Help with first build

imnotstickeh

Hi lads.

After *another* (fourth time in two years) HDD failing in my Dell laptop, I have given up on them and have decided that the answer to my problems is to build a PC myself. It has pretty much acted as a desktop for most of the time, has been barely moved off the table.

My budget is pretty low (around €300, I need an OS and I have a monitor) but I only need it for playing FM (which is not huge on the graphics, more emphasis on the processing), bits of Photoshop and the usual of watching videos, web browsing etc.

Ideally I need something that will last me a good few years so I can then upgrade easily enough if needed down the line.

Cheers for the help, much appreciated.

BloodBath

Something like this would be a good starting point. FM should run fine off of the integrated graphics. You can always add a graphics card if you want to play more demanding games in future.

The processor is overclockable if you want/need more performance and that board supports up to the latest i7's.

Bit of money left over if you need anything else. Can you use the windows key from your dell? Windows alone is around €85 new.


Total build cost: €255.89 + €11.99 shipping
Crucial MX100 SSD 128GB (2,5", 7mm) €58.78
Intel Pentium G3258 Anniversary Edition Box, 1150 €58.31
ASRock H81M-HDS, Sockel 1150, mATX €41.03
4GB G.Skill PC3-10667U CL9 €32.95
Corsair VS Serie VS450, Non-Modular, 80+ €32.42
Cooler Master N200, mATX-mini-Tower, schwarz, ohne Netzteil €32.40

imnotstickeh

Cheers for the reply, that looks solid, and pretty similar to what I came up with during research.

I just found out that Dreamspark also works for Irish students, so I'll download a copy of Windows from there for free. There isn't really a huge difference between the retail version and the embedded one's they're handing out, like I will be able to run Steam on it, yeah?

BloodBath

No bother. It should be fine yeah.