What Mother*****

[roger miles]

Can I have a few suggestions as to getting a new case, motherboard and cpu for the family pc, including suppliers. I always built my own systems in the past but am a bit out of touch with the market currently?

I seem to have fried my existing motherboard where there now seems to be insufficient voltage coming out to drive the cpu cooler and case fans, leading to it overheating and cutting out. I have temporarily fixed it by grafting the cpu fan into a spare 12v supply, but suspect its an early warning to think about change. I currently have an Asus A7V8X-X with a 2000 Socket A AMD and 1 gig , PC3200 (I think) RAM

I want to future proof for a couple of years anyway with an all purpose machine but want to use the existing ram if poss and drives etc for the time being. With a budget of say £149.99 should I be thinking about twin processors / on board graphics and sound / extra quiet cases.

Or should I wait until the existing goes completely....................

 

[Macca2321]

There is so much you can go out there and buy....Only advice i can offer at the moment is get 64 bit Processor and motherboard....PCI Express for Graphics...especially if your a gamer.

Would say the best you can get....we all know how quickly things get outdated....Having said that...If iot does what you want it to do buy a cheaper one - still 64 bit though ..

Macca

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

Proven good current systems - from http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/index.cfm?a=wiki&tag=rmp_sg_whirlpoolpcs.
Aussie forum - but you get the idea.
You won't get a better performer for the money - just choose what you need / have to spend.


Budget Box:
CPU: AMD Sempron 2800+ 1.6GHz 754-Pin $60
Motherboard: Foxconn 760GXK8MC-RS $49
RAM: 256MB Kingston DDR400 $38
HDD: Western Digital 80GB IDE $56
Case & PSU: SHAW Super Soprano w/ 550W PSU $39
Optical Drive: Samsung CD-ROM $12

Total: $254

$500 AMD Box:
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 2.0GHz 940-Pin $117
Motherboard: Gigabyte M55PLUS-S3G $132
RAM: 512MB Samsung DDR533 $75
HDD: Seagate 80GB SATA $63
Case & PSU: ASUS TA581 w/ 350W PSU $58
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51

Total: $496

$500 Intel Box:
CPU: Intel Pentium D-820 2.8GHz 775-Pin $175
Motherboard: Gigabyte 8VM800PDM $69
RAM: 512MB Samsung DDR2-533 $75
HDD: Western Digital 80GB IDE $56
Case & PSU: SuperFlower X-Mask w/ 350W PSU $80
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51

Total: $506

$750 AMD Box:
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 2.0GHz 940-Pin $117
Motherboard: Gigabyte M55PLUS-S3G $132
RAM: 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $148
HDD: Seagate 80GB SATA $63
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7300GT $122
Case & PSU: Thermaltake Soprano w/ 430W PSU $125
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51

Total: $758

$750 Intel Box:
CPU: Intel Pentium D-820 2.8GHz 775-Pin $175
Motherboard: Gigabyte 945PL-S3 $129
RAM: 1GB Generic DDR2-533 $137
HDD: Seagate 80GB SATA $63
GPU: 256MB Albatron 7300GT $115
Case & PSU: SuperFlower X-Mask w/ 350W PSU $80
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51

Total: $750

$1000 AMD Box:
CPU: AMD X2 4200+ 2.2GHz 940-Pin $267
Motherboard: Gigabyte M55PLUS-S3G $132
RAM: 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $148
HDD: Seagate 160GB SATA $87
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $203
GPU: 256MB Albatron 7300GT $115
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51

Total: $1003

$1000 Intel Box:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz 775-Pin $265
Motherboard: Gigabyte 965P-S3 $189
RAM: 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $148
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case & PSU: Thermaltake Soprano w/ 430W PSU $125
GPU: 256MB 7300GT Albatron $115
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51

Total: $1001

$1250 AMD Box:
CPU: AMD X2 4200+ 2.2GHz 940-Pin $267
Motherboard: ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe $225
RAM: 1GB Kingston DDR2-533 $177
HDD: Seagate 200GB SATAII $103
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $203
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7600GT $228
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Beige $51

Total: $1251

$1250 Intel Box:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz 775-Pin $269
Motherboard: Gigabyte 965P-DS3 $255
RAM: 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $148
HDD: Seagate 200GB SATAII $103
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $203
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7600GT $228
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51

Total: $1257

$1500 AMD Box:
CPU: AMD X2 4600+ 2.4GHz 940-Pin $353
Motherboard: ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe $225
RAM: 2 x 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $296
HDD: Seagate 320GB SATAII $144
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $203
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7600GT $228
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51

Total: $1500

$1500 Intel Box:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz 775-Pin $269
Motherboard: ASUS P5B Deluxe i965 $313
RAM: 2 x 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $296
HDD: Seagate 320GB SATAII $144
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $203
GPU: 256MB Leadtek 7600GT $228
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51

Total: $1504

$1750 AMD Box:
CPU: AMD X2 4600+ 2.4GHz 940-Pin $353
Motherboard: ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe $310
RAM: 2 x 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $296
HDD: Seagate 320GB SATAII $144
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $203
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7900GT $365
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51

Total: $1722

$1750 Intel Box:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 775-Pin $490
Motherboard: Gigabyte 965-DS3 $255
RAM: 2 x 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $296
HDD: Seagate 160GB SATAII $87
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $203
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7900GT $365
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51

Total: $1747

$2000 AMD Box:
CPU: AMD X2 4600+ 2.4GHz 940-Pin $353
Motherboard: ASUS M2N-E $143
RAM: 2 x 1GB Corsair DDR2-667 $353
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case: Antec P160 $185
PSU: Antec TruePower 2.0 550W $155
GPU: 512MB Sapphire X1950XTX $664
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51

Total: $1992

$2000 Intel Box:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 775-Pin $490
Motherboard: ASUS P5B Deluxe i965 $313
RAM: 2 x 1GB Corsair DDR2-667 $353
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case: Antec P160 $185
PSU: Antec TruePower 2.0 480W $127
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7900GT $365
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51

Total: $1992

$2500 AMD Box:
CPU: AMD X2 5000+ 2.6GHz 940-Pin $481 (IT Estate)
Motherboard: ASUS M2N-E $143
RAM: 2 x 1GB Corsair DDR2-667 $353
HDD: 2 x Seagate 320GB SATAII $288
Case: Antec P160 $185
PSU: Silverstone ST60F 600W $184+ (Not MSY)
GPU: 512MB Sapphire X1950XTX $664
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Fan: Gigabyte 3D Galaxy Liquid Cooling Kit $145

Total: $2494

$2500 Intel Box:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 775-Pin $490
Motherboard: ASUS P5B DH Deluxe 975x $375
RAM: 2 x 1GB Corsair DDR2-667 $353
HDD: Seagate 320GB SATAII $144
Case: Antec P160 $185
PSU: Silverstone ST60F 600W $184+ (Not MSY)
GPU: 512MB Sapphire X1950XTX $664
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Fan: Thermaltake Big Typhoon $60

Total: $2506

$3000 AMD Box:
CPU: AMD X2 5000+ 2.6GHz 940-Pin $481 (IT Estate)
Motherboard: ASUS M2N-E $143
RAM: 2 x 1GB Corsair DDR-667 $353
HDD: 2 x Seagate 250GB SATAII $216
Case: Lian Li PC-101A $345 (Nintek)
PSU: Silverstone ST60F 600W $184+ (Not MSY)
GPU: 512MB Sapphire X1950XTX $664
PPU: 128MB BFG AGEIA PhysX $400 (Not MSY)
Optical Drives: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Cooling: Gigabyte 3D Galaxy Liquid Cooling Kit $145

Total: $2984

$3000 Intel Box:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 775-Pin $490
Motherboard: ASUS P5B DH Deluxe 975x $375
RAM: 2 x 1GB Corsair DDR2-667 $353
HDD: Seagate 320GB SATAII $144
Western Digital 74GB Raptor $245 (nintek)
Case: Lian Li PC-101A $345 (Nintek)
PSU: Silverstone ST60F $184+ (Not MSY)
GPU: 512MB Sapphire X1950XTX $664
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Cooling: Gigabyte 3D Galaxy Liquid Cooling Kit $145

Total: $3000

$3500 AMD Box:
CPU: AMD X2 5000+ 2.6GHz 940-Pin $481 (IT Estate)
Motherboard: ASUS M2N-E $143
RAM: 2 x 1GB Muskin EB2 DDR800 $376 (SecretNet)
HDD: Seagate 320GB SATAII $144
Western Digital 74GB Raptor $245 (nintek)
Case: Lian Li PC-101A $345 (Nintek)
PSU: Silverstone ST60F $184+ (Not MSY)
PPU: 128MB BFG AGEIA PhysX $400 (Not MSY)
GPU: 512MB Sapphire X1950XTX $664
Optical Drives: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Cooling: Swiftech H20-APEX Ultra Plus $455 (not MSY)

Total: $3488

$3500 Intel Box:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 775-Pin $490
Motherboard: ASUS P5B DH Deluxe 975x $375
RAM: 2 x 1GB Corsair DDR2-667 $353
HDD: Seagate 320GB SATAII $144
Western Digital 74GB Raptor $245 (nintek)
Case: Lian Li PC-777 Silver Memorial Model $509 (Nintek)
PSU: OCZ GameXStream 700W EPS w/ 120mm Fan $259 (Nintek)
GPU: 512MB Sapphire X1950XTX $664
Optical Drives: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Cooling: Swiftech H20-APEX Ultra Plus $455 (not MSY)

Total: $3509

$4000 AMD Box:
CPU: AMD X2 5000+ 2.6GHz 940-Pin $481 (IT Estate)
Motherboard: ASUS M2N-E $143
RAM: 2 x 1GB Muskin EB2 DDR800 $376 (SecretNet)
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Seagate 320GB SATAII $144
Western Digital 150GB Raptor $419 (nintek)
Case: Lian Li PC-777 Silver Memorial Model $509 (Nintek)
PSU: OCZ GameXStream 700W EPS w/ 120mm Fan $259 (Nintek)
GPU: 512MB Sapphire X1950XTX $664
PPU: 128MB BFG AGEIA PhysX $400 (Not MSY)
Optical Drives: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Cooling: Swiftech H20-APEX Ultra Plus $455 (not MSY)

Total: $4009

$4000 Intel Box:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 775-Pin $490
Motherboard: ASUS P5B DH Deluxe 975x $375
RAM: 2 x 1GB Muskin EB2 DDR800 $376 (SecretNet)
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Western Digital 74GB Raptor $245 (nintek)
Case: Lian Li PC-V1100B Plus $399 (Nintek)
PSU: Silverstone ST60F $184+ (Not MSY)
GPU: 2 x 512MB Sapphire X1950XTX $1328
Optical Drives: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Cooling: Swiftech H20-APEX Ultra Plus $455 (not MSY)

Total: $4011

$5000 AMD Box:
CPU: AMD X2 5000+ 2.6GHz 940-Pin $481 (Not MSY)
Motherboard: ASUS M2-X Hair $375
RAM: 4 x 1GB Muskin EB2 DDR800 $752 (SecretNet)
HDD: 3 x Seagate 250GB SATAII $324
Western Digital 150GB Raptor $419 (nintek)
Case: Lian Li PC-777 Silver Memorial Model $509 (Nintek)
PSU: Silverstone ST85ZF 850W EPS w/ 80mm Fan $369 (Nintek)
GPU: 512MB Sapphire X1950XTX $664
PPU: 128MB BFG AGEIA PhysX $400 (Not MSY)
Optical Drives: Plextor PX-760SA $205 (Nintek)
Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Cooling: Swiftech H20-APEX Ultra Plus $455 (not MSY)

Total: $504

$5000 Intel Box:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 775-Pin $490
Motherboard: ASUS P5W DH Deluxe 975x $375
RAM: 2 x 1GB Muskin EB2 DDR800 $376 (SecretNet)
HDD: 2 x Seagate 250GB SATAII $266
Western Digital 74GB Raptor $245 (nintek)
Case: Lian Li PC-777 Silver Memorial Model $509 (Nintek)
PSU: OCZ GameXStream 700W EPS w/ 120mm Fan $259 (Nintek)
GPU: 2 x 512MB Sapphire X1950XTX $1328
PPU: 128MB BFG AGEIA PhysX $400 (Not MSY)
Optical Drives: 2 x Plextor PX-760SA $410 (Nintek)
Cooling: Swiftech H20-APEX Ultra Plus $455 (not MSY)
Flexiglow Blue Illuminated SATA Cable, 50cm w/ EL wire $25 (Not MSY)

Total: $4994

Extreme Machine:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo Extreme x6800 2.97GHz 775-Pin $1600 (not MSY)
Motherboard: ASUS P5W-DH Deluxe 975x $375
RAM: 4 x 1GB Muskin EB2 DDR800 $752 (SecretNet)
HDD: 4 x Seagate 750GB SATAII $2500 (Nintek)
2 x Seagate Cheetah 15K.4 15000rpm 146GB 80-Pin SCSI Hard Drive - Ultra320, 3.5ms, 8MB Cache $2370 (Nintek)
Case: Lian Li PC-S80B Black Aluminium Mid Tower Case $537 (Nintek)
PSU: Silverstone ST85ZF 850W EPS w/ 80mm Fan $369 (Nintek)
GPU: 2 x 512MB Sapphire X1950XTX $1328
PPU: 128MB BFG AGEIA PhysX $400 (Not MSY)
Optical Drives: 3 x Plextor PX-760SA SATA Internal Dual Layer DVD-RW 18x DVD+/-R / 10x DVD+R DL /6x DVD-R DL $615 (Nintek)
Sony BLACK Bezel 1.44 MB FDD $19 (Nintek)
Soundcard: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Pro - 'Xtreme Fidelity' sound card w/ breakout box and remote control $799 (Nintek)
Cooling: Swiftech H20-APEX Ultra Plus $455 (not MSY)
Thermal Compound: Artic Silver 5 3.5 grams $9
Cables: Flexiglow Blue Illuminated SATA Cable, 50cm w/ EL wire $25 (Not MSY)
Thermaltake A2117 60cm EL Rounded FDD Cable - White $13 (Nintek)
Belkin PureAV Series 8-Way Isolator (3m Cord) + TEL + AV + F-TYPE $169 (Nintek)

Total: $12335

Budget System:
CPU: AMD Sempron 2800+ 1.6GHz 754-Pin $60
Motherboard: Foxconn P4M8007MA-RS2 $49
RAM: 256MB Kingston DDR400 $38
HDD: Western Digital 80GB IDE $56
Case & PSU: SHAW Super Soprano w/ 550W PSU $39
Optical Drive: Samsung CD-ROM $12
Monitor: 15" Benq V551 CRT $87 (Not MSY)
Speakers: 180W 2.0 $10
K/B & Mouse: Benq X-Touch 110 PS2 Keyboard $7
PS2 Mouse $3

Total: $368

$500 Intel System:
CPU: Intel Celeron D-336 2.8GHz 775-Pin $82
Motherboard: Gigabyte 8VM800PDM $69
RAM: 256MB Kingston DDR400 $38
HDD: Seagate 80GB SATA $63
Case & PSU: ASUS TA581 w/ 350W PSU $58
Optical Drive: Samsung CD-ROM $12
Monitor: 19" Viewsonic E90+SB Pure Flat CRT $147
Speakers: Altec Lansing 120i 2.0 $18
K/B & Mouse: Benq X-Touch 110 PS2 Keyboard $7
USB Optical Mouse $10

Total: $500

$500 AMD System:
CPU: AMD Sempron 2800+ 1.6GHz 940-Pin $60
Motherboard: Foxconn K8M890M2MA-RS2H $79
RAM: 256MB Kingston DDR400 $38
HDD: Western Digital 80GB IDE $56
Case & PSU: ASUS TA581 w/ 350W PSU $58
Optical Drive: Samsung CD-ROM $12
Monitor: 19" Viewsonic E90+SB Pure Flat CRT $147
Speakers: Altec Lansing 120i 2.0 $18
K/B & Mouse: Microsoft Cordless Desktop 500 Black $33

Total: $497

$750 Intel System:
CPU: Intel Pentium D-805 2.66GHz 775-Pin $145
Motherboard: ASUS P5LD2-VM-SE i945G $129
RAM: 512MB Samsung DDR2-533 $75
HDD: Seagate 80GB SATA $63
Case & PSU: SuperFlower X-Mask w/ 350W PSU $80
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Monitor: 19" Viewsonic E90+SB Pure Flat CRT $147
Speakers: Altec Lansing 120i 2.0 $18
K/B & Mouse: Microsoft Cordless Desktop 700 Black $43

Total: $751

$750 AMD System:
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2GHz 940-Pin $130
Motherboard: Gigabyte M55PLUS-S3G $132
RAM: 512MB Samsung DDR2-533 $75
HDD: Seagate 80GB SATA $63
Case & PSU: Thermaltake Mambo w/ 350W PSU $95
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Monitor: 19" Viewsonic E90+SB Pure Flat CRT $147
Speakers: Altec Lansing 120i 2.0 $18
K/B & Mouse: Microsoft Wired Desktop 700 Black $43

Total: $754

$1000 Intel System:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz 775-Pin $265
Motherboard: Foxconn P9657AA-8EKRS2H i965 $165
RAM: 512MB Samsung DDR2-533 $75
HDD: Seagate 80GB SATA $63
Case & PSU: ASUS TA581 w/ 350W PSU $58
GPU: 128MB Gigabyte 6200TC $49
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Monitor: 17" Viewsonic VA720M 8ms M-M LCD $229
Speakers: Altec Lansing 120i 2.0 $18
K/B & Mouse: Microsoft Cordless Desktop 500 Black $33

Total: $1000

$1000 AMD System:
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2GHz 940-Pin $130
Motherboard: ASUS M2N-E $143
RAM: 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $148
HDD: Seagate 80GB SATA $63
Case & PSU: Thermaltake Soprano w/ 430W PSU $125
GPU: 128MB Gigabyte 6200TC $49
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Monitor: 17" Philips 170B6CS 8ms DVI LCD w/ Speakers $233
Speakers: Altec Lansing 120i 2.0 $18
K/B & Mouse: Microsoft Cordless Desktop 700 Black $43

Total: $1003

$1250 Intel System:
CPU: Intel Core Duo 2 E6300 1.86GHz 775-Pin $265
Motherboard: Gigabyte 965-DS3 i965 $255
RAM: 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $148
HDD: Seagate 80GB SATA $63
Case & PSU: Thermaltake Soprano w/ 430W PSU $125
GPU: 128MB Gigabyte 6200TC $49
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Monitor: 17" Philips 170B6CS 8ms DVI LCD w/ Speakers $233
Speakers: Altec Lansing 120i 2.0 $18
K/B & Mouse: Microsoft Cordless Desktop 700 Black $43

Total: $1250

$1250 AMD System:
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2GHz 940-Pin $130
Motherboard: ASUS M2N-E $143
RAM: 1GB Kingston DDR2-533 $177
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case & PSU: Thermaltake Soprano w/ 430W PSU $125
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7300GT $122
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Monitor: 17" Philips 170B6CS 8ms DVI LCD w/ Speakers $233
Speakers: Logitech X-530 5.1 $89
K/B & Mouse: Logitech Cordless Desktop S510 $69

Total: $1247

$1500 Intel System:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 775-Pin $269
Motherboard: Gigabyte 965-DS3 i965 $255
RAM: 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $148
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $203
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7300GT $122
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Monitor: 17" Philips 170B6CS 8ms DVI LCD w/ Speakers $233
Speakers: Logitech X-230 2.1 $62
K/B & Mouse: Microsoft Cordless Desktop 700 Black $43

Total: $1494

$1500 AMD System:
CPU: AMD X2 4200+ 2.2GHz 940-Pin $267
Motherboard: ASUS M2N-E $143
RAM: 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $148
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATA $108
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $203
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7600GT $228
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Monitor: 17" Philips 170B6CS 8ms DVI LCD w/ Speakers $233
Speakers: Logitech X-230 2.1 $62
K/B & Mouse: Microsoft Cordless Desktop 1000 $55

Total: $1492

$1750 Intel System:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 775-Pin $330
Motherboard: ASUS P5B Deluxe i965 $313
RAM: 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $148
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $203
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7600GT $228
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Monitor: 17" Philips 170B6CS 8ms DVI LCD w/ Speakers $233
Speakers: Logitech X-230 2.1 $62
K/B & Mouse: Logitech Cordless Desktop S510 $69

Total: $1745

$1750 AMD System:
CPU: AMD X2 4200+ 2.2GHz 940-Pin $267
Motherboard: ASUS M2N-E $143
RAM: 1GB Kingston DDR2-533 $177
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $203
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7900GT $365
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Monitor: 19" Benq FP91G+ 8ms DVI LCD $295
Speakers: Logitech X-230 2.1 $62
K/B & Mouse: Logitech Cordless Desktop S510 $69

Total: $1740

$2000 Intel System:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 775-Pin $330
Motherboard: ASUS P5B Deluxe i965 $313
RAM: 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $148
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $203
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7900GT $365
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Fan: Thermaltake Big Typhoon $60
Monitor: 19" Benq FP91G+ 8ms DVI LCD $295
Speakers: Logitech X-230 2.1 $62
K/B & Mouse: Logitech Cordless Desktop S510 $69

Total: $2004

$2000 AMD System:
CPU: AMD X2 4200+ 2.2GHz 940-Pin $267
Motherboard: ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe $225
RAM: 2 x 1GB Corsair DDR2-667 $353
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $203
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7900GT $365
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Monitor: 19" Viewsonic VA1912W 8ms DVI Widescreen LCD $340
Speakers: Logitech X-230 2.1 $62
K/B & Mouse: Microsoft Cordless Desktop 500 Black $33

Total: $2007

$2500 Intel System:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 775-Pin $490
Motherboard: ASUS P5B Deluxe i965 $313
RAM: 2 x 1GB Corsair DDR2-667 $353
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case: Antec P160 $185
PSU: Antec TruePower 2.0 550W $155
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7900GT $365
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Monitor: 19" Viewsonic VA1912W 8ms DVI Widescreen LCD $340
Speakers: Logitech X530 5.1 $89
K/B & Mouse: Microsoft Cordless Desktop 1000 $55

Total: $2504

$2500 AMD System:
CPU: AMD X2 4600+ 2.4GHz 940-Pin $353
Motherboard: ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe $225
RAM: 2 x 1GB Corsair DDR2-667 $353
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case: Antec P160 $185
PSU: Antec TruePower 2.0 550W $155
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7900GT $365
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Fan: Thermaltake Big Typhoon $60
Monitor: 19" Benq FP91G+ 8ms DVI LCD $295
Speakers: Logitech Z-5400 THX 5.1 $315
K/B & Mouse: Microsoft Cordless Desktop 700 Black $43

Total: $2508

$3000 Intel System:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 775-Pin $490
Motherboard: ASUS P5B Deluxe i965 $313
RAM: 2 x 1GB Muskin EB2 DDR800 $337 (SecretNet)
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case: Antec P160 $169
PSU: Antec TruePower 2.0 550W $155
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7900GT $374
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Cooling: Gigabyte 3D Galaxy Liquid Cooling Kit $145
Monitor: 20" Benq FP202W 8ms DVI Widescreen LCD $472
Speakers: Logitech Z-5400 THX 5.1 $315
K/B & Mouse: Microsoft Cordless Desktop 1000 $55

Total: $3009

$3000 AMD System:
CPU: AMD X2 4600+ 2.4GHz 940-Pin $353
Motherboard: ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe $310
RAM: 2 x 1GB Corsair DDR2-667 $353
HDD: 2 x Seagate 250GB SATAII $216
Case Antec P160 $185
PSU: Silverstone ST60F $184+ (Not MSY)
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7900GT $365
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Cooling: Gigabyte 3D Galaxy Liquid Cooling Kit $145
Monitor: 19" Viewsonic VA1912W 8ms DVI Widescreen LCD $345
Speakers: Logitech Z-5400 THX 5.1 $315
K/B & Mouse: Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard $103
Logitech G7 Cordless $106

Total: $3006

$3500 Intel System:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 775-Pin $490
Motherboard: ASUS P5B Deluxe i965 $313
RAM: 2 x 1GB Corsair DDR2-667 $353
HDD: 2 x Seagate 250GB SATAII $216
Western Digital 74GB Raptor $245 (Nintek)
Case: Antec P160 $185
PSU: Antec TruePower 2.0 480W $127
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7900GT $365
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Cooling: Gigabyte 3D Galaxy Liquid Cooling Kit $145
Monitor: 20" Benq FP202W 8ms DVI Wide Screen LCD $472
Speakers: Logitech Z-5400 THX 5.1 $315
K/B & Mouse: Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard $103
Logitech G7 Cordless $106

Total: $3496

$3500 AMD System:
CPU: AMD X2 5000+ 2.6GHz 940-Pin $481 (IT Estate)
Motherboard: ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe $310
RAM: 2 x 1GB Corsair DDR2-667 $353
HDD: Seagate 320GB SATAII $144
Western Digital 74GB Raptor $245 (Nintek)
Case: Antec P180 $214
PSU: Silverstone ST60F $184+ (Not MSY)
GPU: 256MB Gigabyte 7900GT $365
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Cooling: Gigabyte 3D Galaxy Liquid Cooling Kit $145
Monitor: 20" Benq FP202W 8ms DVI Wide Screen LCD $472
Speakers: Logitech Z-5400 THX 5.1 $315
K/B & Mouse: Logitech "Elite" Multimedia Keyboard $103
Logitech G7 Cordless $106

Total: $3490

Recommended HTPC
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2GHz 940-Pin $130
Motherboard: ASUS M2NPV-VM $143 (EYO)
RAM: 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $148
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Seagate 320GB SATAII $144
Case & PSU: Antec NSK2400 with SU380 380W PSU $141 (SecretNet)
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Silver/Black $51
TV Tuner: 2 x Leadtek DTV1000 $148

Total: $1010

Recommended Business Box:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 775-Pin $330
Motherboard: Gigabyte 965P-DS3 $255
RAM: 1GB Kingston DDR2-533 $177
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $175
GPU: 128MB Gigabyte 6200TC $49
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51

Total: $1146

Recommended Business System:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 775-Pin $330
Motherboard: Gigabyte 965P-DS3 $255
RAM: 1GB Kingston DDR2-533 $177
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $175
GPU: 128MB Gigabyte 6200TC $49
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Monitor: 17" Philips 170B6CS 8ms DVI LCD w/ Speakers $233
Speakers: Altec Lansing i120 2.0 $18
K/B & Mouse: Microsoft Retail Black Business Hardware Pack $46

Total: $1437

Recommended "Howework Only" Box:
CPU: Intel Pentium D-820 2.8GHz 775-Pin $175
Motherboard: Gigabyte 8VM800PDM $69
RAM: 512MB Samsung DDR2-533 $75
HDD: Seagate 80GB SATA $63
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $175
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51

Total: $608

Recommended "Howework Only" System:
CPU: Intel Pentium D-820 2.8GHz 775-Pin $175
Motherboard: Gigabyte 8VM800PDM $69
RAM: 512MB Samsung DDR2-533 $75
HDD: Seagate 80GB SATA $63
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $175
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Monitor: 17" Philips 170B6CS 8ms DVI LCD w/ Speakers $233
Speakers: Altec Lansing i120 2.0 $18
K/B & Mouse: Microsoft Retail Black Business Hardware Pack $46

Total: $905

Recommended "Internet Only" Box:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 775-Pin $330
Motherboard: Gigabyte 965P-DS3 $255
RAM: 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $148
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $175
GPU: 128MB Gigabyte 6200TC $49
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51

Total: $1117

Recommended "Internet Only" System:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 775-Pin $330
Motherboard: Gigabyte 965P-DS3 $255
RAM: 1GB Samsung DDR2-533 $148
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case & PSU: Antec Sonata II w/ 450W Smartpower PSU $175
GPU: 128MB Gigabyte 6200TC $49
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Monitor: 17" Philips 170B6CS 8ms DVI LCD w/ Speakers $233
Speakers: Logitech X-230 2.1 $62
K/B & Mouse: Logitech Cordless Desktop S510 $69

Total: $1481

Recommended "Gaming Only" Box:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 775-Pin $490
Motherboard: ASUS P5B Deluxe i965 $313
RAM: 2 x 1GB Corsair DDR2-667 $353
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case: Antec P160 $169
PSU: Antec TruePower 2.0 550W $155
GPU: 512MB Gecube X1900XTX VIVO+AVIVO Edition $645 (Not MSY)
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Fan: Thermaltake Big Typhoon $60

Total: $2375

Recommended "Gaming Only" System:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 775-Pin $490
Motherboard: ASUS P5B Deluxe i965 $313
RAM: 2 x 1GB Corsair DDR2-667 $353
HDD: Seagate 250GB SATAII $108
Case: Antec P160 $169
PSU: Antec TruePower 2.0 550W $155
GPU: 512MB Gecube X1900XTX VIVO+AVIVO Edition $645 (Not MSY)
Optical Drive: Pioneer 111D Black/Silver $51
Fan: Thermaltake Big Typhoon $60
Monitor: 19" Benq FP91G+ 8ms DVI LCD $295
Speakers: Logitech Z-5400 THX 5.1 $315
K/B & Mouse: Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard $103
Logitech G7 Cordless $106

Total: $3194

 

[AndyT]

If you just want the bits www.Ebuyer.com is very reasonable. I've used them before.

But to be honest you can get a new desktop very cheap with all the latest bits and all compatible.

AndyT

 

[redcastle]

If it was me Roger I'd replace the case and PSU first. Ive been using asus ta212 or ta210 cases for new builds lately (www.microdirect.co.uk). Pretty case with reasonable 350watt PSU and probably £35.
The 350watt PSU should be adequate depending on how many drives etc you have connected

Alternatively get a case with no PSU and a nice powerful Antec or similar PSU.
Either way if its still iffy you have a nice basis for something new.
That motherboard is a solid job so given your budget I'd go one step at a time.

If the system seems better you could use the rest of your budget on a bit more ram, do a nice clean install of the operating system and you're hot to trot

upgrading the cpu fan is another thing to look at while youve got the thing in pieces
(www.quietpc.com/uk)
(http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/)

couple of pennies worth there for you

straight from the redcastle book "a screwdrivers better than a credit card"

 

[Dickieboy]

Can I have a few suggestions as to getting a new case, motherboard and cpu for the family pc, including suppliers. I always built my own systems in the past but am a bit out of touch with the market currently?

I seem to have fried my existing motherboard where there now seems to be insufficient voltage coming out to drive the cpu cooler and case fans, leading to it overheating and cutting out. I have temporarily fixed it by grafting the cpu fan into a spare 12v supply, but suspect its an early warning to think about change. I currently have an Asus A7V8X-X with a 2000 Socket A AMD and 1 gig , PC3200 (I think) RAM

I want to future proof for a couple of years anyway with an all purpose machine but want to use the existing ram if poss and drives etc for the time being. With a budget of say £149.99 should I be thinking about twin processors / on board graphics and sound / extra quiet cases.

Or should I wait until the existing goes completely....................

Roger I've always built my own to, but I doubt I will again it's not worth the effort unless your a serious gamer or need specialist designing progs that use bags of processing power and ram. And for a run of the mill family PC it's getting very difficult to build one cheaper than you can buy one nowadays.

 

[shugie]

Personally I'm a big fan of Asus motherboards, used a fair few without problems.

It's still worth building your own system if you have bits from a previous machine.

 

[roger miles]

Thanks for the info peeps, 64 bit, PCI express and probably Asus seem to be the way forward and I think I'll try the case and PSU idea first. There is a computer fair off Tottenham Court Rd I might have a look at next weekend although the current domestic goddess will need some serious placating first after she's just reminded me I managed to forget the wedding anniversary today - again!!