Advice on new build

[Nick2010]

I've decided to treat myself with a new computer but am unsure whether to go for a pre-built option for between £350 and £450 from somewhere like Ebuyer or to take the time and put a new build together.

The Ebuyer option does seem excellent value for money as it'll be i5 with at least 8GB RAM and some options include an SSHD.

I could stick with my existing Cooler Master CM 690 case and concentrate on a new build. However, it's been a while since I put together my current rig and I'm unsure of what options would be best for my budget of about £500.

This is my current setup:
ASUS P5K-E WiFi Motherboard
Intel(R) Core 2 Duo E6600 'Conroe' 2.40Ghz - Overclocked to 3.20GHz
4GB Corsair DDR2 XMS2-6400C4
PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 3850 Pro Xtreme 512MB GDDR3 PCI-E GPU

It does an ok job but I'm missing out on quite a few new games and I would just love to have something a bit nippier with an SSHD as well.

I'm looking at getting an i5 cpu, 8GB RAM and a decent board and gpu but would appreciate suggestions on make/models etc if possible.

I also plan on getting a new monitor but that will have to wait for the time being.

Thanks for any help

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
A build would be very difficult for that budget
Upgrade would be possible
Definitely go NVidia there's many good cards around

You don't show a psu/ power supply brand and wattage ?

 

[Nick2010]

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it's not the best budget but I may be able to increase it a bit if need be.

My current PSU is a Corsair HX620W. Do you think that will be ok for an upgrade?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yea that should be fine unless you want to sli/ run 2 gpu's
Otherwise you should be able to add a nice GTX 980 gpu
ddr2 ram though :/

If you can find a link to your mother board might helps us from searching fop it.

 

[Nick2010]

Here's the mobo specs:
https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5KEWIFIAP/specifications/

Not sure there's much I can do with that in terms of a noticeable performance boost or being able to play latest games.

I've looked at a few bundles on overclockers.co.uk and this struck me as reasonable enough:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-051-OG&groupid=2833&catid=2512&subcat=3084

It's i5-4690K and pre-overclocked to 4.20GHz (which saves quite a bit of tinkering) with 8GB DDR3 ram plus a cpu cooler all for £340. That leaves a bit to get a decent gpu and ssd for the OS. Although, I just ran the specs through a psu calculator and it suggests I may be pushing it with my current 620w.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Don't take PSU calculators at face value. They typically overstate what you need. The Corsair HX620 will be fine. The only issue it might have is sheer age, but you don't say how old it is.

If it is as old as your E6600 Conroe processor, the PSU could be 8 years old. Even then, I'd probably continue to use it unless you are having problems traceable to a power supply. If you choose to replace it, just find a good unit between 500 and 600 watts.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
That looks like a good start
Ultimately you have to start some where
You can also get the most out of the machine with an ssd which can fit in under budget
Next month or 2 fit in a 980 or even a 970 4gb ddr5 would be best