New PC -budget 1500-1800

kippy

Hi all,
Its time to invest in a new machine. I've built my last one myself and its done me a good job however I'd like to purchase one this time round as Iam not sure what kinda machine I could build for that kinda money.
I would ideally like to have:
a mid range graphics card
a decent board with expandability options
at least 320 useable gig storage - with some from of raid an option.
at least 2 gig ram preferabbly 4.
Core 2 Duo processor or equivilant AMD (as good as possible)
22 inch LCD
Vista Home premium (although this is not critical)
I've looked at the AMD options on Komplett as well as the Intel options (gamer range) and with some customising I can get a system pretty close to that for almost 2 K. Just wanting to see if I can do better or if building is my better option.
I've also looked on Dell and PC world. Theres a decent hp in PC world which comes with the 22 inch for about 1400 but I think I could do better.
Kippy
Any ideas or feedback?

Khannie

kippy wrote:

Iam not sure what kinda machine I could build for that kinda money.

With the 22inch screen you specified, you could have a very very nice rig for 1650 euro (mid point of your budget). If you build it yourself you can take parts from your old machine (dvd drive etc.), saving you money.

kippy

Thanks Khannie,
I've been doing some more browsing and that is the conclusion I am also coming to.
I have a sata 80gig drive for the OS, a 320 IDE Drive, a SATA 120 drive, a DVD Burner, A CD burner, A power supply, A case that I can resuse again I suppose.
I'd need to get rid of my abit A17 board and my intel 2.2 proc and possible the 4*256 Dimms that I have as well as purchase a new graphics card.
So,
I am looking now at this these bundles on Komplett:
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=301189 (lots of upgrade options in future) €700
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=313834 (Extra 2 Gig RAM) €95
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=327296 (not sure if there are better than this that I could get for similiar money) €208
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=331034 (22 inch) €409

Question. Vista Home premium, best option to buy it?
I should still have a bit left over after that, any other component above I could improve on?
Anyone any comments on my "NEW" plan?
Khannie, thanks for helping me see the light. I suppose this is now a "building and upgrades" topic so please feel free to move to that forum.
Kippy

hopeful

I would expect you will need a new PSU as your old one is unlikely to be up to the job.

My personal favourite

Also perhaps think about downgrading the 6700 to a 6600 kit as the price vs performance difference is vast. A good cooler and a little overclocking and the 6600 will be a quick as the 6700.

christophicus

The only thing is , is that psu is a bit underpowered.

sdanseo

Yep, definately. That PSU certainly isn't future proofed against any aspirations you my get about a dual 8800GTX SLi system I'd go for about 700W. If you ever might want 2 cards best maybe to go for an SLi motherboard to cover you from changing everything.

That motherboard i a little extravagant, I'd go for something cheaper outside the bundle (remember 2GB RAM is only €95) and spend the saved money on a better GFX card. If you can stretch to an 8800GTX do, maybe chop some inches off the screen. At the end of the day, if you don't pay for a good card (obviously doesn't need to be an 8800, something~€350 will do perfectly) then you'll have difficulty spreading good GFX over 22 inches.

Also, PC World is a disgraceful ripoff. Touching them with a barge pole is a worse idea that touching your mate's GF with the same.

christophicus

Yeah I'd agree , go for a smaller moniter. The 22" widescreens have the same res as teh 20"'s as far as I'm aware, and since that res is spread over a greater area the picture quality often suffers.

Gadgetman496

I know it's all money at the end of the day & you can't take everyone's suggestions on board, but! if you are going to that expense & want a fairly beefy machine? why not change the RAM to 6400? 5300 isn't really all that good???

Just a thought!

I'm in the process of Spec'n a new machine for myself & have got some good advice here too!

I would appreciate any suggestions on my own Spec especially if someone thinks there's anything crazy about it? Gaming won't be a big issue, video transcoding is really what it's going to be used for.
http://www.komplett.ie/k/shoplist.aspx?mode=edit&ShoppingListId=461954

kippy

Almost there guys, Cheers for the feedback.
Will this graphics card "work" with this board?
http://www.computerbits.ie/product_details.asp?product=3099
http://www.computerbits.ie/product_details.asp?product=2873

I am not sure about the SLI/Crossfire terminology but dont intend on using dual cards....
I've pretty much decided on that board.

hopeful

kippy wrote:

Almost there guys, Cheers for the feedback.
Will this graphics card "work" with this board?
http://www.computerbits.ie/product_details.asp?product=3099
http://www.computerbits.ie/product_details.asp?product=2873

I am not sure about the SLI/Crossfire terminology but dont intend on using dual cards....
I've pretty much decided on that board.

Short answer...yes

But please do not pay those prices :eek:

sdanseo

That motherboard is up at an amazingly bad price - you may as well set fire to almost €100. (€€€) Never ever buying form them!

Don't go for such an extravagant mobo with your budget unless you really want to future-proof it against anything.