Budget Home Computer Build

2009-04-11 07:12:11

#1

ghettoperson: Member; +1,943|6912

Looking at building one or two computers for the parents. It's gotta be pretty cheap in order to sell them the idea, but no real budget. Fortunately with the current pound/euro rates it means we can get a lot for our money if we buy from the UK. So that means OCUK, Scan etc. Don't worry about the OS and peripherals, that's all sorted.

Going to be used for email/internet/photo editing (PS, Lightroom) and the odd bit of light gaming for my brother (Black and White 2 (this doesn't mean anything to me), Rome Total War).

Proposed spec:

Intel Pentium E5200 2.5Ghz
Asus P5QL Pro
4Gb (2*2GB) Corsair XMS2 PC-6400
Got 2 200Gb HDD's in a computer here so I'd probably just reuse those
Asus TA-D31 Midi-ATX Case (WTF is Midi ATX?)
Antec Basic 350W PSU - I know people say don't skimp on a PSU, but Antec aren't that bad are they?

What should I do about a GPU?

2009-04-11 07:24:29

#2

ghettoperson: Member; +1,943|6912

I don't mean to be rude, but you'd be amazed what you could learn by reading the OP properly.

2009-04-11 07:26:13

#3

Finray: Hup! Dos, Tres, Cuatro; +2,629|6051|Catherine Black

4670 is quite nice for cheap performance, but it's soon to be outdated majorly by a similar priced much better card which I can't remember the name of atm.

4670 is £60 btw.

2009-04-11 07:41:47

#4

ghettoperson: Member; +1,943|6912

Finray wrote:
4670 is quite nice for cheap performance, but it's soon to be outdated majorly by a similar priced much better card which I can't remember the name of atm.

4670 is £60 btw.

Good call, got some decent reviews as well.

So that's about 320 quid for the build, which is fairly acceptable I think. Here's a pic so you get a better idea of what I'm talking about.

https://xs138.xs.to/xs138/09156/untitled-2438.jpg

2009-04-11 07:51:43

#5

DUnlimited: got any popo lolo intersting?; +1,160|6727|cuntshitlake

Looks good to me. 4670 is not bad at all for the price and will serve them well, even for newer games.

main battle tank karthus medikopter 117 megamegapowershot gg

2009-04-11 07:55:49

#6

ghettoperson: Member; +1,943|6912

On the case front, think it's a good idea (linkage) or is there something better that I should look at? Call it 30 pounds max.

EDIT: Actually, might go for the Coolermaster Elite 330 instead. Looks a lot nicer, and reviews suggest it's a very well build case for the money.

Last edited by ghettoperson (2009-04-11 07:58:06)

2009-04-11 08:06:26

#7

Stimey: +786|6383|Ontario | Canada

4830>>>4670
For ~$10 more, you can overclock it to the performance of a 4850.

2009-04-11 08:09:02

#8

ghettoperson: Member; +1,943|6912

Nothing on this build will be OC'd. Given that I'm not going to be around to fix it if it goes wrong, I'd like maximum reliability. The 4370 is about 20 pounds more in the UK, Stimey, so I can't really afford it.

2009-04-11 08:34:01

#9

bugz: Fission Mailed; +3,311|6575

max wrote:
standard BF2S budget build:

E5200, gigabyte G31 mobo, 2x2GB DDR2-800, Freezer7Pro, HD4850, Antec Eartwatts 380W, WD or Samsung HDD, DVD drive, any case

Replace the 4850 with the card you currently have in your cart if you're budget's tight.

Last edited by ebug9 (2009-04-11 08:38:01)

Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/id/ebug122

2009-04-11 08:48:58

#10

-Whiteroom-: Pineapplewhat; +572|6922|BC, Canada

yeah... get a cheaper mobo, you dont need a p5q pro for a budget build.

2009-04-11 10:10:14

#11

FatherTed: xD; +3,936|6763|so randum

Oh lordy, you don't need anything like that.

Some low e proc, a p31/35, 2gb ram, 200gb hd, some old 8800s will be more than enough.

Small hourglass island
Always raining and foggy
Use an umbrella

2009-04-11 14:50:10

#12

Wallpaper: ☺; +303|6257|The pool

8600 GT isnt a bad card too, not sure about UK prices for it though. On Newegg its about $55 US, and it can run everything decently

My flickr

2009-04-11 15:49:27

#13

Little BaBy JESUS: m8; +394|6412|'straya

FatherTed wrote:
Oh lordy, you don't need anything like that.

Some low e proc, a p31/35, 2gb ram, 200gb hd, some old 8800s will be more than enough.

tbh if they are going to be running vista 4GB is essential, i agree he can downgrade on some of the other stuff. but it depends how much his brother will be gaming on it, and how intense photo editing they do.

2009-04-11 15:53:21

#14

TopHat01: Limitless; +117|6168|CA

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:
FatherTed wrote:
Oh lordy, you don't need anything like that.

Some low e proc, a p31/35, 2gb ram, 200gb hd, some old 8800s will be more than enough.
tbh if they are going to be running vista 4GB is essential, i agree he can downgrade on some of the other stuff. but it depends how much his brother will be gaming on it, and how intense photo editing they do.

I have a Vista build with 1GB of RAM that functions fine. (I'd recommend 2GB, 4GB-6GB for gaming)

Last edited by TopHat01 (2009-04-11 15:53:40)

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2009-04-11 16:09:29

#15

FatherTed: xD; +3,936|6763|so randum

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:
FatherTed wrote:
Oh lordy, you don't need anything like that.

Some low e proc, a p31/35, 2gb ram, 200gb hd, some old 8800s will be more than enough.
tbh if they are going to be running vista 4GB is essential, i agree he can downgrade on some of the other stuff. but it depends how much his brother will be gaming on it, and how intense photo editing they do.

Im on a M 1.73ghz with 1gb ram, and it handles vista just fine

Small hourglass island
Always raining and foggy
Use an umbrella

2009-04-11 16:19:25

#16

max: Vela Incident; +1,652|6831|NYC / Hamburg

ebug9 wrote:
max wrote:
standard BF2S budget build:

E5200, gigabyte G31 mobo, 2x2GB DDR2-800, Freezer7Pro, HD4850, Antec Eartwatts 380W, WD or Samsung HDD, DVD drive, any case
Replace the 4850 with the card you currently have in your cart if you're budget's tight.

FatherTed wrote:
Oh lordy, you don't need anything like that.

Some low e proc, a p31/35, 2gb ram, 200gb hd, some old 8800s will be more than enough.

I agree with these posts

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:
FatherTed wrote:
Oh lordy, you don't need anything like that.

Some low e proc, a p31/35, 2gb ram, 200gb hd, some old 8800s will be more than enough.
tbh if they are going to be running vista 4GB is essential, i agree he can downgrade on some of the other stuff. but it depends how much his brother will be gaming on it, and how intense photo editing they do.

A fully loaded and running Vista box idles around 1GB ram usage. With 2GB ram you're got a whole gig for whatever program you're running. Unless they're doing some heavy virtualisation more than 2 GB isn't necessary. Then again ram is cheap and superfetch makes good use of idle ram so I'd certainly recommed getting 4GB. It does make for an all-around smoother experience.

_{once upon a midnight dreary, while i pron surfed, weak and weary, over many a strange and spurious site of ' hot xxx galore'. While i clicked my fav'rite bookmark, suddenly there came a warning, and my heart was filled with mourning, mourning for my dear amour, " 'Tis not possible!", i muttered, " give me back my free hardcore!"..... quoth the server, 404.}

2009-04-11 16:28:01

#17

Little BaBy JESUS: m8; +394|6412|'straya

max wrote:
ebug9 wrote:
max wrote:
standard BF2S budget build:

E5200, gigabyte G31 mobo, 2x2GB DDR2-800, Freezer7Pro, HD4850, Antec Eartwatts 380W, WD or Samsung HDD, DVD drive, any case
Replace the 4850 with the card you currently have in your cart if you're budget's tight.
FatherTed wrote:
Oh lordy, you don't need anything like that.

Some low e proc, a p31/35, 2gb ram, 200gb hd, some old 8800s will be more than enough.
I agree with these posts

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:
FatherTed wrote:
Oh lordy, you don't need anything like that.

Some low e proc, a p31/35, 2gb ram, 200gb hd, some old 8800s will be more than enough.
tbh if they are going to be running vista 4GB is essential, i agree he can downgrade on some of the other stuff. but it depends how much his brother will be gaming on it, and how intense photo editing they do.
A fully loaded and running Vista box idles around 1GB ram usage. With 2GB ram you're got a whole gig for whatever program you're running. Unless they're doing some heavy virtualisation more than 2 GB isn't necessary. Then again ram is cheap and superfetch makes good use of idle ram so I'd certainly recommed getting 4GB. It does make for an all-around smoother experience.

Yer ram is very cheap so i'd say its worth it.... maybe its just me, but i have 4GB on Vista 64 and it idles at around 45% (so just under 2GB)

2009-04-11 16:36:48

#18

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6460|Winland

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:
max wrote:
ebug9 wrote:
max wrote:
standard BF2S budget build:

E5200, gigabyte G31 mobo, 2x2GB DDR2-800, Freezer7Pro, HD4850, Antec Eartwatts 380W, WD or Samsung HDD, DVD drive, any case
Replace the 4850 with the card you currently have in your cart if you're budget's tight.
FatherTed wrote:
Oh lordy, you don't need anything like that.

Some low e proc, a p31/35, 2gb ram, 200gb hd, some old 8800s will be more than enough.
I agree with these posts

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

tbh if they are going to be running vista 4GB is essential, i agree he can downgrade on some of the other stuff. but it depends how much his brother will be gaming on it, and how intense photo editing they do.
A fully loaded and running Vista box idles around 1GB ram usage. With 2GB ram you're got a whole gig for whatever program you're running. Unless they're doing some heavy virtualisation more than 2 GB isn't necessary. Then again ram is cheap and superfetch makes good use of idle ram so I'd certainly recommed getting 4GB. It does make for an all-around smoother experience.
Yer ram is very cheap so i'd say its worth it.... maybe its just me, but i have 4GB on Vista 64 and it idles at around 45% (so just under 2GB)

Vista is made to take up about 50% of your RAM at all times. Makes loadin n' shit faster yo.

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2009-04-11 16:41:03

#19

Little BaBy JESUS: m8; +394|6412|'straya

You can get this for £300.... i know its not what max/ted were suggesting... but I think its a reasonable option for that much.

https://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z43/howdoulikemen0w/cheapguy.jpg

AMD cpu's are fantastically priced. so i find them the best for budget builds (were there is no overclocking happening anyway)
Was going to go with a 8800 but there weren't any on the site. the 4670 will run the games your brother is playing well enough (and will run most games out atm well enough), 4GB ram will make vista alot nicer (in my opinion) and the processor should be able to handle everything

2009-04-11 16:46:19

#20

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6460|Winland

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:
You can get this for £300.... i know its not what max/ted were suggesting... but I think its a reasonable option for that much.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z43/ … eapguy.jpg

AMD cpu's are fantastically priced. so i find them the best for budget builds (were there is no overclocking happening anyway)
Was going to go with a 8800 but there weren't any on the site. the 4670 will run the games your brother is playing well enough (and will run most games out atm well enough), 4GB ram will make vista alot nicer (in my opinion) and the processor should be able to handle everything

Why get that, when a better-performing E5200 and a G31 board costs less?

Last edited by Freezer7Pro (2009-04-11 16:47:04)

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2009-04-11 16:50:03

#21

Little BaBy JESUS: m8; +394|6412|'straya

Sure, but i wouldn't buy a mobo with only 2DIMMs.... but thats just me.

2009-04-11 16:54:32

#22

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6460|Winland

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:
Sure, but i wouldn't buy a mobo with only 2DIMMs.... but thats just me.

You can stick two 2GB sticks in it, or when that's not enough, two 4GB ones.

Last edited by Freezer7Pro (2009-04-11 16:57:48)

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2009-04-12 01:12:37

#23

GC_PaNzerFIN: Work and study @ Technical Uni; +528|6677|Finland

Freezer7Pro wrote:
Little BaBy JESUS wrote:
Sure, but i wouldn't buy a mobo with only 2DIMMs.... but thats just me.
You can stick two 2GB sticks in it, or when that's not enough, two 4GB ones.

indeed and 8GB would already be major overkill.

3930K | H100i | RIVF | 16GB DDR3 | GTX 480 | AX750 | 800D | 512GB SSD | 3TB HDD | Xonar DX | W8

2009-04-12 01:33:46

#24

ghettoperson: Member; +1,943|6912

Right, so had a look on Ebuyer which was considerably cheaper and got it down to this. HDD's and DVD drives are being recycled.

https://xs138.xs.to/xs138/09150/compspec567.jpg

2009-04-12 05:26:33

#25

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6460|Winland

You should probably skip that ECS card for a little more reputable brand. They take the reference card and replace all parts for cheaper ones, making their stuff notoriously short-lived.

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

BF2S Forums Budget Home Computer Build

Finray wrote:

max wrote:

FatherTed wrote:

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

FatherTed wrote:

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

FatherTed wrote:

ebug9 wrote:

max wrote:

FatherTed wrote:

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

FatherTed wrote:

max wrote:

ebug9 wrote:

max wrote:

FatherTed wrote:

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

FatherTed wrote:

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

max wrote:

ebug9 wrote:

max wrote:

FatherTed wrote:

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

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