[MilkshakeMan]

I'm going to be building a new computer soon (in time for Christmas) and need some advice on what to get. Here's what I'm thinking of getting so far:

[SIZE=2]Gigabyte S775 nForce 650SLI ATX 8CH HD Audio GLan[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 2.13GHz Socket 775 1066FSB 4MB[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]OCZ Technology 2x1GB 240DIMM PC2-6400 DDR2 Platinum[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]XFX GeForce 8800GTS 320MB DDR3 Dual DVI PCIE[/SIZE]

Is this a worthwhile purshase? Please keep in mind that my budget is £500 or less. How would this cope with the latest games? Anything I need to avoid?
Oh, one more thing, is www.dabs.com a reliable source to get these things from. I'm a bit worried about ordering something and it not actually coming.

Thanks in advance

[coldalarm]

I've ordered from dabs.com and had no problems (I got this PC from there).

ANd yeah, that rig would be good for gaming. The 8800GTS is excellent, but if you can, try get the BFG OC version, it's no more expensive.
But, it takes up over a third of your budget.
Will you be using DX10 or not? And also, make sure you get a decent PSU (500W should be fine), and probably a sound card =]

[MilkshakeMan]

I probably won't be able to get a sound card for a while so i will have to put up with the onboard sound. I'm not sure about DX10, do you have to have Vista? Even so, I need this computer to last a few years and be easily upgraded when the time comes, so yes, I will use DX10. My power supply is a 600W. Is this O.K for the job? Any more feedback will be appreiciated.
thanks

[coldalarm]

Originally Posted by MilkshakeMan I probably won't be able to get a sound card for a while so i will have to put up with the onboard sound. I'm not sure about DX10, do you have to have Vista? Even so, I need this computer to last a few years and be easily upgraded when the time comes, so yes, I will use DX10. My power supply is a 600W. Is this O.K for the job? Any more feedback will be appreiciated. thanks

600W will suffice.

For DX10, Vista is mandatory, but there are rumours of it coming to XP. The 8800GTS will cover you for DX9 easily, and probably do well in DX10, but that's to be fully shown.

What hard drives will you be using? Just one, or two?

[MilkshakeMan]

I will be using an old 80GB IDE and a 320GB Seagate External USB 2.0 HDD. I know the 80 is old and slow. I'll have to get a SATA eventually but for now I think i should just stick to the basic stuff.

[Mike0001]

Originally Posted by MilkshakeMan Oh, one more thing, is www.dabs.com a reliable source to get these things from. I'm a bit worried about ordering something and it not actually coming. Thanks in advance

I have used Dabs for years with no problems. They used to use ParcelForce and every delivery was next day. Recently they have started using a courier for their lowest cost deliveries and you have to be in that day or the next, else face a long journey to a depot, not good. Unfortunately the e-mail notice of delivery has sometimes arrived after the failed delivery attempt.

Don't know if their next-day service still uses ParcelForce.

Insight is horribly expensive now; even though based in my home town I cannot collect!

[MilkshakeMan]

I think Dabs will be the best place for the pc then. I looked on PcWorld's website and a pc of around the same performance (actually slightly slower) would cost about £60 - £80 more. The think I am most unsure about is the people who order something and if it does turn up, it's faulty.
Anyway I looked at the BFG OC version of the 8800GTS and I can still afford it. What is the difference between that one and the XFX version?

[Mike0001]

Originally Posted by MilkshakeMan Even so, I need this computer to last a few years and be easily upgraded when the time comes...

Better avoid anything Intel or Microsoft then!

[MilkshakeMan]

Good point! They are still the best in the market, gaming-wise, anyway
The Core2Duo outperform the Athlon 6000X2 ( I think thats what the're called )

[MilkshakeMan]

I looked at the BFG OC version of the 8800GTS and I can still afford it. What is the difference between that one and the XFX version?