First build, need advice

NathanCz · 23 Aug 2012 at 23:02

Im building a desktop to replace my old laptop and because it seems cheaper than a pre-built system.

I have researched and come up with a list of parts. The main use of the system is using Visual Studio and Adobe CS5. I also watch a lot of movies online.

What I have currently:
Monitor: Samsung S24A350H 24 inch (HDMI/VGA)
External HD: 2TB LaCie P9230 (USB2 & USB3)

What I think I need (from my research):
Processor: Intel Core i3 2120
RAM: minimum 4GB, made by "Crucial"
Graphic Card: For my use, not sure I need this.
Hard Drive: 500GB as I can use my external HD.
Power supply: Not sure, 400W to be safe?
Motherboard: Not sure, one that works with what I have!

I will need a case, optical drive and possibly a fan. Also, the system needs to be compatable wiht my monitor (HDMI or VGA).

My budget isnt great, but im not expecting wonders from this system. I would prefer to spend £200/ £250. Hopefully, that is do-able.

Thanks in advance guys

Nathan.

Doomedspeed · 24 Aug 2012 at 08:56

YOUR BASKET
1 x "Primo PLUS 510i" Intel H61 DDR3 Ready Barebones (Socket 1155) £187.99
1 x Toshiba (7K1000.D) 500GB SATA 6GB/s 32MB Cache - OEM (DT01ACA050) £44.99
1 x MSI HD 5450 1024MB GDDR5 Low Profile PCI-Express Graphics Card £25.99
Total : £258.97 (includes shipping : FREE).

Welcome,

The "primo 510i" includes:
- Case: OcUK IMP microATX case - Black
- Motherboard: Asus P8H61 MX Intel H61 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard
- Power Supply: OcUK Value 500W PSU
- CPU: Intel Core i3 2120 3.30GHz (Socket 1155) CPU
- Memory: OcUK Value 4GB 1333MHZ C9

So on spec and just over budget.

A GPU would be good as it gives you a decent HDMI output, though i have heard HD 2000 is pretty sound, upto you really.

NathanCz · 24 Aug 2012 at 16:41

Hey Doom, thanks for the reply. Do you think its necessary to have a graphics card? Can I not just get a DVI to HDMI connector, so I dont need the card?

Other than that, great bundle you put together, thanks!

Fire_fly · 24 Aug 2012 at 16:46

your going to want to add an Optical drive to what Doom has speced.

NathanCz · 24 Aug 2012 at 19:37

Hey thanks Fire. Ive just been given a Dell PowerEdge 1800. This is the list of components:

1 x PE1800 - SATA - XEON 3.0GHZ/1MB 800FSB
1 x 2GB SINGLE RANK DDR2 MEMORY (4X512MB)
3 x 80GB SATA (7,200RPM) 1IN HARD DRIVE
1 x CERC SATA RAID CONTROLLER, WITH 6 CHANNEL
1 x 16X DVD-ROM DRIVE
1 x PV100T 36/72GB, DAT72 TAPE DRIVE, INTERN
1 x DS4 AND DAT72 TAPE CLEANING CARTRIDGE D
1 x DAT72 TAPE CARTRIDGE 5-PACK DELL-BRANDED
1 x NON REDUNDANT POWER SUPPLY - ROHS COMPLI
1 x FP/MG - UK/IRISH - 17IN (E173FP TCO99) V
1 x UK - 56K PCI INTERNAL MODEM
1 x INTEL PRO 100S NETWORK INTERFACE CARD WI
1 x DELL USB 2-BUTTON MIDNIGHT GREY SCROLL
1 x C06 ASTR5, RAID 5, USING ADD-IN CERC SAT
1 x 3.5 INCH 1.44MB FLOPPY DRIVE

Do you think I can upgrade this system? Using the Mobo, hard drive and graphics cad you suggested above?

Thanks

Nathan