Double check my home PC build...

[jarvis82]

I'd be tempted to save £5 and double the SSD capacity by getting the Samsung B Grade.

To this day I've never fully understood 'B grade' items, or the possible pit falls of purchasing them? Is it as little as just no box/no manual type thing, or are they actually damaged in some way?

(I agree though - seems a good deal for the extra storage!)

 

[honosuseri]

To this day I've never fully understood 'B grade' items, or the possible pit falls of purchasing them? Is it as little as just no box/no manual type thing, or are they actually damaged in some way?

(I agree though - seems a good deal for the extra storage!)

For the most part they are opened returned items, so think managers specials like you see in retail shops. You get a 90 day warranty with OCuk and whatever is left for the manufacturer to honour. Sometimes HDDs can be refurb'd and items can be missing accessories but you can ask in C.S what's what.

I wouldn't get excited over them especially when there is only one in stock. There are a few threads with that SSD suggested and I've bought stuff from here only to receive an email saying there was a stock error and had to find an alternative.....So buyer beware.

Not sure why you are dismissing the AMD APU, it's really ideal for a cheap all round home PC, it's about the only thing I will spec from the AMD CPU stables.

 

[jarvis82]

For the most part they are opened returned items, so think managers specials like you see in retail shops. You get a 90 day warranty with OCuk and whatever is left for the manufacturer to honour. Sometimes HDDs can be refurb'd and items can be missing accessories but you can ask in C.S what's what.

I wouldn't get excited over them especially when there is only one in stock. There are a few threads with that SSD suggested and I've bought stuff from here only to receive an email saying there was a stock error and had to find an alternative.....So buyer beware.

Not sure why you are dismissing the AMD APU, it's really ideal for a cheap all round home PC, it's about the only thing I will spec from the AMD CPU stables.

Thanks for the input. I appreciate what you are saying in regard to the AMD chip. I looked closely at it, and at nearly 4ghz quad, against the Intel's 2.8ghz dual, I can see why it would seem a mystery anyone going for the slower chip. But as far as I can see the Intel will be fine for what my parents need, and with the advantage that the small form factor is achievable.

However it won't far from my mind, as in the next couple of days I'll be looking to spec a build for my son's first gaming PC (on a budget!), and the AMD would definitely seem the chip to put in that.

 

[jarvis82]

Not sure why you are dismissing the AMD APU, it's really ideal for a cheap all round home PC, it's about the only thing I will spec from the AMD CPU stables.

Actually now I note you did give a build further up the thread that was still Mini ITX, but with the AMD.

If that AMD motherboard wasn't missing USB3 connectors, then I could be tempted... Hmmm.... Back to the drawing board maybe!

EDIT - ASRock FM2A75M-ITX AMD A75 does have USB3 though... Could be the game changer. Only a couple of quid more.

I think you have convinced me!

Do you know how stock cooler on these AMD chips behaves? I haven't budgeted for an aftermarket low profile cooler...Maybe I might have to if the AMD stock cooler is either crap and/or too big.

 

[teppic]

The AMD board has two USB 3 ports.

Back Panel I/O Ports

- 1x Optical S/PDIF-out port
- 1x PS/2 keyboard/ mouse combo port
- 1x Graphics card port**, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200 @ 60 Hz
- 1x HDMI port**, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1080 @ 60Hz
- 1x Wi-Fi module with an antenna connector
- 2x USB 3.0 ports
- 1x eSATA port
- 1x Bluetooth module
- 4x USB 2.0 ports
- 1x LAN port
- 3x audio ports

 

[honosuseri]

I've only used the A8K fella and the stock heatsink wasn't that bad at all. I did whack on a value heatsink to a few builds but that was to OC the CPU and IGP.

I'd avoid the Asrock ITX mobos, there were reports of them burning out. That's why I went with the MSI. It has USB3 rear ports and a internal header, I do believe it has bluetooth and wifi as well (Spec sheet HERE)

For your boys build the A8K again makes sense but maybe use 8GB of 2133Mhz (or faster) RAM to help the IGP for gaming. You can always drop in a dedicated GPU later or hand down your old one perhaps if you upgrade. The A10K has the best IGP but that's down to you how you want to balance things out for him, if you would add a GPU much later the A8 makes a good compromise.

 

[jarvis82]

I've only used the A8K fella and the stock heatsink wasn't that bad at all. I did whack on a value heatsink to a few builds but that was to OC the CPU and IGP.

I'd avoid the Asrock ITX mobos, there were reports of them burning out. That's why I went with the MSI. It has USB3 rear ports and a internal header, I do believe it has bluetooth and wifi as well (Spec sheet HERE)

For your boys build the A8K again makes sense but maybe use 8GB of 2133Mhz (or faster) RAM to help the IGP for gaming. You can always drop in a dedicated GPU later or hand down your old one perhaps if you upgrade. The A10K has the best IGP but that's down to you how you want to balance things out for him, if you would add a GPU much later the A8 makes a good compromise.

Clearly I must just be blind - Wasn't looking closely enough, as thought the MSI board had no USB3. Well, sorted then - I'll go with the AMD option.

Thanks much for all the help!

 

[Idleman]

Actually now I note you did give a build further up the thread that was still Mini ITX, but with the AMD.

If that AMD motherboard wasn't missing USB3 connectors, then I could be tempted... Hmmm.... Back to the drawing board maybe!

EDIT - ASRock FM2A75M-ITX AMD A75 does have USB3 though... Could be the game changer. Only a couple of quid more.

The MSI FM2-A75IA-E53 that hono specced does have USB3.

• 2 USB 3.0 rear ports by AMD® A75
• 1 USB 3.0 onboard connector by AMD® A75

http://uk.msi.com/product/mb/FM2-A75IA-E53.html#/?div=Detail