Looking for some build advice

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alrighty,
I now have a request from a good mate of mine who wants a PC built with as high a spec as possible for £1000 tops, as this will be my first build from scratch (fits nicely with my A+) where better to ask some advice than here huh?
I have already checked out the post's regarding suppliers etc and had a look myself, does anyone use www.microdirect.co.uk or www.planetmicro.co.uk to buy stuff?
I am unsure of which Intel processor to go for, must be Intel about 3.0GHz or above, do the new 64bit processors run older software/hardware? sure I read somewhere they aint backward compatible, more importantly do they warrant the extra cost as in he will use it to surf the net, look at porn and his kids can do their homework on it. He was considering buying one from PC world which had a 3.2GHz P4 and 1GB ram for about £850, Can anyone recommend a good CPU motherboard match and where I can get it? I should be okay with everything else, If not I will keep you posted lol I am doing this purely for the experience (no financial gain) and am getting excited just thinking about it!

 

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Good luck with the build, MrNice.

Also, you need look no further that here about everyone's favourite h/w suppliers.

 

well good luck MrNice...and to echo Jaks advice...check out the thread one place worth checking out is www.ebuyer.co.uk and i would go for AMD for CPUs (IMPO) but have a browse round the site and see what you like...

 

your best bet would be a set up similar to my own i guess

a Asus P4C800-E Deluxe motherboard
P4 3.whatever (there are no 64 bit extensions for P4s yet, so dont worry)

you will need a different motherboard if you go for a Prescott (new) as they use the new socket 775 or whatever its called

1GB of ram (180 quid this week on komplett)

SATA hdd (200gb is 70 quid)

not too expensive
can even throw in a 17" LCD that can do 1280x1024 for under 200 these days

 

Planet micro are £42 cheaper than Ebuyer on that Asus motherboard, anyone ever used them?

 

Go for an AMD64 - they are backward compatible, cheaper and will outperform a P4 hands down

 

hmm i dont really want to get into a Athlon vs P4 debate here, as its not the place
but thats a totally unfounded comment, my mate has an Athlon FX 51 (far superior to the Athlon64, uses the Opteron Core not the A64 core
and my P4 2.8 performs faster and cooler in MANY day to day tasks, and even some bench marks, but i dont put too much faith in them

an A64/Opteron has its place, no doubt about it, but to blindly say 'it beats a p4 hands down' is pure flamebait

I wouldnt mind a dual opteron server for some VMware GSX luvin mind..


Remeber to purchase what your customer wants, not what you think is best, especially if they have an opinion on the matter (some users dont know/care either way)

Good luck, let me know if you need a hand, I have been building performance server/gaming rigs for over 6 years, and PCs in general for over 10, happy to help if needed

 

Was just going on a PC Format test that I read a few months back where they put an AMD64, Athalon XP and P4 head to head. But it's true, the best option is to get what is appropriate for the customer.

 

no worries monkey, i've just see so many flame wars re: amd v intel over the years, i get a bit jumpy haha

its nice to have another hardware enthusiast around here

 

@ phoenix

Is this something you do for a living or is it after hours?

 

I only ever use AMDs - P4s are rubbish

 

@ Jakamoko : I agree with ya. I've got an AMD XP 2400 and it's never missed a beat, even though the core voltage has been high since it was installed.

I do go through PSU's like Rik Waller goes through Mars bars though. I just seem to be unlucky with them.

 

not for a living mate, dont even make a penny off them usually
im a gamer, and as such pour alot of time into building the right rig, also build them for friends and such, have been building servers for a number of smaller clients, and myself for years too


again not really in that kind off arena for the money, i design networks for a living (when im actually making a living, lol)