Advice for a new PC

[nrestell]

Hi,

I am looking to purchase a new PC. This computer will be the only PC in the house and will be used for general office-like activities and watching blu-ray movies. I also want to be able to edit and burn my own home video (also in HD). I was hoping to spend around £700 on a this PC.

Can anyone offer any advice on what to go for? I am unsure between AMD and Intel and what GPU to go for.

Many thanks,
Nigel

[PCS]

Welcome to our forums :)

Based on your requirements, you do not need to spend £700, a cheaper PC will be more than adequate for general office-like activities. Integrated graphics will support Blu-ray, so all you need is a Blu-ray writer for writing Blu-ray and DVD discs. I'm not sure if you needed a monitor, keyboard and mouse, so I haven't included these.

Case
STYLISH PIANO BLACK ENIGMA CASE + 2 FRONT USB
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i3-560 Dual Core (3.33GHz, 4MB Cache) + HD Graphics
Motherboard
ASUS® P7H55-M SI: MICRO ATX VALUE MAINBOARD,USB 2.0 & SATA 3.0Gb/s
Memory (RAM)
4GB SAMSUNG DDR3 DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (2 X 2GB)
Graphics Card
INTEGRATED INTEL HD GRAPHICS (HDMI, DVI, 1920 X 1200)
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
1TB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 16MB CACHE (7,200rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
10x BLU-RAY RE-WRITER DRIVE, 16x DVD ±R/±RW (£89)
Memory Card Reader
INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (READS XD, MS, CF, SD, etc)
Power Supply & Case Cooling
350W Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan
Processor Cooling
INTEL SOCKET LGA1156 STANDARD CPU COOLER
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities
ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
USB Options
6 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
FREE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel)
Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 9 to 12 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £567.00 including VAT and delivery.

[Sleinous]

You could also upgrade the PSU a tad incase you wished to add a dedicated GPU in there one day.

[nrestell]

Wow, thanks for the quick (and detailed) responses!

One question, would that particular setup be okay to do HD video editing (I am only really cutting duff bits out and joining good bits together, adding chapters and burning to a blu-ray) or will that need a dedicated GPU? I will be needing a HD monitor too as mine is not HD at the moment.

[Gishank]

Naturally to watch High Def content you will need a HD caperble monitor and a spare HDMI cable.

[Gorman]

Heres my last rant on this subject:


HD is a term which has no place in the world of PC's


Televisions are of the following resolutions:

* Standard-definition television (SDTV):
o 480i (NTSC uses an analog system of 486i split into two interlaced fields of 243 lines)
o 576i (PAL, 720×576 split into two interlaced fields of 288 lines)


* Enhanced-definition television (EDTV):
o 480p (720×480 progressive scan)
o 576p (720×576 progressive scan)


* High-definition television (HDTV):
o 720p (1280×720 progressive scan)
o 1080i (1920×1080 split into two interlaced fields of 540 lines)
o 1080p (1920×1080 progressive scan)
So we can think of "HD" in PC terms as a monitor that supports a resolution greater than 1280×720, but really any monitor that can give a resolution of above 720×576 is going to be giving a higher definition picture than a normal TV set.

PC monitors have been "HD" for a very very long time. The only real use of the term when looking at monitors is to see if the screen can handle 1920 x 1080, the 5870 can output upto 2560x1600.

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?628-Yet-another-what-do-you-think-for-gaming-desktop-post&postid=7578

For a full "hd" *cringe* monitor you want one that can support 1920x1080. The only real concern is wether your display device be it monitor or tv is hdpc compliant

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-bandwidth_Digital_Content_Protection

[PCS]

One question, would that particular setup be okay to do HD video editing (I am only really cutting duff bits out and joining good bits together, adding chapters and burning to a blu-ray) or will that need a dedicated GPU?

For occasional work such as that, the integrated graphics will be OK. If however you're planning to do lots of HD video editing/encoding, I would recommend selecting a dedicated graphics card.

[nrestell]

You could also upgrade the PSU a tad incase you wished to add a dedicated GPU in there one day.

Hi,
Upgrading the PSU may take the price over my limit if I include a dedicated GPU for the video editing.
Would an AthlonII X4 640 PSU be any better? Or even upgrade to a PhenomII? Or is the i3 better for my needs?
A lot of questions I know, but I really want to make a good choice for this PC so I don't need to replace again in 12 months time!
Thanks,
Nigel

[Meds]

Case
STYLISH PIANO BLACK ENIGMA CASE + 2 FRONT USB
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i3-540 Dual Core (3.06GHz, 4MB Cache) + HD Graphics
Motherboard
ASUS® P7H55-M SI: MICRO ATX VALUE MAINBOARD,USB 2.0 & SATA 3.0Gb/s
Memory (RAM)
4GB SAMSUNG DDR3 DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (2 X 2GB)
Graphics Card
1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GT240 PCI EXPRESS (3D BluRay Ready!)
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
1TB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 16MB CACHE (7,200rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
10x BLU-RAY RE-WRITER DRIVE, 16x DVD ±R/±RW (£89)
2nd DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Memory Card Reader
INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (READS XD, MS, CF, SD, etc)
Power Supply & Case Cooling
450W Quiet 80 PLUS Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan (£29)
Processor Cooling
INTEL SOCKET LGA1156 STANDARD CPU COOLER
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities
ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
USB Options
6 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
FREE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel)
Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 9 to 12 working days
Quantity
1


Intel CPU would be better suited to your requirements. In the specification I have put together, you get the upgraded PSU & a dedicated Graphics Card and along with the Blu Ray drive and everything else - it's still under your budget - bonus!

[nrestell]

I have put together, you get the upgraded PSU & a dedicated Graphics Card and along with the Blu Ray drive and everything else - it's still under your budget - bonus!

Just to clarify, is the i3-540 better for me than the i3-560? (I would have thought the 560 was the upgraded PSU?) And, if I could push the budget a little, would an i5 be better or would I not see the benefit (as a non-gamer)?

Thanks again,
Nigel

[PCS]

The 560 is better than the 540, so you could select this providing it was within your budget. An i5 will be better still, providing you can fit it into your budget.

[nrestell]

Hi,
Thanks for all the advice. I have decided to up my budget to £800 to get a more "future-proof" PC (if should a thing ever exists!). Here is the one I am now thinking of:

Case
STYLISH PIANO BLACK ENIGMA CASE + 2 FRONT USB
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5-760 Quad Core (2.80GHz, 8MB Cache)
Motherboard
ASUS® P7P55D-E: USB 3.0, SATA 6.0GB/s, CrossFireX™ SUPPORT
Memory (RAM)
4GB CORSAIR XMS3 DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz (2 x 2GB KIT)
Graphics Card
1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GT240 PCI EXPRESS (3D BluRay Ready!)
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
640GB WD CAVIAR BLACK WD6402AAEX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (7200rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
10x BLU-RAY RE-WRITER DRIVE, 16x DVD ±R/±RW (£89)
Memory Card Reader
INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (READS XD, MS, CF, SD, etc)
Power Supply & Case Cooling
350W Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan
Processor Cooling
INTEL SOCKET LGA1156 STANDARD CPU COOLER
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities
ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
USB Options
6 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Monitor
IIYAMA E2271HDS 22" LED WIDESCREEN, HDMI/DVI-D FULL HD 1920x1080 (£149)
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 9 to 12 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £770.00 including VAT and delivery.

Any advice on this setup?
Thanks in advance,
Nigel

[PCS]

A very well balanced spec :)

[nrestell]

You could also upgrade the PSU a tad incase you wished to add a dedicated GPU in there one day.


A very well balanced spec :)

Can I just confirm do I need a 350W or 450W PSU with the setup I have listed? I've just noticed in the setup Meds listed with an dedicated graphics card it was a 450W but I have just gone with the 350W - is this enough?

This should be my last question before I order (as the prices seem to be increasing slightly!).

Regards,
Nigel

[PCS]

I would recommend a 450W, although you may just be able to get away with a 350W.

[Sleinous]

I dont think youd see a benefit really, but the 560 is in theory better than the 540

EDIT: Oh booger, didnt realise there were 2 pages to this xD

[nrestell]

I dont think youd see a benefit really, but the 560 is in theory better than the 540

Would I be better sticking with a i3-540 rather than the i5? I suppose what I'm asking is will I see much benefit going quad core doing the occasional hd video editing?

[Sleinous]

Not by much as there is no 128bit os yet lol. Id go for the 560 over the 540 though

The advantage with going for the i5 is it requires a completely diff socket, and that socket, can support some of the i7 800s so you could upgrade the CPU some day when theyre dirt cheap without replacing the motherboard :)

[nrestell]

Hi,

I have decided to change my above specification and go with the SATA3 motherboard and a SATA3 WD harddrive as it seems that SATA6 is only really suited to SSD (which I am not going with).

I would, however, like to get USB3 (for the future). My question to the team is - if I select USB3 PCIe card as a USB option, how many USB2 ports do I get? Am I forsaking any USB2 ports for the two USB3 ports?

Thanks in advance,
Nigel

[Gishank]

Nope, you shouldn't lose any, though you should note USB is backwards compatible.

[Gorman]

Hi,

I have decided to change my above specification and go with the SATA3 motherboard and a SATA3 WD harddrive as it seems that SATA6 is only really suited to SSD (which I am not going with).

You are correct about the 6Gbs SSD thing, But SATA2 = 3Gbs, SATA3 = 6Gbs (sometimes referred to as SATA 6, meaning Serial Advanced Technology Attachment 6Gbs). So a SATA 3 board will still have 6Gbs connections, which for the moment without SSD you are not going to fully utilise.


I would, however, like to get USB3 (for the future). My question to the team is - if I select USB3 PCIe card as a USB option, how many USB2 ports do I get? Am I forsaking any USB2 ports for the two USB3 ports?


USB3 PCIe card is an additional PCI card that will give you extra ports, the original ones (USB 2 or 3) remain.

[Sleinous]

I dont think so, no, because tyour case has 2 frontal USB ports which = 1 internal USB header needed for those. Im not 100% sure but, I think that motherboard has 2 internal headers, so you still have room to place the backplate USB 2.0 if your mobo comes with one. As for the USB 3.0 its a PCie card anyway so it wont affect your number of USBs :)

So youll get 2x frontal USBs plus however many there are on the back I/O panel of your mobo :)

EDIT: Gorman's beaten me to it.

[nrestell]

Hi,

Thanks both for the very clear explanation. I shall mod my spec to a SATA2/USB2 motherboard and add in a USB3 PCIe board. So here is my new configuration:

Case
STYLISH PIANO BLACK ENIGMA CASE + 2 FRONT USB
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5-760 Quad Core (2.80GHz, 8MB Cache) + Turbo Boost
Motherboard
ASUS® P7P55 LX: USB 2.0 & SATA 3.0Gb/s, CrossFireX™ SUPPORT
Memory (RAM)
4GB KINGSTON HYPER-X BLU DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz, X.M.P (2 x 2GB KIT)
Graphics Card
1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GT240 PCI EXPRESS (3D BluRay Ready!)
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
640GB WD CAVIAR GREEN WD6400AARS, SATA 3 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE
2nd Hard Disk
640GB WD CAVIAR GREEN WD6400AARS, SATA 3 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
10x BLU-RAY RE-WRITER DRIVE, 16x DVD ±R/±RW (£89)
Memory Card Reader
INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (READS XD, MS, CF, SD, etc)
Power Supply & Case Cooling
350W Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan
Processor Cooling
INTEL SOCKET LGA1156 STANDARD CPU COOLER
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities
ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
USB Options
2 PORT USB 3.0 INTERNAL PCI EXPRESS CARD
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Monitor
IIYAMA E2271HDS 22" LED WIDESCREEN, HDMI/DVI-D FULL HD 1920x1080 (£149)
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 9 to 12 working days
Quantity
1

Any last minute changes recommended?

Thanks again,
Nigel

[pethai]

Pay £5 to upgrade the warranty to 1 year collect and return?

[Gorman]

Pay £5 to upgrade the warranty to 1 year collect and return?

Thats a good point, always worth it.