Help me build

[uhangao]

Dear Friends,

Greetings.

I am in UK currently and i am looking to make a new PC for general home use (Movie playback in HD and/or CAD) nothing intense or hardcore. Can you give some suggestions or recommendation of what new system can be within the mentioned budget?

Is there some sites you can tell me which are best to buy parts in UK or is it better to buy from high street? Do people selling parts on the website also assemble the PC for you or do they just sell these parts. I have never bought or made PC in UK so i am a newcomer here.

I don't mind either Intel or AMD, but for the budget i have, I've heard that AMD is more powerful economically. I also need a screen which can be additional ?40-50 on top of ?250.

Here's the detailed things:

Approximate Purchase Date: this week

Budget Range: ?250-?300

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Watching movies and/or general CAD work

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, speakers, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I have not got any but some but i Google'd and found these:

1. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/

2. http://www.aria.co.uk/

3. http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Home/

Please suggest if there's any better websites i can buy cheaper and good parts. Thanks!

Country of Origin: UK

Parts Preferences: by brand or type : Any Intel or AMD [no specific preference]

Overclocking: Never used in my life.

SLI or Crossfire: (have no idea about this) and never used.

Monitor Resolution: looking for a budget screen 19" or 20" something near ?40 - ?50 on top of the ?250

Additional Comments: Should last for long.

Please guys, advice. Let me know what suggestions you have on this and what can be a good new compatible built.

Thanks for your time and effort, appreciate your replies.

UAR.

[Storm]

Its very easy,

Ive just replaced the motherboard/cpu in my media centre, with a AMD FM1 chip, quad core etc, purchased the motherboard/ram/cpu for ?150...

Also, ive got a 18.5" screen for sale in Neobay if you want to look!

[uhangao]

Thanks for the reply, sure i can have a look but i am buying everything as new (No offence). Thanks for the information, i will have a look.

[djdanster]

Another good website I buy my stuff from is ebuyer.com. Most items are cheaper there however there are also a few more things more expensive. Another site is scan.co.uk, the only problem with scan is the carrier costs are expensive. Shopping around first for the best price is a good idea.

For this build I've built it around ebuyer.com with FREE 5 day shipping :

AMD Build - ?246.36

CPU - AMD FM1 Llano A6 3500 2.1GHz 3 cores with AMD HD 6530D graphics - ?56.44

RAM - Corsair 2GB DDR3 1333MHz - ?9.88

Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-A55M mATX - ?39.93

Case - Antec One (Review I did, although feel free to match a case that suits you better if needs be!) - ?44.99

Power Supply - Antec VP 350w - ?31.38

Hard Drive - Seagate 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM - ?50.99

DVD Drive - Sony DVD RW - ?12.75

Use Promocode N8GJ8R391 to get money off when you get the Antec power supply and the Antec One case together in the deal.

Intel Build - ?251.92

CPU - Intel Pentium G620T 2.2GHz 2 cores - with Intel HD 2000 graphics 1155 SandyBridge - ?58.58

RAM - Corsair 2GB DDR3 1333MHz - ?9.88

Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-H61MA-D2V H61 chipset 1155 - ?43.35

Case - Antec One (Review I did, although feel free to match a case that suits you better if needs be!) - ?44.99

Power Supply - Antec VP 350w - ?31.38

Hard Drive - Seagate 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM - ?50.99

DVD Drive - Sony DVD RW - ?12.75

Use Promocode N8GJ8R391 to get money off when you get the Antec power supply and the Antec One case together in the deal.

For what you want the PC for (HD playback + CAD) I would personally go with the AMD Build as the HD6530D graphics in the APU are miles ahead of the Intel HD2000 in the Intel build.

If you can go over your budget ever so slightly I'd recommend getting an additional 2GB of RAM as 2GB is the minimum I would personally suggest for a Windows 7 PC.

Have you considered the Windows 7 license fee? or is that all taken care of...

If anybody has any improvements on what I've chosen let me know!

[djdanster]

As for a monitor, These may be in your price range :

Samsung S19A110NS - ?66.95

AOC e950Swn - ?63.60

Both are 18.5" and 1366x768 resolution. You won't find anything for ?40-50 price range for a 19" monitor unless you go second hand.

[uhangao]

Thanks for the reply danster, it helped me alot. I am still confused on what case can i buy, i don't like the shape features (Visually) as striker has provided links for? Is there any other options i can look for? And what power will be needed for the components above?

Please can you provide me with some more case ideas? Does the case needs to be strong or something, or the power supply is more important?

[Open Minded]

Don't buy Llano, Trinity is out now. MUCH faster CPU; uses the new Pile Driver architecture. It's FM2 socket, so it will not work in an FM1 MB.

[uhangao]

Thanks alot guys for the reply, i think i will go with an Intel.

So my final specs are these, i am not sure which will be better Intel processors amongst G840 or G620T (Any suggestions?)

https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Com [...] ctId=44716

http://www.ebuyer.com/264716-intel [...] 80623g620t

Which Motherboard amongst these?

https://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecial [...] ctId=46928

Or

http://www.ebuyer.com/344018-gigab [...] -h61ma-d2v

Using memory 8gb:

http://www.ebuyer.com/172949-kings [...] 3d3n9k2-8g

Hard Drive (500GB Seagate):

http://www.ebuyer.com/272944-seaga [...] st500dm002

And Case :

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Com [...] ctId=42988

Do you guys have any suggestions which processor and motherboard will be the best choice? Which can support dual display and USB3.0?

And plus what power supply can i buy from these websites which will be sufficient to cover all requirements?

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions and advice. Thank you all.

[djdanster]

Thanks alot guys for the reply, i think i will go with an Intel.

So my final specs are these, i am not sure which will be better Intel processors amongst G840 or G620T (Any suggestions?)

https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Com [...] ctId=44716

http://www.ebuyer.com/264716-intel [...] 80623g620t

Which Motherboard amongst these?

https://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecial [...] ctId=46928

Or

http://www.ebuyer.com/344018-gigab [...] -h61ma-d2v

Using memory 8gb:

http://www.ebuyer.com/172949-kings [...] 3d3n9k2-8g

Hard Drive (500GB Seagate):

http://www.ebuyer.com/272944-seaga [...] st500dm002

And Case :

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Com [...] ctId=42988

Do you guys have any suggestions which processor and motherboard will be the best choice? Which can support dual display and USB3.0?

And plus what power supply can i buy from these websites which will be sufficient to cover all requirements?

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions and advice. Thank you all.

Get the G620t from ebuyer as it comes with the graphics on the processor. If you were to go for the G840 you would have to get a dedicated graphics card as none of the 1155 sandybridge motherboards come with the onboard graphics. I think that's right, somebody correct me if I'm wrong? But if you wanted dual screen you'd have to get a dedicated graphics card such as the one I mention below.

As for the motherboard I'd personally buy the MSI from aria it has USB3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s on the motherboard. Although it is an MSI so build quality can be hit and miss...

The RAM, save your self ?5 and go for the Corsair 8GB (2x4GB). I use this in the shop at my work and it works flawlessly! Spec wise, it's exactly the same. I might be wrong in saying this but I think Corsair uses Micron chips which are some of the best DRAM chips around. AFAIK Kingston does not? Honestly it doesn't matter much as the chances anything will go wrong with the RAM is slim. Although just worth a thought ;). In the end it's ?5 saved.

For HDD choice, maybe think about getting a 1TB for a few quid more? Here and Here. The difference between the two is that the 5900RPM requires less power. If you don't feel the need for 1TB then the 500GB you mentioned if good.

Case from aria you selected looks decent :).

Do you guys have any suggestions which processor and motherboard will be the best choice? Which can support dual display and USB3.0?

And plus what power supply can i buy from these websites which will be sufficient to cover all requirements?

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions and advice. Thank you all.

You're not going to find a motherboard that case supports dual screen display. You'd have to get a dedicated graphics card such as the Nvidia 520 (cheapest 520 listed I could find). The MSI board I mentioned above supports USB3.0.

The PSU I mentioned in my earlier post would be good. Stay clear of brands you've never heard of, the PSU will probably be cheap and blow up on you. I know this because I had an experience with a popping power supply not too long ago with my personal PC. Good brands include Antec, Seasonic, CoolerMaster, Thermaltake and Be Quiet. a 350-400w PSU will be fine for that type of machine.

[Open Minded]

You're not going to find a motherboard that case supports dual screen display. You'd have to get a dedicated graphics card such as the Nvidia 520 (cheapest 520 listed I could find). The MSI board I mentioned above supports USB3.0.

My Z68 MB supports dual monitors with HD3000. I think even the old 945 IGPs supported dual monitors. But yeah, everything else you said I agree with.

I would get the G620T. 35 watt TDP = less heat and energy usage. It would be more than enough for an HTPC setup processing power wise.

[djdanster]

My Z68 MB supports dual monitors with HD3000. I think even the old 945 IGPs supported dual monitors. But yeah, everything else you said I agree with.

I was not aware motherboards of any kind supported dual screen. Thanks for the update ;). Now thinking of it I guess an APU could support it...

[uhangao]

One of my friends gave me a new advice that AMD A6-3500 will be decent, do you agree guys? For last time (Sorry if i am bothering you), AMD or Intel?

And will AMD support dual display (like HDMI-TV and Monitor)? The rest advice i think danster is great. I have seen a corsair PSU http://www.ebuyer.com/271798-corsair-430w-v2-cx-series-psu-cmpsu-430cxv2uk

Please let me know, i just want to use for some low level gaming, normal HD bluray playback and some CAD.....!

Thanks alot for replies :D

[djdanster]

One of my friends gave me a new advice that AMD A6-3500 will be decent, do you agree guys? For last time (Sorry if i am bothering you), AMD or Intel?

And will AMD support dual display (like HDMI-TV and Monitor)? The rest advice i think danster is great. I have seen a corsair PSU http://www.ebuyer.co...cmpsu-430cxv2uk

Please let me know, i just want to use for some low level gaming, normal HD bluray playback and some CAD.....!

Thanks alot for replies :D

For the requirements you've given in the last sentence, the AMD A6-3500 will be perfect. It can handle games such as Dirt 3 (medium settings) and of course Blu-ray playback. If it can handle those types of things it's safe to say it should be able to support CAD.

As for dual screen with the A6-3500, you'd have to wait for another reply for a motherboard recommendation that will support dual screen. Doing a little research I've discovered you can go "Dual Graphics" and utilise the gpu inside the APU with a discrete GPU such as the 6450, then you'd definitely be able to go dual screen. I'm not saying you'd have to buy one as I'm not 100% sure on this subject. Somebody else should be able to answer that question for you :).

[uhangao]

Thats all good, thank you. Lastly is Corsair PSU okay? and what motherboard can i get as i have heard bad reviews about MSi, can you recommend any?

Thanks alot for your replies :)

Sorry to keep you up and bothering!

For the requirements you've given in the last sentence, the AMD A6-3500 will be perfect. It can handle games such as Dirt 3 (medium settings) and of course Blu-ray playback. If it can handle those types of things it's safe to say it should be able to support CAD.

As for dual screen with the A6-3500, you'd have to wait for another reply for a motherboard recommendation that will support dual screen. Doing a little research I've discovered you can go "Dual Graphics" and utilise the gpu inside the APU with a discrete GPU such as the 6450, then you'd definitely be able to go dual screen. I'm not saying you'd have to buy one as I'm not 100% sure on this subject. Somebody else should be able to answer that question for you :).

[djdanster]

Thats all good, thank you. Lastly is Corsair PSU okay? and what motherboard can i get as i have heard bad reviews about MSi, can you recommend any?

Thanks alot for your replies :)

Sorry to keep you up and bothering!

Ah sorry, forgot to reply to that part... That Corsair PSU you linked to is great, although out of stock :p.

This PSU will do the job nicely :

Antec 450W PSU

Not a problem :)

[Open Minded]

The A6 is a good CPU. It has a built in GPU that's better than even HD4000 on Ivy Bridge. The down-side is that it uses way more power than the 35 watt T model Intel chip. There's nothing wrong with going AMD, esp for a HTPC... but I would look into socket FM2 and Trinity. It's faster and has better power management.

[uhangao]

Ah sorry, forgot to reply to that part... That Corsair PSU you linked to is great, although out of stock :p.

This PSU will do the job nicely :

Antec 450W PSU

Not a problem :)

Lol thanks for the reply, what do you think about the Motherboard, any suggestions other than MSI?

You forgot to reply that :)

Thanks!

[djdanster]

The A6 is a good CPU. It has a built in GPU that's better than even HD4000 on Ivy Bridge. The down-side is that it uses way more power than the 35 watt T model Intel chip. There's nothing wrong with going AMD, esp for a HTPC... but I would look into socket FM2 and Trinity. It's faster and has better power management.

Yea the A6 APU is probably the one to go for unless when it comes to purchasing you can find a FM2 Trinity in the wild in the UK. I Can't seem to find any info for it's release date in the UK or even preorder pages.

[djdanster]

Lol thanks for the reply, what do you think about the Motherboard, any suggestions other than MSI?

You forgot to reply that :)

Thanks!

Haha so I did :laugh:

This is a great alternative to the MSI and it's only ?2 more... Has USB3.0 etc. Asus P8H61-M LE/USB3 @ ?46.98. Asus are definitely THE brand I'd trust for a motherboard.

[uhangao]

Haha so I did :laugh:

This is a great alternative to the MSI and it's only ?2 more... Has USB3.0 etc. Asus P8H61-M LE/USB3 @ ?46.98. Asus are definitely THE brand I'd trust for a motherboard.

LOL, thanks for the reply, as i am making an AMD A6 Build, will this intel motherboard work with AMD? :s , Isnt it weird? or you added by mistake?

[Open Minded]

LOL, thanks for the reply, as i am making an AMD A6 Build, will this intel motherboard work with AMD? :s , Isnt it weird? or you added by mistake?

H61 is an Intel chipset meant for Intel CPUs. You'll want an 8xx or 9xx series chipset from AMD with socket AM3+.

[djdanster]

LOL, thanks for the reply, as i am making an AMD A6 Build, will this intel motherboard work with AMD? :s , Isnt it weird? or you added by mistake?

Apologies, I thought you were still weighing up your options looking for a different Intel motherboard.

This Asus board would be good : Asus F1A55-M LE This is an FM1 Socket and will only work with the current AMD FM1 APU/CPU's such as the A6 3500 you want. The only set back with this motherboard and the vast majority of FM1 boards are there are no USB3.0 ports on the I/O. Although a cheap USB3.0 PCI card will fix the for under ?10 if you want or need USB3.0 that much.

AMD FM2 motherboards for AMD Trinity APU/CPU's are currently not on the market.

[Open Minded]

Sorry, I was thinking BD for some reason. Durp.

[uhangao]

Finally i have decided my build. I will go with AMD A6-3500,

CPU - AMD FM1 Llano A6 3500 2.1GHz 3 cores with AMD HD 6530D graphics - ?56.44

RAM - Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1333MHz Memory Kit CL9 1.5V - ?32.88

Motherboard - ASUS F1A75-M AMD Hudson D3 (Socket FM1) DDR3 PCI-Express Micro-ATX Motherboard ?59.99

Case - http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Cases/Micro+ATX/Cooler+Master+Elite+342+Black+Micro-ATX+Chassis+?productId=42988 ?26.39

Power Supply - AAntec 450W PSU - 120mm Fan VP450 4x SATA 1x PCI-E ?37.68

Screen: Philips 196V3LSB LED LCD 18.5" DVI Monitor - http://www.ebuyer.com/363971-196v3lsb-18-5-led-vga-dvi-bk-5ms-196v3lsb7

Hard Drive - Seagate 500GB http://www.ebuyer.com/272944-seagate-500gb-3-5-sata-iii-6gb-s-barracuda-hard-drive-7200rpm-16mb-cache-st500dm002 - ?52.98

DVD Drive - Sony DVD RW - ?12.75

I am also buying a card reader: http://www.ebuyer.com/108453-all-in-1-internal-card-reader-plus-one-usb2-0-port-black-cardreader-int-23

1. Is that a good build? Is it all going to be compatible?

2. Can there be a bit cheaper motherboard? which is good ASUS/Asrock or MSI?

3. How can i connect card reader on the mother board? will there be a place or slot and will PSU provide cables for it?

Guys please answer these questions, i am really done with the build. If you can reply about this, it will be superb! Thanks alot!

Special greets to danster and open minded!

[Open Minded]

1. I don't see any issues with compatibility. Yes, it is a good build for an HTPC.

2. I'd pick ASUS/Asrock over MSI. I've had a lot of problems with MSI motherboards and a video card. I'm done with that company.

3. An internal SD/mem card reader will connect to the USB socket on the motherboard. They usually don't need external power as the USB socket has enough juice. It will go into the 3.5 inch slot like where the 1.44 floppy drives went.