UK build here
I had originally posted in the 2013 thread but we ended up getting delayed until now.
Recap: My cousin has been saving up for ages to get a "gaming" pc. I've said I can help him build it as I've installed components in desktops before and I'm fine with that.
Current: ~2008 laptop with intel graphics
Budget: £500-£550 (to include the pc, windows and a monitor), ideally at the lower end of the range
Main Use: gaming/school work
Monitor Resolution: not higher than 1080p
Games to run well: TF2, darksiders, just cause 2 (ideally to run current games at high settings at 1080p and 30+fps and last for a good few years to at least "run" titles)
Reusing Parts: nothing to reuse
Deadline: he would like it asap
Overclocking: doubt it
Here is my
current list.
For the parts I wanted to stick with eBuyer and Amazon to get free delivery (and 2% cashback from eBuyer).
CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor (£41.39 @ Ebuyer)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£44.50 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory (£52.99 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£37.50 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card (£112.00 @ Ebuyer)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case (£39.99 @ Ebuyer)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£35.98 @ Amazon UK)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer (£11.99 @ Ebuyer)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£74.78 @ Ebuyer)
Monitor: Hannspree HE225DPB 21.5" Monitor (£90.28 @ Ebuyer)
Total: £541.40
The thing I am most unsure about is the motherboard. I couldn't seem to find any of the budget ones listed in the OP. Is there something cheaper I can go with? Suggestions for a cheaper monitor would be helpful too. Any feedback on the build would be appreciated.
Will I need to buy anything else to assemble everything (e.g. thermal paste)?