Need help with a tight budget

dirtyh4rry · 22 Apr 2013 at 14:34

Hi folks, I was hoping maybe you could impart some of your knowledge and help me build a Multimedia-PC (Photoshop, C4D, illustrator) which I can at some point add a decent GFX card to allow for gaming.

I have roughly £350 to spend and I need the following:

PSU
Motherboard (with integrated graphics & sound)
QUAD-Core CPU (with integrated graphics)
RAM
CPU Cooler

-----------

I have already acquired a Corsair Obsidian Series 550d and a 240gb Toshiba SSD; the optical drive, HDDs and the rest of the peripherals I will be taking from my old machine along with my Windows 8 Ultimate licence.

What's the best I can get for my money or there abouts?

Thanks in advance, Tony

Leprechaun312 · 22 Apr 2013 at 14:39

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £189.95
1 x **B Grade** Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £60.00
1 x XFX Pro 550W Core Edition '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £47.99
1 x Patriot Viper Xtreme 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (PXD38G1600LLK) £39.95
Total : £349.88 (includes shipping : £10.00).

DaleTheWhale · 22 Apr 2013 at 15:04

^ Will be perfect for what you need it for.

TehBluebear · 22 Apr 2013 at 15:07

What about a CPU cooler? Or are you just going to use the OEM?

Idleman · 22 Apr 2013 at 15:24

@OP, just bear in mind the "B" grade mobo may have some accessories missing, like IO backplate or data cables.
Do you have an after market cooler from your other system?
Also, what Psu do you currently have and how old is it?

Leprechaun312 · 22 Apr 2013 at 15:27

ignore idiot post

Idleman · 22 Apr 2013 at 15:51

Leprechaun312 said:
just seen you have edited your post if you already have an ok psu then this would suffice

What edit?

DaleTheWhale · 22 Apr 2013 at 15:55

Idleman said:
What edit?

Was thinking the same, OP still needs a PSU, what you spec'd first will be the best for him at the moment. Definitely worth checking if the mobo comes with a back plate however. Cable's I imagine you will be okay if your stripping old drives out.

apeksdiver · 22 Apr 2013 at 15:56

TehBluebear said:
What about a CPU cooler? Or are you just going to use the OEM?

What's wrong with that?

Leprechaun312 · 22 Apr 2013 at 15:56

ignore

Leprechaun312 · 22 Apr 2013 at 15:59

I just need to go to specsavers and get my eyes checked

honosuseri · 22 Apr 2013 at 16:32

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £179.99
1 x GeIL EVO Leggera 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (GEL316GB1600C9DC) £79.99
1 x **B Grade** Gigabyte Z68A-D3H-GEN3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 (MB-380-GI) £52.00
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430w Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020058-UK) £39.98
Total : £363.36 (includes shipping : £9.50).

dirtyh4rry · 22 Apr 2013 at 17:01

TehBluebear said:
What about a CPU cooler? Or are you just going to use the OEM?

Good shout! This is another requirement.

Sorry guys.

honosuseri · 22 Apr 2013 at 17:25

dirtyh4rry said:
Good shout! This is another requirement.

Sorry guys.

You can add one later. There aren't many of the decent value ones in stock currently and the case you have can limit your choice. You need to check the max height the case will allow.

I used the Z68 as there is only the one Z77-D3H as B grade. The Z68 was designed for Sandybridge which is partly why I have used the 2500K. It is cheaper and I expect the mobo will be happier OC'ing the 2500K rather than a 3570K.

For £50ish that mobo offers the usual Z series goodness i.e SataIII, USB3 and of course overclocking options. It's also Xfire/SLi capable but the PSU will be the limit on that feature. It can also be updated to UEFI to modernise the BIOS.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £179.99
1 x **B Grade** Gigabyte Z68A-D3H-GEN3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 (MB-380-GI) £52.00
1 x GeIL EVO Leggera 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (GEL38GB1600C9DC) £47.99
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430w Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020058-UK) £39.98
1 x Thermalright Macho 120 CPU Cooler (Socket 775 / 1155 / 1156 / 1366 / 2011 / AM2 / AM2+ / AM3 / FM1 / FM2) £29.99
Total : £361.94 (includes shipping : £10.00).

Akagi · 23 Apr 2013 at 14:02

Someone above specced a 3570K + Z77 system for less than that hono

thenameDS · 23 Apr 2013 at 14:13

Leprechaun312 that is a solid build, add in a decent graphic card at a later stage and he will run most games more than comfortably. As for space inside the 550D I think it will swallow almost any cooler, I have a Phanteks in mine and have seen picture of people with K2's and Noctua D14's inside their cases.

Idleman · 23 Apr 2013 at 14:41

You still have not mentioned what your existing Psu, just like to know, so we can see if it can still be used or not.

Leprechaun312 · 23 Apr 2013 at 15:56

Idleman said:
You still have not mentioned what your existing Psu, just like to know, so we can see if it can still be used or not.

he says in his OP that he needs a new psu (ironic i am pointing this out)

Idleman · 23 Apr 2013 at 16:11

Leprechaun312 said:
he says in his OP that he needs a new psu (ironic i am pointing this out)

I know what he said in his OP. Just want to be sure that he actually needs a new Psu. As some people think they have to upgrade or replace a component, when it is`nt necessary.

honosuseri · 23 Apr 2013 at 16:25

acme15 said:
Someone above specced a 3570K + Z77 system for less than that hono

With 8GB not 16GB of RAM and what's the OP gonna do if he tries to order it and that single B-Grade Z77 has been sold already? The XFX PSU was on a today only offer too so that price is no longer valid today.

Where is your suggestion then?