Advice on New PC Specs

OK - It's time for a new PC upgrade (no, I can't afford a Mac - I would get one if I could). I've already got a nice case, and I'm looking for components to put in it.

So far, I've decided on 1gb RAM, two 200gb Hard Drives and all the standard DVD writers etc.

I wondered what people would recommend in way of Processor/Motherboard packages and Graphics Cards. I'm looking in the price/spec region of either a 3.2ghz Pentium 4, or an Athlon64 3400. Graphics card wise, so far I've seen this which looks pretty good (clicky)

Do you agree, or would you opt for something else?

Any advice would be appreciated

#222421

I don't have any recommendations but i have to ask one thing. Who needs 800GB of HDD space?

Unless you're using your PC as a server, i see no point.

#222425

#222426

I advise you to choose an Athlon64, but be sure to fetch yourself an socket 939,

as the socket 954 has been abandoned by AMD (no upgrade possibilities dude!)

Even one 200gb hd should enough IMO, which you can save for the graphicard investment...

#222474

OK - I'll have a look into socket 939

I already fill 180gb of hard drive space, so 400gb is a must really

Anyone got any advice about graphics cards? - That is an area I have little experience in.

#222486

I would recommedn an ATi x800, the highest rated card on the market at the moment. ATi seems to do better font rendering than nVidia which is in the interest of desktop modders. I would also recommend an Intel Canterwood Motherboard, unless you really want to go the AMD64 bit way, which is better than intel anyway.

#222510

I have to suggest you steer away from the Athlon 64. It seems like overkill unless you are using it as a server or KAQ Graphics/Video/Audio workstation.

#222516

if you do video editing, even 400gb can fill up pretty quick...

#222527

I have to suggest you steer away from the Athlon 64. It seems like overkill unless you are using it as a server or KAQ Graphics/Video/Audio workstation.

No kidding, they arent worth it if you arent doing hardcore rendering or vid editing or something.

#222552

You wouldn't even be able to fully use amd's 64bit capability without a 64bit OS, and though there is a XP OS with 64bit support, its not as stable or so I've heard.

#222563

there is 64bit liux distros though

That is closer to the mac dream

#222565

@juno - That looks like a nice card, but it's well out of my budget. I'm looking for a card under the £140.00 mark really. Anyone?

@liquidplasmaflow - OK, So I guess I'll look into buying the best Pentium I can afford - Probably a 3.2 or 3.4ghz processor.

@seph - Linux would indeed run like a bat out of hell, but it's simply not really practical enough for day to day tasks - And it's much harder to find the skins for it

#222570

Personally I see no reason not to get a AMD 64-bit processor - they're fairly cheap, run faster than equivalently priced Pentiums, and probably give you a much better upgrade path, should you go for the right socket...

Also, how is buying a 64-bit processor that just happens to be the same price as the 32-bit CPU you were buying, but performs better overall "overkill"? That, to me, is what's known as "making a sensible purchase", rather than what's known as "being a luddite".

As for the "no 64-bit OS" argument, AMD's 32-bit mode for the 64bit CPUs is what has trounced the P4 so many times. That said, for "day-to-day" use, a hyperthreaded CPU may be better for your money, assuming you multitask a fair bit (read: four or five apps open at all times)

#222591

That's the kind of person I am, and as you say, I always have lots of apps on the go at once. Does this mean that a decent P4 with HyperThreading would be a better buy than an AMD64, or will they still be roughly equal?

#222617

Probably go with the P4 with HT.

#222621

p4 and amd 64 are neck on, but consider two things. anthlon 64 tend to run faster for games. just 3 fps more for a certian game. not much diffrence.

p4's clockspeed has a huge advantage for video editing. like 5 seconds faster for audio rendering. they are so close that you can't tell. (well, i can't) so i would opt for the amd 64 (doom 3 baby), so, the 6xxx lines are pretty nice too. if you are at the 399 us line, go for nvidia's 6800gt. it's faster than x800pro. . nvidia's 5900 xt is a good value, and radeon 9600 xt is pretty good too.

if you really want to make yourself cry then go for the 499 (suicide) cards, 6800ultra and radeon x800 xt. but these cards are rare like finding a guy that dislocated his knee over 20 times (me).

oh yea. about 20 pounds above your budget is a good 6800 normal. it's the card i'm buying. faster than 9800xt. decent enough for 168 pounds.

personally, my order is this. i do not favor one company over another.

9600xt 5900xt 6800 normal 6800 gt x800 xt or nvidia 6800 ultra. prices from low to up.

#222664

Thanks for the advice steelfist - I'll have a look into those and let you know which one I choose!

#222672

OK - Here is the (almost) final specification. If anyone knows where I could get any of this kit cheaper, or would like to recommend something better, please let me know

======================================================

Processor - AMD64 3500 Newcastle Skt 939 - £206.79 - Aria PC

Motherboard - MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum Skt 939 - £93.63 - Ebuyer

DVD-RW - Sony DWD22A 16x Dual Layer - £46.73 - Ebuyer

DVD Reader - Lite-On 16x48x DVD-ROM - £16.09 - Ebuyer

RAM - Ebuyer 512 DDR400 PC3200 x2 - £98.54 - Ebuyer

Hard Drive - Western Digital 200GB IDE x2 - £138.64 - Ebuyer

Graphics - Leadtek Winfast A350XT TDH128 - £129.00 - Ebuyer

PSU - Antec TRUE430PGB True Power 430W - £56.93 - Ebuyer

Card Reader - 6 in 1 Card Reader/Writer - £5.99 - Ebuyer

======================================================

#223340

they are all good, but if i were you, i wouldent' buy leadtek graphics cards. i prefer inno3d or msi graphics cards of the same model also, if you EVER see a company called grandmars, do not buy grandmars stuff i repeat. do not. that company isn't listed as ati's partners or nvidia's and i have a feeling that it's not genuine.

that's a pretty decent computer you have there. have fun!

edit. (don't take my words. it's just a suggestion. leadtek cards aren't good for modding like zalman's upgrades that's all)

#224469