New PC For Christmas Present - £500-600 Budget

So I'm thinking of getting him this build. I've changed the case and added in a Blu Ray drive. I guess my main two questions are:


  • Are all these compatible?

  • Would you change any of the components or is it looking a good build for the money?

It's a little bit over budget and doesn't include windows but I'm hoping we can transfer his current windows to the new pc, saving on £80. It's a risk but, if we manage to, it would be worth it.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £639.04
(includes shipping: £13.20)
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Looks good to me. As you're not overclocking that PSU should be okay - which is the only question mark I'd really have any of it.

Personally I'd also consider spending £50 on an SSD now with the idea of getting an extra drive later too (assuming his budget can't stretch any further). I'm not sure about hybrid drives personally. They may be fine but I'd imagine a proper SSD will feel smoother in general operation.
 
It's looking good then. Thanks everyone for your help. I won't order anything for another week or so, so any further recommendations would still be appreciated. I initially wanted an SSD and HD but it would probably end up being a bit too expensive for the two and I didn't think a 250GB SSD would be enough. How much of that would be taken up by windows?
 
Apologies for posting about this again but would somebody mind having a look at this for me, please? It's pretty much the same as before but I've swapped out the SSHD for an SSD and HD. It comes to more than previously hoped but I've checked with everyone that's contributing and we can go to £700. I just want to make sure everything is compatible and the parts chosen are good choices (essentially just the SSD and HD since the other components are the same). I'll look at possibly ordering it today so it's really a final check that I've got a good build together before committing other people's money to it.

It's obviously a risk that windows isn't included (hoping to transfer his current license) but I'll just make him aware of it.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £709.99
(includes shipping: £13.20)
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Thanks again to everyone on here for your help!

Also, would the stock cooling be enough?
 
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Yes the stock cooling wil be enough.

Honestly I would get a k cpu and get a smaller HD or get the HD a later time. I'd also buy the nastiest and cheapest case I could if it meant being able to overclock in the future.

Everything else looks good to me so if you're sure you dont ever want to overclock then go for it.
 
That looks perfectly fine. I'd be tempted on a K CPU though, always helps to have the option.

The stock CPU cooler will be fine.

You can also get windows key for £25 and install iso to USB.
 
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McGraw said:
Yes the stock cooling wil be enough.

Honestly I would get a k cpu and get a smaller HD or get the HD a later time. I'd also buy the nastiest and cheapest case I could if it meant being able to overclock in the future.

Everything else looks good to me so if you're sure you dont ever want to overclock then go for it.
Click to expand...

Updated basket below.

I've picked i5-4690k. Is there an advantage to having a 4590? Just wondering why this one seemed to be picked by many over 4690k.

I've taken out the HD but I'm cautious whether 250GB of storage would be enough. He won't be filling a TB any time soon but how much storage would be as additional after installing windows etc? (I know it won't be accurate but just roughly).

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £687.14
(includes shipping: £12.30)
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MutenJoshi said:
Updated basket below.

I've picked i5-4690k. Is there an advantage to having a 4590? Just wondering why this one seemed to be picked by many over 4690k.

I've taken out the HD but I'm cautious whether 250GB of storage would be enough. He won't be filling a TB any time soon but how much storage would be as additional after installing windows etc? (I know it won't be accurate but just roughly).

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £687.14
(includes shipping: £12.30)
​


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Click to expand...

It's cheaper but a bit slower and not overclockable. 4690k should be able to do around 4.7ghz with another cooler which is obviously a decent gain and will keep you relevant for a good few years. The 4590 boosts to 3.9ghz on one core which is still good.

That extra overclock headroom could save you from a platform upgrade in the future.

A secondary hard drive is useful for storing photos etc but obviously you'll need something else to back it up to.

A few good games and apps should leave plenty of space for some docs etc. On a 256gb SSD with a USB stick or something else for backup to begin with.
 
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McGraw said:
It's cheaper but a bit slower and not overclockable. 4690k should be able to do around 4.7ghz with another cooler which is obviously a decent gain and will keep you relevant for a good few years. The 4590 boosts to 3.9ghz on one core which is still good.

That extra overclock headroom could save you from a platform upgrade in the future.

A secondary hard drive is useful for storing photos etc but obviously you'll need something else to back it up to.

A few good games and apps should leave plenty of space for some docs etc. On a 256gb SSD with a USB stick or something else for backup to begin with.
Click to expand...

I've changed the basket again (below).

Back to i5-4590. He won't be overclocking so I'm not too worried about that.

I'll try using his old hard drive for now, if the 250GB doesn't prove to be enough.

Swapped out the blu ray writer for a dvd writer.

Now got Windows 10 included as I don't think his license will be transferable.

I tried inputting these choices on Uk PC Part Picker to see if there would be any compatibility issues. The only note it said was:

The Kingston Savage 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory operating voltage of 1.65V exceeds the Intel Haswell Refresh CPU recommended maximum of 1.5V+5% (1.575V). This memory module may run at a reduced clock rate to meet the 1.5V voltage recommendation, or may require running at a voltage greater than the Intel recommended maximum.

This won't be much of a problem, will it?

Can you spot anything you would reconsider in there (apart from CPU)?

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £706.07
(includes shipping: £13.20)
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MutenJoshi said:
I've changed the basket again (below).

Back to i5-4590. He won't be overclocking so I'm not too worried about that.

I'll try using his old hard drive for now, if the 250GB doesn't prove to be enough.

Swapped out the blu ray writer for a dvd writer.

Now got Windows 10 included as I don't think his license will be transferable.

I tried inputting these choices on Uk PC Part Picker to see if there would be any compatibility issues. The only note it said was:

The Kingston Savage 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory operating voltage of 1.65V exceeds the Intel Haswell Refresh CPU recommended maximum of 1.5V+5% (1.575V). This memory module may run at a reduced clock rate to meet the 1.5V voltage recommendation, or may require running at a voltage greater than the Intel recommended maximum.

This won't be much of a problem, will it?

Can you spot anything you would reconsider in there (apart from CPU)?

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £706.07
(includes shipping: £13.20)
​


​
Click to expand...

that would go nicely in cube :cool:

edit: if it was me id get a cheaper GPU to have a 1TB included, i say this because my computer came with a 1TB and its great, but i am going to get an ssd for the simple fact is i reckon 8.1 loads fast enough when its not turned off from power cut ha, but wouldnt make sense to buy another mech when i have the 1TB for games and stuff to keep the OS fast on its own drive.
 
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MutenJoshi said:
I've changed the basket again (below).

Back to i5-4590. He won't be overclocking so I'm not too worried about that.

I'll try using his old hard drive for now, if the 250GB doesn't prove to be enough.

Swapped out the blu ray writer for a dvd writer.

Now got Windows 10 included as I don't think his license will be transferable.

I tried inputting these choices on Uk PC Part Picker to see if there would be any compatibility issues. The only note it said was:

The Kingston Savage 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory operating voltage of 1.65V exceeds the Intel Haswell Refresh CPU recommended maximum of 1.5V+5% (1.575V). This memory module may run at a reduced clock rate to meet the 1.5V voltage recommendation, or may require running at a voltage greater than the Intel recommended maximum.

This won't be much of a problem, will it?

Can you spot anything you would reconsider in there (apart from CPU)?

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £706.07
(includes shipping: £13.20)
​


​
Click to expand...

1.65v is fine, loads of people use it including me...well I'm at 1.66 actually.

Can't you try his Windows first then buy? What makes you think it won't work?

Also I advise against the above suggestion as it's easy to add a ahrd drive, it isn't easy to sell a graphics card and upgrade it when it runs out of steam earlier than you want it to.

Just buy the best graphics you can afford and mange with the 256gb SSD.
 
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McGraw said:
1.65v is fine, loads of people use it including me...well I'm at 1.66 actually.

Can't you try his Windows first then buy? What makes you think it won't work?

Also I advise against the above suggestion as it's easy to add a ahrd drive, it isn't easy to sell a graphics card and upgrade it when it runs out of steam earlier than you want it to.

Just buy the best graphics you can afford and mange with the 256gb SSD.
Click to expand...

I included the windows so I had the max price. I'll buy all of the components first. I'll try transferring it and, if it doesn't work, there's £80 taken into account for the OS. The reason I'm thinking it might not be transferrable is because his was bought as a ready made PC of which I am guessing came with an OEM copy of windows. I tried checking what he had but the product ID was different to what I expected.

His current HD is 500GB of which is only half full. I think a 250GB SSD and his current HD will be more than sufficient.

It looks like I'm good to go unless you can see anything?
 
Looks good to me.

Bear in mind that if you run that ram at 2400mhz using its xmp profile then you are technically over clocking and should keep an eye on CPU temps using something like aida.
 
McGraw said:
Looks good to me.

Bear in mind that if you run that ram at 2400mhz using its xmp profile then you are technically over clocking and should keep an eye on CPU temps using something like aida.
Click to expand...

I won't be using the PC and won't be monitoring it. What should I do when setting it up to make sure there isn't the risk of the CPU overheating? Obviously an alternative would be to find different ram?
 
I would run Aida 64 for at least 10 minutes and make sure your temps don't get too high.

Technically less than 100c is fine as the cpu won't be throttling but if you start getting near 90c then its time to think about disabling the xmp.

It's good to run Aida anyway as it shows you've got your cooler seated correctly.

I'd also run 3d mark to make sure everything runs OK and you get the scores you should.

Asus realbench is a good stress test too.
 
McGraw said:
I would run Aida 64 for at least 10 minutes and make sure your temps don't get too high.

Technically less than 100c is fine as the cpu won't be throttling but if you start getting near 90c then its time to think about disabling the xmp.

It's good to run Aida anyway as it shows you've got your cooler seated correctly.

I'd also run 3d mark to make sure everything runs OK and you get the scores you should.

Asus realbench is a good stress test too.
Click to expand...

Ok, cheers. I'll run those. If I disable the XMP profile, it shouldn't be a problem anyway should it? I obviously won't though if it's not needed.

I've just ordered the components, not including windows, anyway so I'm committed to the build now haha. Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it.
 
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