Build advice build a browsing pc

looking to build my 1st pc been reading few mags lately on parts can spend upto £500 more if needed but doubt need to. will be using pc basically for browsing, office nothing major else. I won't be using it for gaming so do you think the CPU and ram I have chosen is an overkill. Also power supply could I get a smaller wattage or stick with 530w I doubt I'll ever add a graphics card

for simple browsing wont need all that spec

but can never have too much

only thing i would say is get best power supply you can find

the more w the better

Intel NUC?

Shindig said:

Intel NUC?

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Sorry don't know what nuc means

deej01 said:

Sorry don't know what nuc means

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It stands for Next Unit of Computing. They use Intel Core i3 and i5 APUs soldered to a small form factor (10cm x 10cm) motherboard.

They're designed for use where an Atom CPU wouldn't provide enough processing power, but a full desktop would be obtrusive. For example an Atom based HTPC can struggle to play HD video in Windows 7 (even with Ion 2).

In terms of expansion and upgradability, you've 2x SODIMM slots and 2x mini-PCIe slots and that's it, everything else is soldered to the board. However, with no ethernet and no SATA ports, the mini-PCIe slots are probably going to be taken up by a WiFi card and an mSATA SSD.

just wondering should i get different ram or leave it with this, also should i buy a cpu cooler or would stck one be alright

Shindig said:

Intel NUC?

Click to expand...

Very small and enough grunt for browsing. Biggest problem is the price £250 and that is without memory and storage. So you will be looking at £400 and that is assuming you won't be buying an O/S.

Intel DC3217IYE Next Unit of Computing (NUC) Core i3 (3217U) 1.8GHz Antenna (Intel HD Graphics 4000): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories


Another option would be an ex-corporate PC. Not the fastest PC but comes with 4GB of RAM, wireless, DVD-RW. You can add a low profile 5450 video card if you HD video playback as well.

Dell Wireless N Dual Core 4GB 160GB DVD Rewriter Desktop PC Windows 7 Pro 64-bit | eBay

Sapphire 11166-01-20R HD 5450 512MB DDR3 PCIE HDMI Graphics Card: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

deej01 said:

just wondering should i get different ram or leave it with this, also should i buy a cpu cooler or would stck one be alright

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Sorry, I forgot to answer your original question.

Yes, that unit is overkill for browsing and office work.

I'd suggest a the Intel i3 3220 (a mid range, dual core CPU), with a low end Z77 mobo, and 4GB DDR3 1600. The Intel HD 2500 graphics chip embedded in the i3 3220 is good enough for your stated use.

The Samsung 840 Pro is a good SSD, one of the fastest on the market, but most people are unlikely to notice the difference compared to a regular SATA3 120/128GB SSD.

Also there's nothing wrong with that PSU brand, others to look at are Corsair, Enermax and Seasonic. Alternatively the ones that come with the Cooler Master cases have a good rep. Either way, once you've got a spec you're happy with, use this PSU calculator to calculate roughly how many Watts you'll be using. PSUs are at their most efficient when running between 40-60% load.

For PSU I would look at the Corsair builder series CX made by seasonic to a corsair design or XFX Pro range. Both are Bronze 80 rated meaning they are fairly efficient regardless of load.

450W (ish) model of either one can be had for around £35 and will be powerful enough for your system and will probably be fine for a few upgrades in the future.

I get by just fine with a quality 400w PS. Corsair is a good brand.