Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: JHADD on October 30, 2008, 10:03:42 AM
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Im thinking of building a new computer for general home use and a bit of video editing, price range around £450.
Could any one advise on best components and is there a big saving as opposed to buying a prebuilt computer.
I last built a computer about 5 years ago so not upto date with the latest hardware.
Thanks in anticipation jhad.
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Do you need a keyboard? Mouse? Operating system? Monitor?
There's usually a decent saving on building your own but it does depend.
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As i would be keeping my present system i would need all the components mentioned.
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Just need to finish off a few things here, give me a bit of time and I'll cook you up a build.
I'll give a parts list, possibly more than one, and also any prebuilt systems that look OK to me.
Few more questions - what OS would you like? Do you plan on gaming at all?
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I would probably dual boot with Winxp and Vista i already have xp on my present computer.
Ive never been into gaming i dont know about the future probably not.
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OK, here's a rig for £449.52, excluding delivery. It's pretty decent for the money, I know the monitor is Dabs value but they're good products, I haven't used this monitor but I've had plenty of Dabs value products and they've always been excellent.
XP Home (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=54SS&CategorySelectedId=11168&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11168)
Dabs value 19" widescreen (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=583D&CategorySelectedId=11109&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11109)
Coolermaster Elite 330 case with 460W PSU (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=55D3&CategorySelectedId=11145&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11145)
Intel Celeron dual core E1400 2GHz (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=53QD&CategorySelectedId=11147&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11147,4294958803)
MSI P43NEO-F motherboard (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=56W8&CategorySelectedId=11143&NavigationKey=11143,405070000)
Gigabyte HD4670 (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=596V&CategorySelectedId=11137&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11137,43990000)
2GB Kingston HyperX RAM (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3YXJ&CategorySelectedId=11150&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11150,4294952421,354710000,4294960364,50830000,4294959239)
Hitachi 500GB HDD (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=4THP&CategorySelectedId=11154&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11154,47240000)
LG SATA DVD drive (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=596G&CategorySelectedId=11155&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11155,4294959720)
Logitech EX110 wireless keyboard/mouse set (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=560J&CategorySelectedId=11117&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11117)
I cooked this up last night whilst waiting for a reply so I missed the non gaming part, but you could always swap the graphics card for something like this (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=4YNQ&CategorySelectedId=11137&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11137,43990000) if you plan on any light gaming (save £15) or this (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=4YNS&CategorySelectedId=11137&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11137,43990000) if you definitely don't want to game and save nearly £40.
Also, I didn't include two operating systems - Vista (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=5086&SearchType=1&CategorySelectedId=11168&SearchTerms=vista&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=11168,50310) goes for around £80, and I'd also recommend more RAM, which would set you back another £15 for this set (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=4KZM&SearchType=1&SearchTerms=ocz+gold&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0).
You might then need to cut back on other areas if this stretches your budget too much.
Let us know.
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Thanks for your help will ponder over this i already have Winxp im just a little worried about the Celeron processor i think i will go for better what do you think ive heard its not a very good processor.
How does the price you quote compare with a prebuilt machine of simular spec.
Thanks again jhadd
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What's wrong with the Celeron CPU?
To stay at around that budget with a different you could compromise on the motherboard or go AMD, but it's a fairly powerful CPU IMO.
I'm looking at around £500 for a Dell Inspiron, with a faster CPU, smaller/lower resolution monitor, worse graphics card, and Vista (compared to the first build with no modifications, this is). A prebuilt machine is usually not so upgradeable either - "they" usually give you a PSU that's just adequate for the job, and a motherboard with sometimes few expansion slots, so to upgrade would often cost too much to be worthwhile.
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So a celeron cpu is good i must have been given wrong info on this, can you recommend where to buy these components.
I can cut back on the monitor as i already have Medion 17" and can use older monitor on my existing computer.
Thanks again jhadd
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The links I've given are from dabs.com - an online retailer, and my own choice to buy from. very reliable, quick delivery, good prices. I don't work for them, by the way.
Older Celeron CPUs are bad, newer ones are, whilst still a budget choice and so not top end, perfectly acceptable. I wouldn't hesitate to use one in a budget rig for myself or someone else.
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Thanks for the information i shall lokk into building this system thanks again jhadd
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You're welcome, if you need any more information feel free to post back.
Let us know how you go.