Building Office PC for €250

Pompous · 28-07-2015 12:13pm #1

1. What is your budget? [€250]

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? [Microsoft office, printing/scanning, Internet browsing]

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? [No]

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

5. Do you need a monitor? [No]

5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future? [1024x768] [No]

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? [Keyboard/Mouse/Wireless Card/Card Reader/Speakers/etc.] [No]

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? [No]

8. How can you pay? [Bank Transfer/Credit Card/Laser] [Any is fine]

9. When are you purchasing? [In 14 days]

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? [Don't need help]

I've been using an old Dell for years now. It's running XP and even after reformatting and reinstalling, it's really slow. The time has come for an upgrade.

I want a PC that can do basic tasks like word processor and other simple programs, as well as browse the internet and scan documents etc. I want a custom build so I can easily upgrade in the future.

Thanks!

Digital Solitude · 28-07-2015 12:28pm

Pentium G3220 €50
H81M board €50
4gb RAM €30
1tb HDD €50
Cheapish case €30
250w PSU €30
Total €240

Rough prices, may be a little higher. You aren't planning on putting XP on this are you?

Any questions, ask away.

If you're willing to stretch to €300 get an SSD, it'll make a huge difference

Pompous · 28-07-2015 12:37pm

I'll be putting windows 7 on it. Where should I get the parts?

Digital Solitude · 28-07-2015 12:39pm

Amazon.de or .it are noramlly the best value.

Mindfactory.de are cheap too but expensive for delivery

Pompous · 28-07-2015 6:20pm

What kind of RAM do I need for that build?

Digital Solitude · 28-07-2015 6:27pm

Once it's DDR3 its grand, should be €30-35 for 4gb, you won't need 8gb

Brand like Crucial or Kingston are ones to look at

Pompous · 28-07-2015 6:30pm

http://www.amazon.de/Kingston-KVR13N9S8-Arbeitsspeicher-1333MHz-240-polig/dp/B008CP5Q7M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438108153&sr=8-1&keywords=ddr3+4gb

http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00HCM8QQE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF

Are these two ok? I switched to a cheaper CPU. Will it work with the motherboard?

Digital Solitude · 28-07-2015 6:34pm

Yep they're grand

Keplar240B · 28-07-2015 7:01pm

Could ya put windows 7 on existing pc?

Pompous · 28-07-2015 7:03pm

I could but it's an old Dell. Like really old. Even after a fresh install and a RAM upgrade it's slow.

http://www.pcworld.com/product/29434/dimension-c521-desktop-customizable.html

Pompous · 28-07-2015 7:04pm

There are too many cases to choose from. Is there something in particular I should be looking for?

Edit: Is this one ok?

http://www.amazon.de/Gigabyte-GZ-ZGA2W6-GZ-MA02-Micro-ATX-PC-Geh%C3%A4use/dp/B00HLERWKO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1438110354&sr=8-2&keywords=Gigabyte+GZ-MA02

Digital Solitude · 28-07-2015 7:08pm

Sorry thought I had listed a case manufacturer. That one is fine yeah.

For the PSU get a BeQuiet or Corsair
MSI H81M P33 is a grand motherboard

Pompous · 28-07-2015 7:16pm

This seems to be the only PSU I can find on Amazon.de

http://www.amazon.de/Ersatzteil-250W-FSP250-60GEN-UTOW-8028200000/dp/B002MQTQEG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438110857&sr=8-1&keywords=250w+psu

Digital Solitude · 28-07-2015 7:20pm

http://www.amazon.de/quiet-BN140-System-Power-Stromversorgung/dp/B00ABKSQGO/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1438111212&sr=1-1

Pompous · 28-07-2015 7:22pm

Doesn't deliver to Ireland. Is it a bad idea to get the other PSU?

lertsnim · 28-07-2015 7:25pm

Use https://www.curiua.com to see which Amazon is cheapest. For the case as an example the UK version of amazon is cheaper.

Digital Solitude · 28-07-2015 7:34pm

Yeah it doesn't look too safe. Use chrome and go through the Amazon site to find a good PSU, the word PSU won't show up anything as its not the German term

lertsnim · 28-07-2015 7:50pm

What you can also do is search for it on the UK site and then replace the .co.uk part of the url with .de, .fr etc etc

Keplar240B · 28-07-2015 9:49pm

Pompous wrote: »

I could but it's an old Dell. Like really old. Even after a fresh install and a RAM upgrade it's slow.

...

Did you try to install windows seven?

I am in same boat as you (sort of) I own an old dell XP workhorse (2003) as well BUT
I want to keep it for another while, It was in boxed in someones attic from 2003 to 2009
Running fine for what its doing and where it is, just seems a little slow lately also Xp not supported or "safe" anymore.
Thinking about upgrading to windows seven.

Whats best/cheapest way to do this?

Digital Solitude · 28-07-2015 9:53pm

You can get a W7 key from Reddit for €20

Building Office PC for €250

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