New PC Alert! Upgrading to SATA PCI-E & 64bit

Rollo Tamasi

So i'm pretty much in the hunt for a new PC basically. My budget is in the 800euro mark and i'm looking for recommendations.

I want a quick HD for my OS so probably SATA 10000rpm.
The RAM is ok as i have 2gbs of it already
I'm looking to enter into the 64bit processing world
I require a decent PSU.
A robost MOBO.

I'm looking to setup a dual monitor system too but i'm not looking for a gaming graphics card. I don't play games.

I already have a case, keyboard, mouse and monitor.

The main uses of the PC will be for maintaining my websites, doing a bit of Photoshop, scripting, downloading, torrenting, mp3'ing, DVD'ing and stuff....

Recommendations please. I'd be interested in one or two "toy" addiditons too btw...very open to suggestions.

GrumPy

Wow, nice case! I might have to steal it on you (building a new rig myself)

Is it standard ATX? (I know you asked for help, but now I am)

how much in €uro's? (including delivery)

Rollo Tamasi

not sure on the euro's tbh, they are based in england and i called them last year enquiring about costs to send it over and all i really remember is that it was really really reasonable. Bout 20 quid sterling or something, not 100% sure on that though.

the_syco

Rollo Tamasi wrote:

The RAM is ok as i have 2gbs of it already
I'm looking to enter into the 64bit processing world
I require a decent PSU.
A robost MOBO.

OK, here's the story: to get "into" the 64 bit world, you need a new CPU (a 64bit one), which thus means a new mobo (that accepts the cpu). With the new mobo, you'd need new RAM, unless your old RAM is compatible with the new mobo.

So, could you list what type of RAM (eg, PC666, or DDR666, or whatever), so that we can see what mobo is compatible with it, and at the same time your old RAM can fit into it.

For about €477 you can get a Upgrade Kit AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+, nForce4-4x, 1024MB, Firewire, PCI-Ex, and for €179 you can get a Western Digital Caviar SE16 400GB SATA2 16MB 7200RPM and for €110 you can get aXFX GeForce 6600 256MB Passive Cooling, PCI-Express, Tv-Out/DVI, Retail, which is all below the budget of €800. Sure, you already have 2GB's of RAM, and if its compatible with the above mobo, you can just slot it in.

8T8

Not much point in going 64-bit on the software side yet.. 64-bit support really wont become accepted into mainstream till Windows Vista as all versions are 64-bit capable, a lot of manufacturers give 64-bit XP the cold shoulder because it is a "Pro" OS.

If that doesn't bother you a bit then what the_syco said applies you will also need Windows XP Professional 64-bit edition plus 64-bit drivers of all the hardware used in the system for them to work, most of the very biggest manufacturers have 64-bit drivers like Intel, NVIDIA etc have them.

Although Komplett are out of stock you can get a very reasonable €140 Pentium D which is a dual core chip which is ideal for multitasking and 64-bit capable. One problem is the only board's that support it that I can see on Komplett all require DDR2 which is you dont have is obviously a problem.

I'd also go with the Western Digital Caviar SE16 HD, great drive.

Rollo Tamasi

i have plenty of 7200rpm HD's thou, i'm looking at getting a 10000rpm soley for the OS.

The memory i have at the moment is PC3200 (200 MHz) DDR SDRAM

8T8

Well the latest Western Digital Raptor WD1500 is the one to go for if thats the case.

As for 64-bit support any AMD socket 939 Athlon 64 or recent Intel socket 775 P4 will have it so you can continue to use your DDR with it.

As for supporting hardware Tagan are excellent quality PSU's and I've had no trouble from any of Epox's motherboards either.

Rollo Tamasi

jasus! thats an expensive hard drive. Did komplett not do 37GB 10000rpms before?

CuLT

Rollo Tamasi wrote:

jasus! thats an expensive hard drive. Did komplett not do 37GB 10000rpms before?

Yeah, bastards stopped doing them about 6 months back.

Cheapest smallest raptor you can get now is 74GB, €170 (at least off komplett), or unless you want to scour the FS Section/Adverts.ie

Rollo Tamasi

i knew i wasn't going crazy, and if i recall they were only like 70 euro or something. Where else would you be able to pick up a 37GB 10000rpm HD?