£500 Build - Could do with some help!

wissel · 25 Aug 2012 at 18:05

Hi, need to build a PC for my Dad with a budget of around £500.

I have no idea when it comes to cheaper systems so would really appreciate some help on specs.

He uses a PC mainly for MS Office and also specialist kitchen design software.

I have no preferences on AMD or Intel processor's or on graphics cards.

Would like a 1tb hd plus a 128gb ssd, don't need monitor or keyboard etc.

There is nothing I can salvage from his old PC, its just to old

Is £500 possible for a reasonable machine?

Specs really appreciated

wissel · 25 Aug 2012 at 18:37

Thanks for the quick reply Guys.

See you both went for the i3, better than say a Bulldozer?

wissel · 20 Sep 2012 at 17:26

I finally got round to ordering the PC for my Dad, was doing a few things at the time so would just like to check what's ordered if fine. Here's the order:

I've already noticed I haven't ordered a CPU cooler or a DVD drive, any recommendations for the CPU cooler?

Have I missed anything else?

wissel · 20 Sep 2012 at 17:59

Bacon? said:
CPU cooler comes with the retail chip so dont worry, also comes with pre-applied past. For the DVD-RW just get the cheapest one on offer, just make sure its a DVD-RW.

Cool, didn't know that it came with the cooler. Is the stock cooler OK?
Or is it worth buying another?

wissel · 20 Sep 2012 at 18:21

beejjacobs said:
Stock cooler for the i3 is fine

Excellent.

The rig will be as in the list but will add a 2mb GT610 (passive) just because I have one kicking about.

I've ordered the DVD drive for it, just wondering about additional cooling now.

The Fractal case comes with a 120mm in the front and can take an additional 120mm in the side and a 92mm in the back.

Would it be worth me getting the extra 2 fans? If I did I guess I would run the front and side as intakes and use the 92mm as an exhaust?