Budget (but reliable) CPU, PSU and mobo for PC upgrade

[Psycho Savager]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Between now and Christmas

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Reading Word/Excel files and checking emails. Pretty much nothing else. BUDGET RANGE: <£300

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (Case, HDD, DVD Drive, Graphics card, Mouse, keyboard, speakers, monitor)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: (Not bothered)

PARTS PREFERENCES: Motherboard must be ATX, have integrated graphics and have a PATA slot. Modulated PSU. Operating system will be XP unless anyone can give me a REALLY good reason why I should get Vista or 7.

OVERCLOCKING: None whatsoever. SLI/Crossfire: I don't even intend to get a GPU.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: (1280x1024)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I've already built a gaming-quality PC so I have experience, I'm just looking to get a better motherboard, processor and PSU.

 

[hundredislandsboy]

A basic G31 chipset mobo (comes with integrated video) and and e5200 CPU, 2 gig RAMS should do the trick.

 

[GhislainG]

Most motherboards with on-board video are micro-ATX. Your requirement for ATX limits your options.

 

[daggs]

what memory do you use? you haven't mentioned it anywhere

 

[Psycho Savager]

Ah, sorry, I will need RAM as well.

Will a micro-ATX fit in an ATX case?

 

[GhislainG]

Ah, sorry, I will need RAM as well.

Will a micro-ATX fit in an ATX case?

Yes it will. As HundredIslands said, a basic G31 motherboard meets your requirements.

ASUS P5KPL-CM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131288

E5200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

G.Skill DDR2-800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231087

That motherboard (as most micro-ATX) only has 2 memory slots. If you ever plan on using more than 2 GB, then I would recommend this excellent 4 GB kit: G.SKILL PI Black http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

 

[daggs]

MB: Gigabyte-GA-MA785GM-UD2H http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Gigabyte-GA-MA785GM-UD2H-AMD-785G-AM3-DDR2-800-1066-1200-SATA-3Gb-s-RAID-Micro-ATX-VGA at 63.02
PSU: Antec-EarthWatts-500w http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Antec-EarthWatts-500w at 54.19
CPU: AMD-Phenom-II-X2-550-BE http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/AMD-Phenom-II-X2-550-Black-Edition-Callisto-S-AM3-31GHz-7MB-Total-Cache-HT-4000MHz-85W-Retail at 74.73
memory: 2X2G Corsair-TwinX-XMS3-DDR3-PC3-10666 http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/4GB-%282x2GB%29-Corsair-TwinX-XMS3-DDR3-PC3-10666-%281333%29-240-Pin-Non-ECC-Unbuffered-CAS-9-9-9-24 at 72.57
total 264.51 euro.

 

[Psycho Savager]

I like the look of the ASUS P5KPL-CM and the E5200.

Do I really need a 500W PSU though? The one on my gaming PC is 520W..... and I doubt I'll need more than 1GB RAM. I am building this PC for someone who will use it about once or twice a week, and not for gaming, downloading, watching movies or any resource-heavy software.

 

[obsidian86]

you could use the antec 380 or 430 watts

 

[Psycho Savager]

The Asus mobo appears to be out of stock wherever I look. Can someone suggest another one?

 

[GhislainG]

It was still available when I suggested it, but it has now been retired.

ASRock G41M-GS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157166

BIOSTAR G31E-M7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138145

GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128357

ASUS P5QPL-VM (G41 chipset)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131387

GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2H (G41 chipset)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128396

 

[batuchka]

Your budget is more than enuff to hit an enrty level DDR3 platform with integrated video decent enuff in case blu ray becomes mainstream and even 1024 x 768 light gaming hehe

 

[Psycho Savager]

The person I'm building this for is a complete technophobe and will not be doing any gaming or DVD watching at all, just checking emails and writing Word documents.

I'd like to buy all from one UK site to make it convenient. How's this:-

Kingston 1GB ValueRAM DDR2 800Mhz
£14.74
Intel Pentium Dual Core E5300 2.50GHz 'Wolfdale' 2Mb Cache LGA775 (800 Mhz) £40.86
Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L Intel G31 Video/Sound Socket 775 mATX Motherboard
£27.82
Corsair CX400W 400W Power Supply
£35.77

Inc. postage & VAT = £145.06

 

[GhislainG]

I'd go with 2 GB of memory. It helps when working with large Word documents.