best value CPU v performance

[rowly1973]

Hi All,

The question I have is this..

I have an old processor and MB which uses SDRAM. Now I am in the market for a new Processor and MB and need to know what is the cheapest processor on the market that also offers good performance per quid.

I use all the normal applications and few games, like GTR, so it will need to be at least 1.5ghz. I have about £50-£80 to spend on the CPU and may-be another £30-40 on the MB. I will of course spend extra getting RAM.

I also need to know what MB to choose, as there are hundreds out there and it's all %^* to me !!

Any advice would be of great help.

Thanks in advance.
M

[pdV6]

For that sort of budget, how about this, with ½GB memory already fitted?

www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?MBB-NF6430

Should comfortably exceed your expectations...

[rowly1973]

Thanks for the link. it would make a lot of sense to take the lot already built, rather than flaffing around building it my self.

do you think 1.8ghz is fast enough?

[rowly1973]

Thanks for the link. it would make a lot of sense to take the lot already built, rather than flaffing around building it myself.

do you think 1.8ghz is fast enough?

[scorp]

1.8ghz is fast enough - most of the bottlenecks are between the CPU and memory. Get the fastest DDR ram possible.

[pdV6]

rowly1973 said:

Thanks for the link. it would make a lot of sense to take the lot already built, rather than flaffing around building it my self. do you think 1.8ghz is fast enough?

It would be, but I reckon you'll have trouble buying one that "slow" these days!

[lockstock2sb]

oh i dunno..... speak to me - i have loads of shitters here at work !!

[mcflurry]

My local Maplins has a nice case, with mobo and 2.4mhz celeron hip for £109 already built

www.maplin.co.uk/images/Full/48614i0.jpg

[rowly1973]

cheers everyone.

l'll be well happy, just as long GTR runs well.

While I am here, anyone know what the best value Graphics card(256mb) I can get. again budget of about £50, but I have no idea if some cards do not interface with certain MB's ???

[neil_cardiff]

rowly1973 said:

cheers everyone. l'll be well happy, just as long GTR runs well. While I am here, anyone know what the best value Graphics card(256mb) I can get. again budget of about £50, but I have no idea if some cards do not interface with certain MB's ???

I've got to say that while GTR may run ok at the moment it may be worth pushing the boat out once and for all as the difference is remarkable when you do. Additionally sticking a whopping graphics card in a slow machine kind of negates the effect. It would be better to ensure that you have the core things in place.

Have you considered getting one of the NForce mobos where (if I am right) they come with decent graphic cards on board (correct me someone if I'm talking out of my arse) ala laptops.

Neil