Bargain Build

Azraeluk · 12 Feb 2009 at 13:37

Spec for a mate.

Hi guys need some advice regarding a spec for a base unit only for a friend/guild mate, his budget is tight so wants maxium bang for buck from his system.

He will mainly use the system for WoW, but also wants to play CoD4 & CoD W@W as well as Left4Dead and any other new shooter type things that come out.

Base unit only, he will be using his existing CRT screen which has a maximum rez of 1280x1024.

Also will be using his current OS of XP Pro...may consider an upgrade to W7 later this year.

He is a bit of a hardware newbie so isnt to bother about 'clockin it would rather it ran fast at stock speeds.

Needs CD/DVD RW also.

Budget for build is £500.

Cheers in Advance

ScarySquirrel · 12 Feb 2009 at 13:48

Are you looking for something pre-built or are you going to help him put it together?

If pre-built, this would probably do the job - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-000-OP&tool=3

ro55o · 12 Feb 2009 at 13:51

The above spec will play the games you've mentioned at that resolution.

Azraeluk · 12 Feb 2009 at 14:18

Thanks guys, I will be assisting with assembly

matt_fsr · 12 Feb 2009 at 14:55

Personally, I'd drop a little of the case/psu spec - possibly buy from elsewhere, a case with PSU provided - and stretch a little further to a Radeon 4850.

Alternatively, stick an Intel E5200 CPU in there - I doubt there'll be much difference, and spend the difference on upgrading to the 4850.

mattbill · 12 Feb 2009 at 15:07

There is my attempt... so nice components in there, and you could save some money on some bits and add it to other for better components etc. a Smidgen over £500, but a good spec none-the-less. Maybe 2gb of RAM instead, and replace the PSU for the 550W version or the HX520W which is a great PSU.

Azraeluk · 12 Feb 2009 at 15:14

Thanks Guys.

Mattbills build is looking rather tasty good gfx in there and 4gb ram, which is nicely future proof

S

mp260767 · 12 Feb 2009 at 15:27

with the p43 mobo's, check the bios they come with as you might need to update the bios for the 5200/7400, have a look at the gigabyte website for compatible cpu's and bios requirement.

EvilOne · 12 Feb 2009 at 16:01

A little over 500, but has a better screen then what he's using.

Take that monitor away and its only £440.

HangTime · 12 Feb 2009 at 18:58

EvilOne said:
has a better screen then what he's using

Can't see it being worth the cash though, especially as it's lower resolution than his current monitor.

JTrickle · 12 Feb 2009 at 19:39

My effort:

Edit: As my image does seem to be showing up - here.

£30 over budget. Annoying. But I cant bring myself to cut any corners further than they already are. I would actually be reasonably pleased with that PC as it is for £530. I trust you will get the drivers that he needs on a disk (again, assuming he needs to get his lan working and so on). He can always get a better cooler for the CPU later.

I think you might be able to shave £15 off with a 4650 gfx card instead.

EvilOne · 13 Feb 2009 at 09:12

HangTime said:
Can't see it being worth the cash though, especially as it's lower resolution than his current monitor.

His current one.

Azraeluk said:
Base unit only, he will be using his existing CRT screen which has a maximum rez of 1280x1024.

HangTime · 13 Feb 2009 at 18:29

Current monitor: 1280x1024 = 1310720 pixels
Suggested monitor: 1440x900 = 1296000 pixels

You've done well to fit monitor into that budget, but he'd be better off sticking with his existing screen and spending the money elsewhere until he can afford a proper monitor upgrade (22" or better).