Hi everyone, Long time reader first time poster Basically I built my mum a PC about 5 years ago and it died the other week. I used to use it for gaming when I was living at home, but since then all she has used it for is Skype, Internet Explorer and looking at pictures of her kids. However, I am working on a bit of a budget and a bit of a time limit. I am going to have to buy and build by friday or so. I am going to see her on friday and leaving monday morning. Anyway, its been a little while since I have built a PC from scratch, so was wondering if you guys would mind giving me a review of my suggested build? 1) CPU - AMD Sempron 140, Sargas Core, Socket AM3, 2.7GHz, 512KB L2 Cache http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/AMD-...M3-27GHz-512KB-L2-Cache-HT-4000MHz-45W-Retail 2) MoBo - MSI GF615M-P33 NVIDIA GF 6150SE, S AM3, PCI-E (x16), DDR3 1066/1333, SATAII 3Gb/s, SATA RAID, uATX http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/MSI-...6)-DDR3-1066-1333-SATAII-3Gb-s-SATA-RAID-uATX 3) RAM - 2GB Hynix DDR3 PC3-10666 (1333) Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 9, 1.50V http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/2GB-Hynix-DDR3-PC3-10666-(1333)-Non-ECC-Unbuffered-CAS-9-150V 4) Case - Asus TA-881 Black/Silver Midi Tower Case w/o PSU http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-TA-881-Black-Silver-Midi-Tower-Case-w-o-PSU 5) PSU - 550W CiT, Black, 12cm Silent Fan, ATX V2.2 Dual Rail PSU http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/550W-CiT-Black-12cm-Silent-Fan-ATX-V22-Dual-Rail-PSU 6) HD - 160 GB Western Digital WD1600AAJS Caviar Blue, SATA 3Gb/s, 7200rpm, 8MB http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/160-...S-Caviar-Blue-SATA-II-7200-rpm-8MB-Cache-9-ms 7) DVD - Samsung SH-D163C Black, 48x CD-ROM 16x DVD-ROM, SATA, OEM http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Samsung-SH-D163C-Black-48x-CD-ROM-16x-DVD-ROM-SATA-OEM I am a little dubious about the PSU, but I am on a bit of a budget here. The most intensive thing my mum will do on this thing is call on Skype and maybe even play a game of minesweeper. What do you guys think? Without sounding like a bit of a idiot, but have I selected compatible CPU/Mobo/RAM? I am going to go with onboard graphics and sound. Save a few pounds. Like I said, its been a while. I would really appreciate your opinion. I know this forum is more for performance hardware, but I am sure you will have some good advice. Thank you very much for reading... Rob
Looks all fine to me but is there anything salvagable from the old pc? Could save a few pounds reusing the still working bits from it.
I think CiT do a case with the 500W PSU in it which may save you a few quid if you go down that route.
I wouldn't buy a cheap brand PSU, Corsair do a really nice low wattage unit, the CX400 is at a decent price. http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/400W...eries-PSU-ATX-PS-2-UK-Version-3-year-warranty
Hey guys. That was fast!! Showerhead... There are a few, but everything is getting on a bit. I would prefer to buy new. I know thats not being very Franciscan, but still! bsoltan, simonw.... Good find Simon, I didnt think you could get a good branded PSU for so cheap. I think I will go with that one instead. Just a quick check, do you think everything will fit? Mobo, CPU, RAM? I think I got it right, but with the very brief time I have to build I would hate to get something wrong!! Thanks again guys, esp simonw Rob
Looks like it is all compatible. Can't vouch for the performance, what was the spec of the previous PC? All that for a few pence under £200 is pretty good! I assume you are re-using the Operating System from the previous machine?
For such a low power computer that prob is never going to see full load i really really wouldnt worry about the psu.
bsoltan.... Im confident that it will be able to handle Skype and surfing. Mum still thinks that computers run on magic. The only thing I am worried about the few times she watches bbc iPlayer. I'm not sure if the Mobo graphics will be able to run it nice and smooth. In which case I may put in the old GPU. Going to be re-using Win XP. I would put on Win 7 or something, but mum does not like change! I dont think old people ever do. And I dont see a need to move past XP anyway. mrbungle.... For a few quid difference I think I may just splash out. In a few months mum is moving abroad so should it fail its going to be a job and a half to fix. Anyway, thanks for all the help guys. I am going to go and order now I think! Rob
Hey everyone, Order has been sent! Should be up and running by friday. Just wanted to say thanks for everyones input and help. Appreciate it. Will let you know how it came along. Rob
