Advice on cheap build

[Scainer]

Scenario:
Dad's computer (Athlon 64 3800+, 2GB ram) is on its way out. A new computer is required, with the main purpose of internet / youtube use.


Current idea:
Case: cooler-master-elite-343 @ £32.33
CPU: AMD A4 5300s @ £36.64
RAM: 4gb-corsair-ddr3-vengeance-lp @ £15.79
MB: msi-fm2-a55m @ £37.55
PSU: 430w-corsair-builder-series @ £35.32
DVD: samsung-sh-s222ab @ £11.96
HDD: SanDisk 128GB SSD @ £64.94

Total price = £ 234.53


Basically I want to build the best pc for the lowest price. The idea being that he will think it is amazingly fast and snappy in comparison to his old XP system.
I have extra copy of windows7 hence not included in price.

Any advice?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would look at this PSU:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/450w-...n-atx-v231-psu

It is made by Seasonic and is also in stock too.

I would try to use a dual channel RAM kit to get the best performance out of the CPU and IGP,and the A55 chipset does not support SATA3.0 so will probably limit the SSD a bit,although random access times probably won't be though.

I would say changing the RAM to dual channel would be the major change you should consider.

[Scainer]

Thanks. I thought the RAM was two sticks until you pointed it out. Makes this post more worthwhile to avoid the "Doh" moment :-D

I must admit the main issue is the CPU and MB choice. I keep looking at an i3 but then look at the price rising, think its overkill and return to the A4.
Just noticed the MSI A75 version is only an extra £11.50 to remove that restriction.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

For a general purpose build,I would probably go for a Trinity A8 or A10 over a Core i3 anyway,as I know that both avenues will be covered reasonably well. However,even the £60 Llano A6-3670K would be a good alternative to a Core i3 IMHO. Yes,the platform is EOL,but it is a good package overall.

Here is my comparison of the A6-3670K and my Core i3 2100:

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-reader...ew-thread.html

I am running Windows 8 on it and using a Samsung F3 500GB instead of the SSD,but the system is still nippy.

[Scainer]

Nice updates to your thread, I read it when you first did it but didn't read the updates.
I'm now thinking that the HSF might need an upgrade. I think he would be unhappy if the bundled fan is noisy
The problem is that FM2 is new and most of the descriptions aren't included.

Do you think this is overkill? arctic-cooling-freezer-13 @ < £20

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

TBH,the FM1 stock cooler is not that bad in my case although YMMV.

I would first see how the cooler sounds under normal usage with the case assembled. If you need a better cooler,AFAIK socket AM2,AM3 and AM3+ coolers will also work too. One of the 125W TDP Phenom II coolers with the copper base and heatpipes will probably do the job for under £10 off Ebay.

[Scainer]

Good point, i can always change it later and not buying saves £20.
He better appreciate this crimbo present.

[big_hairy_rob]

I can see why you would want to upgrade, but an SSD alone would boost the performance to a level that was uncomparable.

Also you didnt specify your OS, which is an issue if you put 4GB ram in a 32bit machine (especially xp) as I have seen a lot of problems from this. Even more of a problem if you put 8gb (pending getting two sticks). Remember that the onboard GPU will probably use a fair chunk of this ram.

[scaryjim]

I wouldn't put an SSD in an XP machine. It's asking for trouble. Also I wouldn't bother with a single core machine any more. I honestly didn't think it would matter until I got my Sempron 140 and it unlocked to an X2. When I switched it back to single core there was a noticable, if small, lag in most tasks.

Of course, if the old machine is socket AM2 then a dual-core upgrade isn't out of the question, but all in all I think a new machine makes sense.

FWIW, I'd step up to at least the A6-5400K (faster clockspeed and better graphics core), and ideally the A8-5600K (I'd say the A8-5500, but it's currently more expensive than the 5600K!). The A4 would certainly do the job, but I think you get your money's worth as you step up the range on Trinity and the additional performance is worth the extra outlay.

[Scainer]

I have extra copy of windows7 hence not included in price.

Just read an article on another site (hence no link) regarding the APU's in a "AMD Trinity Buyer's Guide".
They claim that for what its used for (internet) the A4-5300 is perfect and nothing more is needed.
It even would be perfect for a dedicated HTPC.

In that respect the additional performance is not worth the extra outlay.

[Scainer]

Just put it together and the hsf is not too intrusive.
One thing that was bad is the case fan. On the box is states its 17db but that must be without the wind noise.
I just disconnected it and its now a good office pc.

Regarding the CPU, it does what is needed and the overall experience feels quicker than I was expecting.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

What parts did you get??

[Scainer]

1 CMASTER ELITE 343 CASE BLACK LN46529
1 128GB SSD SDSSDP-128G-G25 2.5 LN45918
1 18.5 VIEWSONIC VA1912A-LED LN47100
1 AMD A4 5300 CPU LN47234
1 XFX 450w P1-450S-X2B9 PSU LN42587
1 GByte GA-F2A75M-HD2 sFM2 MoBo LN47302
1 4GB 2x2GB CML4GX3M2A1600C9 LP LN39753
1 Scythe Twin Mounter Rev.C LN37710
1 SH-224BB/RSMS 24x DVDRW LN47795

Cost about £320