DemonDave

iTrader: (13)

Just about to buy the next pc by bits

Comments on the spec? Intel v amd, 6800 video or radeon etc

Shuttle XPC SD31P
Intel LGA 775 Pentium D 830 3.0 GHz CPU, Dual-Core, 800MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache, Support EM64T 64 Bit
Crucial DDR2 PC2-5300 2gb (2 x 1gb)
2x Maxtor 250GB SATA Ultra 16 SATA150 16MB 7200rpm
Pioneer DVR-110DBK DVD+-R/RW Dual Layer 16x IDE Black
GeForce 6800Ultra 256MB PCI-E 2xDVI-I


Dave.

cong

go for the amd its cheaper so you can get a faster processor!

DemonDave

iTrader: (13)

just looking into that now - there is not much difference as I want to stay dual core - but the AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 3800+ (Socket 939) & xpc sn25p might be a better pairing

DrEvil

AMD X2 is better chip than the Intel equivilent - although Intel's next gen dual cores promise to be much better.

But at present, X2 is the way forward

For video - how much are you spending on the GPU alone? It makes a difference on what to go for PCI-E wise. If you are looking at the 6800Ultra, the 7800GT could be in price range (£235 inc vat) and a much better choice.

DemonDave

iTrader: (13)

ok quick change for about the same price

Shuttle XPC SN25P AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 3800+ (Socket 939) GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC3200 Value Dual Channel Kit CAS3 or equ2x Maxtor 250GB SATA Ultra 16 SATA150 16MB 7200rpmPioneer DVR-110DBK DVD+-R/RW Dual Layer 16x IDE BlackXFX GeForce 7800GT Extreme Edition 256MB GDDR3 VIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express)

MJW

The 3800 X2's are supposed to overclock nicely but you might be limited to cooling options in a shuttle ! What's your budget for RAM ? Can it stretch to a matched pair of CAS2 sticks such as Corsair or OCZ ?

DemonDave

iTrader: (13)

I have always brought kit with the intention of overclocking but never do it as it always seemed cheaper to overspec in the first place

looking at the OCZ memory (had problems with corsair) but it will depend on who has what when I order

Dave.

DrEvil

Now, I don't mean to thrown another spanner, and this may not ultimately affect you.

But, ATi (paper) launch their R520 tomorrow, the X1800XL (7800GT equiv) *should* be available from tomorrow ish. Stock availability will be very limited though, whereas the Nvidia stuff is widely available.

Nice choice of 7800, I've got the XFX GTX extreme, blinding card

DemonDave

iTrader: (13)

Seen about that pricing should be bout the same - I seem to swap between nvidia and ati ever pc rebuild - think the x1800xl could be a bit bleeding edge and a touch "buggy" to start off with. Heard a lot about XFX customer service

all I have got to do now is find some better prices (suprise suprise ebuyer is coming up cheapest ! )

Dave.

DrEvil

I've read some interesting opinions on the current benchmarks published for R520, tomorrow will be the proof in the pudding as it were.. when finially some official reviews come out... I don't think the difference will be all that in the end.