[TheNewGuy]

Hello, I am looking at getting a desktop computer put together and have fiddled around with a bit of the spec (though admittedly not much). I am currently trying to play Call of Duty 4 online, but my video card is archaic and so the time has come to look at a new system.

I have settled on the following;

Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™2 Duo E8400 (2 X 3.00GHz) 1333MHz FSB/6MB L2 Cache
Memory (RAM)
4GB CORSAIR XMS2 800MHz - LIFETIME WARRANTY! (2x2GB)
Motherboard
ASUS® P5QL: DDR2, SATAII, PCI-e x16, 3 PCI, 2 x PCI-e x1
Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium + SP1, CD & Licence (£59)
USB Options
8 x USB 2.0 PORTS (6 REAR + 2 FRONT) AS STANDARD
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
80GB SERIAL ATA II HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (7,200rpm)
2nd Hard Disk
NONE
1st CD/DVD Drive
20x Dual Layer LightScribe DVD Writer ±R/±RW/RAM
2nd CD/DVD Drive
NONE
Graphics Card
1024MB GEFORCE 9500GT PCI Express + DVI + TV-OUT
2nd Graphics Card
NONE
Sound Card
ONBOARD 8 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Modem
NONE, I WILL BE USING BROADBAND
Network Facilities
ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
Floppy Disk Drive
NONE
Memory Card Reader
NONE
Case
Stylish Silver/Black Trident case + 2 front USB
Power Supply & Case Cooling
350W Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan
Processor Cooling
SUPER QUIET 22dBA TRIPLE COPPER HEATPIPE CPU COOLER (£15)
Firewire & Video Editing
NONE
TV Card
NONE
Monitor
17 Inch Wide TFT Silver/Black 1440 x 900 8MS, D-Sub (£79)

-----

Is this a decent setup? Is there anything there that sticks out as letting it down or would you suggest anything different? I am using the drop down selections from a website (I don't know if I am allowed to post the site so that you can look at available options?).

Any opinions gratefully received. I love computers but sadly not skilled enough to consider putting one together myself so not an option for me unfortunately!

Edit; forgot to add, this computer set up comes to £600 with delivery and VAT taken into account.

[serverguy]

Your on the right track, but the graphics card is hopeless, and the PSU is probably not much cop.

Its also expensive for what it is.

Change the graphics card to a ATI 4850 if you can and upgrade the PSU.

Its fine to post a link.

[SocialWarfare]

Does that PSU come with a case? I would suggest upgrading that too, to a 600w+ known brand

[tomthedrummer1992]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - 750W Thermaltake Toughpower amazing PSU. Good rig though - just the PSU that's a let down and you could get a better GFX card - many people say the 8xxx series are still better bang for buck than the 9xxx series.

Also, what is the case? Make sure you get a good one with good airflow *cough* thermaltake *cough*

[thingie2]

Originally Posted by serverguy

Your on the right track, but the graphics card is hopeless, and the PSU is probably not much cop.

Its also expensive for what it is.

Change the graphics card to a ATI 4850 if you can and upgrade the PSU.

Its fine to post a link.

Exactly what I was going to say.

Also, you say you don't feel like you could build one yourself, but I'm sure you could, and it would be a great learning experience. There are loads of online guides to help people build their own PC's.

[serverguy]

Originally Posted by tomthedrummer1992

I've said it before and I'll say it again - 750W Thermaltake Toughpower amazing PSU. Good rig though - just the PSU that's a let down and you could get a better GFX card - many people say the 8xxx series are still better bang for buck than the 9xxx series.

The Thermaltakes aren't really that good, there on quad 12 volt rails for a start, so probably a maximum of 15A on each, which means a Corsair 450W could deliver twice the amperage to the graphics card...

The 9600GT is better bang for buck than the 8800GT as well.

[thingie2]

Yea, combined output on 12V rails is 60A, so 15A on each, it's best to go for single rails at 60A, duel rails at 30A probably could also do, but single rails are best.

[TheNewGuy]

Hi, thanks for the feedback. I imagine that given a lot of time and some very fierce concentration that I could put together something resembling a system but considering my woeful ability at anything electrical or involving putting something together in school I am loathed to put my own money on the line to see if much has changed!

There doesn't seem to be much flexibility on the website I used to get those specs originally, so I started to look at the EasyPC shop on ebay. I have been looking at this unit as it seems to be slightly closer to your advice than my initial choices. Does it seem a better choice?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gaming-PC-Desk...QQcmdZViewItem

[Hybr!d]

Personally I wouldn't buy a PC off eBay, customer service is non existent.

There are countless, reputable proper shops that will build you a PC.

[computeruler]

didnt rtead anything but hers my two scence the gpu sucks and so does the power supply and the hard drive should be bigger
for the gpu i would go with something like a 4850 a 4870 if you can afford it
for the psu i would go with a nice crosair 650 watt
and just a bigger hard drive they arnt that expensive