First Time Build, now or never !

Reggie 365

Hi all,

I'm hoping to take a leap into the (relatively) unknown and built me a desktop

Been doing a good bit of research, started with YouTube and ended up here reading about all your builds. I know all the components required and their uses but not sure where to start with the selection process.

I am not a gamer (other than on Nintendo Wii with my sons which I'm sure doesn't rate me as a gamer) so that leaves me confused as to where to start regarding motherboard and cpu as reading the specs of all your machines they are mostly geared towards the gaming end of pc building. However, I would like to ensure that my build will be somewhat future proof with regards upgrading components.

Im not sure the advantage to me of having a graphics card at this stage if my motherboard could have one built in (hdmi, DVI, VGA), but I would like to have the option at a later stage.

So I suppose the first choice to make is between Intel and AMD for the processor. I know there is a lot of divided opinion amongst the learned so Im open to any advice. I guess once this decision is made the other components will fall into place relatively easily.

Here is my details...


1. What is your budget? [€300-400]

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? [Web browsing/Photographs/Music/Movies]

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? [Yes]

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? [No]

5. Do you need a monitor? [I have an LG 22in HDTV with HDMI, DVI and VGA]

5a. If yes, what size do you need. [-]

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? [-]

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? [Prob no need, not a gamer]

8. How can you pay? [credit card or laser]

9. When are you purchasing? [next couple weeks]

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? [trying self build and have a friend who has experience doing self builds and with software]

Thanks for reading

Serephucus

From Dabs:

Item|Price
Total build cost: €392.64 (inc delivery Free!)
ASRock S1155 Intel H61M DDR3 mATX|€50.01
Corsair 430 Watt CX430 V2 Builder Series 80 Plus Power Supply|€40.50
XIGMATEK Asgard Chassis|€33.06
Microsoft Windows Home Premium 7 SP1 64-bit EN 1pk OEI OEM DVD|€89.98
Intel Celeron G530 2.4GHz LGA1155 2MB|€43.36
Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1333MHz DIMM 240-pin CL9|€39.20
Seagate 500GB Barracuda SATA-600 7200RPM 16MB 3.5" Hard Drive|€80.10
Samsung 22x DVD-RW SATA Black|€16.43



From HWVS:

Item|Price
Total build cost: €363.65 + €30 shipping
Intel Celeron G530 Box, LGA1155|€36.47
ASRock H61M-S (B3), Sockel 1155, mATX|€44.87
8GB-Kit G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9|€33.65
Xigmatek Asgard, ATX, ohne Netzteil, schwarz|€31.61
Corsair Builder Series CX430 V2, 430 Watt|€39.03
Seagate Barracuda 7200 500GB SATA 6GB's|€75.00
MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit SB-Version Englisch|€87.44
Samsung SH-222AB bare schwarz SATA|€15.58



Basically the same builds. A powerful dual-core in each, 8GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, and of course Windows 7 and all the extras. Neither build has a graphics card, as the motherboard comes with VGA and DVI out (I think, can't remember exact ports) powered by the processor. Won't be able to handle any games, but will handle office, etc. perfectly.

I'd go with Intel personally. This platform leaves you open to upgrading to some very powerful quad core processors in the future if you ever see the need. The PSU will also support a low-end to mid-range graphics card if you decide you want one later on.

Reggie 365

Great,

Thanks for the advice, time to start shopping !

Trompette

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? [Web browsing/Photographs/Music/Movies]

You can use UBUNTU and save € 90 and you should not be disappointed.

L'essayer c'est l'adopter!
To try it is to love it.

Reggie 365

Not too familiar with ubuntu but there's no harm in taking a look at some info. Im sure it's been discussed on these boards so I'll have a look.

Thanks.

briany

It's worth noting that in the builds Serephucus compared from Dabs and Hardwareversand that although HWVD are cheaper, they have that 30 euro shipping fee which actually bumps it up slightly past Dabs. It's tight once all surcharges are factored. Dabs are the most competitive I've seen of those who are local so fair play to them. I'm comparing an identical gaming build myself between those two and it comes to Dabs : € 826 and HWVD : €812, both with the shipping included in the price so 14 in the difference there. Now in these times that's still enough to go with the latter but I'm not mad on their payment system at all.

Ubuntu is a good OS for general computer use and it's free but think twice if you're thinking about ever running any games, particularly commercial ones, on the computer, not that you'll be able to play the latest and greatest on that Asrock/Celeron combo anyway, but nonetheless a lot of commercial games aren't made to run on that platform by default so it's just a little something to factor in.

Reggie 365

Reggie 365 wrote: »

Not too familiar with ubuntu but there's no harm in taking a look at some info. Im sure it's been discussed on these boards so I'll have a look.

Thanks.

I'd your used to windows I'd recommend Linux Mint or especially Kubuntu
I use Kubuntu myself alot and think it's class