Proposed new build

dal · 2 Aug 2013 at 14:00

Hi all, my other half's dad wants a new PC, he doesn't really do gaming but he said he wanted something as fast as mine ( specs in sig ), well my PC is 3 years old so I'm guessing he shouldn't need to spend too much to get this.

I had a quick look on OCUK and basically chose some cheap components to put together, tell me what you think :

Motherboard 41.99 ASRock FM2A55M-DGS AMD A55 Chipset (Socket FM2) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-545-AS

CPU 47.99 AMD A6-5400K Black Edition 3.60GHz (Socket FM2) APU Trinity Dual Core Processor (AD540KOKHJBOX
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-329-AM

RAM 29.99 TeamGroup Elite 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED34096M1600HC11DC)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-021-TG

CASE : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-063-OP

HARD DRIVE

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-025-TS&groupid=701&catid=14

The CPU has integrated graphics so wont need a graphics card.

DaleTheWhale · 2 Aug 2013 at 14:17

They'll work.
There speedy enough for standard tasks, how much do you have for your budget?

An SSD will make a nice addition.

dal · 2 Aug 2013 at 14:23

Not sure what the budget is but cant see the point in spending more really as he is not into gaming.

EDIT : How do you think it will perform compared to my PC ( specs in sig )

Sir SpankalotUK · 2 Aug 2013 at 14:31

definitely get a SSD as the primary drive, will make such a difference

teppic · 2 Aug 2013 at 15:04

For desktop tasks you won't really notice much difference between an APU and your system, assuming we're talking about things like browsing, Word, etc. I would however go up to the A8-5600K if possible, as it's a much better performer all round, and is only £20 or so more.

Hoodleader · 2 Aug 2013 at 15:41

teppic said:
For desktop tasks you won't really notice much difference between an APU and your system, assuming we're talking about things like browsing, Word, etc. I would however go up to the A8-5600K if possible, as it's a much better performer all round, and is only £20 or so more.

+1 This, You really do get better performance out of the A8 for hardly any more money.

dal · 2 Aug 2013 at 20:37

Cheers guys ill go for A8 then. Regarding Ssd when you say makes such a difference you mean for system startup or in general, I think a quicker startup is somthing he would like, ill see if his budget will stretch to a SSD.

honosuseri · 2 Aug 2013 at 21:13

The PSU with the case is cheap and nasty fella. If it goes pop it will more than likely take parts with it.

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 Patriot Viper "Black Mamba" Generation 3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-17000C11 2133MHz Dual CHannel Kit (PV38G213C1K) £65.99
1 x Gigabyte F2A85XM-D3H AMD A85X Chipset (Socket FM2) DDR3 micro ATX Motherboard £61.99
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (ST1000DM003) HDD £48.95
1 x XFX Pro 450W Core Edition '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £39.95
1 x Xigmatek Asgard Pro Gaming Case - Black £32.99
Total : £321.85 (includes shipping : FREE).

Respectable all round home PC there. Believe it or not it could do some light gaming too.

There was a couple of 120GB samsung 840 SSDs in the Bgrade section for £60. Yes they would seriously improve the load times of the rig

Potty27 · 2 Aug 2013 at 22:38

YOUR BASKET
1 x **B Grade** Samsung 250GB SSD 840 SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7TD250BW) £100.00
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 MSI A55M-E33 AMD A55 Chipset (Socket FM2) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £40.99
1 x Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX4GX3M2A1600C9) £37.99
1 x Imp MicroATX Tower Case (500w PSU) £31.99
1 x OcUK 20x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.99
Total : £299.95 (includes shipping : FREE).

I expect a lot will dislike the case / PSU combo here, but it should be totally fine for this build.

I've made the following assumptions:

He wants the best performance for as cheap as possible.
He will not be OC'ing.
He will not be playing anything with demanding graphics.
It's for general tasks like internet / video playback / office etc.
He wont need huge storage space. (this build has a 250GB SSD, my dad has a single 120GB and it's less than half full)

Potty27 · 2 Aug 2013 at 22:41

An SSD will make a huge difference in how fast his PC "feels" for most things.