Building a system for under $1000 USD

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Fatticus

n00b
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Nov 25, 2007
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This will be the first time I've built a computer, and I'd like some advice on my prospective setup. This will include a monitor, mouse, and keyboard. So far, I have come up with the following components and prices from Newegg.com:


  • Optical Drive LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-06 - Retail $37.99
  • Case COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $49.99
  • Hard drive Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $49.99
  • Display Acer AL1916WAbd Black 19" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail $169.99
  • Video Card XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT XXX 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail $129.99
  • Power Supply Antec earthwatts EA500 ATX12V v2.0 500W Power Supply - Retail $78.99
  • Mouse/Keyboard Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black USB Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse Included - OEM $21.99
  • Memory G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail $49.99
  • Mobo ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $114.99
  • CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 Allendale 2.4GHz LGA 775 65W Processor Model BX80557E4600 - Retail $149.99
  • OS Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM $89.99

Subtotal: $943.89


I've opted for Windows XP because I've heard that Vista is more trouble than it's worth at the moment.

What could I improve on?
 
CoolerMaster CM690 is 29.99 after MIR @ Newegg
It is a better case than the Centurion 5

Im not sure about your video card..what games are you planning to play with this?
 
I'd say Battlefield 2 and Valve games. I'm interested in Call of Duty 4. Heck, I was about to go for a 7600GT, but I'd like to have some time before I need to upgrade to something better.
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102061

The 1950pro would kill a 8600gt and it's only 6$ more. There has been some complaints about sapphire's CS lately but I wouldn't choose any other vendor that supply's ati cards personally.

If you want something that runs a little cooler but is more expensive go with the HD 3850.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814241066

I think if you got the latter that would put you at 1000$ even so you might need to make some cuts elsewhere. Such as the case an above member mentioned.

EDIT: I think the CPU you picked out was the E4600 not the E4500. If so switch to the E4500 for $129.99. It's funny though. I would recommend the E4300 at 111.75$ (the price I purchased it for 5+ months ago.)
 
I'd ditch that board and go for a P35 based board instead -- more stable and can OC better, if and when you decide to OC.

The Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L is a good, basic board. If you need RAID, the DS3R is good. If you need Firewire, the P5K is good. If you need both RAID and Firewire, the Abit IP35 vanilla is great. The higher end boards are the DS3P, DS4, P5K-E, and the crowd favorite, IP35 Pro.
 
I concur with Enginurd and stoney_titan.

The E4500 is only $122 here:
Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 CPU - $122

Also, check out the Coolermaster RC-542 and RC532 cases instead, the ones without a power supply. The Coolermaster Centurion has an 80mm fan and unless you like loud PCs, I suggest getting a case like the two I recommended above with two 120mm fans.
 
I appreciate the tips. I cut about $40 off of the original cost.

I'm not going to build this until Christmas, so I'm going to sit on it for a while.
 
Try pricing your system out at zipzoomfly.com I've noticed that for a good deal of the components I'm about to buy they are a few bucks cheaper than newegg. especially the memory.
 
Yeah, by all means. Newegg just has lots of reviews and stuff. I plan on buying from different places.
 
Unless you get free shipping from somewhere else it is usually cheaper to just get it all from one retailer. (my experience)
 
One other thing: I happened upon this PSU on Newegg for free after a MIR, but the message from Cooler Master on the overview got me worried about it only having two +12V rails whereas my previous choice had three.

COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power RP-600-PCAR ATX from factor 12V V2.01 600W Power Supply 115/230 V Safety Nemko, TUV, cUL, CE, BSMI, FCC, CCC - Retail

Will this be alright? I tried figuring it out myself from the PSU forum, but I couldn't really wrap my head around it. I'd really love to switch this one into my lineup because it cuts like $80 off of the price.

Also, I'm kind of torn about getting this. On one hand, it's pretty much free, but on the other, there are a couple of really nasty reviews. Any thoughts? Anyone have experience with this model?
 
It's not a 650w psu. it's a 500w seventeam psu with a 650w label on it.

Good at 500w, not so good at 650w. Stick with the corsair.
 
I think thats not bad for a FAR PSU, lol. Anyhow, I agree, don't bother with it... stick with the Earthwatts or a Corsair instead.
 
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