New build - Which is best?

Hi!

I've decided to embark on a PC spec-up with the plan to buying it. So, I'd like to know which you think is best:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ or Intel Core 2 Duo E5300? Or should I break the bank a bit more (another $50, or another 2 months) and get the E7400, or a Phenom X4 9550? Or is there a better one around the price of my initial choices?
ATI HD4670 - or the NVidia equivalent in this price range? Or is my 8600 GTS better than these? (I doubt that).
650W PSU - Is that too much? Shall I spend the bit extra on a case with a 480W PSU instead?
I'll buy 1 GB of RAM in it, and stick two of the sticks from this into it as well (I have plans for the existing PC to make a bit of cash and get this build sooner.)

And also I'm confused: Are 2 dual-channel slots the same as 4 normal? I need at least three (it would come with the aforementioned 1GB, and I've got 4 512 MB sticks in this) slots to stick the RAM in. Of course, if it doesn't, I just spend a little extra cash. Again.

The AMD build came to $246.89 without the graphics card (will have to get seperately), and the Intel to $251.89 (again, without the graphics card).

I need help badly

EDIT: I'm fairly sure the company will ship to the UK, however I have received no reply from an email I sent to them. This company is Ascendtech.

 

I've seen a recent review that the AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition competes well with higher priced Intels CPUs like the E7300 and E8500.
The dual cores would be best if you wanted to concentrate on running games or other singular type tasks. Multi-taking is handled best with quad (or more) cores and I think Intel has best the best value in those areas.

If you are not running SLI/Crossfire, you may not need an exceptionally powerful PSU. When you choose (or are deciding on) a graphics card, read the system requirements, they will probably specify a minimum size of PSU. It will also depend on how many HDDs, add-in cards, etc, you want to run. Use the calculator and read about the "rails "
http://journeysystems.com/?power_supply_calculator

Is your RAM type DDR2? Motherboards are changing to DDR3. If you utilise dual channel, there will be benefits of higher bandwidth. If you are thinking of running Windows 7, 1GB would be no where near enough. It will run a basic system in Vista (and that is quite a lean system).

My advice is to work on a balanced system...not say, a powerful graphics card combined with a budget motherboard, CPU or RAM and then wonder why it won't work like a high-end system.

I work on having the option to upgrade in the future and the prices of current models should fall as new ones are phased in.

Do websearches for your prospective model numbers with the term "review ".

Matt
PS Check that the CPU is compatible with the motherboard (and that the RAM is recommended).

 

This is DDR2, and I don't intend to run 1 GB - I intend to run 2 GB. Besides, I need to know if two dual channel RAM slots are the same as being able to put 4 sticks of RAM in. If not, I'll simply specify the 2 GB on the site. And there won't be a review for anything that would resemble my plan, as my current HDDs and DVD-RW drive, not to mention sound card, will be in the new build. Looks like I'll go with the better case instead of the 650W PSU, as 480W appears to be more than enough.

I am well aware that these CPUs will be compatible with the motherboard. It has much more of a free reign than, say, Dell, but they haven't been stupid enough to offer you AMD CPUs in Intel boards, or a Phenom X4 in a AM2 board. At the moment, Ascentech do not offer a Phenom X2 build, but I believe they will do soon. At present, I cannot consider this until they do - the one place that does, I strongly dislike the look and feel of the website, and they're more expensive than Ascendtech as well.

Thanks for your help

 

I haven't forgotten VAT, although import duty had slipped my mind.

 

Dual - Channel normally only works out of two slots, you can then fill the rest with any compatible ram sticks to what ever your specified maximum is.In your case you should go 2x1 gig plus whatever you want. In general your Motherboard Manual will recommend the preferred slots.

 

OK, so I'll order the 2 GB option (which means that I would supply a 2 GB PC in the sale)

 

What Motherboard's do you have in mind AMD and Intel.
Have you checked out as to the max speed CPU you can go on your current AM2 AMD board, I know you can go way past the 3800+ Athlon 64 that you currently have.
I do know that AM2 can handle up to AMD Athlon 64 X 2 6000+.
Just a thought.

 

I can indeed go past 3800+, however, I wish to have a new board as there is a high possibility of me being unable to swap my existing PSU for a better one, and I need a new case anyway. As my intention is now to get a Phenom X2 550, after what Matt said, I'd need a new board anyway. It is also possible that my existing setup would not work in the fullsize tower I'd ideally need.

 

that model Dell that you have was available with either 300W yours, or 600 Watt if I remember correctly.

 

I don't think it was available with a 600W: any setup needing that much wouldn't even remotely fit. Even so, I still prefer to go down the route of the Phenom II (after being informed of its potential) or Core 2 Duo E7000-series, neither of which will work properly/fit in an AM2 board.