I want to build a new computer!

Katgoddess

My poor baby is getting to the end of her life so I want to build a new PC.

I won't use my computer for gaming.
I download lots of videos and music from t'interweb.
I tend to have lots of programmes running at the same time.
Looking pretty is a bonus but not essential.

I built my current computer from barebones, but a lot has changed on the past 4 years with computers.

I've been looking at the Dell website, and I *think* the InspironTM 530 suits my needs. So the sort of computer I want to build will be similar to this:

Processor
Intel® Viiv™ technology - Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6550 processor (2.33GHz)
Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium - English
Video Cards
256 MB ATI® Radeon® X1300 PCI Express graphics card
Memory
2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]
Hard Drives
250GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive with 8MB DataBurst™ cache
Optical
16x DVD +/- RW Drive
Sound Cards
Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio

The price for this is £549 but includes a 19 inch LCD screen. I want something much cheaper. Where would the best place(s) be to buy? Any cheaper or better substitutes? What sort of case would I need?

Thank you in advance.

scheming_gypsy

The case is all down to preference and if you want to add other stuff into it. Desktop or tower? mini or midi tower? once you've decided that you can choose any as long as it's got a decent power supply.

Good / cheap places to buy kit from are:
www.ebuyer.com
www.scan.co.uk
and computer fairs. Computer fairs are usually quite cheap.

Rather than go for a 250gig hard drive look at prices on them and the prices of bigger ones as there isn't normally a massive difference. Price up all the kit except the hard drive and see how much you've got left over and what size you can go to.

Katgoddess

What's better? Intel or AMD?

My current computer is AMD.

scheming_gypsy

been a while since i got involved in that but AMD were faster and cheaper although i always preferred Intel

Millionaire

Can you buy from Dell small business section?

If so similiar spec without 19in monitor for £323.20

I think its a bargain, just spec it up to what you want then remove monitor and downgrade warranty to one year.

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b=&c=uk&cs=ukbsdt1&kc=D4XESS01&l=en&oc=D08V03%20&rbc=D08V03%20&s=bsd

MORPH3US

Are you building your own to save money or for the fun of it? In my experience, if its to save money, you'd be better off buying from Dell because they will be cheaper?

BTW, AMD always used to be quicker, but from what I read a month or two back, Intel have now got their act together and are once again better... Saying that, AMD are cheaper... I run AMD and don't have a prob...

M

Katgoddess

I don't want to buy from Dell would prefer to built it myself. I like know what's in my computer, and if I want to upgrade bits I won't get stuck.

This looks like a good start?

GoofyGAT

Katgoddess wrote: »

I don't want to buy from Dell would prefer to built it myself. I like know what's in my computer, and if I want to upgrade bits I won't get stuck.

Most Dell's can be easily upgraded these days. As the others have said, Dell's represent the best value & you'd be hard-pressed to build an equivalent for less.

Katgoddess wrote: »

This looks like a good start?

It's OK but only has a 250W PSU. This Antec Sonata II case with 450W PSU would be a much better alternative for the same price. G

scheming_gypsy

GoofyGAT wrote: »

Most Dell's can be easily upgraded these days.

Isn't the warranty void when you open the case though?

GoofyGAT

Katgoddess, found a couple of CPU bargains if going the self-build & AMD route (both include VAT & delivery)....

* AMD Athlon 64bit 3800+ AM2 = £36

* AMD Athlon 64bit 4200+ AM2 = £42

If you tell us your maximum budget & what needs to be left out (e.g. monitor/keyboard/mouse/etc) I can spec one up similar to this.

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

Isn't the warranty void when you open the case though?

No. One can also upgrade/change components without voiding the warranty - it will become void though if one damages something in the process of doing so. G

fuzzgun19

Katgoddess wrote: »

I don't want to buy from Dell would prefer to built it myself. I like know what's in my computer, and if I want to upgrade bits I won't get stuck.

This looks like a good start?

Sorry to be thick, but is this £65 just for the outer tower case?


...or do you get all the 'features' listed too? Is it just telling you what you could fit in this case if you bought them separately?