Cheap AMD Work Build

[Cold_War]

This couple of months my father's work PC has been going really slow. Probably because it comes from 2003 with a Pentium 4, but he experiences extreme load up times 3 to 4 minutes, and generally needs a new PC that will work a lot quicker. Scanned the IDE HDD's already, nothing came up as viruses, so I am guessing that he needs new hardware.

Approximate Purchase Date: Unsure as to when, looking at prices of building vs. prebuit

Budget Range: As cheap as possible, but with some good parts for the usage

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Business/Work Usage, Home Use

Parts Not Required: Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor, Speakers, may use Windows XP 32bit

Preferred Websites for Parts: Any trusted website

Country: UK (England)

Overclocking and SLI/CrossfireX: Definately NO

Monitor Resolution: Currently at 1280x1024

Additional Comments: Can re-use old IDE DVD-Drive and will be using IDE HDD's to copy old files to new HDD. He already has a Radeon 9200 which may be re-used but I am not sure if motherboards will support the AGP interface. He can also re-use an FSP Group 280W PSU with the PC. The case does not have to be flashy, just needs 3 or more drive bays.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts that I have thought about:

CPU = AMD Athlon II X2/X3/X4
Cooling = Stock
RAM = 2GB or 4GB
Motherboard = Unsure, needs 4 RAM Slots, and 1 PCIe x16, going toward AM3+ for upgradeability in the future
HDD = 250GB/320GB 6GB/s HDD
DVD Drive = Any SATA DVD Drive
Graphic Card = Radeon 9200/Intergrated/Cheapo Radeon 6450/6570 or GT520/430/440
PSU: Low power 80Plus or higher PSU
Case: Unsure

 

[obsama1]

The SB Pentiums outperform the Phenoms/Athlon, and for you there won't be a tangible difference, but it's cheaper.

CPU: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-LGA1155-Pentium-G840-Processor/dp/B004XSJS1M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336843187&sr=8-1

Mobo: http://www.amazon.co.uk/H61M-VS-Micro-ATX-Motherboard-Onboard-ASRock/dp/B004S9JXPW/ref=sr_1_11?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1336843303&sr=1-11

RAM: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMX4GX3M1A1333C9-XMS3-Desktop-Memory/dp/B003ZDJ42O/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1336843409&sr=1-1

HDD: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004UGUVU4/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&psc=1&s=computers

DVD Drive: http://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-GH22NS-SATA-DVDRW-Drive/dp/B002IST634/ref=sr_1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1336843580&sr=1-6

Graphics: The integrated will be good, but if you need something more powerful: http://www.amazon.co.uk/VTX3D-Radeon-Graphics-Profile-Bracket/dp/B0042UK9Q4/ref=sr_1_9?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1336843687&sr=1-9

PSU:http://www.amazon.co.uk/CORSAIR-Builder-Series-CX430-Supply/dp/B0053UPYHQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1336843755&sr=1-1

Case: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-TA-K51-Midi-Tower-Case/dp/B0029F1NPK/ref=sr_1_5?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1336843849&sr=1-5

 

[Cold_War]

I checked AnandTech's bench, I don't see why I should go with a Pentium and dying socket while AMD's Athlon II X3 or X4 will perform the same and better in some applications and the AM3+ socket will last 3 generations while LGA1155 will last till the start of next year. I think AMD's FX may be in this one too.

CPU = AMD Athlon II X3 455 - £50
Cooling = Stock Cooling - £0
Motherboard = Asrock 970DE3/U3S3 - £39
Memory = Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB DDR3 1333MHz - £12
Graphics = Gainward GT520 1GB - £24
DVD Drive = Samsung 22X SATA DVD Burner - £10
HDD = Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200RPM 6GB/s - £43
PSU = Silverstone Strider Essential 400W 80Plus - £28
Case = Aerocool VS-4 Mid Tower - £22