PC less than £1,000

[maskha]

Hello

I'm brand new to this website and this forum.

I'm looking to replace a very old family PC which seems to be on it's last legs. If the current machine's history is anything to go by, we will be keeping the new machine for 5+ years before the next upgrade, so I want to try and 'future-proof' to some extent. At the same time, I like to keep the price as far below £1,000 as possible.

The machine will not be used for demanding applications - email, web browsing, Office, Skype, some video watching and maybe a little video editing. I want a reasonably large HDD to store lots of photographs on. No gaming.

I'm replacing a Dell machine, which has worked well all these years, but wanted to specify my own components as far as possible, so was pleased when I found the PCS website.

The configuration I have come up with is as follows, with questions in blue:

Case
STYLISH PIANO BLACK FUSION CASE inc. 2 FRONT USB
Is there a micro ATX case I can specify? If yes, will the following components fit and not overheat?
There are two Micro cases on this page http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/pc-images/#1338, but they are not shown on the drop down list when specifying required components.

Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i3-550 Dual Core (3.20GHz, 4MB Cache) + HD Graphics
I'm hoping this is more than adequate for the current expected use of the machine, but would it make sense to specify an i5 processore if I'm trying to future proof?

Motherboard
ASUS® P7H55D-M EVO: MICRO ATX, USB 3.0 & SATA 3.0GB/s
Specified this because of the USB 3.0 capability (will this become the standard soon?), and if I'm hoping to find a Micro ATX case, is a Micro ATX motherboard essential

Memory (RAM)
4GB SAMSUNG DDR3 DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (2 X 2GB)

Graphics Card
1GB ATI RADEON™ HD 5570 PCI EXPRESS - DirectX® 11
Have I a specified too advanced a card for my needs? Is there a cheaper card that still has HDMI and DVI output and is not too noisy?

2nd Graphics Card
NONE

3rd Graphics Card
NONE

Memory - 1st Hard Disk
1TB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 16MB CACHE (7,200rpm)

2nd Hard Disk
NONE

1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM

2nd DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
NONE

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
Is this adequate? It comes with a 120mm fan. Do I need a smaller fan in a Micro case?

Processor Cooling
INTEL SOCKET LGA1156 STANDARD CPU COOLER
Again, is this enough for my purposes? Would a more powerful cooler mean less noise?

Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)

Network Facilities
ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT

USB Options
4 PORT USB 2.0 INTERNAL PCI CARD + STANDARD USB PORTS
If a Micro case is possible, not sure how many USB sockets there would be in total. I'd like at least 8, and if there would be less, I'm hoping I can fit this card in.

Modem
NONE, I WILL BE USING BROADBAND

Floppy Disk Drive
NONE

Firewire & Video Editing
NONE

TV Card
NONE

Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 32 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Currently using Windows XP on the desktop being replaced, and 32bit Vista on a laptop. Have a 500GB external HDD that only works with 32bit Windows 7. So thought I'd stick with 32bit Windows 7, but from a 'future proof' aspect, would I be better off going with 64 bit Windows?

Office Software
FREE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel)

Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL

Monitor
IIYAMA E2271HDS 22" LED WIDESCREEN, HDMI/DVI-D FULL HD 1920x1080 (£149)

Any comments very gratefully received.

Many thanks

Mak

 

[PCS]

Welcome to our forums mak

1. We can supply a micro-ATX case with this specification, but we don't offer this case by default as we offer motherboard on this configurator that are too large for the micro-ATX cases. You will need to call us once you've saved a quote and we'll amend it for you.

2. The faster the CPU, the longer it should (in theory) last you. With future-prrofing in mind, try to get the best CPU and graphics card that you budget will allow.

3. The largest motherboard that will fit into a micro-ATX case is a micro-ATX motherboard, so your choices on this configurator would be limited to two boards instead of four. Try get USB 3.0 ports, because as you mentioned USB 3.0 will become standardised in the not oo distant future, as will SATA 6GB/s (or faster).

4. You could choose a lower specification card, or even integrated graphics - it will do most things fine. Obviously though the lower the spec, the sooner it will struggle with future graphically intensive applications. Providing you don't class yourself as an avid gamer, and don't use Photoshop/video editing programs too regularly, you'll be fine.

5. The PSU choice is fine, and will fit in micro-ATX/ATX cases no problem. We check your specification before you order and don't allow you to order anthing that will be incompatible.

6. Again, this is fine. A more powerful cooler will mean less noise, but if you're only browsing the web, etc, your CPU will be running cool and quiet regardless.

7. USB ports are not affected by the case size.

8. Catch 22. I would recommend 64 bit, but if your drive only work with 32 bit, and you want to continue using it, then you will have to stick with 32 bit. However, you'll then run into problems with your RAM, as a 32 bit operating system only supports 3.2GB, and therefore you will be limiting your PC performance to some extent.

Have you considered our mini PC's? Thay're small, quiet, and for browseing the web, emails, skype and watching films there won't be much different between a more powerful PC: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/intel-mini-pcs/ - they're not as future-proof as you're specification above, but they're a bit cheaper and will make a micro-ATX case look huge!

 

[Sleinous]

What about putting the external drive in the pc ( im pretty sure its just the usb to sata controller thats not got 32bit drivers for it ). Then you can have 64bit

 

[maskha]

Thank you both.

I think I'll have to go for 64bit Windows 7 - don't want to limit my RAM so much.

Shame about the external hard drive, if I can't continue to use it. Only bought 1 week ago and I didn't notice when buying that it wasn't 64 bit compatible. It's a 500GB Iomega Prestige Desktop Hard Drive.

Sleinous, that's an interesting thought. Inside the case, will it be a standard HDD drive? Is it a fairly straightforward exercise to install it in the case considering that, apart from RAM, I've never installed any PC components? Maybe I could then specify a slightly smaller HDD initially.

 

[Sleinous]

Ye, basically, any external HDD is comprised of an HDD, sata or IDE, (if you bought it a week ago Id hope its SATA lol, I only have one IDE left). Theyre all 3.5" if its a desktop one. Then in your case you may have pull out drive bays, I know I do in my HAF 932, but cant remember what case you were interested in.

Anyway so in your box you have that HDD, a little PCB board with the power and USB connector controller that converts the sata to USB, with sata connectors (power and data) at one end and the usb B type at the other end with power. If its a smaller 2.5" one its the same principle.

Only reason its not 64bit is because of the host controller in there.

If you want I can post pics of mine, fully taken apart, as thats what I did with my Verbatim 1TB External last week

 

[Sleinous]

sorry for double post - again on iphone, cant scroll down to bottom of edit box.

the black connectors pointing into the tray are the sata connectors i pulled the hdd off of. then its just a matter of slapping it in ur new pc

 

[maskha]

Been away for a few days, so apologies for not replying sooner

Thanks Sleinous. I may try that. Might be a neat way of transferring data from old PC to to new PC. I assume the hard drive doesn't get reformatted / wiped when you transfer it?

Secondly, I've looked at the AMD option, and for just slightly less than the price of the previous options I think I can get a much better, more 'future-proof' system, as below. Better CPU, GPU, HDD and cooling:

Case
STYLISH PIANO BLACK FUSION CASE inc. 2 FRONT USB

Processor (CPU)
AMD PHENOM II X4 965 (3.40GHz/8MB CACHE/AM3) - BLACK EDITION

Motherboard
ASUS® M4A87TD/USB3: DUAL DDR3,SATA 6.0GB/s, USB 3.0

Memory (RAM)
4GB SAMSUNG DDR3 DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (2 X 2GB)

Graphics Card
1GB ATI RADEON™ HD 5670 PCI EXPRESS - DirectX® 11

2nd Graphics Card
NONE

Memory - 1st Hard Disk
1TB WD CAVIAR GREEN WD10EARS, SATA 3 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE

2nd Hard Disk
NONE

1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM

2nd DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
NONE

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
SUPER QUIET 22dBA TRIPLE COPPER HEATPIPE CPU COOLER (£19
)
Sound Card
ONBOARD 8 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD
)
Network Facilities
ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT

USB Options
4 PORT USB 2.0 INTERNAL PCI CARD + STANDARD USB PORTS

Modem
NONE, I WILL BE USING BROADBAND

Floppy Disk Drive
NONE

Firewire & Video Editing
NONE

TV Card
NONE

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

Monitor
IIYAMA E2271HDS 22" LED WIDESCREEN, HDMI/DVI-D FULL HD 1920x1080 (£149)

2nd Monitor
NONE

DVI Cable
1 x 2 Metre DVI Cable (£5)

GeForce 3D Vision
NONE

Keyboard & Mouse
NONE

Mouse
NONE

Speakers
NONE

Webcam
NONE

Headsets (VOIP)
NONE

Surge Protection
Belkin 8-Socket 2M SurgeMaster with £175,000 Protection Warranty! (£18)

Printer
NONE

External Hard Drive
NONE

Home Installation
NONE

Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)

Data Recovery
NONE

Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)

Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 8 to 10 working days

Quantity
1

Price
£819 inc VAT and delivery


Main question to somebody from PCS is: can I get a motherboard for all of this that will fit in a Micro tower case?

And any comments from others again very gratefully received.

Mak

 

[Sleinous]

no it wont format your drive.

First thing i notice about your new spec is this: motherboard supports sata 6gb/s so u might as well upgrade to the WD1002FAEX 1tb hdd with 64mb cache for a tiny bit more

 

[maskha]

What is the rate limiting step in HDD's? What I mean is, do the 6GB/s drives actually work fast enough to take advantage of the faster transfer speed? Would I notice the difference?

And still not sure if this motherboard would fit inside a Micro Tower case anyway.

 

[Sleinous]

Only by a small amount more than the 3gbs, but i notice the diff alright. The same drive + cache size in 3gbs version is also only a few pound less anyway

 

[PCS]

And still not sure if this motherboard would fit inside a Micro Tower case anyway.

The motherboard will fit into the case you have selected, which accepts any ATX cases. It will not fit into a Micro-ATX case but we do not offer Micro-ATX cases on this configurator.