New Custom PC Build Assistance Required

Hi, Wondering if anyone here could help me out. My old PC has died, and I've decided to get a new one. I've done some research and have opted to purchase from either cyberpowersystem.co.uk or cougar-extreme.co.uk My budget is £750 (including monitor)

However, i have a question. I've narrowed down the processors to two, the Intel i5 750 and the Quad Q9650. Is it worth spending more on the i5? Or should i stick with the Q9650 and invest in a better graphics card?

As for graphics cards, i am interested in the ATI Radeon 4870 and Nvidia GTX260. The Radeon 4890 seems a bit too expensive.

The types of games i want to play are Medieval Total War, Empire Total War, Mass Effect, Doom 3. Also if possible on medium settings, Crysis, Far Cry 2 and Fallout 3. The PC would also be used for watching and editing HD content.

I would go with the Quad and the GTX.

Should have no problems with the games you mention.

What will be the OS? Windows 7?

Also verify that your PSU choice is good for quad core as well as pci-e ready and will handle the card you choose.

Yes, i'm looking to buy Windows 7 Home Premium. I'll post a few configurations from both sites, and wait for feedback, as i am unsure what PSU and motherboard to choose from.

I've decided to purchase from cougar-extreme.co.uk as the site has received many positive reviews.

Requirements: The types of games i want to play are Medieval Total War, Empire Total War, Mass Effect, Doom 3. Also if possible on medium settings, Crysis, Far Cry 2 and Fallout 3. The PC would also be used for watching and editing HD content. I am going to install Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit, the monitor will be purchased from another site.

£652 – cougar extreme
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0 Ghz 12Mb Cache,
4Gb Corsair Memory DDR2 800 (2 x 2gb),
500GB SATA Hard Drive,
QCE - MSI P43 NEO F - 1600FSB DDR2 1066x4 P43 chipset,
896Mb GTX260 PCI Express Nvidia DDR DVI,
CiT 500W Black Edition PSU, DVD+/- RW - 20X (pioneer 116DBK),
Elite 330 Black Midi Case Window No PSU RC-330K-KWPC-GP
DVD+/- RW - 20X (pioneer 116DBK),
No monitor and OS


£608- cougar extreme
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0 Ghz 12Mb Cache,
Manufacturer Supplied Cooler,
4Gb Corsair Memory DDR2 800 (2 x 2gb),
500GB SATA Hard Drive, , ,
QCE - MSI P43 NEO F - 1600FSB DDR2 1066x4 P43 chipset,
ATI 4850 1024MB PCI Express DDR DVI,
Elite 330 Black Midi Case Window No PSU RC-330K-KWPC-GP,
CiT 500W Black Edition PSU,
DVD+/- RW - 20X (pioneer 116DBK),
No monitor and OS


£675 – cougar extreme
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0 Ghz 12Mb Cache,
Manufacturer Supplied Cooler,
4GB Corsair Memory DDR3 1333 (2 x 2gb),
1000GB SATA Hard Drive,
QCE - P43Twins1600 - 2000FSB DDR3 DDR2 1333x4 P43 CHIPSET,
ATI 4870 1024MB PCI Express DDR DVI,
CiT 500W Black Edition PSU,
Elite 334 Black Midi Case No Psu RC-334-KKN1-GP,
DVD+/- RW - 20X (pioneer 116DBK),
No monitor and OS

NOTE: I am not sure which motherboard to choose from, as well as the types of RAM.

DDR2
4Gb Corsair Memory DDR2 800 (2 x 2gb)
4Gb Corsair Memory DDR2 1066 (2x2Gb)
4GB Kingston DDR2 800 (2 x 2gb)

DDR3
4GB Corsair Memory DDR3 1333 (2 x 2gb)
4GB Corsair Memory DDR3 1600 (2 x 2gb)

Are you able to pick the parts individually or are these packages they offer?

Cougar Extreme Index

If they are set packages the latter is best.

Limiting to DDR2 800 on the first two makes little sense as the FSB of the board is 1600.

Anyway all three systems should have no problem with the games you list.

Yes you can configure the parts, the exact page for ATI systems is located here: cougar-extreme.co.uk/gamers_ati.html

Are you recommending the third package?

Of the three you posted yes I recommend the third.

If I get time later I will look at other options:

Cougar Extreme Gamers ATi

Thanks for helping, i really don't know what motherboard to choose, and am not sure if the PSU and cooler are reliable. I want a system that is balanced, not too loud and one that will last.

BTW i have been recommended to Overclockers by one of my friends. I have found this system: "Titan Thor" Intel Core 2 Quad Core Q8400 2.66GHz @ 3.20GHz DDR2 System [] Intel Gamer

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.66GHz Overclocked to 3.20GHz!
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
Corsair XMS2 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 PC2-8500C5 TwinX Dual Channel
ATI Radeon 4870 1024mb
LG GH22NS30 22x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM
Akasa AK-967 Nero Direct Contact Heatpipe CPU Cooler
OCZ ModXStream Pro 700w Silent SLI Ready ATX2 Modular Power Supply
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound professionally hand installed by our technicians
Coolermaster Elite 335 Case
1yr Onsite Collect & Return Warranty