Spec me a new PC < £500

stuartmanton · 24 Dec 2011 at 10:14

Hi All,

Looking to build a new machine. It will be for general use + video editing. It will not be used for games.

I have a budget of £500. I will be using existing monitors and operating system but will need to replace everything else. I already have a WHS so storage disks are catered for.

I was thinking on building something around the i5 2500k and overclocking to try to improve film rending times. Something quiet and something with a smallish case would be prefered.

Any advice will be greatfully received.

Merry Christmas

RJC · 24 Dec 2011 at 10:19

Quick spec below, used a std size case which should be ok, if you use the codes cmdouble you get £20 off:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18347004&highlight=coolermaster

Your basket
Product Name Qty Price Line Total
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £184.99
(£154.16) £184.99
(£154.16)
Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £99.98
(£83.32) £99.98
(£83.32)
Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT064M4SSD2) £82.99
(£69.16) £82.99
(£69.16)
Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £49.99
(£41.66) £49.99
(£41.66)
Cooler Master Elite 430 Windowed Case - Black £39.98
(£33.32) £39.98
(£33.32)
Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX) £29.99
(£24.99) £29.99
(£24.99)
Gelid Tranquillo CPU Cooler (Socket 754/939/940/AM2/AM2+/AM3/LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366) £25.99
(£21.66) £25.99
(£21.66)
Sub Total : £428.27
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £11.75
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £88.00
Total : £528.02

95thrifles · 24 Dec 2011 at 10:23

Solid Spec

stuartmanton · 24 Dec 2011 at 13:05

RJC said:
Quick spec below, used a std size case which should be ok, if you use the codes cmdouble you get £20 off:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18347004&highlight=coolermaster

Your basket
Product Name Qty Price Line Total
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £184.99
(£154.16) £184.99
(£154.16)
Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £99.98
(£83.32) £99.98
(£83.32)
Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT064M4SSD2) £82.99
(£69.16) £82.99
(£69.16)
Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £49.99
(£41.66) £49.99
(£41.66)
Cooler Master Elite 430 Windowed Case - Black £39.98
(£33.32) £39.98
(£33.32)
Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX) £29.99
(£24.99) £29.99
(£24.99)
Gelid Tranquillo CPU Cooler (Socket 754/939/940/AM2/AM2+/AM3/LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366) £25.99
(£21.66) £25.99
(£21.66)
Sub Total : £428.27
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £11.75
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £88.00
Total : £528.02

Thanks. Looks good. Hadn't thought of an SSD but liking the idea. I have been looking at the spec for the M/B. Does it have on board graphics or do I need to add a GPU to the shopping list? Currently have an older 17" monitor on the machine this is replacing, however it will be upgraded in the near future.

Surveyor · 24 Dec 2011 at 13:10

stuartmanton said:
Does it have on board graphics or do I need to add a GPU to the shopping list? Currently have an older 17" monitor on the machine this is replacing, however it will be upgraded in the near future.

The motherboard can use the GPU on the CPU but it only has a HDMI output.

If your old monitor only has VGA input then you wouldn't be able to use it so you'd need a cheap graphics card or a motherboard with VGA output.

fowler002 · 24 Dec 2011 at 13:13

RJC said:
Quick spec below, used a std size case which should be ok, if you use the codes cmdouble you get £20 off:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18347004&highlight=coolermaster

Your basket
Product Name Qty Price Line Total
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £184.99
(£154.16) £184.99
(£154.16)
Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £99.98
(£83.32) £99.98
(£83.32)
Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT064M4SSD2) £82.99
(£69.16) £82.99
(£69.16)
Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £49.99
(£41.66) £49.99
(£41.66)
Cooler Master Elite 430 Windowed Case - Black £39.98
(£33.32) £39.98
(£33.32)
Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX) £29.99
(£24.99) £29.99
(£24.99)
Gelid Tranquillo CPU Cooler (Socket 754/939/940/AM2/AM2+/AM3/LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366) £25.99
(£21.66) £25.99
(£21.66)
Sub Total : £428.27
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £11.75
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £88.00
Total : £528.02

is there any particular reason you've chosen the z68xp-ud3 over the z68ap-d3? there's no xfire/sli ability needed here.

stuartmanton · 24 Dec 2011 at 13:20

RJC said:
Quick spec below, used a std size case which should be ok, if you use the codes cmdouble you get £20 off:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18347004&highlight=coolermaster

Your basket
Product Name Qty Price Line Total
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £184.99
(£154.16) £184.99
(£154.16)
Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £99.98
(£83.32) £99.98
(£83.32)
Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT064M4SSD2) £82.99
(£69.16) £82.99
(£69.16)
Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £49.99
(£41.66) £49.99
(£41.66)
Cooler Master Elite 430 Windowed Case - Black £39.98
(£33.32) £39.98
(£33.32)
Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX) £29.99
(£24.99) £29.99
(£24.99)
Gelid Tranquillo CPU Cooler (Socket 754/939/940/AM2/AM2+/AM3/LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366) £25.99
(£21.66) £25.99
(£21.66)
Sub Total : £428.27
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £11.75
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £88.00
Total : £528.02

The Elite 430 look good but might too large and a little too gamy for my needs.

Any thoughts on the Cooler Master Elite 342 Case? or even the Elite 330 although that one is currently out of stock.

fowler002 · 24 Dec 2011 at 14:50

the 342 only support micro atx motherboards, so would have to go for a matx motherboard as the one that rjc speced and the one I mentioned are atx.

stuartmanton · 24 Dec 2011 at 21:41

Product Name Qty Price Line Total
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £184.99
(£154.16)
Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £99.98
(£83.32)
Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT064M4SSD2) £82.99
(£69.16)
Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £49.99
(£41.66)
BitFenix Shinobi Gaming Case - Black £48.98
(£40.82)
Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX) £29.99
(£24.99)
Gelid Tranquillo CPU Cooler (Socket 754/939/940/AM2/AM2+/AM3/LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366) £25.99
(£21.66)
HIS ATI Radeon HD 5450 Silence 512MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card £23.99
(£19.99)
Sub Total : £480.75
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £12.50
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £98.65
Total : £591.90

Couple of tweaks........added a basic graphics card and switched the case for something a little more understated.

Will the M/B allow a stable overclock?

With the 5% xmas discount and free delivery just £50 over budget.

beejjacobs · 24 Dec 2011 at 21:53

What about:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - OEM £173.99
1 x Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £84.98
1 x Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT064M4SSD2) £82.99
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £49.99
1 x Cooler Master Elite 430 Windowed Case - Black £39.98
1 x Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX) £29.99
1 x Gelid Tranquillo CPU Cooler (Socket 754/939/940/AM2/AM2+/AM3/LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366) £25.99
1 x HIS ATI Radeon HD 5450 Silence 512MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card £23.99
Total : £526.01 (includes shipping : £11.75).

Good case, and you can get an extra £20 off!
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18347004

Yes, that motherboard or the one I've specced will be fine

stuartmanton · 25 Dec 2011 at 22:37

beejjacobs said:
What about:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - OEM £173.99
1 x Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £84.98
1 x Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT064M4SSD2) £82.99
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £49.99
1 x Cooler Master Elite 430 Windowed Case - Black £39.98
1 x Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX) £29.99
1 x Gelid Tranquillo CPU Cooler (Socket 754/939/940/AM2/AM2+/AM3/LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366) £25.99
1 x HIS ATI Radeon HD 5450 Silence 512MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card £23.99
Total : £526.01 (includes shipping : £11.75).

Good case, and you can get an extra £20 off!
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18347004

Yes, that motherboard or the one I've specced will be fine

Thanks. Looking at the cases I think I will probably go for the

BitFenix Shinobi Gaming Case - Black

it looks more my type of thing even though it means paying a little more by not getting the Coolermaster discount.

It is worth spending an extra £10 for the 600w PSU?

RJC · 25 Dec 2011 at 22:49

As you not going to be used for gaming ect I would stick with the 500w, but ultimately its your choice

You could also drop the external GPU and use the onboard and that will save £23.99.

Fowler002 - Bit of a late reply! there is absolutely no reason why I chose that motherboard, only the fact it good value for money.

fowler002 · 25 Dec 2011 at 22:52

if you're buying by 11.59pm tomorrow night you can get free shipping and 5% off the whole order http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18355464

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i7-2700K 3.50GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £263.99
1 x Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £84.98
1 x Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT064M4SSD2) £82.99
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 600W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £59.99
1 x BitFenix Shinobi Gaming Case - Black £48.98
1 x Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX) £29.99
Total : £585.02 (includes shipping : £11.75).

use the voucher code OCUKXMAS to get free shipping + 5% off so comes to ~£540 if my maths is correct, little over budget but the i2700 will help the video editing

if you want to stick to i2500k

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - OEM £173.99
1 x Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £84.98
1 x Crucial RealSSD M4 64GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (CT064M4SSD2) £82.99
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 600W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £59.99
1 x BitFenix Shinobi Gaming Case - Black £48.98
2 x Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX) £29.99 (£59.98)
1 x Gelid Tranquillo CPU Cooler (Socket 754/939/940/AM2/AM2+/AM3/LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366) £25.99
Total : £551.00 (includes shipping : £11.75).

with the code it comes to £510, 16gb maybe overkill but for the price(£60) why not, if you don't want 16gb just get 1 not 2 lots ad save £30.

stuartmanton · 25 Dec 2011 at 23:20

I think I will stick with the i2500k option and include the 600w PSU but only the 8Gb RAM (that should be fine). And I also remembered that I need to get a new SATA DVD-RW for the build so will include the LG OEM drive.

Definitely going to get the order in before tomorrow night for the free delivery and discount. Also gives me time to open all the boxes and play with the bits before being summoned back to work in the year year.

One final question, how do you get the basket listing showing up so nicely in your posts?

stuartmanton · 25 Dec 2011 at 23:34

I have read a few comments that the cables provided with the CoolerMaster PSUs are not that long. Will this be a problem with the BitFenix Shinobi?