£350 System Spec Opinions Please?

Buchanan0204 · 2 Jan 2011 at 20:02

After spending the last week speccing a system and deciding between AMD & Intel. I have finally decided on this system.

I was initally going to go for the Coolermaster 430 with the bundled 500W PSU. However it is out of stock and after reading some poor reviews on the PSU, I decided to opt for one a little more expensive and hopefully it will pay off.

I realise the case and the psu are out of stock, however can't really afford to wait till they arrive in stock and will probably order them elsewhere, however the rest of the main components will be bought from OCUK.

Just wanted everyones opinions on this system. It won't be used for heavy gaming, so onboard GPU is fine.

I realise a lot of people don't like OCZ Psu's but it's within my budget and seems to get a good write up aswell as picking up some awards along the way from certain magazines etc.

Would you change anything or is there anything majorly wrong with this setup that should be altered?

Cheers

Aretenon · 2 Jan 2011 at 20:10

Looks fine to me.

95thrifles · 2 Jan 2011 at 20:21

I'd get this PSU, its better, cheaper and in stock, and also this is equally good case also in stock

BeQuiet Pure Power L7 530W Power Supply £44.99
Silverstone SST-PS03B Precision Midi Tower Case - Black £39.99

Aretenon · 2 Jan 2011 at 20:54

In that taller Siverstone case, I'd suggest the more efficient, Seasonic built Antec HCG400 80Plus Bronze, which has longer cables, so should more easily reach the CPU connector on the motherboard, as well as the optical drive.
£49
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-146-AN&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

It is based on the Seasonic S12II Bronze design, so is higher quality than either the OCZ or Be Quiet.

Buchanan0204 · 2 Jan 2011 at 21:13

95thrifles said:
I'd get this PSU, its better, cheaper and in stock, and also this is equally good case also in stock

BeQuiet Pure Power L7 530W Power Supply £44.99
Silverstone SST-PS03B Precision Midi Tower Case - Black £39.99

Thank's for the recommendations. However she's not willing to budge on the case, heart is set on the 430.

I liked the OCZ as it was modular and had the mesh protection around the cables. I realise BeQuiet are really good PSU's however I really like the modular design of the OCZ and the protective mesh cabling.

liamgo · 2 Jan 2011 at 21:15

just out of interest why dont many people like the ocz psu`s?

Buchanan0204 · 2 Jan 2011 at 21:16

Aretenon said:
In that taller Siverstone case, I'd suggest the more efficient, Seasonic built Antec HCG400 80Plus Bronze, which has longer cables, so should more easily reach the CPU connector on the motherboard, as well as the optical drive.
£49
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-146-AN&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

It is based on the Seasonic S12II Bronze design, so is higher quality than either the OCZ or Be Quiet.

I did originally considered this psu. However I think the modular design of the OCZ wins me over. It's much more tidy and easier to work with. Also a higher rated output. If however there was a clear benefit to using this psu then I would have course choose this.

Aretenon · 2 Jan 2011 at 21:52

Considering that you're not using a graphics card, you build won't use much power at all, so you shouldn't be worried about what it's rated output will be, because probably even a crappy 300W no-name PSU would be able to power your build. The higher efficiency is probably the only advantage, if you don't need long cables, which I don't think you will in the CM Elite 430.

The Antec is much more likely to be much more efficient at the load levels you will be occupying. It is debatable how much impact this will have on anything tho, but it is extremely likely to draw less AC power than the OCZ or Be Quiet.

Can't really argue with the modularity aspect.

just out of interest why dont many people like the ocz psu`s?

Maybe because the OEM is Sirtec, which is Chinese, and not really that bad, they make some reasonably good units, but they aren't top of the line, so some people look down their noses at them.

Sleeve · 2 Jan 2011 at 21:54

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-225-CM

This if/when it comes back in stock.

Buchanan0204 · 3 Jan 2011 at 00:19

Aretenon said:
Considering that you're not using a graphics card, you build won't use much power at all, so you shouldn't be worried about what it's rated output will be, because probably even a crappy 300W no-name PSU would be able to power your build. The higher efficiency is probably the only advantage, if you don't need long cables, which I don't think you will in the CM Elite 430.

The Antec is much more likely to be much more efficient at the load levels you will be occupying. It is debatable how much impact this will have on anything tho, but it is extremely likely to draw less AC power than the OCZ or Be Quiet.

Can't really argue with the modularity aspect.

Maybe because the OEM is Sirtec, which is Chinese, and not really that bad, they make some reasonably good units, but they aren't top of the line, so some people look down their noses at them.

Thank's for that. Very informative regarding OCZ. However although there is no Graphics card going in straight away. I would have course like to put a psu in that is capable for future reference. She may want a good card a little down the line, it's always nice to have the option without having to replace a nearly new psu at the same time.

The Chinese tend not to make great products I must admit, but I have had an OCZ PSU in another spare pc for the last 4 years and never had a hitch with it. With the 3 year warranty and the awards combined with the modular design. I think this is the winner for me. If I do change my mind It will be to the Antec which does look a great PSU.

Cheers again.