My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

Thanks to these two threads and more importantly those who replied and helped me make the choices! :tu:
Recommend me a motherboard for a P4 3Ghz? , Radeon 9700 PRO 128mb UPGRADE to 9800 PRO 128mb? and Recommend me a 19" LCD monitor? :D


Here's what I'm planning to buy as my new PC (to replace my old and VERY noisy Athlon 1400 :()

• 19" Iiyama ProLite E481S Silver TFT +DVI + speakers (3 yr on-site)
• Intel® Pentium ® 4 3.2GHz (800MHz) Hyper threading 512K cache Retail inc.Fan (3 year warranty)
  (I decided against the Prescott 3.0GHz in the end :) )
• Asus P4C800-E Deluxe P4 i875P AGP Pro 800FSB +Firewire +SATA/RAID +Intel gigabit LAN +6ch.audio +USB2 Dual chan. DDR +WiFi slot (up to DDR400)
  
• Corsair ® 1024MB TwinX Dual Memory (2 x 512MB) XMS 3200 DDR 400MHz (TwinX1024-3200C2)
  
• SoundBlaster Audigy2 ZS Platinum Pro 7.1 surround sound, Dolby Digital ® EX Retail
  
• 2x 160 GB Maxtor DiamondMax Plus9 SATA 7200rpm UDMA150 8MB Cache
  
• PC Case - Lian-Li PC-6070A (Aquariam, case side panel)
  
• Antec TruePower Quiet 480W Blue Illuminated PSU with Twin Fans
  
• Lian-Li 5.25" Thermometer Silver
  
• Samcheer 3.5" Internal 6-in-One card reader (Beige, Black & Silver Bezels)
  
• Logitech Premium Stereo USB Headset 30

I'm keeping my existing ATI 9700 PRO 128mb g/c, DVD-RW and my MS keyboard and w/l Intellimouse Explorer :)


First of all THANKS again to everyone who helped me make the hard decisions :tu: :)

p.s. have I missed anything??? :LOL:

Please note: I've updated post#1 as and when needed going on the feedback from this thread ;)

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

You just want a better PC than me dont you! :pp

All looks very very nice Cas!

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

Bah just showing off lol

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

Yep, v nice :D

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

:blush: nah!...I'm not bright enough for that m'larky! ;)

I'm really just checking that I have'nt done something stupid!...or have missed something obvious! :)

:angel:

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

Topower PSU's? I've never heard of them, but for the price you're paying for the kit I'd go with a known reliable brand, such as Enermax, Antec, Zalman, Aerocool or Vantec (avoid the cheaper models in each of their ranges). Also beward of Maxtor drives, probably just my bad luck but every single Maxtor drive I've had ends up whining after about a week or so.

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

With that PC, i'd reccomend against getting a unknown PSU.. dont want everything blowing up, do we ;)

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

This man speaketh the truth. I'd avoid Maxtor too, but that's just me.

Some things you can get away with buying cheap or unbranded, but RAM and PSU's are worth spending that little extra on. You're good to go on the RAM, but I'd go for a quality PSU. If quiet is your thing, then Antec's TruePower series are great.

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

seems like your a boy racer of the pc world - my only issue with it may be noise. while it may be super duper it may soon get on your tits :)

but thats just me i went from a super loud amd to a very nice and peaceful p4 3.2 with some silent stuff in my box.

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

I agree with the comment about Antec PSU's. I would also have a look at their cases - I think that they are superb! I have used cases from either end of their ranges (price wise as well) and find them very hard to fault!

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

The second Mortgage to buy it all ?

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

They are, I have one myself, but he's bought a sexy Lian Li .. which in my book outdoes any Antec any day.

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

I have a Lian Li case (PC7) with the aquarium side panel, it is very cool but does add to the noise (the air pump making bubbles through the water) I recently bought a ThermalTake butterfly PSU to to power it all and very good it is to. You've gone for the asaka case modding kit to that includes some cold cathodes but don't forget you'll already have one to go with the side panel/case. Also just a suggestion but instead of the 250Gb disk why not go for 2 120 or 160Gb disks and make a raid 0 array for a bit more speed seeing as you have no redundacy for backup anyway!

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

If aesthetics are more important, then I'd agree. I'd say Antec's lean towards function over form - a bit more practical. For example, If reducing system noise was a priority I'd take an Antec SLK3700-BQE over a Lian-Li.

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

The case he's buying is not only exceptionally well manufactured, it's sound dampened and rated VERY highly in a number of reviews. I'd personally take it functionally over any Antec (I currently have an Antec case, and will soon be buying the same Lian Li)

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=2008&p=1

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

Have you actually looked at and used the iiyama LCD? I've got the 17" and have also used the 15" ones version but I prefer my old iiyama CRT - can't seem to get brightness right on the LCD. I think the Dell/Philips/Sony LCDs are much better.

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

My bad, I thought you were recommending *any* Lian-Li, not that one in particular. It seems the PC-6070 is their first try at a quiet case - it's definitely got my interest.

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

It looks good and has been recommended :)

Iiyama is a good make for monitors, so can't see it being a bad choice :)

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

Ah right, no, I chose the case I have over one of the lower end Lian Li's, I just have to convince her indoors that I HAVE to have this new Lian Li or the whole world will come to an end.

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

WiFi - why b only. b/g is not much more and 5 times faster. Why Wifi in the case when you will connect this by wire?

HDD why an IDE ATA when you have SATA onboard. Get a SATA150 for better performance. If your doing a lot of graphic work or video work, then maybe get two 80/120Gb ones and set them to Raid 0.

If the PC is your primary business PC, get two 160Gb SATA disks and RAID1 them. Permanant full time hot backup.

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

Does anyone know what cables I get with this? I assume an analog cable but does it come with the DVI cable?

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

http://www.iiyama.co.uk/

According to the above...

Power cable
D-Sub cable
audio cable
information cd
quick start guide

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

Thanks :tu: :)


I've been thinking of upgrading this to the SoundBlaster Audigy2 ZS 7.1 Sound Card Retail . Is it worth it? for £25 more?

Also what does the Soundblaster Audigy2 NX USB2 7.1 External Retail do? :)


and if I buy those two should I just buy SoundBlaster Audigy2 ZS Platinum Pro 7.1 surround sound, Dolby Digital ® EX Retail?

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

The ZS is a 7.1 card, THX certified (apparently) but still uses the original EMU chip so you really wouldn't notice much improvement in sound etc. The NX is an external USB sound card, avoid it, it'll use a lot of CPU cycles. I'd recommend the ZS Platinum Pro, both me and Richard have one, the breakout box is VERY handy, midi ports, mic in, headphone jack, optical in and out, Firewire and a remote control. Oh, and CMSS is far better on the ZS no matter which flavour you choose.

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

Thx Bif :)

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

Oh dear! :(

They don't sell the Lian-Li Aquarium side panels anymore, what am I to do!

Does anyone know who does sell them :)

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

Its is an Antec PSU. ;)

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

Where did you get that from?

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

Post 1 bullet point 7.

The Maxtor diamond plus 9 120Gb drive i bought on accident (was trying to buy a samsung spinpoint) works nicely and the Maxdrive(?) software to install on legacy machines is fantastic. Just RTFM :blush: and pull the right jumpers out!

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

You'll need 8 speakers to get the best out of that too, you would need to find homes for them to ensure optimal sound placement. Do you watch DVDs on your PC. Not much else will support 7.1 for a while. I'd imagine most games are 5.1 at the mo and will stay that way for a while.

I know your trying to build the perfect beast, just like Don Henly did in January 1984 with his Wayfarers on. You might find the £25 is better spend elsewhere at the mo, like on SATA HDDs (or some Wayfarers to hang out with the Boys and Girls of Summer).

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

SATA HDDs already covered m8 ;)

I've been updating post #1 as I go ;)

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

I just noticed that! I'm getting confused slagging off the original PSU you were going to buy and people telling me it's an Antec, then me assuming Topower is an Antec and .. and ... and ...

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

:scratch: :eh: using those mod powers to confuse us mortals who cannot do such things to a thread.

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

The ZS 7.1 is a stunning card and is highly recommended, it does all this:
EAX 4
Dolby Digital EX
DTS (version 2? EX? can't remember)
DVD-Audio (24 bit)

It comes with ports for everything too, like Firewire etc...also, a full version of FL Studio, Cubasis and some games!
Some people think that the onboard AC97 sound will do but once you've heard the sound quality through a decent card like this, you'll never go back.

I'm currently waiting for my delivery of the Gigaworks 7.1 speakers from OCUK which match the card perfectly and connect with a single digital cable:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal..._speakers.html (at the bottom)
Ultra realism for games and movies!!! :D

EDIT: Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that you can remotely control your PC in the style of a XP Media Centre PC too. :)

Re: My new PC, suggestions/ changes welcome?...
 

Sorry :blush: ...tho just wanted one list not amendments throughout :)

p.s. I've put a note so people don't get confused :)