Hi I'm looking for some advice on a new build, basically it is the mid price rig from July's Custom PC, but I am looking to shave some off of the price if possible. Budget: Around £900, but don't really want to go higher Main uses of intended build: Day to day desktop, some video editing, photo editing and games Parts required: Scan priced bits Mobo Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 £91.12 CPU Intel Core i5 750 £152.93 CPU Cooler Gelid Tranquillo £26.05 Memory 4GB (2x2GB) Corsair XMS3 DDR3 PC3-12800 (1600) £105.73 HD 2x 1TB Samsung HD103SJ Spinpoint F3 £112.68 Soundcard Asus Xonar DX/XD 7.1 PCI-E £58.73 Card Reader Akasa AK-ICR-07S 3.5 £5.63 DVD LG GH22NS50 £18.76 Novatech Bits Case Xigmatek Utgard £69.98 Overclockers.co.uk Bits Powersupply Antec TruePower New Modular 650W £84.99 GPU Asus ATI Radeon HD 5850 1024MB GDDR5 £224.99 Giving a total of £951.59 Previous build information (list details of parts): Nothing will be re-used as it hasn't been updated for so long and I am after a clean start. For those interested it is a on old PIV based HP box, that I bought in 2005, which really doesn't cope. Monitor resolution: pair of screens at 1280x1024 each so 2560x1024 Storage requirements: 1TB should be OK, but I am looking to run two discs mirrored, will you be overclocking: Yes Any motherboard requirements (no. of USB, Xfire/SLI, fan headers): At least 6 USB at the back Extra information about desired system: quiet as reasonably possible. I don't need an OS, as I already have a Windows 7 ultimate pack and it will also dual boot with Ubuntu. Thanks for the help
Don't think much can be changed to cut down the cost except for may be take out the sound card and use onboard sound (no point getting sound card unless you got decent speakers), and may be cut down the case to a Antec 300 or simliar £40 price range cases.
You could get the CPU from here http://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials...+LGA1156)+Processor+-+Retail+?productId=37674 and the motherboard... http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Comp...xpress+Micro-ATX+Motherboard+?productId=37725 saving £22, worth a thought?
+1 on the sound card advice...mobo's have pretty good sound these days. the power supply seems really pricey, there are definitely other options there. and agree with the case suggestion as well.
The case is £5 cheaper at Scan: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Xigmatek-UTGARD-Pure-Black-Gaming-Mid-Tower-Case-w-o-PSU (And easier than buying just that 1 bit from Novatech?) I also agree that - unless the sound is really important to you - cutting the sound card would be a way to get your budget closer to the £900 mark you are seeking. Also regarding the PSU, £85 does seem a little pricy even if it is the one recommended in Custom PC. To be honest I think a 550W PSU might be fine for your system. I'm soon going to be building the 'budget' PC given in Custom PC, but with the 1 TB hard-drive and the Radeon HD 5850 (so the only differences [w.r.t power usage] between our two builds would be the better CPU and extra hard-drive in yours) and I'll be running a 550W PSU, however the places I've looked at (including CustomPC) seem to suggest that the system I'll be building shouldn't consume more than 350-400W at load. So I think yours would be absolutely fine with a 550W PSU (which could be bought for around £50; another saving) But yeah, the build you've got is solid. I'm just suggesting ways you might want to consider reducing your budget 'is all
17 more posts and you get free Del from Scan - i think add all your delivery costs up and it will be a bit as well
your going to use eyefinity on 2xscreens. thats a bit silly isnt it ? cause you will have a big fat bezel in the centre
Thanks for all the responses. Marine-RX179 I will definitly drop the sound card, as it is not an essential at this stage, plus I can always add it later. craigb Aria aren't a firm I have bought kit from before, so I will look into them. the fewer suppliers the better as it will save on carriage. I'm not sure on going for the Antec 300, I not so keen on the looks, plus I thought the Utgard had better cooling, cable management and simpler tool less fitting. adam_bagpuss I have run my screens that way for a long time. My dock is on the left hand screen and the right is used for empathy, IRC and torrents. tristanperry I kind of agree with the power supply, although everyone I have asked says not to skimp on that bit. I like the idea of the modular cabling for keeping the case tidier, so I will probably stick with that one for the sake of £30. But if anyone has any good suggestions I will definitly look into it. If I went for a 550 would I still have power left for adding a couple of extra drives in the future? Revised list: Parts required: Scan priced bits Mobo Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 £91.12 CPU Intel Core i5 750 £152.93 CPU Cooler Gelid Tranquillo £26.05 Memory 4GB (2x2GB) Corsair XMS3 DDR3 PC3-12800 (1600) £105.73 HD 2x 1TB Samsung HD103SJ Spinpoint F3 £112.68 Card Reader Akasa AK-ICR-07S 3.5 £5.63 DVD LG GH22NS50 £18.76 Case Xigmatek Utgard £64.50 Overclockers.co.uk Bits Powersupply Antec TruePower New Modular 650W £84.99 GPU Asus ATI Radeon HD 5850 1024MB GDDR5 £224.99 Giving a total of £887.38
