Need Advice on building a new computer

[ecks]

Okay firstly i should say i've never build a computer. But everyone says its cheaper and what not so i thought its about time i made one.

Okay so my current system
AMD X2 4200+ 2.2Ghz
2 GB DDR
Asus a8n sli deluxe
BFG 8800GT 512MB

firstly i already know that my cpu is bottleknecking me a lot. The computer that i would like to build would mainly be used for gaming. I'm a hardcore gamer. My budget is well i'd like to keep the cost of it at 1000 Pound. I know the only worth keeping thing might be the video card if that. I'd like quad core PC( i don't know if its worth waiting for a six core and if its even going to be good enough).

Don't know whether to go intel or amd
i'd like to have 6GB DDR3 Ram
i really have no idea about a good motherboard.

The other thing is i don't know anything about overclocking and most reviews that i see of cards and what not normally use the i7 920 but heavily overclocked.

Anyway i'd really like some help in deciding a good computer.

 

[xtreampctek]

Your budget for a good computer is really good and you can easily get exactly what your looking for that amount or cheaper. My system was the same price as your budget and It does more then I could ask for. In all honestly my recommendations would be based around my own system specs so it would be better if you looked at them yourself. The AMD Phenom II 965 can beat the i7 920 easily and is compariable to the i7 940 in benchmarks. I'd go with that processor with DDR3-1600 ram. For a motherboard my personal preferences are gigabyte because of it reliability but I went with asus for my rig with the stability reviews for overclocking and reliability. I havent come across a game that has lagged my system yet under high settings for everything including maxxed out AA and texture filtering. The raid 0 configurations allows games to be installed and load lighting fast. The Zalman copper cpu cooler keeps the cpu ice cold even if you are doing sick overclocking but the AMD phenom 965 for the time i've had it is more then enough stock with a 7.4 rating on CPU score for windows 7. Check out my specs and let me know what you think, Helping people configure a new system is something I do all the time at my work.

 

[bobkn]

I've used both AMD and Intel. At the moment, I have an I7 920. One of its attractions is overclockability. Others are hyperthreading and a three-channel memory controller, both of dubious value in gaming.

My system specs give the significant details of my system. One thing not mentioned: I usually run the CPU at 19X200MHz (3.8GHz).

If you're trying to get the best gaming machine for the price, the new Core I5 series might be worth considering. It uses the less expensive P55 chipset (LGA1156). You get a dual channel memory controller with the I5, but I doubt that matters in a gaming system.

I'm not familiar with UK prices, but in the USA, you could build a pretty nice box for $1600 (rough equivalent of 1000GBP). I doubt that you'd get all new everything plus a new high-end graphics card (ATI Radeon HD5870, nVidia GTX285) for that, though.

You could buy an I7 920 for around $300, An X58 mainboard for about the same, a 6GB DDR3-1600 RAM kit for around $150, and a third-party CPU cooler for about $50. A new PSU might add $100 or more. That's $900.

A Core I5-750 is $200, a P55 mainboard $150, a 4GB kit of DDR3-1600 (dual channel) about $100, and the CPU coooler, $50. With a $100 PSU, the total would be $600. If you can re-use all of the rest of your stuff, you might be able to afford the new graphics card.

 

[xtreampctek]

In all honesty there is both AMD fans and Intel fans. The best way to pick your primary components is to read reviews. First reviews AMD vs Intel processors, then from there you can goto sites like Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more! and go through parts for those configurations and read specific reviews from people who have owned the parts from 1 day to a 1 year. Benchmarking reviews and Newegg reviews are your best friends. Just use the power of google to research your benchmarks AMD vs Intel or video cards ATI vs nVidia or anthing else such as hard drive speeds, ram speeds and so fourth.

 

[Darryl Licht]

ecks:

Yes that's a good budget for an *$$ kickin gamer PC...

The AMD vs Intel argument is much like the Chevy vs. Ford argument here on the other side of the pond. Read up on the merits of each... do your research! The reality is that AMD tends to be preferred by gamers, and Intel tends to be preferred by business app users... that's a generality.. but it works 98% of the time.

I have been building systems for over 15 years... I'm a Microsoft System Builder and teacher at the Jr. College level. I have used both brands over the years, however lately I've stuck with Intel... that's just my personal preference... so is Ford.

I'd say as a gamer you want the fastest Quad core CPU u can afford no matter which manufacturer you choose. As for mobos, I used to be a died and true Asus fan all my personal systems had Asus... that is until I tried Gigabyte. They also have great support and that's VERY important when choosing a mobo! Main advice here... stick with a major player in the mobo game... someone with a good track record!

You have a still decent vid card... it can be upgraded at a later date easily. Your sound card too is still considered a good one... that will free up some cash for other stuff! Yes go with the new memory standard DDR3 for sure.

Here are a few websites to educate you a little more on building your first system:
Build a PC - Choosing Components Introduction - PCitYourself.com
How To Build A PC, Part 1: Component Selection Overview : Welcome To Your Next New System - Review Tom's Hardware

I will subscribe to this thread and help you or assist you in anyway I can and I can also give you tips and pointers when build time arrives!

Happy Halloween!

Booooo!