$600, PC Replacement for a Friend

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Cmustang87

Supreme [H]ardness
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Oct 4, 2007
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Okay, so we have a $600 MAX budget. We are going to recycle the PSU and the Hard drive, so those aren't needed.

We need to get a GPU, CPU, Mobo, RAM and case. He's using a 550w PSU.

I've come up with:

Gigabye EP45-DS3L
E7200
Radeon HD 4850
CoolerMaster Centurion
A Data DDR2 800 2x1 GB

$499+ Tax and Shipping. He will go over the $500 but will not exceed the 600 by any means. He plays games, and will beplaying Diablo 3 and likes first person shooters. He would love bioshock if his system could play it so keep that in mind. He's using a 19" LCD.
 
Which 550W PSU does he have? Asking because not all 550W PSUs are the same quality and amperage wise.
 
I don't remember what PSU he put in there, it may be a PC P and C modular. I know for sure it's modular (doesn't mean it's good, but I know that much). I can't remember the brand.
 
What's the monitor and resolution your friend is going to play his games on?

A good, cheap video card available now is the PNY XLR8 8800GT. It can play games well on most monitors up to 22 inches (though at a 1680x1050 resolution, depending on the game, you may have to adjust a few settings).

(See if you can figure out which specific model PSU you're reusing, as well as how old it is.)

Which specific model Centurion case are you considering? Avoid the Centurion 5, as it only as an 80mm front-mounted case fan that is poor for cooling. Consider either the Centurion 532 or the Centurion 534; but if you want to save some money, consider the Elite 330 instead. (If you don't mind a case that isn't made by Cooler Master, please let us know.)
 
Cmustang87 said:
I don't remember what PSU he put in there, it may be a PC P and C modular. I know for sure it's modular (doesn't mean it's good, but I know that much). I can't remember the brand.
Click to expand...

Find out the make and model of the PSU. PC P&C has never made a modular PSU IIRC.
 
I would consider buying some of the parts off of the for sale forum used. You can find some great deals on there and a lot of them come with warranties
 
I will call him shortly about the power supply. I don't mind going with other brands than Cooler Master.

Based on the suggestion of the cooling, the 534 looks much superior than the Centurion 5.

He's using a 19" samsung monitor that is 1280x1024 native. He's the type of person that won't upgrade until several years, which is why I thought the 4850 would best for him at this budget.

As far as Mobo/CPU goes, I'm pretty set on hookin him up with an E8400 and an EP43 Gigabyte board, great value!
 
Finally found out that it's an Ultra X-Connect 500w PSU. I'm not extremely experienced in the power supply area. I only know about the Corsair ones being really good. Will his current power supply be okay, or should I get him a new one?
 
Beautiful Thanks...

E8400
HD4850
2 GB PC2 6400
RC-590 Case
Corsair 450VX.

Should be great for him thanks a lot!
 
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