[Build Help] Desktop PC Refresh - Best way to use £500

[Skurlo]

Hello there,
I am currently in the process of deciding what components to choose for a refresh of my main desktop computer.

I mainly use the PC for gaming, coding and image processing (Photoshop, Illustrator etc)

Below I have listed my current components and the components I am thinking of picking up. I am UK based hence prices in GBP. The main aims for this build will be, size (not any specific dimensions but smaller is preferable) as I am looking to relocate the PC from a stand on the floor to the top of my desk. Then noise (quieter the better) and performance per £ after taking into account the previous two objectives.

My current rig is as follows:

CPU Intel Core i3-530 2.93Ghz @ 4.2Ghz
Gigabyte GA-H55M-UD2H Micro ATX LGA1156 Motherboard
Corsair XMS3 8GB (4 x 2GB)
Samsung Spinpoint F1 1TB
HIS HD6950 IceQ Turbo 2GB
Case Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case
OCZ StealthXstream II 600W
3x 120mm Noiseblocker XL1 Fans
Lamptron FC6 Fan controller
Akasa Nero CPU Cooler

I have a budget of around £525 for upgrades. I was looking at keeping the graphics card for now. Also looking at keeping RAM and 1TB HDD. Then depending on case requirements I will look into keeping the PSU, if modular is a necessity then so be it, I will have to upgrade.

None of the above is set in stone but to me it makes sense to salvage those components, along with the fans (some of them at least) and the fan controller.
Here is what I have come up with: (I will not need an operating system or any peripherals)

(This is including RAM, PSU, Video Card, Fans+Fan controller and 1tb HDD from previous build)

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - OEM with FREE Grid 2 PC Game £187.99
1 x Samsung 128GB SSD 840 PRO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7PD128BW) £115.99
1 x MSI Z87M-G43 Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £91.99
1 x Silverstone TemJin TJ08B-E Midi Tower Case - Black (SST-TJ08B-E USB 3.0) £83.99
1 x Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler (Socket 775 / 1150 / 1155 / 1156 / 1366 / AM2 / AM2+ / AM3 / FM1 / FM2) £26.99
Total : £506.95 (includes shipping : FREE).



Any help is greatly appreciated so thank you in advance. Just looking for the best way to use my budget like so many others.

Thanks,

-skurlo

 

[Doomedspeed]

The TJ08-E is a great case choice. I have one and I have to say I love it..

Its not much bigger (if atall) than the bitfenix prodigy (itx case) and certainly one of the smallest matx enclosures (bar the parvum, water coolers dream)..

It has ample space for super long GPU's and even big coolers.

The case is pretty quiet too..

It says clean for ages thanks to the dust filters that come with it. Ice gad mine 6 months and not had the clean the inside yet, just the filters (fortnightly).

The spec looks good, only thing im not sure about is the motherboard. It may be voltage locked, id look at the gigabyte matx boards.

 

[Idleman]

The TJ08-E is a great case choice. I have one and I have to say I love it..

Its not much bigger (if atall) than the bitfenix prodigy (itx case) and certainly one of the smallest matx enclosures (bar the parvum, water coolers dream)..

It has ample space for super long GPU's and even big coolers.

The case is pretty quiet too..

It says clean for ages thanks to the dust filters that come with it. Ice gad mine 6 months and not had the clean the inside yet, just the filters (fortnightly).

The spec looks good, only thing im not sure about is the motherboard. It may be voltage locked, id look at the gigabyte matx boards.

The G43 board is not voltage locked, but is just not regarded as a good quality mobo. As you say GB mATX or Asus would be better value.

 

[Skurlo]

I'm glad you like the case choice. It took me long enough to decide and seemed to fit my needs. Its good to hear from someone who has practical experience with it. Was it easy to build with?

So should I be looking at something more like this:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - OEM with FREE Grid 2 PC Game £187.99
1 x Samsung 128GB SSD 840 PRO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7PD128BW) £115.99
1 x Gigabyte Z87M-D3H Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £97.99
1 x Silverstone TemJin TJ08B-E Midi Tower Case - Black (SST-TJ08B-E USB 3.0) £83.99
1 x Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler (Socket 775 / 1150 / 1155 / 1156 / 1366 / AM2 / AM2+ / AM3 / FM1 / FM2) £26.99
Total : £512.95 (includes shipping : FREE).