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Chat => Entertainment & Technology => Topic started by: Sam on August 22, 2010, 00:06:40 AM

Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 22, 2010, 00:06:40 AM
I need to buy a new system.
Looking for something like a Quad Core, 6gb ram, dont care about HD. Dual monitor support.
Build my own, buy used/new. Suggestions ?
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: chaotic_uk on August 22, 2010, 00:17:21 AM
how much do you want to spend ?
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: bigsteve on August 22, 2010, 00:36:23 AM
Depends what you want to do with PC & how deep your pockets are.
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Bacon on August 22, 2010, 00:43:53 AM
(http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/1176/itemsa.jpg)

Intel i5 Series processor, quad core, massively overclockable (if thats your thing) with air or water, can also go for sealed water unit like the Corsair H50.

Gigabyte H55 / P55 latest motherboard series has USB3 support. The H55 has built in graphic support but its enabled by the CPU, so only certain Intel CPUs support it, would have to confirm which, but tbh its still a good motherboard whether you use that feature or not, depending on what you want from the board you can save a few pounds going H55 instead of P55 for near the same specification.

4-8GB Memory, i chose Corsair or G-Skill, used both, both good brands.

5770 Mid lvlish DX11 supporting graphics, think 4850 with DX11, a good contender, moving up in price i would probably switch over to nVidia and go the GTX460 route.

Case left for you to decide, the Antec Three Hundred is cheap good case, personally i just go for what i like the look of.

PSU again your choice, i would suggest a Modular PSU so you use the wires you need, and box up the ones you dont, i would go for Corsair but its your choice.

PS. Nothing against Tekheads for not using their site for pricing, i just dont like search/layout of it :P

Monitors, im going to recommend Dell as usual but only through a company like PC Buyit where you get the zero dead pixel / defect warranty, after all the time it takes to replace when faulty and how the warranty is handle is a big plus point for me.
Title: New Computer
Post by: Goblin on August 22, 2010, 08:01:57 AM
Get a Mac :p
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 22, 2010, 10:04:36 AM
Quote from: Goblin
Get a Mac :p


I wouldnt be against it, as using one for a week hasnt been the painful experience I thought it would be, but similarly nothing has made me desperately want one either. Ive spent 15 years on windows, and I am far more productive on that platform. Which is important to me. I envisage spending 500 pounds and getting a kick ass development PC. Find me a mac for that that is up to spec and Ill really consider buying it.
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 22, 2010, 10:06:49 AM
Thanks for the post bacon. As I dont play games very much (only starcraft 2 which isnt that hungry) I was thinking something more lower end on the graphics card front. Prob something 2nd hand from ebay would do the trick. My only requirement is simply 2 HDMI out.

Is 1600 DDR3 worth the 2x premium over 1333?
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Bacon on August 22, 2010, 11:28:48 AM
Im not into media PCs but i was under the impression most motherboards only come with 1xHDMI port, and to obtain a 2nd you use a DVI-HDMI converter.

I think we need to start again, do you want a Media-PC?

By the way, as i said above, the H55 motherboard has onboard graphics thats enabled by the cpu you use. (specific cpus).
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on August 22, 2010, 11:36:02 AM
Youd have to have something like this judging by a quick google. One of the lower end ATi HD cards should give you dual HDMI

http://www.itcsales.co.uk/acatalog/info_1622.html
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 22, 2010, 11:59:28 AM
I dont want a media pc. I want to run dual 24" monitors like I did before.

In my last PC I had $30 geforce that had dual HDMI out so its not expensive to do.
Title: New Computer
Post by: Bacon on August 22, 2010, 12:01:17 PM
Quote from: Sam
I dont want a media pc. I want to run dual 24" monitors like I did before.

In my last PC I had $30 geforce that had dual HDMI out so its not expensive to do.


Any quad core system with the video card you want then? :P
Title: New Computer
Post by: DeltaZero on August 22, 2010, 14:44:44 PM
Quote from: Sam
Ive spent 15 years on windows, and I am far more productive on that platform.


3x more productive, by any chance?
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 22, 2010, 14:53:53 PM
Quote from: DeltaZero
Quote from: Sam
Ive spent 15 years on windows, and I am far more productive on that platform.


3x more productive, by any chance?


Dont be silly ! You have to move to New Zealand for that ;)
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 22, 2010, 14:54:15 PM
Quote from: Bacon
Quote from: Sam
I dont want a media pc. I want to run dual 24" monitors like I did before.

In my last PC I had $30 geforce that had dual HDMI out so its not expensive to do.


Any quad core system with the video card you want then? :P


Yep. What about my DDR question, can you help ?
Title: New Computer
Post by: Bacon on August 22, 2010, 16:09:58 PM
Quote from: Sam
Quote from: Bacon
Quote from: Sam
I dont want a media pc. I want to run dual 24" monitors like I did before.

In my last PC I had $30 geforce that had dual HDMI out so its not expensive to do.


Any quad core system with the video card you want then? :P


Yep. What about my DDR question, can you help ?


1333 is fine mate (if your not planning to OC) but i dont understand why 1600 is 2x the premium cus over here you can get a 1600 kit for less than a 1333 kit m8, so it should be the same on your side of the water.
Title: New Computer
Post by: knighty on August 22, 2010, 17:07:32 PM
(psssst. hes moved back over here and in London)
Title: New Computer
Post by: Bacon on August 22, 2010, 17:15:44 PM
Quote from: knighty
(psssst. hes moved back over here and in London)


Noted :P
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 22, 2010, 18:30:40 PM
Quote from: Bacon
Quote from: Sam
Quote from: Bacon
Quote from: Sam
I dont want a media pc. I want to run dual 24" monitors like I did before.

In my last PC I had $30 geforce that had dual HDMI out so its not expensive to do.


Any quad core system with the video card you want then? :P


Yep. What about my DDR question, can you help ?


1333 is fine mate (if your not planning to OC) but i dont understand why 1600 is 2x the premium cus over here you can get a 1600 kit for less than a 1333 kit m8, so it should be the same on your side of the water.


The reason 1666 is more expensive is because I was looking in the wrong column :P
Title: New Computer
Post by: Bacon on August 22, 2010, 20:38:55 PM
Quote from: Sam
Quote from: Bacon
Quote from: Sam
Quote from: Bacon
Quote from: Sam
I dont want a media pc. I want to run dual 24" monitors like I did before.

In my last PC I had $30 geforce that had dual HDMI out so its not expensive to do.


Any quad core system with the video card you want then? :P


Yep. What about my DDR question, can you help ?


1333 is fine mate (if your not planning to OC) but i dont understand why 1600 is 2x the premium cus over here you can get a 1600 kit for less than a 1333 kit m8, so it should be the same on your side of the water.


The reason 1666 is more expensive is because I was looking in the wrong column :P


I was going to say, something was not right about that :P
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 22, 2010, 21:31:07 PM
Its cos you added 2 to the qty and I was looking at line total thinking it was item price :)
Title: New Computer
Post by: Bacon on August 22, 2010, 21:39:39 PM
Quote from: Sam
Its cos you added 2 to the qty and I was looking at line total thinking it was item price :)


Ah i added 2 because you said you wanted 6GB of memory, a 6GB kit would be what you buy for the i7 920> socket 1366 setup, the i5 uses a 1056 socket and 4GB kits, so i added 2. :D
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 24, 2010, 19:51:31 PM
Yes I noticed now thanks :)

I would be tempted to get a mac if they werent so damn expensive, because Id love to develop for the iphone
Title: New Computer
Post by: Bacon on August 24, 2010, 19:57:32 PM
Quote from: Sam
Yes I noticed now thanks :)

I would be tempted to get a mac if they werent so damn expensive, because Id love to develop for the iphone


It seems thats where the money is these days :P
Title: New Computer
Post by: shofty on August 25, 2010, 14:41:54 PM
Quote from: Sam
Yes I noticed now thanks :)

I would be tempted to get a mac if they werent so damn expensive, because Id love to develop for the iphone


build a hackintosh.
ive done one, about to build the second. a grand should see me with a killer hackintosh with twin 24" screens.

dual boot it with ubuntu for safety, just dont expect to get flash running on the ubuntu box ;)
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 26, 2010, 00:00:39 AM
How reliable is hackintosh. Is it like wine for linux, ie, crpa ?
Title: New Computer
Post by: Rivkid on August 26, 2010, 08:51:13 AM
Quote from: Sam
How reliable is hackintosh. Is it like wine for linux, ie, crpa ?


I had an Acer One Netbook running 10.5.4 - it was pretty good but sometimes the USB ports just randomly wouldnt work. Not being able to update wasnt fun either.

Im sure theres better ways than I had mine done, but from what I had Id say it was ok for leisure but I wouldnt have gone with it for anything serious. Thats just from my experience though.
Title: New Computer
Post by: shofty on August 26, 2010, 10:45:40 AM
Quote from: Sam
How reliable is hackintosh. Is it like wine for linux, ie, crpa ?


not at all. its native code on hardware its kinda built for. you have the concept of kexts which swap native drivers for proper ones, i think.

i built mine in a saturday. including swapping kexts out to get sound working. then its all about the kit youve bought.
id go as far as to say os x is easily as stable as windows 7. which is good enough for me.

and i hadnt found the compatability list when i threw mine together, i just got sick of looking for ways to make python libraries work on windows 7.

two sites you need.

http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/

Matt
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 26, 2010, 13:16:59 PM
Nice one.

So Im about to order today. Any slightly cheaper alternative to corsair, or is it not worth bothering ?
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on August 26, 2010, 13:30:50 PM
Why bother, you get a lifetime guarantee with Corsair memory.
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 26, 2010, 19:55:52 PM
When does memory break anyway
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on August 26, 2010, 19:58:37 PM
By the time you should be upgrading really anyway, mostly!
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: soopahfly on August 26, 2010, 21:08:17 PM
Still get lifetime with Crucial...cheaper than Corsair.

Ive had about 3 sticks fail recently, but they have been naff Kingston.
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on August 26, 2010, 22:33:35 PM
I was actually confusing the two for a moment, but Nath is right you get a lifetime guarantee with Crucial and its cheaper.
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Bacon on August 26, 2010, 23:54:26 PM
Corsair and dont look back :P
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 00:37:23 AM
Looking at Tekheads now
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 00:40:22 AM
Does that motherboard allow me 4x2gb slots ?
Title: New Computer
Post by: knighty on August 27, 2010, 01:00:36 AM
yes, both the ones bacon linked too do, 16gig max, 4 slots, so 4gig/slot max


wtf sam.... you should know this stuff :s
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 01:05:57 AM
Im a programmer (not as good as nexus I know), not a hardware guy :)
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Bacon on August 27, 2010, 01:06:27 AM
As Knighty pointed out :P which system are you going for Sam?
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 01:07:03 AM
PC if thats what you mean.
Title: New Computer
Post by: Bacon on August 27, 2010, 01:08:01 AM
Quote from: Sam
PC if thats what you mean.


I meant which components? All of them :P

Screenshot your basket :P

I shouldnt need to tell you this, but when i bought from you guys i used to call up in the day to confirm that the hardware i order worked fine together, if any known issues reported etc, Vini was the man for that.
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 01:22:07 AM
Vini was good. Back in the day, I knew my hardware inside out.
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 14:04:50 PM
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 SATAII NCQ 3Gb/s 500GB 16MB Cache OEM
Product Code: 105205 Manufacturers Code: ST3500418AS   56   
remove   £27.19   £27.19

   23.6in Samsung SyncMaster B2430L Widescreen 1920 x 1080 5MS DVI-D VGA LCD Monitor
Product Code: 107724 Manufacturers Code: LS24PULKF/EN   4   
remove   £131.91   £131.91

   Intel Core i5 760 2.80GHz Lynnfield 8Mb Cache Processor LGA1156 - Retail with Fan
Product Code: 149576 Manufacturers Code: BX80605I5760   4   
remove   £131.91   £131.91

   Gigabyte GA-P55-US3L Intel P55 (Socket LGA1156) DDR3 ATX Motherboard
Product Code: 103749 Manufacturers Code: GA-P55-US3L   3   
remove   £67.19   £67.19

   Corsair 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 XMS3 PC3-12800 1600MHz C9 Dual Channel Memory Kit
Product Code: 110589 Manufacturers Code: CMX4GX3M2A1600C9   1   
remove   £74.00   £74.00

   Genius KB-06XE USB Keyboard - Black
Product Code: 108027 Manufacturers Code: 31300693124   9   
remove   £4.95   £4.95

   CIT 1005 Black/Silver ATX Midi Case USB & Audio - 500W PSU (24pin)
Product Code: 101635 Manufacturers Code: CIT1005   1   
remove   £21.27   £21.27

   Asus ATI Radeon HD 3450 LP 512MB DDR2 Dual DVI / TV-Out (AGP) - Retail
Product Code: 106768 Manufacturers Code: AH3450/DI/512MD2(LP)   1   
remove   £34.00   £34.00



What cooler do I need. Am I forgetting anything? Sound I can do later.
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on August 27, 2010, 14:16:56 PM
The retail one supplied is okay unless you want to reduce noise, Im still using the retail Intel cooler. Your motherboard onboard sound will be fine too.
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 14:18:06 PM
I need someone to tell me if that motherboard is ok.
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 14:20:33 PM
Do I need a SATA 1 or 2 cable, or will it come with the HD ?
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on August 27, 2010, 14:24:45 PM
HDDs are OEM and dont come with cables, the motherboard will probably have some SATAII cables as part of the accessories included.
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 14:25:27 PM
Ok Ill use them and upgrade later.
Title: New Computer
Post by: Bacon on August 27, 2010, 15:07:56 PM
Quote from: Sam
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 SATAII NCQ 3Gb/s 500GB 16MB Cache OEM
Product Code: 105205 Manufacturers Code: ST3500418AS   56   
remove   £27.19   £27.19

   23.6in Samsung SyncMaster B2430L Widescreen 1920 x 1080 5MS DVI-D VGA LCD Monitor
Product Code: 107724 Manufacturers Code: LS24PULKF/EN   4   
remove   £131.91   £131.91

   Intel Core i5 760 2.80GHz Lynnfield 8Mb Cache Processor LGA1156 - Retail with Fan
Product Code: 149576 Manufacturers Code: BX80605I5760   4   
remove   £131.91   £131.91

   Gigabyte GA-P55-US3L Intel P55 (Socket LGA1156) DDR3 ATX Motherboard
Product Code: 103749 Manufacturers Code: GA-P55-US3L   3   
remove   £67.19   £67.19

   Corsair 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 XMS3 PC3-12800 1600MHz C9 Dual Channel Memory Kit
Product Code: 110589 Manufacturers Code: CMX4GX3M2A1600C9   1   
remove   £74.00   £74.00

   Genius KB-06XE USB Keyboard - Black
Product Code: 108027 Manufacturers Code: 31300693124   9   
remove   £4.95   £4.95

   CIT 1005 Black/Silver ATX Midi Case USB & Audio - 500W PSU (24pin)
Product Code: 101635 Manufacturers Code: CIT1005   1   
remove   £21.27   £21.27

   Asus ATI Radeon HD 3450 LP 512MB DDR2 Dual DVI / TV-Out (AGP) - Retail
Product Code: 106768 Manufacturers Code: AH3450/DI/512MD2(LP)   1   
remove   £34.00   £34.00



What cooler do I need. Am I forgetting anything? Sound I can do later.


The Samsung hdds are single platter discs if that makes any odds to you, the motherboard looks fine and will have SATA cables etc in the box, the Retail fans are good i use one too atm.

I would hold off buying the videocard, as you can get 4850s 2nd hand for around £40-45 and its a much better card. And as for the monitor, why not use PCBUYIT and go for a Dell, the warranty offered is unmatched.

Id be very wary buying an LCD that doesnt come with a Pixel Perfect warranty, and i dont know of any other companies that do it.
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Mongoose on August 27, 2010, 15:14:27 PM
at risk of sounding stupid, Surely thats a PCI-Express motherboard, the AGP graphics card wont fit will it?
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on August 27, 2010, 15:15:32 PM
I bought my Dell through PCBUYIT with 4 year business next day returns warranty, the service has been exceptional.

Youre rich now, you should get another good screen :P

Yes Mongoose is right about the graphics LOL well spotted.
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 15:29:31 PM
Ok I placed it, then had to cancel after reading this !

I need a graphics card for tomorrow tho, does the MB have built in graphics which would do for now ?

What diff does single platter mean? I want HD to be FAST, dont care about size at all.
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 15:35:43 PM
Should I get the motherboard I put down, or this one:
Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 Intel P55 (Socket LGA1156) DDR3 mATX Motherboard
Title: New Computer
Post by: Bacon on August 27, 2010, 15:40:49 PM
Quote from: Sam
Should I get the motherboard I put down, or this one:
Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 Intel P55 (Socket LGA1156) DDR3 mATX Motherboard


H55 Series has built in graphics, but its enabled by an Intel CPU that has the feature. Or you can run a separate card in it still.

The P55 boards are for use with a separate GPU

The GA-P55M-UD2 is highly recommended for Overclocking, while the US3 i believe has an eSata port.

Personally i would for the P55-USB3 or H55-USB3 both of which come with USB3 ports, you will need it in the future, i gather you will be backing up to an external drive.

Just stop being tight and buy one :P
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 15:55:56 PM
I dont use external hds
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 15:58:06 PM
Will my I5 enable the graphics ?
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 15:58:35 PM
Just need to know which HD now - why does single platter matter?
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 16:08:27 PM
Ok ordered this:


107724   23.6in Samsung SyncMaster B2430L Widescreen 1920 x 1080 5MS DVI-   17.50   £131.91   £131.91   1.00   1   3   
149576   Intel Core i5 760 2.80GHz Lynnfield 8Mb Cache Processor LGA1156   17.50   £131.91   £131.91   1.00   1   3   
110597   GSKill 4GB DDR3 (2x2GB) PC3-12800 RipJaw 1600MHz (7-8-7-24) Dual   17.50   £72.30   £72.30   1.00   1   2   
108027   Genius KB-06XE USB Keyboard - Black   17.50   £4.95   £4.95   1.00   1   8   
103257   Gigabyte GA-H55M-UD2H Intel H55 Socket LGA1156 DDR3 mATX Motherb   17.50   £68.04   £68.04   1.00   1   1   
101725   CIT 2205 Micro ATX Black Case USB & Audio - 450W PSU   17.50   £18.68   £18.68   1.00   1   2   
105205   Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 SATAII NCQ 3Gb/s 500GB 16MB Cache OEM   17.50   £27.19   £27.19   1.00   1   55
Title: New Computer
Post by: Bacon on August 27, 2010, 16:32:08 PM
Quote from: Sam
Will my I5 enable the graphics ?


Dual Core = Clarkdale
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 20:01:35 PM
Do you like what I ordered ?
Im gonna get a SSD hd next week too
Title: New Computer
Post by: Bacon on August 27, 2010, 22:58:55 PM
Quote from: Sam
Do you like what I ordered ?
Im gonna get a SSD hd next week too


Should be a good computer, but you really should have ordered a Dell from PC Buy IT (http://www.pcbuyit.co.uk/index.php?cPath=23_85) :P

To quote again

Quote
3 year on-site next business day replacement warranty - direct with Dell UK

All of our Dell monitors are sold with a pixel perfect guarantee  for the duration of the warranty period, in the unlikely event your monitor has ANY pixel defect we will arrange for the monitor to be replaced next working day
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 27, 2010, 23:07:16 PM
I had a dead pixel before. I really dont care, you cant notice them unless youre just a pinicky bastard.
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Bacon on August 27, 2010, 23:25:13 PM
Quote from: Sam
I had a dead pixel before. I really dont care, you cant notice them unless youre just a pinicky bastard.


Covers more than dead pixels :P I was just pointing that out as its pretty common to receive monitors with dead pixels.
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on August 27, 2010, 23:34:25 PM
I notice them straight away, then they piss you off forever. I wouldnt purchase any screen without some sort of guarantee against dead pixels and I dont give a crap about manufacturers tolerance levels. Just because they tell you theyre a bit tricky to get 100% right every time its supposed to be acceptable. I wouldnt accept a set of speakers that crackled or a shirt with holes in so why be expected to accept this. I returned 3 panels with a dead pixel on until I was satisfied and I was more than happy to do so until I received a picture perfect panel.
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 28, 2010, 08:26:21 AM
I dont care, my laptop has one and I cant even remember where it is.
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 28, 2010, 08:29:55 AM
Well wont be getting it today. The monkeys sent it to the wrong address.
Title: New Computer
Post by: Serious on August 29, 2010, 01:17:10 AM
Quote from: Sam
I dont care, my laptop has one and I cant even remember where it is.


Well if your brain is so bad you cant even remember where you put your laptop then what hope is there for you?  :shrug:  ^_^


 :P  :-P  :P  :-P
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: shofty on August 31, 2010, 09:32:36 AM
what you doing with it sam, win7 of hackintosh?

Matt
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Rivkid on August 31, 2010, 12:59:20 PM
Having done some reading after posting on this thread Ive just built an old P4 with a vanilla Snow Leopard install. This is soooo much better than using the patched installers (Kalyway etc..). Everythings working perfectly, I can use the update worry free and its pretty nippy even on a P4. Very happy - not bad on about £40 worth of hardware :)


Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 31, 2010, 21:10:29 PM
Quote from: bytejunkie
what you doing with it sam, win7 of hackintosh?

Matt


I put Win7 on and its faster than a speeding bullet. Makes my mac at work look like a commodore 64
Title: Re:New Computer
Post by: Quixoticish on August 31, 2010, 21:15:14 PM
Quote from: Sam
Quote from: bytejunkie
what you doing with it sam, win7 of hackintosh?

Matt


I put Win7 on and its faster than a speeding bullet. Makes my mac at work look like a commodore 64


So your test conclusively proves that a PC running Windows 7 is actually three times faster than a Mac?
Title: New Computer
Post by: Sam on August 31, 2010, 21:39:12 PM
Yes, except for Nexus mac. Thats 10x faster than any other machine ;)