recommendations on build yourself pc

[jillseurre]

I'm going to build a PC.
aim is for my two boys aged 15 & 13, mainly for school, but also I want to play games etc.
i'm looking at £400-500hardware from computer fair type supplier, i have a few local and know where they live.

BUT,
grahcs cards 128mb (is this too much for kids games) hso much out there now, new drives comming out that are not ide, memory that is matched ....

so i would like to make it as future proof as possible,
suggestions

my apologies to moderators if this is not the correct place, please delete if inappropriate discussion

 

[tempo21]

you probably need to look at the following, based on your budget the AMD platform will give you best value for money at the moment.

AMD XP 2400 perhaps
AMD based motherboard (ASUS, ABIT, Gigabyte anbd MSI are the top makes, although these are aimed at the premium gaming [read overclocking]market, ECS make good reliable budget boards)Also look for features like onbard LAN and sound as this cuts corners elsewhere.

Dual DDR will give you a performance hike - it means buying 2 sticks of identical RAM, and can prove more expensive. I would steer clear of PC2100 as it is becoming outdated, look for PC2700 (333) or PC3200 (400) if you can strech. Crucial, mushkin, samsung and Corsair are the top makes.

Video - if you plan to play 3d games (quake etc) go for a Gf4mx440 at the very least, newer radeon 9500 and 9600 series cards are ruling the mid range market. 64 meg is a minimum these days, but 128 will add future compatibility.

you should pick up a DVD ROM, or CDR drive cheap, and hard drive space is getting cheaper all the time, Maxtor and Western digital are the names to look for here.

Get a good 17" monitor - you spend most of your time looking at it! and dont scrimp on the power supply 300w is a minimum, 350 is better.

Good luck with your build, dont forget you will need software.





T3/\/\p()
tek-tips UK branch!
_________________

http://www.tempocentral.com

 

[BionicJohn]

Hi, jillseurre

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/PCspec.html?PC-0423T

£399 + VAT - with warranty but no OS or monitor but your local computer fair could help there.

Iechyd da! John
22:55 14/10/2003 BST

 

[wolluf]

http://www.cclcomputers.biz/jscript_menu/retail/retail_frame.htm

 

[mikeloaf]

I have recently bought a PC from a company called MCH Solutions. I have been building computers for years but the price of the finished article was cheaper than I could get parts! I have several trade accounts and regularly visit computer fairs. you can email them info@mch-solutions.co.uk or take a look at the website. Tell them the spec and they will tell you the price! Site is crap - bloke did say they had never bothered with a site until recently and so it is just being launched!

 

[paparazi]

Quote "I am going to build a PC" so that means you want a parts supplier and not a ready built system?
As a custom builder this is what I would recommend for a budget system:

Nforce2 400 chipset motherboard from: MSI, Gigabyte, Leadtek, or Soltek (these are the cheaper BRANDED makes, Nforce2 400 chipset is regarded as being the best socket A platform ATM)
Or Via KT600 (not quite as fast as the Nforce but rock solid, feature packed and motherboards based on this chipset can be had at a knock down price.

AMD XP2.5+ , the first of the XP lineup available with the 333fsb Barton core and is much praised at a budget price.
Memory: to match the 333fsb of the Barton core XP2.5+ go for PC2700 DDR but get branded: Crucial, Kingston, Twinmos or at least major on third: samsung, winbond etc NOT GENERIC. 256mb minimum, 512 prefered.

Geforce 4 MX440 128mb, but make sure it is a DDR memory equipt card ( just a very cheap option) if you had more of a budget then I would say an ATI 9600pro.

Standard midi case with at least a 350watt power supply (just be aware generic power supply's can be unreliable so go on recommendation or buy a better replacement PSU) Qtek make very reliable cheap alternatives (400watt for £16)

52x24x52 CDRW from: LiteOn, Asus, Sony, Samsung, MSI

DVD 16X from: Pioneer, MSI, Asus, Samsung

Standard Mitzumi/Sony floppy

Standard Intel Hardware 56K V92 internal modem IF NEEDED.

Lan (network) comes as standard on most good motherboards now.
17 inch monitors are pretty standard nowadays, practically all come with 3years swop out warranty, the best have Mitsubishi/sony flat tubes but cost 50-75% more than entry level so maybe beyond your budget.

Unfortunately XP is deffinately the best OS

I recommend a Nottingham based supplier:

http://www.a-dcomputers.co.uk

Tel:0115 9522781
Martin



Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[paparazi]

Quote "I am going to build a PC" so that means you want a parts supplier and not a ready built system?
As a custom builder this is what I would recommend for a budget system:

Nforce2 400 chipset motherboard from: MSI, Gigabyte, Leadtek, or Soltek (these are the cheaper BRANDED makes, Nforce2 400 chipset is regarded as being the best socket A platform ATM)
Or Via KT600 (not quite as fast as the Nforce but rock solid, feature packed and motherboards based on this chipset can be had at a knock down price.

AMD XP2.5+ , the first of the XP lineup available with the 333fsb Barton core and is much praised at a budget price.
Memory: to match the 333fsb of the Barton core XP2.5+ go for PC2700 DDR but get branded: Crucial, Kingston, Twinmos or at least major on third: samsung, winbond etc NOT GENERIC. 256mb minimum, 512 prefered.

Geforce 4 MX440 128mb, but make sure it is a DDR memory equipt card ( just a very cheap option) if you had more of a budget then I would say an ATI 9600pro.

Standard midi case with at least a 350watt power supply (just be aware generic power supply's can be unreliable so go on recommendation or buy a better replacement PSU) Qtek make very reliable cheap alternatives (400watt for £16)

52x24x52 CDRW from: LiteOn, Asus, Sony, Samsung, MSI

DVD 16X from: Pioneer, MSI, Asus, Samsung

Standard Mitzumi/Sony floppy

Standard Intel Hardware 56K V92 internal modem IF NEEDED.

Lan (network) comes as standard on most good motherboards now.
17 inch monitors are pretty standard nowadays, practically all come with 3years swop out warranty, the best have Mitsubishi/sony flat tubes but cost 50-75% more than entry level so maybe beyond your budget.

Unfortunately XP is deffinately the best OS
Works for Windows offers a good basic package of software for starting out and is reasonably priced.
Think Works 7 is around £30

I recommend a Nottingham based supplier:

http://www.a-dcomputers.co.uk

Tel:0115 9522781
Martin



Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.