Build me a pc

[aztec daz]

Ok. Im after a new desktop computer for my bedroom. I want to build one for myself as i know it will work out alot cheaper. Ive seen some on ebay which look really good specs etc but i want to see what i can get and build it myself. I know alot of yous are really clued up with computers so links and prices would be great.

Im going to be running window xp 32 bit, unless anyone can help me out with a 64 bit version wink wink!

heres a what i would be looking for.

a good motherboard with either duel or quad core processer
2gig or above memory
a good graphics card (mibby hdmi output)
Good large hard drive
Fast dvd writer drive
card reader.

i will mainly be using it for photoshop, lightroom, graphics programs etc. However, i would like to play the odd game on it. Looking for something thats going to be fast, boot up really fast and have multiple programs running without any problems

any help would be much appreciated.

budget is around 400, but could stretch a bit more if yous can build me a good system

dont need monitor or that

cheers

[JoshJ]

Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 Processor (2.4GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB Cache) Genuine Windows Vista (R) Home Premium 2GB Memory 250GB Hard Drive DVD Writer With LightScribe Technology Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 15-in-1 Card Reader 6 USB Connections 19" Widescreen TFT Monitor

There you go. No need to say thanks.

[aztec daz]

Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 Processor (2.4GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB Cache) Genuine Windows Vista (R) Home Premium 2GB Memory 250GB Hard Drive DVD Writer With LightScribe Technology Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 15-in-1 Card Reader 6 USB Connections 19" Widescreen TFT Monitor

There you go. No need to say thanks.

erm thanks.... but even i can pull some specs from a website

[Gazza_DJ]

No OS needed? No Monitor needed? keyboard and mouse needed?

[aztec daz]

No OS needed? No Monitor needed? keyboard and mouse needed?


no none of that, i can get a hold of any os anyway. and i have a keyboard and mouse

[Juan Pablo]

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/6748/azteccomplm2.png

I haven't put a case in as tastes differ :shrug:

[Gazza_DJ]

Antec Sonata 3 Super Black Mini Tower Case with 500W aPFC PSU
http://www.scan.co.uk/Images/Products/617633-a.jpg

Now usually I would say get the PSU separate to the case due to the quality of bundled PSU's, however Antec use one of their high quality aPFC PSU's, so this is actually a good deal.
This case is a little expensive, but IMO it is worth it as it is quiet, well specced and looks damn nice.
£82.12 Inc VAT (http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=617633)
Asus P5KC, iP35, S 775, PCI-E (x16), DDR2/DDR3 1066/1333/ 667/800, SATA II, SATA RAID, ATX
http://www.scan.co.uk/Images/Products/615972-a.jpg

The P35 chipset based boards are slightly older now, however they will allow you to use the latest 45nm Intel CPU's, and are generally good for overclocking. You can spend at least £20 more to get a P45 based board which is the direct replacement - they offer more efficiency and higher maximum FSB's and better overclocking, but I dont think its a difference thats worth paying for right now.
£72.72 Inc VAT (http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=615972)

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 SLACR, Kentsfield Core, Socket 775, 2.40 GHz 1066MHz 8MB Cache, Retail
http://www.scan.co.uk/Images/Products/643237-a.jpg

I think you will benefit more from a quad core over a dual core - the latest graphics programs can utilise all 4 cores, and so can the latest video / audio encoders. quad core is really good for multitasking as well. If you were doing more 'single' tasks like a lot of gaming, you would be better off with an E8400, which is a similar price.
£117.37 Inc VAT (http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=643237)

2GB (2x1GB) Corsair TwinX DDR2 XMS2 Dominator, PC2-8500 (1066), 240 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 5
http://www.scan.co.uk/Images/Products/462617-a.jpg

Corsair are a reputable brand, and their stuff seems to handle overclocking well. the difference in price between DDR2-800 and DDR2-1066 is pretty minimal now, so I think going for 1066 would make sense. 2GB should be fine to begin with, you can always upgrade to 4GB at a later date.
£40.75 Inc VAT (http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=462617)

512MB Gigabyte HD 4850, PCI-E 2.0 (x16), 1986 MHz GDDR3, GPU 625 MHz, 800 Cores, 2 x DL DVI-I, HDTV
http://www.scan.co.uk/Images/Products/827816-a.jpg

No HDMI output, however you dont need one - you can get an HDMI->DVI adaptor which will allow you to connect it to an HDTV easily.
The HD4850's are regarded as the best midrange card, beating the nvidia's at that price point. You could save money here by going for an 8800GT, which isnt as good but about £30 cheaper.
£115.14 Inc VAT (http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=827816)

500 GB Samsung HD502IJ Spinpoint F1, SATA 300, 7200 rpm, 16MB Cache, 8.9 ms, NCQ

http://www.scan.co.uk/Images/Products/807030-a.jpg

Not much to say really - 500GB is a decent GB per £ ratio, and pretty large :lol:
£42.05 Inc VAT (http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=807030)

Optiarc (Sony/NEC) AD-7201S-0B 20xDVD±R, 8xDVD±DL, +RW x8/-RW x6, x12 RAM, SATA, L/scribe Black OEM
http://www.scan.co.uk/Images/Products/808583-a.jpg
Again, not much to say - its a lightscribe optical drive that does everything.
£16.79 Inc VAT (http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=808583)

Total: £497.44 Inc VAT

That system would absolutely fly, and it is made from all premium components - I think its worth paying extra for quality. However, i have gone over your budget - you could save money on the graphics card, the case, a little bit on the motherboard and a little bit on the RAM. Its just a tradeoff between quality and price.

You could possibly get it a bit cheaper by shopping around as well.

[aztec daz]

you guys are ledgends! im going to take those specs and have a look around. My aunty works in Misco computer suppliers so ill see if she can get me a discount on those! top work lads, thanks for taking the time out to go through that

[JoshJ]

No problem mate.


lol.