Is this spec ok?

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Chaos_Wraith

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In early January i decided that my computer was getting old and slow. I thought rather than upgrading it would just start from the begining with a new computer and upgrade that when it needs it.

However I'm not too good with PC components. I've looked at many reviews, specs and info sites but I'm still not entirely sure if what I'm buying is ok.

What I'm aiming at is an average quality gaming PC. My budget is £650-£800 (maybe abit more if its worth it).

I've mainly been using customize web sites to practice putting together a spec and get an idea of final prices. My question is if this spec i put together on PCSPECIALIST.CO.UK - Custom PCs, Custom Computers, Custom PC, Desktop PC, Custom Built Computers, Gaming PC is worth the money and if its an average gaming computer that can be upgraded as time goes on.

Total price £809
(a few days ago i posted this on anothe forum and since then i have changed a few things. please tell me if the changes were a good thing. After the changes the price didn't change :suprised:)

Processor (CPU)
AMD PHENOM II X4 965 SOCKET AM3 (3.40GHz/8MB CACHE) - BLACK EDITION
(Before changes - Intel® Core™2 Quad Q9650 (3.00GHz) 1333MHz FSB/12MB Cache)

Memory (RAM)
4GB CORSAIR DDR3 DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz - LIFETIME WARRANTY!
(Before changes - 2GB CORSAIR DUAL-DDR2 800MHz)

Motherboard
ASUS® M4A77TD: DUAL DDR3, S-ATA II, 2 x PCIe x16, 1 x PCIe x1, 3 x PCI

Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)

USB Options
8 x USB 2.0 PORTS (6 REAR + 2 FRONT) AS STANDARD

Memory - 1st Hard Disk
500GB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (7,200rpm)
(Before changes - 250GB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (7,200rpm))

1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
22x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM

Graphics Card
1GB ATI RADEON™ HD 5770 PCI EXPRESS - DirectX® 11
(Before changes - 1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GT240 PCI EXPRESS )

Sound Card
ONBOARD 8 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO

Network Facilities
ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT

Case
PCS MAELSTROM T900 BLACK GAMING CASE

Power Supply & Case Cooling
450W Quiet Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan (£25)
(Before changes - 600W Quiet Quad Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan)

Processor Cooling
SUPER QUIET 22dBA TRIPLE COPPER HEATPIPE CPU COOLER (£19)

Anti-Virus
MICROSOFT SECURITY ESSENTIALS - Free Basic Protection

Home Installation
Technician Assisted Installation & Set-Up + Wireless Internet + Family Surf Control (£99)

Warranty
1 Year Return-to-Base incl 1 Year Free Collect & Return (£5)

Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)

Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 6 to 8 working days

If I could better in any way please tell me where and how
Thanks :big_smile:
 
I don't really know the prices in the UK, but that computer looks way overpriced for the parts you are getting. It would also be better if you can find out the exact brand/model of the parts too, since not all manufacturers are equal in quality.
 
try to find a hard drive with a bigger cache 16 or even 32 mb would be best i used this on a build i just made this past week

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

if you can afford it get the caviar black series

Edit: and if you are going to put that much money into a graphics card get something with a 256-bit rate that is still ddr5



The Samsung Spinpoint F3 series HDD outperforms the Western Digital Caviar Blacks and is cheaper.
Screw Caviar Black, go Spinpoint F3.
 
Wattage doesn't mean squat if it is a cheap brand that will blow and kill half you components when it does.

The PSU is the single most important component in a computer, doubly so if it is a gaming/high performance build. You don't customize/accessorize a show car and then put a single-stroke lawnmower engine in it... so why would you put together a decent build and then drop in a non-name, cheap made PSU?
 
Wattage doesn't mean squat if it is a cheap brand that will blow and kill half you components when it does.

The PSU is the single most important component in a computer, doubly so if it is a gaming/high performance build. You don't customize/accessorize a show car and then put a single-stroke lawnmower engine in it... so why would you put together a decent build and then drop in a non-name, cheap made PSU?

I would if it was a low power draw desktop.
It's not like ATX PSU's are ever cheap enough to use Zener diodes in place of transformers.
There is isolation from massive power surges thanks to the fact that brands don't use Zener diodes in ATX PSU's (That I know of) in place of a transformer and the odds of PSUs taking out other components in a PSU death is low, as the two most common things to die and kill a PSU are the fan and capacitors.
I suppose the heat could kill other components in a fan death?
And a cap death could cause a short and let AC in...
But when fuzzy voltage comes in there are many failsafes to stop it, even in cheap PSU's.

The odds of your rig blowing up are probably so low, it's worth the money you'd save getting a cheap PSU if you have low power draw.

Or you can be paranoid and always buy expensive PSU's.
Expensive clothing...
Expensive food...
Just squander your money away, it's cool.
I'll be enjoying my budget brands and my saved cash.
 
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