[Shooter1]

I'm sorry, but this is another new build thread

I think I'm going to have a go at building my own PC.

I cuurently use my PC for editing home videos (HD AVCHD), converting blurays to mp4's for Apple TV (takes ages at the moment), photo editing, MS office, browsing etc. I don't do any gaming or have any plans to start.

I've just seen this bundle on the Mesh website for the new Intel processor.

Custom Build PC | Gaming PC | Desktop PC | Gaming Laptops PC - MESH Computers - Award Winning Since 1987 - Customise your iBuild Intel 3rd Gen.

Does the above come with onboard graphics (sorry for the noob question)?

I'd like opinions on whether it represents good value for money, or should I be looking at something else?

Thanks for all opinions!

[LJx]

It does have graphics because they are integrated with the CPU and the motherboard has the outputs to use them. Is it good value for money? not sure really, it is just 3 things, a CPU, motherboard and RAM, how much would it cost to buy them separately?
The motherboard is kind of high end too, the sort you would probably use a separate graphics card with otherwise there are probably cheaper options

[ChileanLlama]

That CPU has Intel HD2500 graphics built into the processor, so yes it's onboard.

Problem is those CPU's aren't officially launched until next week. AFAIK Intel has an NDA on prices at the moment, so most places aren't showing prices for them yet. It's about £25-£35 more than I'd expect to pay for the outgoing equivalent CPU with identical motherboard and RAM, but this might just be because of the premium added on when anything is new.

What is your current PC spec? Be useful to know to make sure any upgrade's going to be worth it!

[brookheather]

You will probably want to buy one of the QuickSync media converters for about $40 - the current list is here:

Intel® Quick Sync Video

[Shooter1]

Originally Posted by ChileanLlama

That CPU has Intel HD2500 graphics built into the processor, so yes it's onboard.

Problem is those CPU's aren't officially launched until next week. AFAIK Intel has an NDA on prices at the moment, so most places aren't showing prices for them yet. It's about £25-£35 more than I'd expect to pay for the outgoing equivalent CPU with identical motherboard and RAM, but this might just be because of the premium added on when anything is new.

What is your current PC spec? Be useful to know to make sure any upgrade's going to be worth it!

I've currently got a 4yr old Dell Vostro 200 ST PC which has an intel core 2 duo E4500 2.2GH processor in it.

I'm currently running windows 7 with 4GB RAM.


I've seen the chip on its own @ £142 at

Intel Core i5 3450 - 3.1 GHz - 4 cores - 4 threads - 6 MB cache - LGA1155 Socket - Box / BX80637I53450 / Intel / Processors - Intel / Components / Products / technextday

Don't know how reliable they are though.


The above price is cheaper than the current i5-2500k

[ChileanLlama]

Hi, should definitely be worth an upgrade.

The CPU you've priced up isn't as good as the i5-2500K, you need to be looking for an i5-3570k to get a comparison. First place I looked it's £5 more for the IB, which isn't bad considering day 1 prices. The i5-2400 is the equivalent to the i5-3450, on the site I looked at they were the same price £144.

The "K" chips are unlocked to support overclocking if you have plans for that in the future.