First Desktop computer home build help required?

Hightower · 05 August 2010, 21:36

I'm thinking of replacing my aging PC. Over the years Olly and I upgraded bits and bobs to keep her ship shape, but I think the time has come to replace her with a more modern machine.

I'm not a "Gamer" but do like to edit Videos and do lots of surfing the web with the family to include MSN, with at least 3 accounts active at any one time and multiple windows open too.

My current PC suffers when it's being used hard and can really slow down, so I'm looking at future proofing any purchase as much as possible.

My Budget is as low as possible as I need a new monitor and operating system too. The only part of my existing set-up I'm willing to swap over is the Sony DVD drive.

I think I'd like to try an AMD processer, perhaps the AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition 3.2GHz or a AMD Quad Core Phenom II X4 965 and for the operating system, Windows 7 64 bit, being the only wishes.

I've never built a system before, so would anyone care to list the missing pieces.

benc · 05 August 2010, 21:41

Some useful info here: http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/barebones.html

Novatech are a great company, and most of the guys know what they're talking about

And very close to you

Hightower · 05 August 2010, 22:07

That's where my existing computer came from.

I was looking at this: http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/p...BB-9654G2.html

About a £100 more than I wanted to pay for a bare bones, but a pretty well spec'd machine I think. Just add a hard drive and graphics card and away I go.

benc · 05 August 2010, 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

That's where my existing computer came from.

I was looking at this: http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/p...BB-9654G2.html

About a £100 more than I wanted to pay for a bare bones, but a pretty well spec'd machine I think. Just add a hard drive and graphics card and away I go.

Looks like a good machine, will suit everything you need.. I've been out of the high spec desktop type hardware for ages now, so not too sure what to suggest on the graphics card front.

Mollers · 05 August 2010, 22:19

Give Roy Cruse a shout. Top Ribman.

http://www.1st-technology.co.uk/profile.php?lookup=1

willk · 05 August 2010, 22:21

I've "built" numerous machines for work over the years (maybe 10*) and in the late 90's it was a cheap option. I don't get the impression that it's quite as attractive now, financially?

Certainly it's time-consuming, but if you have an interest, maybe it is worthwhile?

_______________________
* Scratch that, including the "re-builds", it must be much more :-)

nik · 06 August 2010, 08:38

Hi Andy, I have done several myself over the years. Its not particularly difficult and installing the software can take as long as doing the build. It may not be any cheaper but you do get the get the components that you want.
I have found that micromart magazine is a good resource for components and advice.
AMD/ATI currently do the best range of video cards.
And my personal preference, go for quiet components. A quiet psu (about 550 watts these days) a passively cooled video card and a decent heatsink for the cpu with a large quiet fan. Antec do decent cases. If you have a case with a noisy fan, you can get replacements here dorothy bradbury

Hope this helps, Nick.

gotchiguy · 07 August 2010, 12:54

What about

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/

I nearly bought one from them a couple of years ago until I spied an irresistible deal on an HP. You choose what you want, a bit like how Dell used to be.

Hightower · 07 August 2010, 21:04

nik · 08 August 2010, 09:39

Hi Andy, This is kind of what I had in mind: passive 5750.
However I cant find any examples for sale in the uk.
If you go down a notch to a 5570 then you can get them more easily: passive 5570. But less powerful of course.
Nick.

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