Help me spec a cheap build please!

TheSwede

TheSwede

TheSwede

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Hi guys and gals!

Been tinkering with the idea of doing an upgrade for myself, since a friend suggested that they would be interested in the parts I would upgrade, i.e. Mobo, CPU, PSU and memory. I already have a spare GPU, HDD and DVD/CD ROM Drive to add to it.

Now I don't really need to upgrade, should probably try and save my money instead so I am looking into what a low budget spec would look like for them. As mentioned I have some parts already so basically all that is needed is a Mobo, CPU, PSU and a case to fit it in, since the case they have is very old, i.e. a old IBM case, so would think a new case would be better of for them!

What I have come up with is this so far:

Intel E5300 £52.99 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-273-IN
Corsair CX 400W ATX £39.99 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-017-CS
Gigabyte GA-943-ES3G £59.98 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-217-GI (Picked this because I am not sure if they want to go 64Bit in the future so at least they have more then 4GB RAm if they want to then)

So far, that would total up to £152.96. If this can be brought down further that would be appreciated. Their current machine is a AMD so if anyone has any idea of what to pick for going the AMD route, please fell free to spec away!

Now, question is what case. I am pretty sure they would be happy with any case since they not really into looks, just as long as everything fits inside it and the PC runs as it should then they are happy. Personally though, I prefer that the PSU is at the bottom, but looking through OcUK's cases I can't seem to find one in the lower price range, first one I could find is the Antec 300 Gaming case, for £39.99 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-101-AN&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat= Which would put the price up to £192.95. Does anyone know of a cheaper case with the PSU at the bottom? Actually, what I will do is ask them what kind of case they want and how much they are willing to spend on one and then go from there, but please fell free to suggest cases that are good but "cheapish".

Also, would the above PSU be enough for that CPU and either a 7900GTX, 8600GTS or a 8800GTX? I haven't asked them which one they would prefer yet. They are not into heavy gaming, just older games such as Port Royale 2, Thiefs 1 & 2, Sparta/Troy, Total War series, AoE III <--- that is probably the most modern game they have I think.

Any other suggestions or advice to bring down the costs are greatly appreciated.
 
As said, not for me but for a friend.

Kennysevenfold said:
Shorten the post :p Sorry, is the below better? :p

what you want, They just want a bit more modern system then the 1 core they got now.

what you have, They will be getting GPU, RAM, HDD and DVD/CD ROM from me, I also have a unused XP OEM to bind them over until they can afford a Win7 OS. Need the rest, Mobo, CPU, PSU and case.

what you want to do with the system, Mainly for just browing the internet, play some games, nothing taxing on the system though (games as described in the first post). He might try and dabble a little in overclocking, he liked the fact that the E5300 were able to go to a 3.2GHz clock, but would also be happy with a clock set, AMD or Intel, doesn't matter to them.

how much you want to spend. In the region of £200, max £250, preferably lower if possible.

:p
Click to expand...
 
I got the following items for them:

OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 Platinum Revision 2 Dual Channel 2GB (2x1GB) ~ 800MHz DDR2, CL 4-4-4-15, Unbuffered, Platinum Mirrored XTC Heatspreader, 1.9 - 2.1 Volts
Samsung 320GB SATA HD, 7200rpm, 16MB Cache, Model HD322HJ
Samsung DVD/CD RW SH-S182 LightScribe IDE
Not sure which GPU they want though, I got a 7900GTX, 8600GTS or a 8800GTX to chose between. I was thinking of putting them up in the sales section and the one that I get left over I would let them have, since any of the 3 would be ok with them.

Don't think I have forgotten anything else, if I have let me know!
 
Last edited:
Would the components in my post above this one, be compatible with the below items?

Intel E5300 £52.99 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-273-IN
Corsair CX 400W ATX £39.99 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-017-CS
Gigabyte GA-943-ES3G £59.98 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-217-GI (Picked this because I am not sure if they want to go 64Bit in the future so at least they have more then 4GB RAm if they want to then)

Also, would the Corsair be enough for that CPU and one of the GPU's above, think the 8800GTX is most power hungry so would the PSU be enough to run it if they get the 8800? I haven't asked them which one they would prefer yet. They are not into heavy gaming, just older games such as Port Royale 2, Thiefs 1 & 2, Sparta/Troy, Total War series, AoE III <--- that is probably the most modern game they have I think.

Also, could anyone recommend a case that would be good for this build? Nothing fancy or uber expensive, just something that would be easy to use and where the 8800 would fit if that's the GPU they pick? Price around £40 or thereabouts.

If anyone has any other usggestions for a low budget PC please fell free to suggest, thank you. :)
 
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