New entry level gaming pc build

[Zico]

Just browsing SCAN and they have a combo system up on the Today Only:

1TB Samsung HD103UJ Spinpoint F1, SATA 3Gb/s, 7200rpm, 32MB Cache, 8.9 ms, NCQ
22" Acer V223WBbd, Black, Widescreen LCD Monitor, 5ms, DVI/VGA, 1680x1050, 10000:1, HDCP, Green!
4GB (2x2GB) Corsair TwinX DDR2 XMS2, PC2-8500 (1066), 240 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 5-6-6-18, EPP
500W Storm LPJ19-25 ,120mm Silent Fan, 24pin +4 pin +12V PSU ATX 2.2
Asus P5KPL-AM iG31, S775, PCI-E (x16), DDR2 1066(OC)/667/800, SATA 3Gb/s, uATX, VGA
Intel Pentium Dual-Core, E5300, S775, Wolfdale, 2.6 GHz, 2MB Cache, 13x Core Ratio, 65W, Retail
Samsung SH-S223Q/BEWE 22x DVD±R, 8x DVD±DL, DVD+RW x8/-RW x6, x12 RAM SATA L/scribe Beige+Black Bez
Scan Black Floppy Disk +Int Combo All in 1 Card Reader Fits 3.5" Bay USB2
Silverstone Precision PS02B Black Mid Tower Case w/o PSU

£356.49 inc (plus get free delivery with SCAN from an I series code).

I know that there isn't much left in the S775 for Intel but is the 5300 as good a clocker as the 5200 appears to be?

[divine]

Don't bother - that PSU is a heap of ****, the G31 chipset won't get the best out of the E5300 and the Acer screen is average at best.

If you have perfectly servicable case and screen etc. you're far far far better off with a Q9550 / P45 board / Corsair PSU for your money. If you feel inclined to go AM3 then you'll still also get better value than that bundle.

[dirtydog]

Yeah why buy a complete system when you already have half of what you need. I think it is foolish to buy a dual core over a quad as well, false economy.

[Zico]

All of the bundle is better than the current system.

The existing screen is an old 17 CRT but it was my plan to leave it to my brother to buy something better.

[divine]

I could sell you an Athlon XP 2600+ system that's better than the current system - doesn't mean it would be the best way to spend the money

[dirtydog]

The PSU is the most important part of the machine arguably, and that one is **** so that should be enough to put you off even if nothing else is.

(oh I didn't know the 's' word gets starred out here )

[Zico]

Originally Posted by divine

I could sell you an Athlon XP 2600+ system that's better than the current system - doesn't mean it would be the best way to spend the money

£5

There is other things that I am taking into account when I am looking at parts and one of them is "does the little ship deserve it?".

Long story short but I'm trying a different approach to get him to look after his PC and not causing everybody else at home grief by being a typical shippy teenager. The new build will be given to him with set conditions that if he doesn't keep to will result in the PC being taken away or something similar.

[Zico]

Ok, all ready to buy but need to confirm a cooler.

Quick list from SCAN:
Akasa Nero AK-967 Intel LGA 1366 (S775/1366/939/940/AM2/AM2+) , Heat Pipe cooler, 120mm PWM fan
AC-FRZ-7P - Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro - P4 up to 4.4GHz - S775 Dual/Quad Core Ready - The Favourite One!
Titan Fenrir TTC-NK85TZ 120mm PWM 17dBA+ "HDT" CPU Cooler (775/1366/K8/AM2/AM3)
NINJA-2 - Scythe Ninja II Heatpipe Cooler, with 120mm fan Socket 478, LGA775, 754, 939 and 940 and AM2

Or something else??

Retail cooler ok for a small overclock (I've read that some people have clocked a small amount but still have >50's temp)?

[Streeteh]

The titan fenrir is great for the money, can get a bit loud when the fan is maxed out however.

[dirtydog]

Originally Posted by Zico

Retail cooler ok for a small overclock (I've read that some people have clocked a small amount but still have >50's temp)?

The stock cooler is perfectly adequate unless you are going for a major overclock.

My Q6600 when modestly overclocked 25% to 3GHz runs at about 45c idle and 60-65 full load with the stock cooler and that is well within comfortable limits for the chip. And being 65nm and a quad it is one of the hottest Core2 chips I think.

Are you planning to buy the Scan pre-built system? Because won't changing the cooler void your warranty? Also bear in mind 775 coolers are an absolute bitch to fit and remove. When I changed chips I had to take the board out, there was no other way of fitting the cooler.