Looking to build a decent PC in a budget

XabbaRus · 07-12-09, 03:48 PM

OK looking to build a new PC budget is £500 to £600

Now I'm looking for advice and links to good places to buy would be great but I don't want to be bombarded with multiple different options.

Here is what I need.

New Case
New MOBO
New CPU
New HDD
New DVD/RW
New RAM of course
New Tx

I'll be reusing my nVIDIA GFX card which is PCI-e Maybe not the fastest card on the block now but it is the one thing I can forgo getting straight away since the only game I will be playing on it is IL-2 1946.

Although it is a family computer the aim is that I will be able to Play Battle of Britain : Storm of War at high options settings when it is released.

I have built a PC before so I can do that.

One other thing is Intel only...not keen on AMD and undecided whether to go Core 2 Duo or Quad core.

Cheers for your help. Purchasing will be done in stages, getting the bits as I can afford it. Though certain things I'll be buying together.

I'm sure I can build a decent PC good enough to go 6 or so years and still be able to play future flight sims coming out in that time.

My current PC is 5 to 6 years old and can still hack it like I said with IL-2 on fullish settings, but for BOB:SOW and Black Shark it will struggle.....

Task Force · 07-12-09, 05:05 PM

I myself use a e8400, its a good processor, or you could go to the 8500, but thats cause I use duel core, always have.

umm... ive had good experience with my antec 900... keeps my 8800 cool.

I use a asus MoBo have had no issues.

Kaleun · 07-13-09, 02:14 PM

hi,

I know it's not building your own - but i saw this whilst browsing overclockers, and it's in your budget and is a stonking gaming rig for the money (but it is AMD)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=FS-180-OK

Kaleun

porphy · 07-13-09, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

My current PC is 5 to 6 years old and can still hack it like I said with IL-2 on fullish settings, but for BOB:SOW and Black Shark it will struggle.....

If you are ok with running IL2 as it is now, I would hold of and wait for the actual release of BOB:SOW. The closer to the release of the sim, the better hardware you will get for the money. And you will know a bit more of what it will take to run it in a good way.

If you want to run BS right now, and turn on full settings in IL2 I can see why you want to build a new PC pronto. But if BOB is the main event, I would hold my breath a bit longer. (although no one really knows for how long...

)

cheers Porphy

Task Force · 07-13-09, 04:11 PM

yea, the 200 series cards prices should be dropping once the 3xx series cards come out.

if they do.

XabbaRus · 07-20-09, 03:32 PM

OK looking at a Core 2 Duo E8400 or E8500

Quad core is out of the question.

Now what Mobo should I get. I'm going to get an Intel chipset mobo for maximum compatibility.

SUBMAN1 · 07-20-09, 08:10 PM

Why is a quad core out of the question? You can buy one for $150 easy.

-S

Task Force · 07-20-09, 08:14 PM

im currently useing a p5k deluxe... it has been good to me.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131182

The CPU I use.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037

SUBMAN1 · 07-20-09, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Task Force

im currently useing a p5k deluxe... it has been good to me.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131182

The CPU I use.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037

Bah! Old technology that is overpriced for being as under performing as it is. Not picking on your CPU since you probably bought it when it was hot, but why invest in 1 to 2 year old technology? It is so sacrilegious to me that I'd almost offer up the difference for an i7 920 just to feel good that he didn't buy into something that won't last!

If I knew him personally, I probably would!

The games coming that are making use of heavy physics will dedicate a core on a quad to physics alone. People with dual cores will get reduced fun.

-S

FIREWALL · 07-20-09, 10:19 PM

TigerDirect has good deals cpu\mobo bundles.

Also case\psu deals.

XabbaRus · 07-21-09, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

Why is a quad core out of the question? You can buy one for $150 easy.

-S

Well I was on DABS.com and overclockers.co.uk and Core Quads are £250

XabbaRus · 07-21-09, 11:03 AM

OK I said I wanted to keep this simple. I am on a budget looking £500-600

I'm looking for clear realistic recommendations, not turning into a poo-pooing the other guys choice of CPU/mobo what ever.

I can't afford a quad core unless someone can get a good one to me for about £150

FIREWALL · 07-21-09, 11:54 AM

If TigerDirect isn't available to you I still say look for a cpu\mobo bundle deal.

Also a case\psu bundle deal.

Arclight · 07-21-09, 02:42 PM

I'd say get a P45 board (preferably PCI-e 2.0), throw in 2x2GB DDR2 (4-4-4-12 if possible) and a decent dual-core. If DDR3 is a must, you'd best go with i7, but that would likely ramp up the price, meaning you need to cut corners on other stuff, if it's doable on that budget at all.

GigaByte is always a good choice for boards, but they're expensive. Kingston offers good modules for a good price with maximum compatibility and a lifetime waranty, no strings attached.

Over here, a E8400 costs about the same as an Q8400 (!) (just under 150,- euros). For 10 to 15 more, you have a Q9400 (just under 165,- euros).

Get a case to your liking, make sure it has a decent (preferably good) PSU.

There, simple.

But...

You mentioned Black Shark. At the moment, single core speed is very important for it, since it doesn't support multi-cores. You can enable it through the OS (set affinity for the process to all cores), but it's less than ideal. With upcoming modules, there should be native support for multi-core and multi-threading. Since your primary focus is flight-sims, I'd say a quad is mandatory, especially with future releases. Since not all sims can use multi-cores effectively, especially older ones, you'll want a fast one at that for high speed per core.

(flight) sims are heavy on the CPU. You want a good one.

Task Force · 07-21-09, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arclight

I'd say get a P45 board (preferably PCI-e 2.0), throw in 2x2GB DDR2 (4-4-4-12 if possible) and a decent dual-core. If DDR3 is a must, you'd best go with i7, but that would likely ramp up the price, meaning you need to cut corners on other stuff, if it's doable on that budget at all.

GigaByte is always a good choice for boards, but they're expensive. Kingston offers good modules for a good price with maximum compatibility and a lifetime waranty, no strings attached.

Over here, a E8400 costs about the same as an Q8400 (!) (just under 150,- euros). For 10 to 15 more, you have a Q9400 (just under 165,- euros).

Get a case to your liking, make sure it has a decent (preferably good) PSU.

There, simple.

But...

You mentioned Black Shark. At the moment, single core speed is very important for it, since it doesn't support multi-cores. You can enable it through the OS (set affinity for the process to all cores), but it's less than ideal. With upcoming modules, there should be native support for multi-core and multi-threading. Since your primary focus is flight-sims, I'd say a quad is mandatory, especially with future releases. Since not all sims can use multi-cores effectively, especially older ones, you'll want a fast one at that for high speed per core.

(flight) sims are heavy on the CPU. You want a good one.

someone has made a program that allows you to run 2 cpus in dcs blackshark.

07-12-09, 03:48 PM	#1
XabbaRus Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,330 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Looking to build a decent PC in a budget OK looking to build a new PC budget is £500 to £600 Now I'm looking for advice and links to good places to buy would be great but I don't want to be bombarded with multiple different options. Here is what I need. New Case New MOBO New CPU New HDD New DVD/RW New RAM of course New Tx I'll be reusing my nVIDIA GFX card which is PCI-e Maybe not the fastest card on the block now but it is the one thing I can forgo getting straight away since the only game I will be playing on it is IL-2 1946. Although it is a family computer the aim is that I will be able to Play Battle of Britain : Storm of War at high options settings when it is released. I have built a PC before so I can do that. One other thing is Intel only...not keen on AMD and undecided whether to go Core 2 Duo or Quad core. Cheers for your help. Purchasing will be done in stages, getting the bits as I can afford it. Though certain things I'll be buying together. I'm sure I can build a decent PC good enough to go 6 or so years and still be able to play future flight sims coming out in that time. My current PC is 5 to 6 years old and can still hack it like I said with IL-2 on fullish settings, but for BOB:SOW and Black Shark it will struggle..... __________________

07-12-09, 05:05 PM	#2
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	I myself use a e8400, its a good processor, or you could go to the 8500, but thats cause I use duel core, always have. umm... ive had good experience with my antec 900... keeps my 8800 cool. I use a asus MoBo have had no issues. __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

07-13-09, 04:11 PM	#5
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	yea, the 200 series cards prices should be dropping once the 3xx series cards come out. if they do. __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

07-20-09, 03:32 PM	#6
XabbaRus Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,330 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	OK looking at a Core 2 Duo E8400 or E8500 Quad core is out of the question. Now what Mobo should I get. I'm going to get an Intel chipset mobo for maximum compatibility. __________________

07-20-09, 08:10 PM	#7
SUBMAN1 Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11,866 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Why is a quad core out of the question? You can buy one for $150 easy. -S __________________ Last edited by XabbaRus; 07-21-09 at 10:58 AM. Reason: Sorry got to get used to hitting the quote button not edit button.

07-13-09, 02:14 PM	#3
Kaleun Chief Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 329 Downloads: 266 Uploads: 0	hi, I know it's not building your own - but i saw this whilst browsing overclockers, and it's in your budget and is a stonking gaming rig for the money (but it is AMD) http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=FS-180-OK Kaleun

07-20-09, 08:14 PM	#8
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	im currently useing a p5k deluxe... it has been good to me. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131182 The CPU I use. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037 __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time" Last edited by Task Force; 07-20-09 at 08:27 PM.

07-20-09, 10:19 PM	#10
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	TigerDirect has good deals cpu\mobo bundles. Also case\psu deals. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

07-21-09, 11:03 AM	#12
XabbaRus Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,330 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	OK I said I wanted to keep this simple. I am on a budget looking £500-600 I'm looking for clear realistic recommendations, not turning into a poo-pooing the other guys choice of CPU/mobo what ever. I can't afford a quad core unless someone can get a good one to me for about £150 __________________

07-21-09, 11:54 AM	#13
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	If TigerDirect isn't available to you I still say look for a cpu\mobo bundle deal. Also a case\psu bundle deal. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

07-21-09, 02:42 PM	#14
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	I'd say get a P45 board (preferably PCI-e 2.0), throw in 2x2GB DDR2 (4-4-4-12 if possible) and a decent dual-core. If DDR3 is a must, you'd best go with i7, but that would likely ramp up the price, meaning you need to cut corners on other stuff, if it's doable on that budget at all. GigaByte is always a good choice for boards, but they're expensive. Kingston offers good modules for a good price with maximum compatibility and a lifetime waranty, no strings attached. Over here, a E8400 costs about the same as an Q8400 (!) (just under 150,- euros). For 10 to 15 more, you have a Q9400 (just under 165,- euros). Get a case to your liking, make sure it has a decent (preferably good) PSU. There, simple. But... You mentioned Black Shark. At the moment, single core speed is very important for it, since it doesn't support multi-cores. You can enable it through the OS (set affinity for the process to all cores), but it's less than ideal. With upcoming modules, there should be native support for multi-core and multi-threading. Since your primary focus is flight-sims, I'd say a quad is mandatory, especially with future releases. Since not all sims can use multi-cores effectively, especially older ones, you'll want a fast one at that for high speed per core. (flight) sims are heavy on the CPU. You want a good one. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.