Homebuild or Pre-build

[mattzx]

I was considering building a new computer, but I've never done anything like that before and assume that you would need to buy tools on top of the components for the computer. I'm worried about buying a few hundred pounds worth of components and ruining them.

So now I'm thinking along the lines of get another pre-built computer. I've spotted this one on ebay. I would like to use the computer for medium gaming, internet browsing & other general tasks. I'll be swapping the GT-520 for an ATI HD 7770.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INDS3-I5-3450-3-10Ghz-Gaming-Pc-Computer-1Tb-8Gb-Ddr3-Nvidia-GT-520-1Gb-Galaxy-/110929560896?pt=UK_Computing_DesktopPCs&hash=item19d3eac540

My mum has also asked me to source a computer with a monitor and windows 7 for her and I found this one. She uses her computer for very light gaming, internet browsing, watching movies & listening to music.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-DESKTOP-COMPUTER-INTEL-i3-2120-4GB-500G-19-TFT-W7HP64-3-YR-Warranty-Incl-/150885119134?pt=UK_Computing_DesktopPCs&hash=item232174349e

Are both of these computers any good? Would it be easy to build similar computers myself for a cheaper price? If so can anybody suggest builds?

 

[g-unit1111]

Well that first build includes a junk PSU - if you wind up purchasing that you'll need a better power supply before you can run any decent graphics card, although I don't think I would trust anyone who says that a GT520 can run Battlefield 3. :lol:

What's your budget? I could suggest a system if I knew that.

 

[mattzx]

Hi,

Aye your right I never noticed the Battlefield 3 claim until you pointed it out.

For me the budget is around £500-£550 and I already have a copy of windows 7.

For my mum her budget is around £400-£450 and she wants a computer, operating system and monitor.

Is it quite easy to build a computer or due to lack of knowledge and skill should I stick with pre-built?

 

[g-unit1111]

Hi,

Aye your right I never noticed the Battlefield 3 claim until you pointed it out.

For me the budget is around £500-£550 and I already have a copy of windows 7.

For my mum her budget is around £400-£450 and she wants a computer, operating system and monitor.

Is it quite easy to build a computer or due to lack of knowledge and skill should I stick with pre-built?

The only hard part of building a computer is hooking the case wires to the motherboard. After that everything else hooks into place.

For that budget I'd suggest something like this

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor (£145.38 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (£72.99 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£42.00 @ CCL Computers)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£48.78 @ CCL Computers)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card (£119.62 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case (£43.45 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: Corsair 600W ATX12V Power Supply (£53.43 @ Ebuyer)
Optical Drive: Lite-On DS-8A8SH DVD/CD Writer (£20.48 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £546.13
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-22 19:02 BST+0100)

 

[mattzx]

Hi,

Aye your right I never noticed the Battlefield 3 claim until you pointed it out.

For me the budget is around £500-£550 and I already have a copy of windows 7.

For my mum her budget is around £400-£450 and she wants a computer, operating system and monitor.

Is it quite easy to build a computer or due to lack of knowledge and skill should I stick with pre-built?

The only hard part of building a computer is hooking the case wires to the motherboard. After that everything else hooks into place.

For that budget I'd suggest something like this

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor (£145.38 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (£72.99 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£42.00 @ CCL Computers)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£48.78 @ CCL Computers)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card (£119.62 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case (£43.45 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: Corsair 600W ATX12V Power Supply (£53.43 @ Ebuyer)
Optical Drive: Lite-On DS-8A8SH DVD/CD Writer (£20.48 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £546.13
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-22 19:02 BST+0100)

Interesting, thanks for your time.

Matt