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I've been set a challenge!
http://www.x404.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1227		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  pg2114 [ Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:46 pm ]
Post subject:  I've been set a challenge!
The parents are wanting a new computer because their 10 year old machine is getting slower and slower. The problem is, I have been set a very low budget of £300.00. The computer will be used for simple Internet, email and word processing, definitely nothing too strenuous or graphic-intense.

They want it to have a big flat-screen monitor and be very fast to boot up and use. The only components that will be transferred from their old computer are the PCI wireless network interface card and operating system. I will be looking to build the aforementioned machine from scratch, hopefully sourcing all components from Ebuyer.

The computer that I have drawn up on Ebuyer is as follows:
  • Case: Casecom KB-5510 - £14.99 - Clicky
  • Cooler: Akasa AK-956SF - £4.94 - Clicky
  • Fan: Ebuyer Extra Value 80mm - £1.49 - Clicky
  • Hard drive: Western Digital WD5000AAKS 500Gb - £40.46 - Clicky
  • Memory: Crucial 4Gb - £33.99 - Clicky
  • Monitor: BenQ G2020HDA 20" - £90.66 - Clicky
  • Motherboard: Asus P5KPL-AM iG31 - £33.50 - Clicky
  • Optical drive: LiteOn 20x DVD±RW - £14.79 - Clicky
  • Power supply: Sumvision 450W - £14.99 - Clicky
  • Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 2.5GHz - £54.00 - Clicky

The total price is £303.81 including VAT and delivery. Is there anything important which I have missed out of the above specification? Is it all compatible? Will it be a good enough computer for their needs?

Thank you,

Peter.
Author:  Linux_User [ Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I've been set a challenge!
What are you doing for graphics, integrated? If so be careful what chip it is, otherwise it might handle iPlayer et al too well (especially the HD streams).

EDIT: Ewwww, Intel integrated graphics!

*Runs away screaming: "The horror! THE HORROR!!"*
Author:  pg2114 [ Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I've been set a challenge!
Linux_User wrote:
What are you doing for graphics, integrated? If so be careful what chip it is, otherwise it might handle iPlayer et al too well (especially the HD streams).

I was looking to use integrated graphics. They've never heard of BBC iPlayer or anything that complicated, don't worry!

Thanks,

Peter.
Author:  jonlumb [ Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I've been set a challenge!
Is there any reason why you are spending 1/3rd of the whole budget on the case?

I would seriously suggest knocking it down to something like the Coolermaster 330 Clicky at £30

In turn, I would then spend a little more on the power supply and get an established brand Clicky

Also, the CPU will come with a cooler, so you don't need an extra one.
Author:  pg2114 [ Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I've been set a challenge!
jonlumb wrote:
Is there any reason why you are spending 1/3rd of the whole budget on the case?

Sorry, that was a typo. It is actually only £14.99.

jonlumb wrote:
In turn, I would then spend a little more on the power supply and get an established brand Clicky

Also, the CPU will come with a cooler, so you don't need an extra one.

Thanks, I'll look into that :D

Peter.
Author:  ProfessorF [ Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I've been set a challenge!
Bearing in mind I know next to nothing about this stuff, wouldn't this be of use?
£23.48 for a case and a 350w PSU. Then again, I'm not factoring in postage, so meh. :?
Author:  Danstevens [ Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I've been set a challenge!
2GB of RAM is probably enough for your parents. With the price of the 4 though, you might want to keep the extra 2GB in there for a bit of future-proofing. You could also downgrade the CPU a little but if your budget permits, the E5200 is a good choice.
Author:  Spreadie [ Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I've been set a challenge!
The price on the monitor is wrong in your post mate.

I know the 4gb memory kit is pretty cheap, but do they really need 4 gigs? I'm with Dan and Jon on this, I'd go for a cheap 2 gig kit, at nearly half the price, and put the saving towards a better PSU.

Regards

Spreadie
Author:  pg2114 [ Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I've been set a challenge!
With everybody's feedback on board, plus a bit of fiddling around on Ebuyer, I have got a new specification:
  • Case: Casecom KB-5510 - £14.99 - Clicky
  • Fans: 2 x Revoltec 92mm - £7.30 - Clicky
  • Hard drive: Maxtor STM3250310AS 250Gb - £31.99 - Clicky
  • Memory: Crucial 4Gb - £33.99 - Clicky
  • Monitor: BenQ G2020HDA 20" - £90.66 - Clicky
  • Motherboard: Asus P5KPL-AM iG31 - £33.50 - Clicky
  • Optical drive: Liteon CD-RW/DVD-ROM - £9.99 - Clicky
  • Power supply: OCZ 400W - £34.99 - Clicky
  • Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 2.5GHz - £54.00 - Clicky

Contrary to your opinions, sorry, I've kept the 4Gb of memory, mainly due to the amazing price for it. I would just be more comfortable knowing there was that extra bit of RAM in case they decided to upgrade operating system in the future. I have also got a slightly better power supply, in lieu of some hard drive space.

The total price is £311.41 including VAT and delivery. Is that an improvement, please?

Thanks again,

Peter.

PS: Many thanks to those who spotted the incorrect prices. I managed to mix some up when making the list!
Author:  Danstevens [ Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I've been set a challenge!
I can see why you kept the RAM in at that price.

May I also suggest you have a look at the Cooler Master elite 330 and PSU bundle over at Ebuyer? It's the case/PSU bundle used in the BBBB from Geiseric. It'll be slightly mroe expensive than your current case and PSU but IMO, well worth it as the case will be of better quality ad the PSU can output more watts.
Author:  pg2114 [ Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I've been set a challenge!
Danstevens wrote:
May I also suggest you have a look at the Cooler Master elite 330 and PSU bundle over at Ebuyer? It's the case/PSU bundle used in the BBBB from Geiseric. It'll be slightly mroe expensive than your current case and PSU but IMO, well worth it as the case will be of better quality ad the PSU can output more watts.

I've just had a quick look, thanks, however I really don't like the look of that case :(

Peter.
Author:  Spreadie [ Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I've been set a challenge!
Much better choice of PSU. Overall, it makes for a decent PC.

Maxtor HDDs aren't the fastest around, but I don't think it will make much of a difference to the performance, you have to make savings where you can.

For the sake of another £5, I'd want to keep the ability to burn DVDs.

Also what about a mouse, keyboard and speakers? Will the old ones suffice?
Author:  pg2114 [ Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I've been set a challenge!
Spreadie wrote:
For the sake of another £5, I'd want to keep the ability to burn DVDs.

I removed that, but I will actually put it back. I want to make it as future-proof as I can, so you're right.

Spreadie wrote:
Also what about a mouse, keyboard and speakers? Will the old ones suffice?

Another oversight, to be honest. They have got some decent speakers I set up for them a while ago, but will definitely need a new keyboard and mouse.

Thanks,

Peter.
Author:  ProfessorF [ Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I've been set a challenge!
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/9768572/A ... oduct.html

£11.99 inc. delivery. :?:
Author:  pg2114 [ Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I've been set a challenge!
ProfessorF wrote:
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/9768572/Ace-400X-400W-ATX-PSU-Power-Supply-Unit/Product.html

£11.99 inc. delivery. :?:

Is that a decent one? If so, that'd take me well below budget, thanks :D

Peter.
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