First Build Surfing PC

[Maccer101]

Hi all,

I’m going to make a cheap extra PC mainly for Surfing so that my wife and I do not have to fight over one machine anymore.

It will be my “First Build” so wanted to make something relatively simple that is Dual core, also SATA Optical and HDD based so I can use the components when I upgrade.

Plan is to buy a new E2180 and a cheap Socket 775 mATX mobo from ebay, have seen both for around £20-25 each (so potentially saving £40)

I have an ATI Pro 2400HD card that can go in the machine.

All other components would be new from Scan
PC-5300 2x512mb £15
160gb HDD £25
Samsung DVD writer £16
Cheap Kbd & Mouse £7-15

Can someone recommend a Cheap Case & PSU that will do the job for around £30-40 total? This is going to be a sub £150, low power build so just want a generic PSU that will last a couple of years. Preferably I would like a black simple looking mini-tower case so it can go anywhere in the house.

I know I’ve left the screen out of this list, I am either going to connect it to the TV using S-Video on the ATI card OR buy myself a 22” 1680x1050 then use my current monitor on the new build.


Thanks in advance for your input

[staffsMike]

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130947

cheapest one worth having that i can think ok

what about the operating system?

[Maccer101]

Thanks Mike,

How about this one too cheap? Prefer Micro ATX?

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=457253

I posted on the OS board, didn't want to get told off :-)

Basically was thinking of trying out Ubuntu Desktop its free and have never used a non MS OS before so am curious, Vista would be too slow on an E2180 with 1gb and XP would still be £50.

[Thorsson]

Hey I'd love to see a PC sitting on a surfboard. Don't think it would work though...

[Koolpc]

Coolermaster 330 is a nice case

[peterb]

If you really want cheap and easy, one of the Asus terminator series is ideal. Expansion is a bit limited, but if you are building it for surfing and trying out Linux, they are ideal.

There is a selection here...

http://www.scan.co.uk/Index.aspx?NT=1-0-44-0-0

[staffsMike]

Thanks Mike,

How about this one too cheap? Prefer Micro ATX?

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130946

micro atx version its actually better for cooling anyway but £5 more

as cheap as the PC is intended to be I really wouldn't trust anything like that scan one.

[Maccer101]

Thanks staffsMike,

Think I will buy separate

Like the Coolermaster Elite340 £25, will pair up with a £20 PSU

[staffsMike]

Something like this is probably your best bet then
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=468725

I'd steer clear of the hiper's and ezcool's which are a bit cheaper but awful.

[cigbunt]

Antec NSK 4480 Silver/Black Mini-Tower ATX Case - is the psu in this good enough for a geforce 8800??

[nvening]

go for ubuntu, its top notch and simple to use, and use the money saved to spend the extra £15 and get 2 gig of ram

[cigbunt]

sorry to highlight this but.. im just about 2 build a new system i need to know if..

Antec NSK 4480 ATX Case - psu in this good enough for a geforce 8800??

[PeterStoba]

Should be, depends on the other system spec

[Thorsson]

Why would you want an 8800? Aren't you reading the tech news?

[robots]

What does the tech news say about the 8800?

[cigbunt]

are you saying i could get a better card for the money or somthing?

because that doesnt answer the issue's i may face.