Recommendations for a new computer

[Arrk-Mancer]

Does anyone out there have good recommendations for a completely new computer such as video cards cpus power supplies sound cards memory mother-boards that kind of stuff.

I wont put up my current specs as i am asking for recommendations for a computer with a complete change.

[dotXtreme]

Sorry man I'm no good at PC gaming but I think that halo-fan-4ever is the best one who's knows about PC gaming so just wait for him.. :p

[edsk1]

Check out OverClockers.co.uk. On the forums if you give them a budget, forum users will sort out a list of all the components you can get for that price. Pretty useful and gives you an idea of what sort of money to spend on each component.

[flameboy118]

ooh.. this is gonna be a *long* post.... your in luck.... bullet points will make this easier

1) decide if your going to build it yourself, then decide how much your spending

assuming you have say 800 quid lying around....

2) graphics: 8800gt s are good. get one for around 100 quid or 2 for 200 quid (duh) at novatech. or shop around for a slightly more expensive one (say 140) at gigabyte and places

3) cpu: to be future proof your gonna want quad core... i say try this (http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(21806)Intel-Core-2-Quad-Pro-Q660095W-Energy-Efficient.aspx) for an 120 quid intel quad core at 2.4ghz. otherwise a quad core at 2.66 ghz is around 190 i think

4) RAM: i suggest crucial.com (cant be bothered to link... sorry!). get 2/4 gb of ddr2 800 mhz RAM and thatll do ya

5) mobo: motherboard is important, and everything else should be built around it. i really have no idea what to recommend, but theyre generally 50-150 pounds. make sure everythings compatible with it

6) sound: just use the sound intergrated in the mobo

7) OS: use an old windows OS, im sure you have a copy of XP lying around (i know i do) or use ubuntu (a linux OS) or pirate XP or vista if your into that. dont suggest going out and buying one, your bound to have a friend with an OS install cd lying around

8) screen/keyboard/mouse: I say use your old one. otherwise use your discretion

basically i cant be more helpful until you tell me more about spending etc. (at which point i can be pretty helpful). basically dabs and microdirect are the places to look for cheap parts. importantly though, check compatibility with someone you know who knows, its important and im not doing it from here. course that *could* be entirely useless if your going pre-built in which case just shout that

[Doomed]

You will need a good power supply to install 8800 gt, 400 Watts minimum. I recommend that card as well... very cheap for its awesome performance.

[flameboy118]

yeah, a good psu is VITAL. its the first thing to break and for that rig youre gonna be thinking 500W. specially if youre running 8800gt s in sli

[Arrk-Mancer]

If i ever get a job in game testing which i might be able to soon i could build my budget to about £1250 otherwise about £550 - £650 thats a budget i would work for in game testing because its the only job i look for at the moment im only looking to see what recommendations people can give me for a complete change i have a XP install somewhere so thats a start.

[Punkster]

which is better now in terms of value and performance? nvidia 8800GT or radeon HD 4850?

i had a quick look at prices and they both seem about the same price. so which is better in performance?

[flameboy118]

game testing? ugh. become a sailing instructor. if you cant do, teach. if you can do... instruct.

550-600? assuming that doesnt include OS monitor or keyboard/mouse... 1 novatech 8800gt at 106, the above quad core processor (presvious post) for 119, a couple gig fast RAM at 35, a decent mobo at 100, a good psu at 60 a decent case at 40 and an optical drive at 25. at 485 thats not bad....

il get back to you punkster in an edit

[jpph]

which is better now in terms of value and performance? nvidia 8800GT or radeon HD 4850?

i had a quick look at prices and they both seem about the same price. so which is better in performance?

4850

[Webster Returns]

jpph is right, a 4850 substantially outperforms the 8800GT for around the same price. Crucial RAM is nice, but basically any DDR2 PC2-6400 RAM will work fine with MOST mobos in your price range (4-4-4-12 is preferable, but 5-5-5-15 is doable if the budget is constricting). Also I'm not certain a quad is totally necessary right now, and E8400 is your best bet on a budget.