New PC Build - £450 budget - First time builder Asking advise

[cjhmason]

** Update, I realise now that I should have mentioned I am planning on installing Windows 7 onto this machine **

I have been wanting a build my own PC for a while.

I have decided to build myself an office/ HTPC set up to get an idea of how to build a system (being a first time builder I figure its best to learn on a lower budget build. Then in the future, with the knowledge I have gained build a more powerful CAD spec PC).

I am aiming to build this as a lower power consumption machine, ideally with lower TDP components. This is mainly because when I am going to use it as a HTPC I want it to be fairly quiet. I will also probably use it to connect my external drives so I have access to them over my network via my laptop and future CAD spec machine.

Any advise or suggestions would be very much appreciated. (Thank you very much in advance)

Approximate Purchase Date: Purchases will begin around April 2017 (once the research has been completed)

Budget Range: £450 (not including operating system or Microsoft Office)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Microsoft Office, web browsing, TV and Movies (VLC mainly), Plex, connecting external drives to allow network access of other computers.

Are you buying a monitor: N/A already own an ASUS PB248Q (1920 x 1200)

Parts to Upgrade: N/A New build

Do you need to buy OS: Yes - OEM license of Windows 7 so want to make sure I don't have buy a new motherboard in the foreseeable future

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: no real preference but I have heard that newegg.com, ncix.com, or similar are advised

Location: City - Camberley, State/Region - Surrey, Country - UK

Parts Preferences: No real preference as this is a way for me to gain knowledge as a new builder

Overclocking: Most probably not with this build (want to keep lower temps if possible)

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe, I am not sure if I will need a 'Dedicated Graphics Card', for my requirements, wanted to ask if this motherboard would be ok for playing 1080p video

Additional Comments: I would like a quiet PC

And Most Importantly, Why am I Upgrading: This will be my first self build, I am aiming to gain insights into the process as I want to learn as much as a can for a reasonably low budget.

My Current Parts list;

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/pV2KM8

Parts List broken down;

Intel Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/8gKhP6/intel-pentium-g4560-35ghz-dual-core-processor-bx80677g4560

CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/Lbhj4D/cryorig-cpu-cooler-c7

MSI B150I GAMING PRO AC Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/bwcMnQ/msi-motherboard-b150igamingproac

Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/xvLypg/crucial-memory-ct8g4dfd8213

ADATA Ultimate SU800 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/7YQRsY/a-data-ultimate-su800-256gb-25-solid-state-drive-asu800ss-256gt-c

Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV ITX Mini ITX Tower Case
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/NnL7YJ/phanteks-case-phes215pwt

SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/TgW9TW/seasonic-power-supply-m12ii520bronze

And then maybe some nice Orange Cables, but want to get the main components correct before I worry about thing like coloured cables.

Having shown my current parts list above I feel I should make a couple of notes;

- I will be using the SSD for OS and other programs (possibly my music library as well) with external drives for other media content

- I have not chosen a dedicated graphics card ( I wont be gaming on this machine and at most will be watching 1080p videos on Youtube or other 1080p videos from an external drive, so will this motherboard be capable of this?

- I have gone for the Mini ITX form to keep the unit fairly small, but I am hoping this case will allow plenty of space to keep things nice and cool (I will be adding a few extra fans)

- I have not added an optical drive so will be aiming to load the OS via USB, I assume this is not a problem any advice would be much appreciated

- I have not included a sound card, so again will this motherboard be OK for general stereo sound (3.5mm headphone jack) but may buy an optical enabled sound card in the future If I upgrade my speaker setup.

And a last note, I have tried to keep to the recommended formating for this post, apologies If I have either posted in the wrong area or have missed any relevant information.

This seems like a fantastic community from what I have read so far, I am very much looking forward to learn more about self building a PC.

Kind regards,

Cjhmason

 

[FD2Raptor]

Adjusted:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G4600 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor (£74.82 @ Novatech)
Motherboard: MSI B250I GAMING PRO AC Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard (£99.80 @ Alza)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory (£63.18 @ Aria PC)
Storage: SK hynix SL308 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£73.97 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Fractal Design Define Nano S Mini ITX Desktop Case (£50.40 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (£49.98 @ Ebuyer)
Other: Windows 10 Home 32-bit/64-bit English International (£80.00 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £492.15 (-£80 OS)
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-03-12 11:59 GMT+0000

You'll need a 200 series MB to support Kabylake CPU from the get-go. Otherwise you're advised to get the board locally from a brick and mortar shop so that you can directly ask the shop to update its BIOS before you bringing it home.

Upgrading the CPU to the G4600 with better integrated graphics. Swapped to DDR4 2400 dual channel to provide more memory bandwidth to the integrated graphics.

SK hynix SL308 for better performance.

Fractal Design Nano S for solid soundproofing and airflow; a Toms Hardware Editor Recommended case.
Want even more silence? Opt for the Arctic Freezer 13 (~£23).

And a semi-modular Corsair CXM450W to help with cabling in the small build. In fact, if you're willing to spend a bit more, you can opt for the Intel 600p NVMe SSD instead of the SK hynix SATA based SL308 and then you'll only need to connect the ATX 24pins and the CPU 4+4 pins for this build save yourself from all the SATA/Molex/PCIe6+2 pins cables.

 

[DRagor]

The motherboard you choose will most likely need BIOS update to run that CPU. Either order it with BIOS update service or buy motherboard with B250 chipset to avoid trouble (https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/B250I-GAMING-PRO-AC.html#productFeature-section for example)
The cooler that comes with CPU would be enough for the job - unless you want something really silent.
You don't need GPU if not playing games. However, in this case you want memory working in dual channel mode, so swap that 1x8 ram for a 2x4 Gb kit. Also, if switching mobo to B250, you can use faster memory (2400 MHz).
As for optical drive, not really needed, installing Windows through USB works fine.
As for sound card, unless you expect high quality sound, the thing that comes with motherboard will work fine.

 

[cjhmason]

Adjusted:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G4600 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor (£74.82 @ Novatech)
Motherboard: MSI B250I GAMING PRO AC Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard (£99.80 @ Alza)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory (£63.18 @ Aria PC)
Storage: SK hynix SL308 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£73.97 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Fractal Design Define Nano S Mini ITX Desktop Case (£50.40 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: Corsair CXM 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (£49.98 @ Ebuyer)
Other: Windows 10 Home 32-bit/64-bit English International (£80.00 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £492.15 (-£80 OS)
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-03-12 11:59 GMT+0000

You'll need a 200 series MB to support Kabylake CPU from the get-go. Otherwise you're advised to get the board locally from a brick and mortar shop so that you can directly ask the shop to update its BIOS before you bringing it home.

Upgrading the CPU to the G4600 with better integrated graphics. Swapped to DDR4 2400 dual channel to provide more memory bandwidth to the integrated graphics.

SK hynix SL308 for better performance.

Fractal Design Nano S for solid soundproofing and airflow; a Toms Hardware Editor Recommended case.
Want even more silence? Opt for the Arctic Freezer 13 (~£23).

And a semi-modular Corsair CXM450W to help with cabling in the small build. In fact, if you're willing to spend a bit more, you can opt for the Intel 600p NVMe SSD instead of the SK hynix SATA based SL308 and then you'll only need to connect the ATX 24pins and the CPU 4+4 pins for this build save yourself from all the SATA/Molex/PCIe6+2 pins cables.

Hi RD2Raptor,

Thank you very much for such a quick and detailed response!

You have given me a lot to think about, I will look into each of these options you have recommended and take them into consideration.

Great advice about changing the motherboard CPU and the ram (very glad I came here before purchasing anything!).

I was wondering about an M.2 type of SSD but wasn't really to clued up on them, but from what you have said that definitely makes sense.

Many thanks!

 

[cjhmason]

The motherboard you choose will most likely need BIOS update to run that CPU. Either order it with BIOS update service or buy motherboard with B250 chipset to avoid trouble (https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/B250I-GAMING-PRO-AC.html#productFeature-section for example)
The cooler that comes with CPU would be enough for the job - unless you want something really silent.
You don't need GPU if not playing games. However, in this case you want memory working in dual channel mode, so swap that 1x8 ram for a 2x4 Gb kit. Also, if switching mobo to B250, you can use faster memory (2400 MHz).
As for optical drive, not really needed, installing Windows through USB works fine.
As for sound card, unless you expect high quality sound, the thing that comes with motherboard will work fine.

Hi DRagor,

Thank you very much for your quick and straightforward response.

Being a new builder Its is great to have feedback regarding having to update the BIOS and the option to go with a different motherboard to prevent this type of issue is very helpful.

Very good to know that not playing games will mean I dont need the GPU.

Your suggestion about moving up to a 2400MHz RAM is exactly what FD2Raptor said as well so again I am very glad I came to this community to gather feedback before making any purchases.

Also nice to know that installing the OS from USB is an acceptable method. Same with the audio, nice to know the motherboard will be sufficient.

Many thanks!