Then, if we can cheat in search of the best PC for the price, here is a second proposal. But first, let me say that I'm OK with Lupus' suggestion which has the advantage to offer (for of course like 179 more euros than my first proposal) a much better CPU. The CPU was the thing that I didn't like a lot in my suggestion.
The video cards should perform roughly the same, as the GTS 250 derives from the 9800GTX and is not a new 2xx processor. (Ref:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nvidia#GeF ... _and_later). My suggestion has 512MB though against the 1024 of the card Lupus suggested but I'm not sure if you can find easily a Nvidia 250 with 512MB. That's probably the reason why he picked this memory, as 1024 is not used at the moment.
Also, I noticed you didn't count the keyboard and mouse. In this case, we'll withdraw from my first suggestion the 32 euros for the MS keyboard and mouse (probably the most decent hardware at that price).
In these conditions my first suggestion was at 495 euros.
I also noticed you had nothing against an OEM version for the DVD/CD, so I used the same as in Lupus' suggestion, which is fine.
Now here is the second suggestion:
Comments:
The CPU is better than the AMD Phenom II X4 955 (and way better of course than the one I selected first to stay in the 500 euros limit).
The Intel MB is probably the lowest price on the market among big brand names. It has nevertheless two possible drawbacks: there is no "legacy" IDE controller (only Serial ATA) and no PS2 plugs (only USB) for an old keyboard or mouse. If this is a problem, you could consider the Asus P7P55-M at 103 euros. The Asus also offers more possibilities for the future (higher memory speeds supported, etc.) and a few more features. (TBH, I'd say the Asus probably offers a better features/price ratio.)
I have no real experience with OCZ memories. I used the same (or quite the same) as Lupus for this suggestion, but only based on readings. That's why I also mention an alternative with Kingston.
Now here are some links and info (in several languages but should be understandable).
CPU comparison - The most up-to-date and complete comparison I found
It's an average of 12 tests on
- 3D Studio Max 2010
Cinema 4D R11
MinGW / GCC
WinRAR 3.9
Avidemux + x264
MainConcept Reference + H.264/AVC Pro
Adobe After Effects CS4
Nuendo 4.3
Crysis 1.2
Arma 2
Grand Theft Auto IV
Anno 1404
Chart Image HERE:
http://www.hardware.fr/medias/photos_ne ... 027484.gif
(If this direct link to the image doesn't work, please use the link belo to the whole review.)
You can see the whole test and the results for each software here (in French, should be on the English edition of the site -behardware- soon)
http://www.hardware.fr/articles/778-1/c ... l-amd.html
Intel MB
http://www.intel.com
http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/m ... erview.htm
Asus MB P7P55-M
http://uk.asus.com
http://uk.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=i5 ... templete=2
Antec case
http://www.antec.com
http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=MTA4MQ==
Note: The power supply is installed at the bottom of the case. The top 140mm fan is not the PSU fan but a global cooler and is installed so the air will be blown out of the case. it provides a three-speed switch.
Antec PSU
http://www.antec.com
http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=MTIxNw==
We'll it's made to be hidden, anyhow, no?!
Also, for reference as I assume you already had a look, here is the Cooler master stuff:
http://www.coolermaster.co.uk/product.p ... duct_id=21
http://www.coolermaster.co.uk/product.p ... ct_id=4199
(Sure it has a nice killer look for something you'll never see again as long as it works.)
OK, that's a joke as I have absolutely nothing against this power supply that looks well designed regarding cables. I'm just a bit surprised by the choice of only one 12V rail of 40A.
Note that nothing forces you to have a case and a power supply from the same maker.