Hey,

My current PC is getting fairly out of date now and I have been looking into parts to build a new one. I haven't been keeping up to date with the latest and best components so I'm not sure what I've picked out is the best or not.

I already have a Graphics Card (Nvidia GTS640MB) so I'm fine on that, it's just basically everything else I need. My budget would be around £550ish but I could extend it to £600

Motherboard: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/145748

Hard Drive: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/146252

RAM: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/119190 x2

CPU: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/139971

Case + PSU: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/177749

This all adds up to £538 and I haven't even added a sound card yet and OS (W7 64bit, likely Home Premium).

I don't play many games now, but that's down to the fact my PC won't run them well. So when I get this I'll be playing games like BC2, etc.

If any of you could help me in finding components to fit within my budget it would be appreciated

Thanks

Going for the newer 1156/1366 motherboards, and an i5/i7 CPU would be my advice.

For example:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/173451
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/172755

They cost quite a bit more though don't they? Especially the i7's and the mobos to go with them. I wouldn't need anything that powerful anyway, let alone have the money.

The ones I listed as an example, would be only £20 more than the mb/cpu you listed. You could also save those £20 by going with a cheaper mb, making the cost excactly the same.

Edit: You also would need DDR3 memory, like these: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/191175 (£20 cheaper than the DDR2 ones you listed )

I see,

Would this be any good? http://www.ebuyer.com/product/172655

Even still, its going over the £600 budget.

Quote from Alex_Ward :

Would this be any good? http://www.ebuyer.com/product/172655

That would be fine yes.

Hmm ok, I'll wait for any replies incase someone has any ideas. Thanks for the help

It all comes to £614 with OS and Soundcard too, suppose that isn't too bad.

Is this soundcard decent? http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129740

Unless you have some special needs, the built-in soundcard should be good enough. I haven't personally had the need for a stand-alone soundcard, so dunno what's good or not. But the Creative one is an ok one I guess.

True, I think right now I'll skip the card and buy it another time when I have some more money

I'm having problems trying to find what thermal paste to use, as there are so many :S

Would I use the first one out of these? http://www.arcticsilver.com/instructions.htm

Quote from Alex_Ward :

I'm having problems trying to find what thermal paste to use, as there are so many :S

Would I use the first one out of these? http://www.arcticsilver.com/instructions.htm

Afaik the fan should already have thermal paste attached to it.

Ah yes I just read that, thanks

Just a small note from my experience and view on upgrading/building a PC. It would be better to up the cost a little now, than to build a PC that is already behind current technology. You said you don't play games primarily because your current computer is not good enough, with that thought I would recommend spending the little more now. I'm not saying doubling your budget is okay, or anything like that - perhaps waiting an additional month to save a little bit more for the parts; that is the sort of thing I recommend.

I am not mentioning anything specific about the actual components to build your system, but if you have RAM type A and RAM type B which is better for just a little more costly than type A - then in my opinion it wouldn't be smart to save the money. You need to remember you are upgrading for a reason, don't make it so you will need to upgrade again soon. Of course within limits of some sort of budget, you don't need the best of the best but still I think you see what I mean.

I see what you mean but I have already gone over my budget. I could wait and save some more, but what would you recommend spending more money on? Motherboard and CPU?

you should see if you can get a q9550 instead of an e8400 for that price. also, you can prlly get a cheaper motherboard, unless you are going for a heavy overclock. That is a lot of money to spend on a 775 motherboard. 2x2 sticks of reputable DDR2 1066 ram instead of 2x1.