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Need help on a PC Newbuild

ed_daniels

Likes # 0

Posted December 29, 2012 at 5:56PM

I need help on some specifications for a new PC I am hoping to get. Ive been told that building it myself will save a heap of cash and I know how to, but I need help choosing the right components. I will be using this computer for daily tasks and some light gaming, however my budget only extends to around £300.

So far I have looked far and wide on the internet for 'The best deals' but I have found there is just too much variety. I've found some cheap deals on Ebay, is it just me or do they seem too good value?

I think the components I want to get are:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ASRock-Z77-Motherboard-Instant-Charger/dp/B007RS70YW

ASRock Motherboard £78.22

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9-1600MHz-Vengeance- Memory/dp/B004CRSM4I/ref=pdcpcomputers_1

Corsair 8GB Ram £35

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-I5-3570-Processor-3-40GHZ-Socket/dp/B0083U94D8/ref=sr113?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1356801862&sr=1-13

Intel I5 3570 £162

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Midi-Tower-ATX-Micro-ATX-USB-2-0-Chassis-PC-Case-500W-Power-Supply-Unit-Black-/321014457064?pt=UKComputingDesktopComponents_RL&hash=item4abdf3e2e8

Case with PSU £21

I have already got a harddrive but I might get an additional one

As this is all new to me I've just got a few questions about this planned build; Will all these work happily together? Is this a good price for a low-end gaming pc? Are there any recommendations about this build?

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Ian in Northampton

Likes # 1

Posted December 29, 2012 at 6:30PM

A couple of observations...

First is, it seems a shame to put a very expensive i5 processor into a cheap and nasty case/PSU combination. It's always worth spending money on a decent PSU - I'd expect to spend on a PSU alone at least what you've spent on a case/PSU. It'll almost certainly work, but it's less than ideal.

Kinda similar observation on the motherboard. You've chosen a nice one - seems a shame to skimp on the case/PSU.

Much depends on what you mean by 'light gaming'. Today's games are pretty graphics intensive, and typically need a discreet graphics card to play them satisfactorily, even at fairly modest settings.

Personally, I'd perhaps spend less on the processor, more on the case/PSU, perhaps save a little on the memory and see if you can add a graphics crad.

I'm assuming that you already have screen, keyboard, mouse, operating system ready to load etc.?

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Fruit Bat /\0/\

Likes # 0

Posted December 29, 2012 at 7:12PM

Ive been told that building it myself will save a heap of cash

Not true nowadays it can be cheaper to get one from the likes of Chillblast they allow you to pick and choose a certain amount.

DO NOT scrimp on the PSU, a cheap PSU blowing can take the motherboard and HDDs with it.

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bumpkin

Likes # 0

Posted December 29, 2012 at 7:57PM

If you want to do a self build which is not always the cheapest option a decent PSU is essential or you will be replacing it a few months down the line anyway plus any thing else it,s damaged. False economy cheap PSU.

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ed_daniels

Likes # 0

Posted December 29, 2012 at 8:14PM

Thanks for these suggestions, I am considering (when I've got the funds) a Asus nVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti, will this system support it?

You suggest a better case and PSU, any suggestions on this?

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