Building a new computer

[Krill]

Just swap over the HD?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Whaleboy
Scary stuff UR, do you think it could be a cooling issue?

Could be, but I've got a Cooler Master Ultra Vortex, and the sensors indicate a mild 44°C when I use my computer.

Originally posted by Whaleboy
Well you've put the final nail in the MSI coffin for me, I think I'll go for the Abit AN8 Ultra I linked to earlier. It's only £6 more expensive and seems to be more than worth it.

Never used any Abit boards, though Asus ones have been rock solid for me.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Krill
Just swap over the HD?

If Ben already has a copy of Windows XP he could legally install that on his new computer, as long as he won't be using it on his old one anymore.

[Whaleboy]

If Ben already has a copy of Windows XP he could legally install that on his new computer, as long as he won't be using it on his old one anymore.

Ordinarily I would except that the copy of WinXP I have came with my current box and so is tuned to that machine, with provisions for expansion of course.

I'm tempted to use Windows XP Pro x64... what do we think?

[Mr. Harley]

Whaleboy - quick question. You prices are a bit high by USA standards, can you purchase from the States or do you have VAT and other crap you have to pay that brings things up to parity?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Whaleboy
Ordinarily I would except that the copy of WinXP I have came with my current box and so is tuned to that machine, with provisions for expansion of course.

Unless your current box is a Dell or some major brand name, and you have a "recovery CD" instead of a Windows CD, you are safe.

Originally posted by Whaleboy
I'm tempted to use Windows XP Pro x64... what do we think?

Nah, it's still beta, and will expire in a month or something.

[child of Thor]

Re: Building a new computer

Originally posted by Whaleboy
I keep wanting to get a new machine but lack of money or dilusions of satisfaction with my current set up keep getting in my way. I was days away from getting a Powerbook when Mac announced they'd be going with Intel, so I've decided to hold fire on the laptop front until then.

Meantime, I reckon I can build a respectable system for less than £800... preferably as close to £600 as possible. Peripherals aren't an issue. I've been looking around and this is what I've earmarked so far:

Case: Antec TX640B-UK £73.96
Motherboard: K8N Neo4 Platinum (939) £80.20
Soundcard: SB Audigy 2 Value £28.21
Graphics: XFX 6600GT £105.00
Hard Disk: DiamondMax Plus10 200Gb S150 £58.82
RAM: Corsair Value Select DDR400 PC3200 £76.26 (2x512Mb)
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3000 (1.8Ghz) £107.10
DVDRW: LiteOn SOHW-1673S-02C £22.98
OS: Windows XP Home £59.15


Grand total: £611.68

Any thoughts?

The main use for this box would be your usual work/internet stuff, with some gaming. I'm not a massive gamer but I do like to cause the occasional spot of carnage now and again, this is one of two reasons I don't like my current box. It's nearly 3 years old, P4 2.8GHz w/512Mb DDRRAM, noisy 60Gb hard disk, paltry Geforce FX 5500 (what the **** was I thinking). The whole thing sounds like Rubens Barrichello having a multiple orgasm.

edit...........

New stuff sounds ok, but the problem UR was talking about needs looking into! So what you doing with the old rig? want to sell it?(I'm looking for a cheapish upgrade from my P3 566 and your specs sound about what i'm after)

[Whaleboy]

Whaleboy - quick question. You prices are a bit high by USA standards, can you purchase from the States or do you have VAT and other crap you have to pay that brings things up to parity?

Indeed, have to pay VAT and I'm not sure if I'm able to import from the US. Unless there's big savings to be had, buying from the UK is probably the path of least resistance, though I'll check it out. Thanks for the heads up!

Unless your current box is a Dell or some major brand name, and you have a "recovery CD" instead of a Windows CD, you are safe.

Current box is a Medion.. I tried using the recovery disk to install to another computer, no luck. I'll need to buy a copy of WinXP, there's no avoiding it.

Nah, it's still beta, and will expire in a month or something.

It's not beta, it was released months ago and can be had OEM from several online retailers with stuff like a mouse... ditto all versions of WinXP.

So what you doing with the old rig? want to sell it?(I'm looking for a cheapish upgrade from my P3 566 and your specs sound about what i'm after)

I'll let you know at the time but my brother has first dibs on it at the moment... he's off to uni in September and his box is on its last legs.

[child of Thor]

Originally posted by Whaleboy
edit....

I'll let you know at the time but my brother has first dibs on it at the moment... he's off to uni in September and his box is on its last legs.

Ah thats ok then - it was more if you were going to chuck it out, i'm sure your bro will need it more than me (i got two pc's already)

[sprucemoose3311]

pricegrabber.com
resellerratings.com

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Whaleboy
Current box is a Medion.. I tried using the recovery disk to install to another computer, no luck. I'll need to buy a copy of WinXP, there's no avoiding it.

One very good reason not to buy OEM computers.

Originally posted by Whaleboy
It's not beta, it was released months ago and can be had OEM from several online retailers with stuff like a mouse... ditto all versions of WinXP.

Oh, okay. It's up to you then. My rig runs Linux/Windows dual boot, so I can run some games that I can't get to work under Linux.

[Mr. Harley]

Whaleboy - just for comparison - I just found a Athalon 64 3000 939 plus the Gigabyte K8NSC cocket 939, costing $179 US. With UPS shipping should not be that bad - now you need to context UPS or FedEx or DHL (or whatever they call Deutche Posts govn. supported freight runner) and see how any taxes, etc. are handled. Beside the ones mentioned by fellow posters, try pricewatch

[Whaleboy]

My rig runs Linux/Windows dual boot, so I can run some games that I can't get to work under Linux.

Cool . Personally I see no need to run Linux on a desktop unless it's a Pentium II @ 300Mhz but put that down to the want of a simple life .

One very good reason not to buy OEM computers.

True, but then it was an Xmas present in 2002 and apparently cost £900 which wasn't a bad price for the spec back then. I added the FX5500 of course.

Shawn: Excellent deal!

To everyone: Thanks for the links, I'll be shopping around! Tis appreciated.