Help with build

[neonplanet40]

Hi everyone building my cousin a computer over xmas. Basically we need case and all the bits inside eg cpu, mobo, hdd, dvd, psu etc and also need

Monitor (20+inch)
keyboard
mouse

He already has 8GB DDR 3 ram and a amd 5850 gcard and windows 7.

Problem? Only a £500 bugdet.

Can anyone help me with a spec? I wanted to get him an i5 2500k and p67 board but funds are too low.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

What is the computer being used for??

[neonplanet40]

Its going to be mostly for games and yes he has already bought windows 7 student 64bit.

The 5850 isn't a bad card though so at least the £500 doesnt have to get a gcard or ram (although that's cheap anyway)

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I had to skimp on some parts but I came up with the following components list.



The case will only take graphics cards upto 10.5" in length:

http://www.overclockersclub.com/revi...urce_210/3.htm

An HD5850 1GB should be fine. The motherboard is basic but has four RAM slots and USB3.0 ports. However,it has no SATA3.0 ports and no overclocking support.

The keyboard is also a basic model but should do the job.

The 2TB Samsung F4 can be had for around £70:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-EcoG...4590962&sr=8-4

However,it is a slower 5400RPM drive.

[neonplanet40]

Hopefully the graphics card fits lol. I may be able to get a Samsung 500GB to do until prices drop.

Thanks very much

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would try to get a better case. The ThermalTake Dokker is quite decent. If that is too costly I would look at the Bitfenix Merc Alpha. Both can take longer graphics card.

[neonplanet40]

Will do thanks

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

If you want to save a bit of money you can get a Core i3 2120. I have a Core i3 2100 myself with an HD5850 1GB.

Some other alternatives include the Llano A6-3670K and A8-3870K which have unlocked multipliers and can be overclocked. There is also the Phenom II X4 960T and the Athlon II X3 460.

[EvanJackPenn]

Also, that monitor Cat has chosen (which I would have recommended also, I'm looking at getting the 23" model that is out of stock everywhere!) is on offer at Amazon and Ebuyer for £100. Bargain!!!

[neonplanet40]

Thanks for the help guys. just curious, if we did decide to go down through builder route what cpu and motherboard would you recommend and how much cheaper would this route be over the 2400?

Thanks

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Thanks for the help guys. just curious, if we did decide to go down through builder route what cpu and motherboard would you recommend and how much cheaper would this route be over the 2400?

Thanks

Not sure what you mean??

[neonplanet40]

Oops meant bulldozer over intel i5 etc

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Oops meant bulldozer over intel i5 etc

The Core i5 is a better choice ATM. I have mentioned some cheaper alternatives in post 8.

Since the monitor can be had for a lower price you can get a more expensive motherboard or a faster CPU. However,TBH a Core i5 2400 at stock clockspeeds will be fast enough. You can put the money saved towards a better keyboard and a better case.

[xiaogray]

what exactly the type of his ddr3 8gb men. is?

[xiaogray]

I had to skimp on some parts but I came up with the following components list.



The case will only take graphics cards upto 10.5" in length:

http://www.overclockersclub.com/revi...urce_210/3.htm

An HD5850 1GB should be fine. The motherboard is basic but has four RAM slots and USB3.0 ports. However,it has no SATA3.0 ports and no overclocking support.

The keyboard is also a basic model but should do the job.

The 2TB Samsung F4 can be had for around £70:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-EcoG...4590962&sr=8-4

However,it is a slower 5400RPM drive.

A SATAIII hard drive but a Motherboard only supporting SATAII ??

[kalniel]

A SATAIII hard drive but a Motherboard only supporting SATAII ??

SATA III is fully backwards compatible. No purely mechanical hard drive is going to max out a SATA II interface so it's irrelevant. If the hdd is good then it's worth considering regardless of whether it's SATA III or II.