

Zynks

I would go for more memory. Other than that it looks good. You will be getting good value for your yo-yos.

Jimmy365

Get DDR 3200 not DDR 2!! Lot's of people make this mistake

What the system to be used for?

If it's a gaming rig, get a better graphics card

Dopey

Thanks Jimmy. What graphics card would you recommend for gaming?

Zynks, Isn't 2 GB is the most that windows XP can utilise?

Jimmy365

1 Gb of Ram is plenty. Don't bother with extra if your on a budget.

If you cannot go above €200 then a €167 6800XT or a €145 X1600 Pro are about the best to get.

Cheers

Jim:)

L31mr0d

Eh... do you really need the extra gig of ram? ( and yeah DONT get DDR2!!!) You are getting 1 gig or DDR RAM with the upgrade kit which is more than enough for this system as it is. Use the money from the extra RAM and but it into a better GFX card.

Also the HDD could be better, it only has 8MB of cache. For the same price on Komplett you could get the WD 16MB cache which IMO is a superior HDD.

*309535 Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB SATA2 16MB 7200RPM €102

So for the GFX card, i'd go for this one:

*318805Club3D GeForce 7600GT 256MB, GDDR3, PCI-Express, DVI/Tv-Out, Retail €204

That takes in the €50+ you had left over, the €50+ for your original GFX card and the €100+ for the extra RAM, I am only choosing the nvidia card because you are buying an nforce4 chipset, the ATI cards for the same price would probably be better.

Also, IMO, you are getting a complete system there right. So if you can wait, Komplett will probably have computers parts on special offer in the next few weeks that will help you get a better deal. Set up your Komplett account to email you each week with their special offers. It saved me €40 when I bought 2 of those WD SATA2 HDDs I quoted you. You might be able to get the same system for cheaper, or a better system for the same price.

Dopey

Thanks for the posts folks.

I've switched the RAM and hard drive. I do need the 2 GB of RAM for the apps I'll be running.

* 305075 Antec SLK1650B Miditower, Black w/350W PSU (79 Euro)
* 318805 Club3D GeForce 7600GT 256MB, GDDR3, PCI-Express, DVI/Tv-Out, Retail (204.01 Euro)
* 118737 Corsair Value S. PC3200 DDR-DIMM 1024MB Kit w/two matched Value Select 512MB (91 Euro)
* 313500 LG DVD±RW burner, GSA-4167RBB, 16x, Dual, Black OEM (49.50 Euro)
* 304827 Logitech Cordless Desktop LX300, USB/PS2 (49.01)
* 306235 Samsung 19" LCD Syncmaster 913N TCO03 Monitor, Silver, 8ms (309.00)
* 314944 Upgrade Kit AMD Athlon 64 3000+, nForce4, 1024MB, PCI-Express (294.01 Euro)
* 309535 Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB SATA2 16MB 7200RPM (102 Euro)

Total: 1177.53

The graphics card is pretty expensive. Is it necessary to have something this good?

Thanks again,

Dopey

Fanny Cradock

nice graphics card that will certianly do you for the medium term. though i think that if you are getting that, you probably want to get a better processor.

alternatively you could try:


http://komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=307202 - 3200+ processor

or better still

http://komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=307203
- 3500+ processor

Civilian_Target

I agree, you don't need the 1GB of RAM, it's way overkill for a 3000+ processor. Spend the extra on a faster processor, your processor and graphics card are a little out of whack, I'd be inclined to shave a few extra euros to see if I could get a 3500+ instead.

L31mr0d

Seriously, what apps do you use that need over 1 gig of RAM, its nice to have for bragging rights, but you won't see much performance gain having 2 gigs instead of 1 gig, if its something like AutoCAD or Photoshop, a better graphics card would be better.

Like was said you need to make sure you have no bottlenecks in your system. Right now, with 2 gigs of RAM, your CPU and the graphics card are your bottlenecks. You need to improve both of these really. Drop the RAM, seriously, the mobo you have has the ability for dual channel RAM anyway, so the performance gain from that will make up for only (I can't believe i'm going to say ONLY) having 1 gig of RAM. Try this kit.

Upgrade Kit AMD Athlon 64 3200+, nForce4, 1024MB, PCI-Express €325

and if you drop the present graphics card, you can get this one and still be in budget.

XFX GeForce 7600GS 256MB DDRII eXtreme, PCI-Express, 2xDVI/HDTV, 500/900Mhz

If its not for games mainly, then that graphics card is your best bet, and silent.

Also, for your own sake, check out some reviews on that PSU, 350w is pretty low for a PCI-E system. Before deciding on a graphics card for sure, root around some reviews and see what the recommended PSU wattage is for it.
What exactly will this system be used for?

Mutant_Fruit

Bigger PSU is a definate. If you spend the money on a good PSU now, it will last you several upgrades. If you stick with that PSU now, you'll be buying a new one with your next upgrade.

Gurgle

Civilian_Target wrote:

I agree, you don't need the 1GB of RAM, it's way overkill for a 3000+ processor.

bull tbh.

I upgraded my XP2400+ from 512M to 1G RAM and saw an immediete difference.

As for spending €200 on a graphics card, my Radeon 9250 (€44 on Komplett) plays WoW, HL2 and CS very nicely thx very much.

The 1G RAM is worth more to you than either processor or GFX.

Also, a 350W PSU really doesn't cut the mustard anymore.

Dopey

Thanks for all the responses folks. I need 2GB of RAM as I'll be running a few heavyweight Java processes and an Oracle database.

I'll see what I can stretch to with the video card.

I plan to overclock the AMD processor. A friend managed to get good results with the same processor and CPU.

I'll upgrade to a dual core when they get cheaper.

Mutant_Fruit

Gurgle wrote:

As for spending €200 on a graphics card, my Radeon 9250 (€44 on Komplett) plays WoW, HL2 and CS very nicely thx very much

My 9800Pro plays WoW with a bit of difficulty at medium quality settings. I assume you're on low details and low resolution and most especially a low visibility range.

You don't need 2gb of ram yet, but i think it'd definately be beneficial. Most definately. With games like Oblivion coming out, ram requirements are going up. Might as well future proof if you can afford it.

I remember conversations along the lines of "why would you want 1 gig of ram, its only for bragging rights, you won't notice the difference in anything" not too long ago :P

Khannie

Dopey wrote:

I'll upgrade to a dual core when they get cheaper.

They already represent excellent value for money.

Gurgle

Mutant_Fruit wrote:

My 9800Pro plays WoW with a bit of difficulty at medium quality settings. I assume you're on low details and low resolution and most especially a low visibility range.

Nope, everything is on either medium or high.
Whats the specs on the 9800 Pro?

The 9250 is 128MB / 128 bit I/F.
When I turn everything up to the last, it still runs but gets a bit jumpy.

L31mr0d

My "old" system has 1gig of RAM, 9600Pro 256MB, and a 2400+ @ 2.4Ghz and it runs HL2, but not smoothly and not on full. But it wouldn't touch Quake4, F.E.A.R, Doom3 or the new AOE. Thats when I knew it was time for an upgrade.

That system is on the limit gurgle, its not going to go near any new games, at least on anything put low settings with an fps <=15

Anyway, Dopey, if you think you really need the RAM right now, then you should go ahead with it, as I don't know what the requirements are for Oracle DB's. Can I ask how you know that they will utilise the 2GBs though? I'd recommend getting a good PSU and maybe a better CPU, a system will perform just as fast with 1gig as it will with 2gig if the apps running only need less than 1gig of RAM, but a slower CPU will slow down your system regardless, and a bad PSU could possible ruin your system.

Gurgle

L31mr0d wrote:

My "old" system has 1gig of RAM, 9600Pro 256MB, and a 2400+ @ 2.4Ghz and it runs HL2, but not smoothly and not on full.

I'm running HL2 on full everything and perfectly smoothly. No over-clocking or nothing.

L31mr0d wrote:

That system is on the limit gurgle

Exactly - I haven't spend €100s of euro on un-neccessary upgrades
By the time they become neccessary, they'll be half the price they are now.
I plan to go to an XP-64 when all you guys are going dual/quad-core and selling off your XP-64s here.

L31mr0d wrote:

I don't know what the requirements are for Oracle DB's.

Requirements are as follows:
1. RAM
2. More RAM
3. Yep, more RAM
4. Some kinda processor + stuff
5. RAM

Dopey

Thanks again for the responses folks.

L31mr0d, I know I need over 1GB of RAM cause the Windows Task Manager/Performance utility shows insufficient available phyical memory.

I run two very large Java apps that use up to 800 Mbs each.

The PSU that comes with that case supports 350 watts. I'm not planning on powering any additional devices off it. What would you recommend?

Dopey

Mutant_Fruit

I'd highly recommend at least an Antec 430watt PSU (fortron are good, aren't they?). They're a good solid PSU and will last you a few upgrades (hopefully).

Dopey

Cheers Mutant_Fruit.


What about this case with PSU?

Antec Sonata II Miditower, Black w/450W PSU

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=311799&view=detailed

Looks like it only has 2 USB ports but it's reasonably priced at 129 Euro for a 450 PSU.

Thanks again!

Dopey

Mutant_Fruit

My friend bought that case (if not that one, one really similar) and he loves it. Really sturdy build. I've seen him standing on the thing! He recommends the thing to people, so it must be decent enough. Plus that PSU should last a few upgrades.

And just a side note for Gurgle: here's your graphics card benchmarking on doom3. It'd only be a bit better on HL2. There is not a chance in hell that you have maxed graphics (even on 640x480) and have "smooth" gameplay. Especially since you're not overclocking.

EDIT: The case has two front-mounted USB slots, but the odds are your motherboard will have connectors for front mounted ports and a seperate connector for rear mounted ports (along with an "adapter" type thing). So you can leave your two front ports for usb sticks and suchlike and then connect keyboards/mouses etc to the rear ports. Just check what your motherboard comes packaged with.

Dopey

Thanks Mutant_Fruit. I appreciate it!

This is the what I might go with. Will stretch to a 3200 processor if I can get my hands on the money.


SKU Product Name Qty Price
314944 Upgrade Kit AMD Athlon 64 3000+,
- nForce4, 1024MB, PCI-Express
- Surcharges 0 per item will be added. 1 294.01
313500 LG DVD±RW burner, GSA-4167RBB, 16x,
- Dual, Black OEM
- Surcharges 0 per item will be added. 1 49.5
304827 Logitech Cordless Desktop LX300,
- USB/PS2
- Surcharges 0 per item will be added. 1 49.01
306235 Samsung 19" LCD Syncmaster 913N TCO03
- Monitor, Silver, 8ms
- Surcharges 0 per item will be added. 1 309
118737 Corsair Value S. PC3200 DDR-DIMM 1024MB
- Kit w/two matched Value Select 512MB
- Surcharges 0 per item will be added. 1 91
309535 Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB SATA2
- 16MB 7200RPM
- Surcharges 0 per item will be added. 1 102
311799 Antec Sonata II Miditower, Black
- w/450W PSU
- Surcharges 0 per item will be added. 1 129
319312 XFX GeForce 7600GS 256MB DDRII eXtreme,
- PCI-Express, 2xDVI/HDTV, 500/900Mhz
- Surcharges 0 per item will be added. 1 164

Mutant_Fruit

One thing i noticed... you have two matched 512MB ram sticks. Thats a bad move. If you want 2 gigs of ram, get a 1 gig stick. I assume the bundle comes with a single 1 gig stick? If not, try and get komplett to ship you a 1 gig stick instead of 2x512's.

2x1gig would be better than 1x1gig and 2x512 and better still than 4x512.

astrofool

if u're running Oracle alot u'll DEFINITELY need the 2gb of RAM, if not more (it takes up 256mb when standing still...).

Dopey

Hey Mutant Fruit,

I agree with you. 2 x 1GB would be better. There doesn't appear to be a bundle with 1GB of RAM.

Do you know if two of these would do?

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=123209

Cheers,

Dopey

Mutant_Fruit

I'd say your best bet is emailing komplett telling them what you'd like to order, and specifying that you want 2 gigs of ram, and would much prefer 2x1gb sticks. They should be able to sort you out no bother. Two of those would be grand.

this might be a nice option. (it should be compatible, but double check yourself :P)

L31mr0d

EPoX EP-9NPA+ Ultra, nForce4 Ultra,ATX Socket-939, SATA, GbLAN, Firewire, PCI-Ex16 307396

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 1.8GHz Socket 939, 512KB, BOXED w/fan 307201

Crucial PC3200 DDR-DIMM 2048MB CL3 KIT Kit w/two matched PC3200 CL3 DDRs 309845

If you order these seperately they'll cost you €402. Ok its probably not what you want as it works out a good €15 dearer. But if Komplett won't budge on changing the bundle to a gig stick, you might want to buy them seperately.

Gurgle

Mutant_Fruit wrote:

And just a side note for Gurgle: here's your graphics card benchmarking on doom3. It'd only be a bit better on HL2. There is not a chance in hell that you have maxed graphics (even on 640x480) and have "smooth" gameplay. Especially since you're not overclocking.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?item=N82E16814131411

Plays Counter Strike Source, HL2, Call of Duty 2 (MAX Settings), and Day of Defeat Source on Medium/High Settings with around 30~40 fps.

know-it-all

Can't play Battlefield 2 at all, Doom 3, FEAR, and pretty much all other current games don't play all that well

Dopey

Jaysus that great L31mr0d. 15 euro is fine with me.

I notice the Sonata II PSU doesn't work with the EPoX EP-9NPA mobo. There is a warning banner on komplett http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=311799

Does that mean that it's not a great PSU?

Cheers,

Dopey

Dopey

Any recommendations on another mother board?

--edited---

L31mr0d

sorry yeah mobo. Well if you're thinking about OC'ing some time in the future, then ASUS, Abit and DFI are the best boards.

If you're not looking to go anywhere near SLI with this rig then this one looks the best for overclockability.

ABIT KN8-Ultra, nForce4 Ultra,Socket-939 ATX, S-ATA, GbLAN, Raid, Sound, PCI-Ex16


Plus, and importantly, it supports dual channel RAM, so you're set with this one.

gamer

try and get case with 4 usb, ports at the front,with 2 audio sockets at front.you,ll need at least 400watt power supply.

Mutant_Fruit

Why would you need 4 ports at the front? Printer, scanner, cardreader and all that malarky connect in at the back (cos they're always connected). The only things that need to be at the front would be mp3 players (maybe, mine's connected at the back though) and USB memory sticks...

I wouldn't call 4 at the front a necessity.

gamer

usb mouse,mp3 player,usb drive ,ok get 1 with at least 2 ,most pcs have either 2 or 4 usb ports at the front.if you are building a pc,you,ll probally have a mp3player, and a digital camera.

SeanW

The OP would be well advised to spend the money on the RAM side of things. It's really simple, too little RAM, the computer will be slow as hell and you'll have constant problems with your pagefile.

Counterstrike Condition Zero gives me hassle - and I have 640MB RAM :eek:

gamer

if you wanna play cod2 ,doom 3 etc .get 1 gig ram if you can afford it.If you wanna play them at high detail,all effects on.

astrofool

he's using Oracle, he'll need 2 gigs, simple as.

Ram won't affect the effects that can be enabled in game (as long as u have 512 or more)

Scruff

Jimmy365 wrote:

If you cannot go above €200 then a €167 6800XT or a €145 X1600 Pro are about the best to get.

just wondering if there are and reviews\articles with comparisons bewteen the 6800XT and the new 7600GS and 7600GT ??

L31mr0d

Just a note.

Komplett are doing a deal for just this week on the Epox mobo, seems very good for the deal price. Has everything you could want but you might want to read up about the limitation of the BIOS on these boards, if they have overclocking unlocked or not. But they probably do i'd guess.

Heres the link, they shaved €13 off.
Epox Mobo