Spec me a PC! [£350]

therhodeo

therhodeo

therhodeo

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Joined
8 Jul 2009
Posts
9
Hi guys,

I've been tasked with sorting my parents out with a new computer. Their current PC is now 10 years old (yep, you read that right, they have owned this thing since 2001). So I'm looking at several options, and one of them is building it for them. I'm no expert, and not sure if it would be cost-effective at this price level, but if you could spec me something for around £350, I'd appreciate it.

The machine will be used for surfing the web, email, updating my Dad's iPod and storing my Mum's digital photo collection - no need for games. They're happy to use their current screen, keyboard and mouse but it will probably need a copy of Windows 7, and will definitely need a case, optical drive, HDD etc.

This might be an impossible task but it would be great to see what you guys think! Cheers.
 
If you use the VAT175 code, youll get free shipping n cheaper VAT, bring it down a bit, it was basically £270 for the PC as you needed windows including, but this will still meet their requirements


YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i3-2100 3.10GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £91.19
1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-Bit - OEM (GFC-02050) £79.98
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (ST500DM002) £71.99
1 x MSI H61M-E33 Intel H61 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard **B3 REVISION** £46.99
1 x OCUK EZCool NA-705 Case - Black (500w PSU) £21.98
1 x Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9AD3B1K2/4G) £17.99
1 x LG GH22NS70 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £14.99
Total : £358.61 (includes shipping : £11.25).

 
95thrifles said:
If you use the VAT175 code, youll get free shipping n cheaper VAT, bring it down a bit, it was basically £270 for the PC as you needed windows including, but this will still meet their requirements


YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i3-2100 3.10GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £91.19
1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-Bit - OEM (GFC-02050) £79.98
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (ST500DM002) £71.99
1 x MSI H61M-E33 Intel H61 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard **B3 REVISION** £46.99
1 x OCUK EZCool NA-705 Case - Black (500w PSU) £21.98
1 x Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9AD3B1K2/4G) £17.99
1 x LG GH22NS70 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £14.99
Total : £358.61 (includes shipping : £11.25).

Click to expand...

I know its a cheap rig, but never go with a cheapy PSU.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-059-CS
 
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I'd generally agree, but the load from this system is going to be so low that I am sure that PSU will be fine, however a note to the OP would be if you ever intended to upgrade the system by adding a gfx card for example, then you would require a PSU upgrade also
 
95thrifles said:
I'd generally agree, but the load from this system is going to be so low that I am sure that PSU will be fine, however a note to the OP would be if you ever intended to upgrade the system by adding a gfx card for example, then you would require a PSU upgrade also
Click to expand...

Still, I wouldn't skimp on the PSU. Rather, I'd get a cheap well branded 430W, like the Corsair Builder if those are still doing the rounds :)
 
95thrifles said:
If the budget allowed yes, but it really doesnt, thatd be another £40 to save elsewhere
Click to expand...

Case and PSU for <£25?

They have their purpose, but not in a custom built machine where as little as £10-£20 more could get you an actually good one.
 
£10 more? For a corsair CX400 its £40 more, which is a significant part of such a small budget, it brings the case and PSU up from £25 to £65, on a £280 PC budget, thats not viable. If it were a gaming machine I whole heartedly agree, but for general office use, there will be nothing wrong with those PSUs. Horses for courses
 
95thrifles said:
£10 more? For a corsair CX400 its £40 more, which is a significant part of such a small budget, it brings the case and PSU up from £25 to £65, on a £280 PC budget, thats not viable. If it were a gaming machine I whole heartedly agree, but for general office use, there will be nothing wrong with those PSUs. Horses for courses
Click to expand...

The CX430 is £40, what you spec'd was £20, Ill let you do the math. (ok yours has a case, but theyre cheap enough anyway)

I personally dont like Coolermaster for PSU's, but heres a 450w 80plus for £27
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-238-CM&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=
 
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at the end of the day the op needs to decide.

Yes GENERIC PSUs have a habit of blowing and taking out a system but this does happen with decent PSUs too.

The power required for this PC is low and so the pressure won't be on the PSU as much as a gaming pc. If you upgrade, or increase usage then I and most of the forum would agree that a more adequately designed PSU should be installed.
 
Rik1254 said:
The CX430 is £40, what you spec'd was £20, Ill let you do the math. (ok yours has a case, but theyre cheap enough anyway)
Click to expand...

Exactly, you would also need a case, so do the math on incl a case

skylineboy said:
at the end of the day the op needs to decide.

Yes GENERIC PSUs have a habit of blowing and taking out a system but this does happen with decent PSUs too.

The power required for this PC is low and so the pressure won't be on the PSU as much as a gaming pc. If you upgrade, or increase usage then I and most of the forum would agree that a more adequately designed PSU should be installed.
Click to expand...

Your last line is my point entirely

As I've already said, I would never advocate a generic PSU in a gaming build, but a low power office based PC, just like the millions that are made by many OEMs each year, with generic PSUs in them, can suffice, I dont remember any of offices I've worked in ever having a PC go bang cos it had a generic PSU in
Theres some very misplaced component snobbery at times on here, it doesnt always have to be best quality all the time
 
Rik1254 said:
The CX430 is £40, what you spec'd was £20, Ill let you do the math. (ok yours has a case, but theyre cheap enough anyway)

I personally dont like Coolermaster for PSU's, but heres a 450w 80plus for £27
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-238-CM&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=
Click to expand...

Iv recently purchased this Cool Master PSU (as it was on offer and i needed a new PSU)

It runs perfectly on my system :-

AMD X3 @ 3.2ghz
6850HD
2x 4GB RAM.
2x hdd Drives

I recommend it :)
 
I think the whole system is overkill for the intended use. With the VAT175 code, this would come in at £268, then get one of these for Backing up Photos and Music

500GB 2.5" Mobile Hard Drive £69.98 Total = £336 with free shipping

YOUR BASKET
1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-Bit - OEM (GFC-02050) £79.98
1 x OCZ Vertex 2E 60GB 2.5" SATA-II Solid State Hard Drive (OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G) £64.99
1 x MSI H61M-E33 Intel H61 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard **B3 REVISION** £46.99
1 x Intel Celeron G440 1.60GHz Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £29.99
1 x OCUK EZCool NA-705 Case - Black (500w PSU) £21.98
1 x OCZ Platinum 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C7 1333MHz Dual Channel Kit (OCZ3P1333LV4GK) £14.99
1 x LG GH22NS70 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £14.99
Total : £273.91 (includes shipping : FREE).

 
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