Self Build Hardware

Redshift

I'm looking to build myself a new computer in the next couple of weeks my current rig was self built about three years ago and I firmly belive it's the way to go as it has been the most reliable machine I have ever had.
I have been looking around on the likes of komplett at whats on offer but it seems to me that since I last built a machine the amount of Motherboards, types of ram and hard disks ect that are available has increased alot.
What i'm looking for is recomendations from people in here for what to buy and what to avoid, ect and also what suppliers are best. My budget is about 2K.
Thanks a mil

RicardoSmith

Whats the machine for? Work, Office, Development, Games, Graphics, Music, PVR etc?

Do you need a monitor, software, keyboard, backup drive?

AMD64 is cheaper and is faster (for less) in everything other than Video and Music encoding, and 3D Rendering. Personally I still don't think they are as stable as an Intel machine. But AMD's are faster in gaming. Of course after christmas is still a better time to buy, and for the AMD you'll have better choice of motherboards as Nforce4 boards should be released by then.

gamer

If ur on a budget get amd64 get dvd writer if u can afford it, creative.ie have got bargains in their online store they sell repackaged sound cards or returned cards very cheap, get ide,80gig drive at least, 5.1 or 7.1 dolby card with surround card ,u need to say what ur using it for to get detailed advice is it music,or games or dvd multimedia.graphics , get motherboard that has 3 pci agp 8x interface ,5.1 onboard sound,socket 754 is for amd. i recommmend abit kv8 atx for amd on komplett its 69euro ,some mbs have usbs at front or rear so u will need case that gives full acess to usb ports, atx standard mb size fits most cases.its handy to get case with 2 front usb ports.if ur not sure just go for fast amd round 2800 at least,if u can afford it or get amd3000 ghz if u can afford it.

RicardoSmith

Gamer - he gave his budget as 2K. What do you mean if he can afford it?

gamer

Get ddr2 memory ,dvd writer compatible with dvd +.dvdrw. dvd ram etc and second dvd just for paying dvds ,i recommend ordinary crt monitor over plasma.lcds. cos u can adjust all settings to ur preferences ,its much easier to adjust contast colors brightness on a crt monitor, go for 19inch crt.get grafics card with analog and dvi output too.at least 128 grafics memory. i think komplett is very good but i have never actually bought anything from em ,i find it easier to buy pcparts in shop and build my own pcs, get power supply at least 300watt.fast agp card will do anyone ,i dont think pcx cards are worth getting at present.

gamer

komplett gets good reviews on the irish forums re,price service , try and get graphics card with fan thats NOT very loud 128meg ram at least 2 outputs .

Ciaran500

The amount of ram on a graphics card show in no way how it performs. With a budget of €2,000 you should be able to afford either a ATI X800XT PE, or a Nvidia 6800GT or 6800Ultra.

You will need at least a gig of ram if this is going to be a gaming PC.

When your looking a PSU stay away from the cheap ones, go with a reputable brand. e.g. Tagan, Antec, Globalwin

EDIT: The current TFT screens perform just as well as any of the CRT and are much sharper. A 17" TFT has roughly the same viewable screen size as a 19" CRT, and 19" TFT = 21"CRT.

You should be able to get most of the parts you need off:
www.overclockers.co.uk
www.jes.de
www.komplett.ie
You would be hard pushed to find similar prices on the Irish high street.

Redshift

Wow, Thanks for all the advice guys. I will be using it for everything including Gaming, I would like to stick with an LCD monitor as I currently have but would like something bigger than 15" and more suited to gaming. The LCD I have now is an NEC Multisync 1550v and it not nearly as good as a CRT for games. Anybody have an LCD they can recomend with close to the same performance as CRT?
Thanks again for the advice.

As ricardo suggested I would be willing to wait untill after xmas if I can get a better deal.

Azza

I would personal recommend AMD 64 3000 or 3200 Winchester chip for socket 939. Great performers and excellent overclockers. I myself have ABIT AV8 3rd Eye motherboard and I would recommend it with hesitation. A gig of PC 3200 ddr memory with tight timings is also recommend the AMD 64 platform loves tight timining.DDR2 memory would be a waste on AMD 64 since it doesn't support anything 400mhz speed at stock and the DDR timing tend to be alot loser . A 6800 GT would probably be my graphics card of choice.

BloodBath

This is a fantastic monitor for 420e.

For your system go with what azza said.

You should be able to fit it all into a 2k budget.

Get an audigy 2 zs as your sound card as well.


BloodBath

RicardoSmith

gamer wrote:

....try and get graphics card with fan thats NOT very loud .....

While thats good advice its kinda hard to find this out, unless a card has been specifically modified to have no fan, or use a quiet fan. Best is to find reviews of the card, as most spec's that are on the box are very inaccurate as to what is "loud" or "quiet" For most under 20dB is quiet.