New computer parts (needing help)

So I have some spare cash laying around and want to build a new computer. I'm not the most technically minded person in the world when it comes to small details with hardware, so I'm hoping somebody could help me here.

I've set a budget of £150 for a Mobo, CPU and RAM. I do quite alot of media based work on my comptuer (3D design, video editing and photoshopping) and also quite a bit of gaming. So I'm needing something that is good enough for both.

Here is what I have got so far, which is probobly way wrong.


AMD Athlon X2 5200+ Dual-Core Processor - 2.70 GHz, 1MB L2 Cache, Socket AM2, 65W, 65 nm, 3 Year Warranty, Retail Boxed: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31kGNZEA7VL.@@AMEPARAM@@31kGNZEA7VL £60

Gigabyte M57SLi-S4 socket AM2 motherboard £66

x2 Kingston RAM 2GB SO DIMM 200-pin DDR II 667 MHz / PC2-5300 £35 (for 2)

The total of this comes £161.

I need to know if I've chosen wisely or can I get a better combination.

Thanks.

You might save a little money by getting a mobo that has only one PCI-E slot, as although SLi / Crossfire is pretty awesome, the percentage gains aren't really all that worth it, and it's more for bragging rights. As for the proc, I have that one, and 60 pounds seems a bit much (US Keyboard, sorry), even for England. I don't know the conversion rates, but I always thought it was about double US currency.

I know everyone has their choice of mobo, but I would suggest ASUS over Gigabyte. Also the RAM is not optimum speed. Look for DDR2-6400, as that is the best choice for most higher end rigs.

My bad. The proc comes to $85, the mobo is $69, and the RAM is $25. Not bad prices after all.

I would still suggest a single slot mobo, and higher ram, and I wish I knew of some European sites to help guide you, but alas, that means you may need to run around.

One thing I can push is maybe saving up a little more and getting a compatible AM2+ mobo, a Phenom X3 or X4 proc, and maybe, maybe DDR3 RAM, but that's still a bit prohibitively expensive. As you said though, you will be doing some heavy work with Photoshop and the like.

Amends for the double post, but just an update.

I found a few good prices on Overclockers.co.uk, but I've heard positive and negative things about that site. Still prices are nice, and not too far above your limitations right now.

First, we've got the Phenom X3 processor, which is clocked at 2.3 Ghz ~ 81.99

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...)%20-%20Retail

Secondly, there's an ASUS mobo ~ 69.99
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...%20Motherboard

As for memory they have a variety of OCZ, Crucial, and Corsair that I can recommend.

Corsair (my fav memory besides G-Skill) - 28.99
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...TwinX%20(2x1GB)

OCZ - 17.99 this week only apparently
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...(OCZ2P800R22GK)

Crucial Ballistix - 25.99
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...2KIT12864AA80A)

Hopefully these are as good of a choice as I think they are. I've been outside building for about a year, so I'm still a bit rusty. Good luck.

Thanks for your help. The prices are a little out of my price range atm, but I guese I could save some more money, providing the choices are completly worth it.

Well, as of right now, it sounds like you are planning to reuse your hard drive(s), DVD drive, and whatever video card you have lying around. You're looking at another L100-125 for a decent video card (Radeon 4850 or Geforce 9800GTX), and still, you'll need a copy of Vista or XP, which depending upon the source, is gonna be free or a small sum of money. You also may need a case, unless you are a person who cares not on looks. That'll be another L60 or so if you want a decent, illuminated case. You're set after that.

Well I have a Sapphire HD 3650, a 250GB HDd and a decent case. So I'm re-using those parts, yes. Anything I think would be unneeded expense.