Spec: "Really fast, and 1TB"

PGdude · 15 Nov 2009 at 15:09

My sister gave my a rather precise spec to meet.

"Really fast and with 1TB of 'memory'."

She uses it for:

Internet, Music and Movies. So it doesn't need to be enthusiast/gamer level, just mainstream-ish.

So what would you guys spec? I don't know about the processor (I don't believe i5 is necessary, not sure about Quad/Dual) and the graphics card (4650/70?)

I have a spare 2GB of PC2-6400 OCZ Platinum RAM, and a spare Q6600 stock cooler (hint hint) and I would like a new motherboard myself (hint hint hint). What can I slap together here for a decent basic/mainstream "media" PC. I don't think W7 is necessary. She's not all that bothered about it either.

She's currently running and old P4 1.7GHz thing with 256MB DDR1 so, you know. A big jump.

Thanks in advance for your advice, guys.]

Edit: No actual budget defined. She wanted a Mac but just came up to me and asked if I could build her something. So anything reasonable.

It's just a complete rebuild. I don't think any old parts are useful except my own leftovers mentioned.

Biz.Kid09 · 15 Nov 2009 at 15:13

Budget? Whats needed hdd,dvd drive, case, monitor?

marley82 · 15 Nov 2009 at 15:16

e5300 with a mild OC to 3ghz
2-4gb ram
this hdd
your 8400gs as video card and purchase yourself a HD4850

budget £35-50 board

PermaBanned · 15 Nov 2009 at 15:20

What games? If she was looking at a Mac then Linux might be an option.

PGdude · 15 Nov 2009 at 15:21

I don't think she would approve of Linux. I'll stick to XP. She doesn't really game much (As in, I don't think she has any PC games), but if she does, a decent card to do its bit would be okay. I gave her my PS3 for a bit anyway. She got all excited over Rock Band-y stuff.

marley82 said:
e5300 with a mild OC to 3ghz
2-4gb ram
this hdd
your 8400gs as video card and purchase yourself a HD4850
budget £35-50 board

Hah. I guess I could do that but I've been "promised" a 5850 at the start of next year. The 8400GS is a bit of an old codger. I was thinking that my own board would suffice, then I could get a P45 and get clocking.

Biz.Kid09 said:
Budget? Whats needed hdd,dvd drive, case, monitor?

No actual budget defined. She wanted a Mac but just came up to me and asked if I could build her something. So anything reasonable.

It's just a complete rebuild. I don't think any old parts are useful except my own leftovers mentioned.

PermaBanned · 15 Nov 2009 at 15:23

Seems pretty pointless using 775. An Athlon II X4 would probably suffice.

sorn21 · 15 Nov 2009 at 15:23

Sell her your Q6600 and mobo and get yourself i7...
Depends on the "Games" she's referring to, but worst case scenario a 4870 can be had for sub £100 and this will play anything you can throw at it.
PSU; anything by Corsair.
and top it off with a Samsung F1 1TB

Can't go wrong;
Done and dusted!

Biz.Kid09 · 15 Nov 2009 at 15:27

AMD Athlon II X4 Quad Core 620 2.60GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail £79.99
Asus M4A785TD-V Evo AMD 785G (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard £70.99
OCZ Gold 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 Low-Voltage Dual Channel £62.99
Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD103SJ) £58.98
Corsair CX 400W ATX Power Supply (CMPSU-400CXUK) £36.98
kasa Genesis AK-5004 Midi Tower Case - Black £16.99
Sony Optiarc AD-5240S 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.99
Sub Total : £299.05
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £10.00
VAT is being charged at 15% VAT : £46.36
Total : £355.41
Will be very quick for what she needs,Is that a reasonable price? You can drop Athlon 620 to a Athlon 240 e.t.c to save some money.
Plus your 8400gs when you get a 5850 for now she can just use onboard

PGdude · 15 Nov 2009 at 15:41

What's the difference between F1, F2 and F3 hard drives?

I can't justify getting myself i7 now, I only got this rig last year. Considering the heaviest use she will give this PC is watching a movie or having loads of tabs open in a web browser, I'm getting a bit confused.

PermaBanned · 15 Nov 2009 at 15:43

F1's are fairly fast drives, but they're getting on a bit. F2's are eco drives - so quite slow but use less power. F3's are newer and faster but have relatively high access times.

psychas · 15 Nov 2009 at 15:47

Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB ara faster then samsung spinpoints tbh

PermaBanned · 15 Nov 2009 at 15:49

Nah, they just have lower access times. The best balance is probably the 7200.12.

PGdude · 15 Nov 2009 at 16:19

Okay, here's what I thought of. Not that I already have the board and RAM, and considering I play all sorts of games and things on this 8400GS, I might just throw that in anyway. I don't want to be spending much

Just reminded me to update my sig. I have 4GB or Corsair XMS2, 1066MHz now :eek:

Biz.Kid09 · 15 Nov 2009 at 16:27

Looks good you will need a cpu cooler because the cpu is OEM and also grab the 4770 from b-grade

PGdude · 15 Nov 2009 at 16:29

Biz.Kid09 said:
Looks good you will need a cpu cooler because the cpu is OEM and also grab the 4770 from b-grade

Okay then. I still have my Q6600 Cooler (using a Tuniq Tower for my Q6600).

Also I really don' know about going B-Grade. That's always a bit of a gamble, as I've seen from threads made on the forum.

Biz.Kid09 · 15 Nov 2009 at 16:39

Oh yeh i forgot, Ok then stick with 4670