New Build - Advice Needed

chigley

chigley

chigley

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Joined
14 Oct 2009
Posts
272
Location
Bolton/London (home/uni.)
I'm working on a new build for a relative, and still have some cash left from the budget to splash, but don't know where the spec. would be best improved. Advice appreciated!

Here's the spec. as-is:

  • Intel i3 2100 3.1GHz
  • Gigabyte GA-H61M-S2-B3 (H61 Chipset)
  • 4GB DDR3 1333MHz Corsair RAM /w heatsinks
  • 500GB Seagate 5900rpm HDD
  • 430W Corsair Builder PSU

Using on board graphics because the PC won't be used for anything graphics-intensive. Main usage is general office-type work. It might seem like overkill, but the build needs to last a long time.

Some improvements I thought of:

  • CPU upgrade, perhaps either i3 2120 3.3GHz or i5 2400 3.1GHz
  • 32GB SSD for OS and applications
  • larger 7200rpm HDD (instead of 500GB 5900rpm)
  • better PSU - either modular, or higher wattage

All feedback, comments and suggestions appreciated!

Cheers :)
 
Whats the overall budget and what do you need :)?
Might be easier to start a clean slate for someone suggesting improvements :)
 
The quad core i5 2300 or 2400 is a good move, maybe 8GB of RAM?

You dont need anything better than the CX430 for this.

So thats leaves the CPU/RAM or SSD, faster HDD.
 
if your only using it for office type applications then the SSD is the only sensible upgrade. if you can get one that will fit all your applications on it along with the OS that would be perfect.

ooh, and this motherboard will be a nice improvement over the one you've selected: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-172-MS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1907

*edit*
might as well make an entire spec and see what you think:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i3-2100 3.10GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £89.99
1 x Cooler Master Elite 430 Windowed Case - Black (with 500w Elite Power PSU) £64.99
1 x MSI H67MA-E35 Intel H67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Micro-ATX Motherboard - (Sandybridge) **B3 REVISION** £59.99
1 x Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (WD5000AAKX) £29.99
1 x Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT25664BA1339) £23.99
1 x Sony Optiarc AD-5260S 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £15.98
Total : £298.43 (includes shipping : £11.25).

add an SSD if you want and away you go
 
Last edited:
Cheers for the replies so far, and especially to Reaper for bringing that motherboard to my attention, not sure how that one slipped my radar - great price!

After juggling things around I've decided that the SSD just isn't feasible, I fear that 32GB wouldn't be big enough for OS/apps and can't afford anything bigger.

So I've narrowed it down to two options:

  • i3 2120 3.3GHz, 8GB RAM
  • i5 2310 2.9GHz, 4GB RAM

^ Which would you guys say is the best out of the above two options? I'm leaning towards the latter of the two, but confirmation is always nice :)

Thanks!
 
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