Mid spec pc base unit

[frund]

I always wonder about compatibility. I don't mean buying the wrong component sata when you needed ata. But some components get on well together and you have a fast trouble free pc. I have a amd K6 500 256 ram 32 Ati graphics ME pc and i could do with sometning a bit newer.
Sempron 3000 ish 754 board with a few pci sata slots for the odd card to go in I will probably have 1x 80gb hard drive but sata would be better as it does away with primary and master. Also a seperate AGP graphics card I am not a gamer 128 something that get on with the mb chips, DVD burner etc.
If anyone has built a pc with a simmilar spec to what I am looking for do advise.[Internet, photos, music, satellite encryption.] total budget £400 730dollar 580 euro Any thoughts would be welcome.

[Train]

Actually, you can get say a MSI K8n Neo4, which is a 939 board , cpu, graphics card , 120GB hdd with 2 sticks of pc3200 for $100 less than that. That included the AMD64 3200 cpu, dvd burner and floppy drive.

The 939 board will allow for more upgradability and future proof you a lot better that the 754 one would.

[SuperSparks]

The best way to start is to choose a good motherboard and CPU and see how much you're left with after that. If you can, stick to a good brand of motherboard, even if it costs a little more - it'll pay in the long run.

Asus, Gigabyte, MSI and Abit are all excellent.

Here are my favourite UK online suppliers:

www.komplett.co.uk

www.cclonline.co.uk

www.overclockers.co.uk

www.overclock.co.uk

[liam858]

Ditto, and also check out:

www.savastore.com

www.dabs.com

And, don't skimp on PSU, you never mentioned it above, but a decent 400W PSU would take about £50 from the budget, and stick with manufacturers such as Antec/Enermax/Fortron/Akasa/Thermaltake.


Liam

[frund]

Thanks for that, I am looking at msi k8n neo4 and the 939 option would as you say give me a better upgradeabiltiy. Savastore has all I need although I am looking at the links above. I have not sorted out a power supply yet and I will probably asking some questions very soon. I have noted the suggestions and that should keep me busy for a day or 2.
I was going to look a the mb manafacturers site for graphics card options.

Any prefrences with DVD writer or are they all resonable ?

[liam858]

DVD Writer: I would go with Liteon, and LG make some nice ones too.


Liam

[SuperSparks]

LG or NEC would be my choice. Liteon are not what they used to be :(

[Train]

NEC, LG Liteon and if you happen on rebadged liteon with the name of Sony on the plate, yep gots one.

Named them in the order of brand on how I like them.

As for the power supply, asking before you buy is a very good idea. Believe me, there is some cheap no good junk sold.

[frund]

Good to see LG in the frame I have lg7500 for my football satellite setup recording and I works fine but like all things there is always something newer or faster next day. I will be also looking at the other suggestions your replies have shortened my list. Thanks for your help.

[frund]

msi neo4-f mother board.
As I am not a gamer but a resonable graphics card would be nice. I was thinking about GeForce 6500 256mb ddr low profile pci-e about £40. or so at Dabs. seems to have most things. Any thoughts would be welcome.

[judge john]

if i was you i would go for a geforce 6600 or for a little extra a 6800. defiantly much more solid performing cards for only a little extra. and don't feel you have to get a 256mb card. most 6600's are 128mb and are still better than a 6500.

[SuperSparks]

Here are the specs of that mobo:

http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=K8N_Neo4-F&class=mb

If you can't run to a 6600 or 6800, then here is a nice 6500 for just over 40 quid:

http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?product_id=4968&category_id=256&manufacturer_id=0

[frund]

The GeForce 6600 it will be, about £48 Dabs may be cheaper elswhere will look later. Almost there. It is good to have advice I am not a ardent builder but I have resonable knowlege of pc's and fix friends and family's occaisonally[ if I can] I have downloaded a mobo manual from MSI and will be looking at that this evening. A good solid forum.
I will put this together end of May after holidays Corfu [Georges south] Friday.
Many thanks for you help.

[judge john]

well good luck. any problems or just for a bit of advice feel free to come back and ask :D