Very low budget PC

[n00b_builder]

My parents have recently expressed a bit of interest in upgrading from their 7 year old Dell, something I've been encouraging for a while. They've asked me to look into building something, but the catch is that I've got to keep the price as low as possible. The machine's going to be used for nothing more than internet surfing and Skype, and I'll be able to salvage things like the monitor, and optical drive from the old computer. I've very little experience with very low budget builds like this, so I was wondering if any of you guys would have a look at my first attempt and give me a bit of feedback.

CPU: AMD A4 5300 CPU (3.4GHZ, 1MB Cache, 2 Core, HD7480D, Socket FM2, 65W)
MOBO: ASRock FM2A55M-DGS AMD A55 FCH (Hudson D2) Socket FM2 Motherboard
Storage: Crucial 64GB RealSSD M4 SSD - Solid State Drive - CT064M4SSD2
Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Antec VP350P 350W Power Supply Unit

For reference, I'm in Ireland, and will mostly be buying off UK websites. Any comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks and Merry Christmas!

 

[AMD Radeon]

may i add an improvement

Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Antec VP350P 350W Power Supply Unit

your build is micro atx, nzxt is too big
the most appropriate case is Fractal core 1000 at 39 bucks. this case is both small and beautiful
For low power system, go for corsair cx 430

Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($25.99 @ Newegg)

otherwise, you had great low budget build buddy

 

[n00b_builder]

Thanks very much, the case was annoying me because I couldn't really find anything decent that was micro atx. I'm definitely going to go with this! And I'll take the advice on the power supply too, definitely better safe than sorry.

 

[g-unit1111]

Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($25.99 @ Newegg)

I wouldn't purchase the CX430 - it's a very poor power supply even if the Corsair name is on the side of it. Pay a few bucks more and get the Seasonic 430W - it's a much stronger and better built supply. I also think instead of a 64GB SSD to get a 500GB mechanical drive, then add a solid 128GB supply later on. Here's something that I would suggest:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A85X Extreme4 ATX FM2 Motherboard ($102.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($33.84 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($70.17 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $462.73
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-24 14:23 EST-0500)

 

[amdfangirl]

^Dude, he said UK websites.

 

[g-unit1111]

^Dude, he said UK websites.

I'm not even sure UK websites will ship to Ireland due to currency conversions and import taxes. Maybe dabs.ie will be the store to buy from.

 

[Brett928S2]

I'm not even sure UK websites will ship to Ireland due to currency conversions and import taxes. Maybe dabs.ie will be the store to buy from.

Hi

It depends if North or South... due to currency and vat etc...

If you want budget OP... dump the SSD and the coloured case...

All the best Brett

 

[n00b_builder]

Delivery's no problem really, just a small bit extra, not much at all if you pick the right sites. Also, I was going for the low capacity SSD because they save pretty much nothing. It'll be used for nothing more than the OS and programs. As to why I opted for an SSD over a mechanical drive, it isn't that much more expensive, and it'd at least make the computer feel a little less... budget.

 

[Brett928S2]

Delivery's no problem really, just a small bit extra, not much at all if you pick the right sites. Also, I was going for the low capacity SSD because they save pretty much nothing. It'll be used for nothing more than the OS and programs. As to why I opted for an SSD over a mechanical drive, it isn't that much more expensive, and it'd at least make the computer feel a little less... budget.

Hi

The problem with the SSD (ignoring cost) is that its NOT big enough... assuming you are going to be looking after it, I will give it 3 months MAX before that drive is full.... Windows/Updates/swap file/office/ etc etc...


All the best Brett

 

[g-unit1111]

Delivery's no problem really, just a small bit extra, not much at all if you pick the right sites. Also, I was going for the low capacity SSD because they save pretty much nothing. It'll be used for nothing more than the OS and programs. As to why I opted for an SSD over a mechanical drive, it isn't that much more expensive, and it'd at least make the computer feel a little less... budget.

Not really, as long as you don't get a 5400 RPM drive you'll be fine. Low capacity SSDs will fill up very quickly and then it will make it feel like you've purchased a budget PC.

The problem with the SSD (ignoring cost) is that its NOT big enough... assuming you are going to be looking after it, I will give it 3 months MAX before that drive is full.... Windows/Updates/swap file/office/ etc etc...

This I agree with and have seen first hand. Windows + swap file + all your programs will fill a 64GB very quickly. If you budget you can get a good 128GB SSD and that will give you a bit more breathing room especially if you want to get an external drive, something like a Vertex 4 or a Crucial M4 will run you approx. € 75.86 (USD $100).

 

[n00b_builder]

Okay, thanks guys. I was just wondering how big a drive I'd need, then? Their last Pc only had an 80GB one that was never more than 25% full after seven years, like.

 

[AMD Radeon]

lol 80 is never full??

haha, 1TB is cheap like 60 usd and 500GB is about 50-55 usd. close isnt it?

you buy what you can afford atm, make sure you get 7200rpm version, not green/5900rpm which will decrease overall PC speed

 

[n00b_builder]

So, would an SDD not be worth it? Will I just go for some low-capacity 7200rpm mechanical drive?

 

[amdfangirl]

SSD is worth it if you want to spend the money. Nice speed boost.

Depends on how much data you need to store.

 

[AMD Radeon]

So, would an SDD not be worth it? Will I just go for some low-capacity 7200rpm mechanical drive?

go buy 64 or 128GB ssd, you will not be dissapointed.. the are realy really fast

 

[n00b_builder]

Okay, thanks very much for the info, guys, and a Merry Christmas to you all!