Box Only Build - Need some input

EZShot · 2012-03-27, 09:51 AM

Hi guys,

In the market for some components as my box had seen it's last easy upgrade a year ago.

Basically just want the box, no peripherals, no monitor and also NO graphics card. I already have a lowly hd5450 and this will do fine untill I've got another £200 and can afford something worthwhile. This is on a budget of £400 although I could probably stretch an extra £50 or so.

List:

Case
Mobo
CPU
RAM
PSU
DVDDrive
HDD

Don't have any preference in the components manufacturers just want the best I can get.

Have already spent a good few hours trawling the net but as I haven't built one in some time the market has moved on and I'm a bit outta the loop.

It will be used for Adobe CS4 Suite, Ableton & Gaming (eventually)

Thanks, Alf

EDIT: Should be noted that I enjoy a PC with minimal noise. So if you can factor in a good quiet cpu cooler for the money that would be awesome

Goku · 2012-03-27, 10:09 AM

Are you interested in overclocking? I just need to know in order to get the right processor/motherboard for you.

Ivy Bridge is coming out in a matter of weeks. Unless you need this now I suggest waiting for that.

EZShot · 2012-03-27, 10:46 AM

This is why I asked, if Ivy Bridge is coming out soon I guess I'll wait. Is there a definite release date for that?

Overclocking has never seemed worth it to me. For the amount of time I've put into getting several cpus to run 5% faster I might as well have just used the time spent overclocking in putting the kettle on :P

I put together this system for a friend of mine not long ago and it's still a beast.

Phenom X4 965
MSI Mobo w. USB3 + SATA3
Geforce 560ti
8Gb of G-skill DDR3
1Tb hdd

What are the projections for Ivy Bridge?

Goku · 2012-03-27, 10:54 AM

Some are speculating there is going to be a paper launch this week with retail availability limited that a good supply in the coming weeks.

Alright well here is a IB preview right here. That processor is probably going to be out of your budget though. Can try to squeeze in at least the 2400 replacement I hope. If that has a HD 4000 in it too, that will likely be faster then the 5450 you have right now too.

EZShot · 2012-03-27, 11:11 AM

Thanks for the link.

Judging by that article I think it's probably not an issue, I'm happy to keep the 5450 till I can afford something bigger and possible dual slot

Also the gains in performance are out of my price range I think. Right now it would be difficult to justify shoe-horning a i5 2500k into the build as you would have to make up the cost in other places...which is a problem when you're fussy about cases and noise :P

I was thinking either a baby i5 or one of those "disappointing" fx-6 series.

Goku · 2012-03-27, 11:25 AM

Lets just wait and see the pricing first.

Goku · 2012-03-27, 11:41 AM

Here is a quick throw together build.

Core i5 2400
Asus H61
2 x 4GB RAM
OCZ 550W PSU (Actually a good one)
Corsair Carbide 300 Case
DVD Drive
Seagate 500GB HDD

Total comes to £404.82 with VAT included. You can add a 1TB drive for another £20 to £30 also.

IB will have a replacement for the Core i5 2400, so you can expect to have a similar build to this one for this price point. You don't have to go with a i3 or a FX given your budget.

Ailos · 2012-03-27, 10:59 PM

My experience with Sandy Bridge graphics has been pretty miserable. AMD's Fusion on the other hand, performs much closer to a desktop graphics card. Beware of using Intel Graphics. But then again, you already have a card, so you don't need either.

EZShot · 2012-03-28, 06:01 AM

Nicely done Goku

Looks great that build, might substitute the case for a slightly more feature packed motherboard but apart from that it's bang on, thanks!

Now to wait for IB

EZShot · 2012-03-28, 06:52 AM

Sorry for double post but THIS is why I think twice about the whole thing. Yes - I know the PSU is probably a pile of wank and the case leaves a lot to be desired but you can't match that spec for the money anywhere else...

...so I dunno

Probably still build my own but that's a pretty awesome deal there.

Vancha · 2012-03-28, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by EZShot

Sorry for double post but THIS is why I think twice about the whole thing. Yes - I know the PSU is probably a pile of wank and the case leaves a lot to be desired but you can't match that spec for the money anywhere else...

...so I dunno

Probably still build my own but that's a pretty awesome deal there.

You realize that's in £? The parts individually on scan come to around that price and they don't always have the best prices around. The fact that they don't dare specify the PSU even in the details should immediately disqualify this from consideration.

EZShot · 2012-03-28, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by Vancha

You realize that's in £? The parts individually on scan come to around that price and they don't always have the best prices around. The fact that they don't dare specify the PSU even in the details should immediately disqualify this from consideration.

Yeah I know all this, but add in the cost of postage and warranty and you're saving around £50-60 on that machine on ebay.

I'm not saying in a million years that I'd buy that machine, a good PSU is paramount when you may be thinking about slamming in a 560ti a month down the road but it is a pretty good spec for the money.

So here's what I came up with on ebuyer:

Gigabyte GA-H67MA-USB3-B3 Intel H67 Socket 1155 8 Channel HD Audio mATX Motherbaord £68.33
Intel Core i5 2400 3.1GHz Socket LGA 1155 6MB L3 Cache Retail Boxed Processor £146.01
Kingston 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz HyperX Blu Memory Kit CL9 1.65V £33.99
Seagate 500GB Barracuda Spinpoint F3 Hard Drive - 3.5" SATA-II - 7200RPM 16MB Cache £59.46
Sony AD-7280S 24x DVD±RW with DL & RAM SATA Optical Drive - OEM Black £13.98
OCZ ZS Series 650W 80+ Bronze PSU with 135mm Fan & single +12V Rail £54.36
NZXT Source 210 Elite Black Case £35.98

£412

Goku · 2012-03-28, 08:26 AM

I wouldn't touch that computer with a 10 ft poll. The CPU in that is much weaker then the 2400. It's even slower then last gen phenom iis.

Goku · 2012-03-28, 10:02 AM

That computer you linked really isn't good spec for the money. A Core i3 2100 that has similar pricing to a FX-4170 will wipe the floor with it in about 95% of the applications out there, especially gaming.

The build you posted up from ebuyer looks good though. If you have no plans overclocking a 500W-550W should be plenty for what you need also if you want to save some money.

EZShot · 2012-03-28, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by Goku

That computer you linked really isn't good spec for the money. A Core i3 2100 that has similar pricing to a FX-4170 will wipe the floor with it in about 95% of the applications out there, especially gaming.

The Phenom 2 X4 965 I used in a build recently was pretty rapid I thought...have the new FX series processors taken a nose-dive?