Building a 2nd computer

predator70 · 7 Feb 2011 at 11:20

Hi,

Thinking of building a second computer mainly for internet access and not too expensive. Looking for a reliable energy efficient computer.

have got a case, spare 320gb sata hdd, dvd drive and leads.
was thinking of :

OCZ ModXStream Pro 500w Silent SLI Certified Modular Power Supply £54
Gigabyte GA-880GM-UD2H AMD 880G £72
AMD Athlon II X2 Dual Core 250 3.00GHz £47

not sure what memory to get - looking for 4gb.

not sure if I would be better off going for Intel instead or sticking with amd. any ideas??

Garee · 7 Feb 2011 at 11:23

You can get away with a lower wattage/cheaper power supply ( I was running a quad core and ATI 5770 on a Corsair 400W ). Just make sure you get a good brand.

Also, if you could push the boat out for a Phenom II X2 there is a possibility of unlocking extra cores so you essentially get a quad core cheap. I did this with my old Phenom II X2 550.

zebedeee · 7 Feb 2011 at 11:28

first you no way need a 500W psu if it's just for surfin the net, and in all honosty i'd be looking at intel.

but if you decide to go with the amd mobo then

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-006-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1516 is ok memory and cheap or there is http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-257-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1516 which isn't as cheap but a little faster on the timings if i understand timings correctly

predator70 · 7 Feb 2011 at 11:30

have been looking at Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit with is on for £40 - wondering if thats ideal or should i go for a 1333mhz set

edit: I like the one above - seems ok.

predator70 · 7 Feb 2011 at 11:31

what sort of intel build ?

zebedeee · 7 Feb 2011 at 11:34

if it's only for surfing the net on and not going to game on at all then in all honesty i'd get the cheapest thing going, if you are wanting performance then you're going for the wrong build ^^

zebedeee · 7 Feb 2011 at 11:47

predator70 said:
what sort of intel build ?

if i was just wanting it to surf the net the i'd be going for

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-233-GI&tool=5
for the mobo

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-050-GS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1516
for the memory

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-343-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1671
for the processor

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-193-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=168
graphic card

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-042-OK&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1709
power supply

the main reason i'd go with intel is because amd are getting soo left behind it's unreal, with the build i have built in this post it's upgradable and is on current technology levels with minor changes rather than a whole new rig you can keep it upto date for the next 5 years or so.....

this was a fast build without putting much thought into each component at all as it's just an example, also i'm not 100% sure the psu i selected is compatable or not but i'd not be getting a £60 psu for something thats just going to surf the net with

predator70 · 7 Feb 2011 at 11:50

thanks for the information. gives me an idea now.

Orcvader · 7 Feb 2011 at 11:52

zebedeee said:
if i was just wanting it to surf the net the i'd be going for

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-233-GI&tool=5
for the mobo

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-050-GS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1516
for the memory

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-343-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1671
for the processor

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-193-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=168
graphic card

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-042-OK&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1709
power supply

the main reason i'd go with intel is because amd are getting soo left behind it's unreal, with the build i have built in this post it's upgradable and is on current technology levels with minor changes rather than a whole new rig you can keep it upto date for the next 5 years or so.....

this was a fast build without putting much thought into each component at all as it's just an example

The CPU/Mobo combo has an integrated GPU, so he can drop the 5450 out of the list.

You can swap the PSU for this: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-033-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

zebedeee · 7 Feb 2011 at 11:58

predator70 said:
have been looking at Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit with is on for £40 - wondering if thats ideal or should i go for a 1333mhz set

edit: I like the one above - seems ok.

thats ok memory, i don't think you'll get better DDR3 memory for less than £40 in all honesty.

skylineboy · 7 Feb 2011 at 12:00

you can't go wrong with the corsair xms3 set for almost any build, but its overkill for the spec. I use it in my gaming build.

As already said a 500watt again is overkill.
An integrated mobo and gpu would be the price efficient way to go.

EDIT: can't type

zebedeee · 7 Feb 2011 at 12:09

well spotted orcvader, thats £30 you just saved on the build just from not needing a graphic card, also the psu has saved £20 ish,
altho the cpu is £30 more than your original idea on the athlon II the i3 is a better and more recent cpu than the athlon.

edit - the memory i linked in my suggested build spec is slight faster timings than the corsair memory

trisp · 7 Feb 2011 at 12:15

if just for internet access u cud get a full pc for under 200 pounds tbh

zebedeee · 7 Feb 2011 at 12:19

trisp said:
if just for internet access u cud get a full pc for under 200 pounds tbh

my first thought was to get a full system build from dell for example for as low as £100 but his main part of the project was to use some bits he already has,

i also remembered why i chose the graphic card i selected in the suggested build, it has directX 11 so is windows 7 compatible where as albeit the mobo onboard graphics won't be

predator70 · 7 Feb 2011 at 12:20

how about this one for an based build build:

Intel Pentium Dual-Core G6950 2.80GHz (Socket LGA1156) £75
Gigabyte GA-H55M-UD2H Intel H55 (Socket 1156) DDR3 microATX Motherboard £70
OCZ Platinum 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C8 1333MHz Ultra Low Voltage Dual Channel Kit £30
Corsair Builder Series CX 430W ATX Power Supply £39

what do you think ?

skylineboy · 7 Feb 2011 at 12:20

trisp said:
if just for internet access u cud get a full pc for under 200 pounds tbh

Would you like to enlighten us..?

Also OP: Either way memory wise you might as well buy a decent set from reputable company. G. Skill or corsair.

predator70 · 7 Feb 2011 at 12:25

or maybe same intel build with the corsair memory

predator70 · 7 Feb 2011 at 12:25

working out to £215.

could put a better graphics card in there in the future (if required).

zebedeee · 7 Feb 2011 at 12:28

predator70 said:
how about this one for an based build build:

Intel Pentium Dual-Core G6950 2.80GHz (Socket LGA1156) £75
Gigabyte GA-H55M-UD2H Intel H55 (Socket 1156) DDR3 microATX Motherboard £70
OCZ Platinum 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C8 1333MHz Ultra Low Voltage Dual Channel Kit £30
Corsair Builder Series CX 430W ATX Power Supply £39

what do you think ?

that build is ok, tho i haven't seen the psu as it's not on overclockers,
as the memory is only £30 then it's not a great loss if it goes as soon as warrenty is void, but to answer your question... yes that build is a relatively good spec'd build

predator70 · 7 Feb 2011 at 12:31

found it on overclockers

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-033-CS

Building a 2nd computer

Garee

Garee