Cheap as possible home PC base unit

fullmetaltony

fullmetaltony

fullmetaltony

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Joined
20 Oct 2010
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638
Location
Suffolk
Hi all, I'm trying to put together a budget base unit for a friend's parents, their PC has died. All they do is browse the web, store photos etc etc. Normal geriatric stuff.
Is there anything wrong with this? could I go cheaper for them? Went for the XFX PSU to be safe but are there any reliable cheaper ones?
They already have a 320gb SATA HDD from the old base unit, opticals are IDE though so need DVD drive. They also have a Win Vista key they're happy to stay with, but I'll give them the option of Win 7 and the extra cost accordingly.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Pentium G620 2.60GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £44.99
1 x Gigabyte H61MA-D2V Intel H61 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £39.98
1 x XFX Pro 450W Core Edition '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £39.95
1 x Xigmatek Asgard Midi Tower Case - Black £27.98
1 x Corsair Value 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Low Voltage Dual-Channel Kit £23.98
1 x Samsung SH-118AB/BEBE SATA 18x DVD-ROM (Black) - OEM £14.99
Total : £191.87 (includes shipping : FREE).

 
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-003-EP

ready built, so no hassle either ^^ £174.98 inc VAT

but no nothing wrong with your's either

Why Should You Buy This System?
- Includes the superb Intel Celeron G540 2.50GHz Dual Core Processor
- 4GB of high performance gaming memory guarantees the smoothest possible experience when multitasking and ensures you never have a break in the action
- 8 Hours stressed tested and quality controlled
- Precision built and cabled by Overclockers UK expert technicians
- USB 3.0 compatible
- Pre-built and read to ship out the same day

System Specification
- Case: OcUK IMP Case
- Power Supply: OcUK 500w PSU
- CPU: Intel Celeron G540 2.50GHz Dual Core Processor
- Motherboard: Asus P8H61-MX USB 3.0 Intel H61 Chipset (Socket 1155) Motherboard
- RAM: TeamGroup Elite 4GB DDR3 1600MHz Single Channel Kit
- Hard Drives: 500GB HDD
- Graphics Card: Integrated Intel Graphics
- Sound: 7.1 Channel Sound (On-Board)
- Optical Drive: OcUK 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black)

Service Package
- Full 24 Month collect and return warranty

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-004-EP&groupid=43&catid=2385&subcat=2453

this would also do ^^ them but out of stock :( £149.98 inc VAT
 
Last edited:
Not a bad basket that, I would suggest this......

YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte F2A85X-D3H AMD A85X Chipset (Socket FM2) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £64.99
1 x AMD A6-5400K Black Edition 3.60GHz (Socket FM2) APU Trinity Dual Core Processor (AD540KOKHJBOX) £49.99
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430w Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020058-UK) £39.98
1 x GeIL EVO Leggera 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-17000C11 2133MHz Dual Channel Kit (GEL38GB2133C11DC) £37.99
1 x Zalman T2 ATX Mini Tower Case - Black £19.99
1 x OcUK 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £18.98
Total : £231.94 (includes shipping : FREE).



Even the AMD A6K APU is actually gaming capable, AMD does win in the IGP stakes. The mobo has better connectivity (HDMI, sataIII and more PCI slots) and is obviously ATX not mATX in size. 8GB of fast RAM at a great price, the fast RAM "feeds" the integrated graphics so faster is better, remember they need a 64bit licence for more than 4GB to be seen though. Optical drive is a burner as for the sake of a few quid more now, I'm sure they might like to have the option.

PSU is modular and ample power even if they added a budget GPU later on if they want\need it to play games better. Is a bit more cash but I think it's worth the little extra for being a better all rounder. You have to drive home the long warranties (GB has a 3 year uk based warranty, RAM is lifetime, APU and PSU is 3 years), going cheaper isn't necessarily better.
 
Hono, that board won't fit the case, you'd need the micro-ATX variant ;)


Using a few B-grade items and changing the PSU mainly, this is what I got:
YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Pentium G620 2.60GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £44.99
1 x Antec VP350P 350W '80 Plus' Continuous Power Supply £32.99
1 x **B Grade** Gigabyte H61MA-D2V Intel H61 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £30
1 x **B Grade** Xigmatek Asgard Midi Tower Case - Black £24.98
1 x TeamGroup Elite 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED34096M1600HC11DC) £23.99
1 x OcUK 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £18.98
Total : £175.93 (includes shipping : FREE).

 
Thanks guys, I think I'll recommend the Ignition Express Zak linked to, I would make a few quid out of building the home-build one for them, but they're my mate's parents and I would rather they got what's best for them, which is 2 year's warranty.
The IGP route is wasted on them, they're pensioners and will never need the graphical grunt... ever, so it's an unnecessary cost. They don't have a lot of money so the cheapest possible to replace their system is best. I don't mind installing an OS for them.
 
LukieBoy007 said:
Hono, that board won't fit the case, you'd need the micro-ATX variant ;)
Click to expand...

It's the T2 case not the T1, I know the T1 is mATX. It clearly says in the description T2 ATX case. However you are right, I checked Zalmans website and it is mini or mATX. Thank you, they should put that info in the item description ffs

YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte F2A85XM-D3H AMD A85X Chipset (Socket FM2) DDR3 micro ATX Motherboard £61.99
1 x AMD A6-5400K Black Edition 3.60GHz (Socket FM2) APU Trinity Dual Core Processor (AD540KOKHJBOX) £49.99
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430w Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020058-UK) £39.98
1 x GeIL EVO Leggera 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-17000C11 2133MHz Dual Channel Kit (GEL38GB2133C11DC) £37.99
1 x Zalman T2 ATX Mini Tower Case - Black £19.99
1 x OcUK 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £18.98
Total : £228.94 (includes shipping : FREE).



fullmetaltony said:
Thanks guys, I think I'll recommend the Ignition Express Zak linked to, I would make a few quid out of building the home-build one for them, but they're my mate's parents and I would rather they got what's best for them, which is 2 year's warranty.
The IGP route is wasted on them, they're pensioners and will never need the graphical grunt... ever, so it's an unnecessary cost. They don't have a lot of money so the cheapest possible to replace their system is best. I don't mind installing an OS for them.
Click to expand...

Fair comment mate. I just put it forward as an idea. I don't know if they have grand kids that stay and I figure if it could play games it might be welcome. There are plenty of free titles on the steam market. I'd probably discuss the HTPC option too, being able to use the machine to watch DVDs, play music. online TV streaming (catchup channels etc) on a large TV. I don't know what they own but the mobo I used has HDMI if it helps but the more use they can get out of it the better right?

I don't like the cheapo PSU supplied free with the case in the prebuild, that was a concern of your too. I could tweak your basket a little if you like, they still have a warranty.....

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Pentium G630 2.70GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £43.99
1 x Gigabyte H61MA-D2V Intel H61 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £39.98
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430w Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020058-UK) £39.98
1 x Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (BLS2CP2G3D1609DS1S00CEU) £23.99
1 x Zalman T2 ATX Mini Tower Case - Black £19.99
1 x OcUK 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £18.98
Total : £186.92 (includes shipping : FREE).

 
Last edited:
No need for anything fancy.

I suspect if all they do is browse the web then the A6 would be a bit wasted on them and IMO I'd rather save the £15 or so. RAM speeds they wont notice, so it's a few pounds saving there. I also doubt a web browsing machine needs more than 4GB but I guess it depends how much they have running in the background.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte F2A55M-DS2 AMD A55 Chipset (Socket FM2) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £49.99
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430W V2 '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020046-UK) £39.95
1 x AMD A4-5300 3.40GHz (Socket FM2) APU Trinity Dual Core Processor (AD5300OKHJBOX) £35.99
1 x Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (BLS2CP2G3D1609DS1S00CEU) £23.99
1 x Antec VSK3000 Micro ATX Case £19.98
1 x OcUK 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £18.98
Total : £201.48 (includes shipping : £10.50).



-10.50 for free shipping = £190.98

Although I think the spec in OP is good :)

Edit: PSU is out of stock, but XFX is about the same price :)
 
Last edited:
unleashed said:
You could go with this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...ktdetailseite&emcs2=FS-004-EP&emcs3=FS-298-OK reuse existing HDD and add an optical drive if required. :)
Click to expand...

Cracking idea buddy, added a usb mouse too, as they currently have kb/mouse on separate PS/2 connectors. Overall, not massively different to the Ignition Express, but slightly cheaper and with a mouse thrown in too, they'll be very pleased. All the advice is very appreciated :)

YOUR BASKET
1 x "Primo PLUS 500i" Intel H61 DDR3 Ready Barebones (Socket 1155) £124.99
1 x OcUK 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £18.98
1 x Zalman ZM-M100 USB Mouse £5.99
Total : £149.96 (includes shipping : FREE).

 
fullmetaltony said:
Cracking idea buddy, added a usb mouse too, as they currently have kb/mouse on separate PS/2 connectors. Overall, not massively different to the Ignition Express, but slightly cheaper and with a mouse thrown in too, they'll be very pleased. All the advice is very appreciated :)

YOUR BASKET
1 x "Primo PLUS 500i" Intel H61 DDR3 Ready Barebones (Socket 1155) £124.99
1 x OcUK 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £18.98
1 x Zalman ZM-M100 USB Mouse £5.99
Total : £149.96 (includes shipping : FREE).

Click to expand...

Let us know how you get on.
 
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