Build for flatmate

[TooNice]

Flatmate is thinking of going from a Shuttle to a mid-case system for the added flexibility.

Ignoring graphics card and storage (already catered for), is it possible to get the following parts for around £300?

- Case that's functional/good to work with.
- PSU
- Motherboard
- Heatsink + Fan
- £20 spare for bits and bobs (DVD-RW, Thermal Paste, I may be forgetting other things)

And*
- CPU
- RAM

* Here's the catch. If we go for an 775 build, he could technically salvage his E6600 (or something like that) and DDR2 RAM from the Shuttle. In which case, I'd either expect a darn good case and/or not even spending up to £300.

If we go for AMD, I suspect it will be a bit of a stretch within this budget, but try your best, but if it is necessary to add another £50, then so be it (yet staying within budget is a big plus). There is some benefit of having a working backup PC.

I am hoping for something that is relatively trouble free though, i.e. will not require too much tweaking to function properly. The guy is mostly a casual gamer, and probably spend more time on the net than other purpose. Low noise is a definite plus.

Thanks.

[Fuzzed_out]

Hmm I would keep the E6600 but it depends what he hopes to use it for, I plan to venture into the realms of OCing prior to upgrading my E6550

[PeterStoba]

What GPU do you have in mind (so I can see what PSU is needed)

if it's nothing special then how about;

Case: This or This
£60
Motherboard: This
£60
CPU: This
£90
Memory: This
£55
Optical Drive: This
£16

Total: Roughly £295 including delivery and thermal paste, shop around a bit though

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Does your housemate have a P2 series case?? I have an SD37P2 and it will take upto 3 hard drives,an optical drive, a dual slot graphics card and has 4 RAM slots.

Have a look at the following barebones:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/154749

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/145419

Another build could be based around the mini-P180 instead.

AMD DDR3 based build

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/140996

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152606

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/170230

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159071

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/166996

Total ~ £330

AMD DDR2 based build

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150278

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159071

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/140996

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152606

Total ~ £260

[TooNice]

Thanks. I will have a look at the suggestions and come back with questions

GFX card would be the Gainward GTS250 Green (think it's great value at Scan price).

I don't think there is any real need for another Shuttle (though had he got a SD37P2, the thought probably wouldn't have come to him as he'd be able to fit a dual slot GFX card). The only reason he bought a Shuttle in the first place was so that he could put it bring it in his luggage. But he has ample space in his room for a mid-tower.

Edit: It looks like the 2.8Ghz Phenom is the consensus for a low cost build. I am taking note of the suggested CM cases. How do they stack up to the Antec 300 for £15 less.. or the Antec 900 for £15 more?

[nibbler]

how about the v2 dominator?
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Coole...-Panel-w-o-PSU
and you must mean antec 300 for £15 more.

[Pob255]

If you can salvage a "E6600 (or something like that) and DDR2 RAM"
Then I sugest looking at a mATX motherboard
Lanparty Jr if you can spend the cash
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/DFI-J...SATA-RAID-uATX
Or a G43 or G45

A nice antec miniP180 from ebuyer for £60
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/140996

ati 4850 or 4770, esp if you get the lanparty jr as that leaves you open for crossfire
if not then that Gainward GTS250 Green is a great price

heat sink, Akasa ak967 nero
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Akasa...-120mm-PWM-fan
or push the price slightly Arctic Cooling Freezer Xtreme Rev.2 (comes with MX2 so no need for new paste )
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Arcti...39-AM2-AM2plus

[TooNice]

and you must mean antec 300 for £15 more.

No, I really do mean for £15 less. The CM case PeterStoba linked me costs £60 (okay, one of them includes a PSU but not the other). The Antec 300 is £45: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/143854

I'll be honest, I've not followed CM cases for a long time. There was a time when their line up was very easy to follow, but nowadays, they seem to have many cases that look somewhat different, and I can't tell which one is newer/better (or not) from names like 'Dominator'.

Is there any benefit for going with an uATX motherboard if space is not much of a factor?

[Pob255]

The CM690 is a nice case, provideing you don't use IDE hard drives, as they will not fit in the dirve trays.
There's also known issues with the side panel vents when you have fans in there.
If you can find the window version of the case it's much better.

the main advantage to an mATX system is it's a bit smaller, the miniP180 is the size of a normal mid-tower case but has very good cooling and plenty of space inside.
However the antec 300 is probably a better option as you can then take ATX motherboards.
The thing with ATX motherboards is you've got more slots for expansion, but these days you don't need the common expasion cards like sound and network as onboard is good enough for most people.
All down to what you want to put in it.

PS I'd also look at the Silverstone PS02B Precision case it's often overlooked as it's not aluminium like other silverstone cases, however it's a good basic case for around £40
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silve...r-Case-w-o-PSU
Not sure but you may need to get a 140mm fan for the top

[nibbler]

You said 900 not 300
thats what I meant not more /less ;p

[TooNice]

How do they stack up to the Antec 300 for £15 less.. or the Antec 900 for £15 more?

Erm... ;P