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BrownTrousers
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PostPosted: 07:14 - 02 Jan 2016    Post subject: Help me finish my new PC spec Reply with quote

The time has come to replace my ageing desktop PC.
I have decided to go for a mini PC hooked up to the TV, since all it will realistically be used for is web browsing, printing, downloading and accessing music, photos etc. hoping to keep to near a budget of £300.
Looking for some advice on final parts and anything I may have forgotten since its been a while since I did this.

Starting point was shamelessly nicked from Cansa's post in this thread Karma

The build so far:

Hopefully all that is compatible etc.

Things I know I still need - help please
Storage. I took the HDD out of Cansa's build because I suspect I want an SSD for the operating system and will use existing drives (taken from current rig or externak usb) for photo/music storage. Is this a stupid idea?

operating system.
Windows 10. Around £80. Anywhere I can get it cheaper (legally)?. Not interested in Linux etc as wife can't deal with change.

Things I have considered but don't think I need;
Gfx card - removed from Cansa's build since I won't be using for gamig so can't I just use on board gfx with mobo? Will that work with big TV rather than monitor?
Wireless card - will plug into router direct
CD drive - hardly use mine nowadays but can salvage from old rig to install OS etc.
Mouse, keyboard - salvage from old rig

I want to be able to assemble these pieces and go. Am I missing anything? Fans for cooling the case/CPU? Cables?

TLDR
Recommend me a hard drive for the above (non gaming) system. Also where is best to get an OS and what else have I forgotten.

Karma
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sutty86
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Joined: 30 Jan 2015
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PostPosted: 09:39 - 02 Jan 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do you not fancy going the mitx route I have a cooler master elite 130 great case,very small too.
You can pick up 1tb drives for 30 quid , probs cheaper 2nd hand

What GPU do you have in cansa build it maybe worth buying a cheap one to help render photos and help with video playback etc.

Intel HD on the chip will be okay if you don't intend to game at all.

Windows 10 is a free upgrade I believe if you have previous windows installation...you could always go down the hackintosh route but believe this is illegal and not sure if its been fully worked on for different PC parts.

The CPU is plenty for what you need I would clock it to 4ghz or higher,
Believe people can hit 4.5ghz on a stock cooler

Good luck
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trevoriv
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Joined: 04 Jun 2005
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PostPosted: 11:47 - 02 Jan 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Considered an intel NUC or something similar?
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c_dug
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PostPosted: 12:08 - 02 Jan 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

My final components arrive on Monday for my build Mr. Green

I'm still too noob to advise on the hardware side really, however for Windows 10, I've bought Windows 7 legit for £40, and will do the free upgrade. I suspect that this is the cheapest legitimate way.
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CaNsA
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PostPosted: 12:27 - 02 Jan 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Using the TV for browsing?
Buy a tablet if you want to BCF on the the sofa.
I guarantee that after a month you will lose the plot when she's watching crapfractor and you want to pornhub.

I know because I had the same plan a few years ago.
Build pc, keep in front room and hooked to telly.
I couldn't use it until the missus went to bed because only 1 tv in the front room innit bruv.

By all means, build a pc but be realistic about the use of it.

What are you downloading?
Films, TV shows etc?
Buy a telly box of awesomeness from me, check the review thread of glory in my sig.
You can access music, films, tv eps and live tv, even the missus can use it.


I use these sites for finding the lowest prices.

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/parts/
https://hotukdeals.com/computers/deals/new
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temeluchus
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PostPosted: 13:34 - 02 Jan 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

you can buy my Surface Pro.
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BrownTrousers
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PostPosted: 14:02 - 02 Jan 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the input everyone.

Good point about the main tele; will either hook it up to upstairs tele or just use existing monitor to avoid these problems. Thumbs Up

I have windows 7 on current computer so will probably install that and upgrade - good point Thumbs Up

I have a (shit) tablet for bcf etc so computer is really for decent level of storage for music etc and the ability to use a proper keyboard and printer, for work stuff.

So assuming everything else looks ok, what should I be looking for in an SSD?
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CaNsA
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PostPosted: 14:12 - 02 Jan 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why do you want a SSD?

Unless you are after speed, I would stick with a standard HDD.

You will want to look for Sata3 regardless of the device though.
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BrownTrousers
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PostPosted: 14:42 - 02 Jan 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

CaNsA wrote:
Why do you want a SSD?

Unless you are after speed, I would stick with a standard HDD.

You will want to look for Sata3 regardless of the device though.


I had assume they were superior , especially for booting up the OS , in terms of speed? i dont know the disadvsntages but i dont need nassive storage soace so They aren't that expensive , but if no advantage over normal drive then that's good to know.
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CaNsA
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PostPosted: 14:46 - 02 Jan 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

An SSD will always knock spots off a HDD in terms of OS booting.

But why do you want speed?

For the same £ I'd buy a 1 or 2 TB drive and stick with that.

I use an SSD in my machines because games load faster (main computer) and the OS runs faster (server)
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c_dug
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PostPosted: 14:55 - 02 Jan 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Actually this is sort of related, I have a free 30gb ssd at work, big enough for Windows but not for any meaningful extra storage. I bought a 1TB traditional hard drive to use in my build. Would I benefit from using the SSD for the operating system?
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CaNsA
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PostPosted: 15:04 - 02 Jan 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

c_dug wrote:
Actually this is sort of related, I have a free 30gb ssd at work, big enough for Windows but not for any meaningful extra storage. I bought a 1TB traditional hard drive to use in my build. Would I benefit from using the SSD for the operating system?


I upgraded my primary ssd to a 500gb samsung evo a couple of weeks ago, bumped my old 128gb ssd to dealing with the swap/page file and less critical data storage.

Performance has increased Very Happy

My old ssd was throwing errors at me, it's dying a slow death but I am determined to get the most out of it.

Why a 500gb ssd?
Because commonly used apps & games are installed on it.
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