New Computer

[Nabobalis]

I really need a new computer as my current one is nearing the end of its life.
I got up to ?1000 to spend, wouldn't mind going a ?200 over if need be. Wouldn't like to but if I must I could. I would like to overclock it but I'm not sure on how that affects the component selection

I was thinking of:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 ?140.99

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CP-128-IN

Edit: Quad core or wait?

Tuniq Tower 120 ?37.59

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=HS-000-SB

GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C4 ?58.74

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-058-GL

The ram any good? and is 4GB worth it or just stay with 2GB?

EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS SuperClocked 320MB ?202.09

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...=56&subcat=877

What about ATI cards? I know they released the R600 but I'm not sure about any details of the card and if its worth it instead of a 8800 GTS

For the other parts I'm not sure on the case maybe a

Antec Nine Hundred ?64.61

http://forums.steampowered.com/forum...newthread&f=39

But not sure if I should pay a bit more and go for a P180/182 or even the P190 case.

Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB ?57.56

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...=14&subcat=768

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit Edition DVD - OEM ?129.24

Best to go with 64bit? or easier to stay with 32bit?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...tid=20&subcat=

For a PSU I guess about 600w would be enough? Not sure what brand to take though.
Motherboards is also a difficult choice what chipset is worth it right now? I know Intel released the P35 chipset but I haven't found any reviews of the motherboards. Or go with the 680i or even the 975X.

Finally a sound card, I don't have any speakers because i use my headset so would a sound card benefit me or would it be a waste of money?

Don't need keyboard/mouse/monitor/DVD.

 

[The Brick]

So you plan on some massive overclocking? If you pick the right motherboard, you sure got the right parts for it. Head over to http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/index.php? for a nice motherboard selection. There are threads popping up about the new p35 experiences, different brands etc. You're not gonna get as much help here.

For the OS I'd say stick with the 32bit for now. 64bit has poor driver support, for me that's enough reasons to get 32bit.

As for the PSU, the Corsair 620HX is a really nice psu with solid quality power, be sure to check it out.

If you're an audio enthusiast you might want to consider a soundcard. If you have a nice headset it will sure sound a lot better. If you do, the X-Fi extreme music is the best value for a high quality soundcard.

 

[Gunner]

Well if he's going to get 32 bit Vista, might as well not get Vista and stick with XP for now and upgrade to Vista later. The rest looks good, I also recommend the Corsair 620, it's modular so you only plug in cables that you need and it's compatible with the antec 900 but the only problem is since you'll have the psu underneath the mobo, the 4pin mobo connector is short and will stretch across your case. You should get 2 extra 120 mm fans if you're getting the antec 900, one for the side and another for the HDD cages.

As for the video card, I would have said pay a little extra and go with 640mb version but you're in the UK and that little extra is actually quite more than what you would pay in the US. So nevermind that, keep the SC version, it performs just as well as the 640 in all benchmarks I've seen.

Geil ram is good, especially for overclocking from what I hear. You can go with 2gb now and add 2gb later, there's no rush.

The processor is good, you can wait till the intel price cut sometime this summer but then again what's the point of waiting because everything drops in price eventually. The CPU cooler is also a good choice.

If you have extra cash, I suggest you get a northbridge HS+fan since you plan on overclocking. Unless you get a mobo with bridge cooling like the DSQ6 or 680i. I just looked at the website you linked, it doesn't have a lot of choice but you can get the spot cool from Antec.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SY-000-AN&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=399

And stick it towards the northbridge or your memory.

 

[Nabobalis]

I don't plan on a massive overclock just to the 3+ GHz that the 6600 can get to. Any better case for a few quid more?

 

[Gunner]

The antec 900 is already a great case for air cooling but you want to spend more look into the Lian li cases. Though I don't know which model exactly to recommend.

 

[Nabobalis]

How about this?

 

[Nabobalis]

How about this case:

Antec P182 Super Midi Tower Case

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...d=7&subcat=160

Motherboards:
Gigabyte GA_965P_DS3P

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MB-076-GI

Gigabyte GA_P35_DS3P

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...d=5&subcat=913

Asus P5K Intel P35

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...d=5&subcat=913

I'm so lost on motherboard choice.

I went on to XtremeSystems Forums and they didn't like the Antec 900 and I could find some motherboard choices.

 

[[RnL]Stefan]

I'd stick with 32Bit Vista. Gives you a lot less trouble on the driver and compability side. Get a Systembuilder OEM or a update version and by the time you'll need..i mean really need a 64Bit OS, you can still get the 64Bit one later along with a new pc maybe.