So, I tried working out what would be best to spend my money on and it made my brain hurt.

I need someone to brain for me.

I am planning on keeping my current graphics card (4870HD 1gb), monitor and peripirals.

I might also keep my soundcard (creative x-fi), but am open to suggestions if people know of any others.

I need to spec a new comp for 500 - 700 quid.

I am most interested in a build that focuses on speed, efficiency and quietness!

This is not just a machine to run pretty games on.

Soooo...

Go!

Case wise I thought:

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/home/product/46840/coolermaster-elite-334-case---no-psu

PSU wise I thought:

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Home/Product/43696/Coolermaster-PSU-600W-Silent-Pro-M-modular

CPU wise I thought:

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Home/Product/49057/AMD-CPU-Athlon-II-X2-265-Dual-Core-Socket-AM3-3-3

Choosing motherboards is about the point where my brain gave up.

I'd consider a new Intel Sandybridge I5 2500k processor. They piss all over anything from AMD right now. About £180 for the CPU, £100-150 for motherboard and £40-100 for memory.

Keep the soundcard.

Been considering this move myself but the old q6600 clocked to 3.6ghz is still performing fine in games. Might keep wait till end of year and see how its holding up then.

If you want a quiet case the fractal design r2 is pretty dam quiet.

OK.

So far, I've picked up a fractal design r3 case. It's a midi sized tower.

I'm still looking for advice on what sort of motherboard/proc to go for.

I think the sandybridge is a bit overkill - I'm looking at building mid range and going for distance as opposed to spending top wack.

Budget of around £300 for both.

Can anyone also recommend a decent cpu cooler?

Finally, Imma need some RAM.

HIT ME WITH YOUR TECHNICAL STICKS.

I'd also like to add, if it hadn't already become apparent, that I'm a total retard when it comes to stuff like this and I very much appreciate all & any help.

Thanksyouguys.

Might be worth checking out the cpu/mobo/cooler/ram bundles on overclockers.

Neat.

This looks pretty good for the price.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-180-OK&groupid=43&catid=339&subcat=

just a heads up though, those stock coolers are really loud, you might also want to invest in one of these while they are cheap :

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showprodu ... =HS-005-PL

these are extremely good passive coolers. (Q6600 OC'ed to 3.2GHz 30 degrees idle 55 degrees 100% load passive cooling)

I really like the idea of a passive cooler.

Shit though, that thing is a beast.