How to make a powerful PC (up to £1100)
CPU - Athlon 64 3500 (2.2Ghz) Retail
The Athlon 64 are the highest performing chips to date. The newer 939 pins chips need a new motherbaord, but the extra speed from the dual memory controller is worth it. This entry level version still costs £240 !.
Heatsink - included
A64 chips come retail packaged with their own heatsink.
Motherboard - MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum (£95)
This motherbaord is based on the newest chipset for A64 - the Nforce 350. It has the best overclocking ability, as well as all the standard features. It costs £95.
Power supply - Tagan 480W
This power supply is the best newcomer for some time. Equalling more well known brands in every field, it undercuts their budget by some way, at £60
Case - Any aluminum With a system this powerful, you need a case to match it. Aluminum cases are the best choice, for the low weight and small extra cooling effect (as well as looking cool). £70 will allow you to enter the lower end of the market.
Hard drive - 2x 160GB HGST 8MB in Raid 0
If it is high performance data storage you want, only Raid 0 can do it in this price range. By coupling SATA drives together, you can seriously increase speed while maintaining storage space. Total cost is £132.
CD-ROM/DVD - Pioneer DVR-108 16x DVD±RW Dual Layer
DVD-R drives can write anything and read anything - CD-R, DVD-R whatever. This new model has the highest speeds and even supports the new double layered discs yet to come. At £64, its well worth it.
Memory - OCZ EL Dual Channel Kit 2x512MB PC3200
To ensure high speed and compatibility, quality memory pre-tested to run in dual channel is the safest bet, which is what this set is for, at £148. As PC3200 cas2, it has overclocking in mind and the low timings enhance performance.
Sound – Audigy2zs OEM
The latest audio card supplies the high-end sound you require from this system, for £60.
Video - XFX GeForce 6800 128mb
This is the first new technology card to arrive that doesn't cost well over £200. A cut down version of the faster ones, it bests all previous technology cards in a big way. This is the cheapest available, at £176.
Modem - any good external model
If you are still in the days of phone-line internet, you will require a modem. External models are the best bet, at around £30
Network – onboard gigabit
There is no reason to not use the carefully supplied on-board networking as it is gigabit.
Keyboard/mouse/floppy drive
For these necessary components, I recommend the MX700 from Logitech, any floppy drive and a decent keyboard, because cheap ones are just nasty. Cost is about £60 in total
Final cost: around £1100 inclusive of vat and delivery
I did not suggest a monitor, because that is down to the individual. For a system this good, you need an lcd really. 17" are still the best value and best for gaming, but stretching to larger for work puposes is a good idea. For sound, you really want a high-end speaker setup to do the audigy justice. Drop to medium PC
Last modified: 01/06/2005