Quick check on build

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17 Feb 2011
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I'm building a computer for mainly browsing and using Microsoft office and I've settled on the following build.

CPU: Intel celeron G550
Motherboard: MSI H61M-P31-G3
Ram: Corsair XMS3 2x2gb
PSU: Corsair builder series cx 430
Case: Coolermaster Elite 361 Mini Tower Case
Hard drive: Seagate baracuda 500gb


Is there any improvements I could make without upping the budget or should I go with this?
 
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OP
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17 Feb 2011
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I have one already. I also have windows 7, monitor, keyboard and mouse already. Is everything compatible? I was considering getting an i3 3220 but it's an extra £60 and for what I'll be using it for, it doesn't seem worth it.
 
Soldato
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Here's a higher powered alternative - quad core, plus free game which you can sell if you don't want.

YOUR BASKET
1 x AMD A8-5600K Black Edition 3.60GHz (Socket FM2) APU Trinity Quad Core Processor **FREE SIMCITY PC GAME** (AD560KWOHJBOX) £71.99
1 x Gigabyte F2A85XM-D3H AMD A85X Chipset (Socket FM2) DDR3 micro ATX Motherboard £61.99
Total : £144.78 (includes shipping : £9.00).



This board is cheaper, not as high spec, but would be fine for your purposes.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-549-AS&groupid=701&catid=1903&subcat=2399
 
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Works out at about £60-70 more expensive. The computer literally will only be used for checking emails and very basic excel. Would there be a noticeable difference in performance in these tasks with the quad core?

If anything would I not be better investing extra money towards an ssd rather than the cpu ?
 
Soldato
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How much more expensive with the cheaper board, and selling Sim City for £15?

There is a very cheap AMD APU - the A4 4000, which also comes with Sim City, and goes for about £35. Ocuk doesn't have it for some reason. That would be ok for browsing and stuff.

EDIT:

With what you've said in mind, I'd probably go with the cheap Asus AMD board or similar (£40-£50), the A4-4000 and sell Sim City (~£18), and replace the HDD with a 120GB SSD (about £65) - and if you're not going to store any large files or install any games, you'd probably be fine with a 60gb SSD.
 
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Associate
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Doubt an SSD will really be utilised over a HDD to be honest, just in case he/she wants to store pictures, films, etc at any point. Since about 20GB will be taken by Windows install and formatting leaving 40GB.

SSD will be good if you dont need more space than about 40GB after installing windows I'd say.
 
Soldato
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With a lower end processor an SSD can make it feel like a much higher end system, and if this is only going to be used for browsing and light office work, 40gb sounds fine.

The A4-4000 has a slight edge on the G550, and with Sim City sold, is stupidly cheap.
 
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