Good build for £400?

[Woody1999]

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/Woody1999/saved/BVk8TW

Title says it all. I don't need a graphics card, no need for peripherals and already got a copy of the operating system.

I won't be looking to upgrade for a while, and if I do it will be the graphics card.

Advice would be great!

Woody

 

[plywrlw]

You're gonna be disappointed (like I was) when you click on the link to the PSU. I'd suggest the XFX core 550W instead, similar price and isn't a case

 

[Woody1999]

You're gonna be disappointed (like I was) when you click on the link to the PSU. I'd suggest the XFX core 550W instead, similar price and isn't a case

Isn't a case? Whut?

I can just see a super cheap, high wattage, fully modular 850W power supply.

Woody

 

[plywrlw]

You're gonna be disappointed (like I was) when you click on the link to the PSU. I'd suggest the XFX core 550W instead, similar price and isn't a case

Isn't a case? Whut?

I can just see a super cheap, high wattage, fully modular 850W power supply.

Woody

Have you clicked on the link to MoreComputers' website? It takes you to an Antec case

 

[Woody1999]

Wat. Good job, PCPartPicker.

Okay, well, try this.

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/Woody1999/saved/BVk8TW

Woody

 

[plywrlw]

Why've you got one stick of RAM? A matched kit of 2x 4Gb would be better. Otherwise it's OK.

 

[Woody1999]

Previously I could have got two sticks of 4GB Patriot Signature for only £43 but then suddenly, out of nowhere, they jumped up to over £65. In the end I just went for the one with the best price/GB, because after all, it's a budget build.

Also, one stick of 8GB lets me upgrade to 16GB in the future, when games and programs start making use of such an amount.

Woody

 

[plywrlw]

Well you have 4 DIMM slots so even with 2x 4Gb you'll have two left to go to 16Gb

This is only £54 http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-memory-hx318c10fbk28

 

[Woody1999]

Fair enough. What are the advantages of using two sticks instead of one, however?

Woody

 

[plywrlw]

Slightly faster as it allow the CPU to use dual channels. The latency on that RAM is a bit better too so again, a bit faster. It's not a huge difference but for the price of a bus ticket....

 

[plywrlw]

Ah here's a nice explanation http://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/1349-ram-how-dual-channel-works-vs-single-channel/Page-3

 

[Woody1999]

True, true. Thanks again.

Anything else to comment on? I've put a lot of work into this but I still feel like I'm going in head first, blindfolded and with earmuffs on.

Woody

 

[plywrlw]

Like you say it's a budget build, any other changes would just pile on cost without dramatic improvements. You could save £20 and get a Seagate Barracuda for £35 instead of that Caviar Black. There's not a huge difference in performance and you could put the £20 saved towards the future purchase of a 128Gb SSD (About £45) which will make a huge difference.

 

[Woody1999]

Is the Barracuda any good then? Last one I worked with died within 6 months, I have always gone WD up since then, and, being a bit of a perfectionist, I've always preferred the blacks.

Woody

 

[plywrlw]

I think there was some early issues with the firmware that have now been resolved. It's true that statistically the WD's seem to fare better but it's not a massive difference. The Caviar Blue is about £40 I think so you'd still have £15 towards the SSD!