One time fanatic completely hardware-less.

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FryPhaX

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 16, 2001
Messages
420
1) What will you be doing with this PC?
General computing, I am gamer and would like to be able to run the latest at reasonable settings.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
500-600. Total investment.
3) Where do you live?
Near Memphis, TN
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget?
Case, PSU, MoBo, CPU, HDD, DVD drive,
6) Will you be overclocking?
If at all possible I will and would like the option to later with upgrades. (Heat Sink Etc.)
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
Have nothing, bare minimum 17" but would prefer larger.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Build - Over the next month. Purchase Prebuilt: By December 12, 2009
9) What features do you need in a motherboard?
Media Card reader. I want to be able to upgrade HDD, Video, and Audio. Eventually would like digital sound.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Yes, have XP CD and key but would really like Windows 7.

I think I was able to relay exactly what I wanted, I am able and would like to build my own for maximum performance. However, being that I need every component (aside from speakers) I have been tempted by some of the Machines from Dell and other 'over the counter' producers. When it comes to building my own I am willing to take longer in order to have a better system I built myself. I will continue to update this thread if I find any good deals and with what I have ordered, if anything.

Thanks.
 
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FryPhaX said:
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
500-600. Total investment.
.
Click to expand...

What do you mean by "total investment"? Is that a yes or a no to the Tax and shipping question?
 
Total investment, yes that means tax and shipping as well.

I am not a student, and as I need everything is the only reason I am considering a pre-built at all.

I have looked at the Acer computers, a lot of machine for the price. Does anyone know much about the motherboards on these systems. If I would be able to upgrade to a better video card at the $400 price point I could easily afford to spend another $100-150 on upgrades.
 
FryPhaX said:
I have looked at the Acer computers, a lot of machine for the price. Does anyone know much about the motherboards on these systems.
Click to expand...

No overclocking capability whatsoever. Limited CPU upgrade capability.
 
Danny Bui said:
No overclocking capability whatsoever. Limited CPU upgrade capability.
Click to expand...

exactly what I didn't want to hear.

Does anyone know which of the pre built manufactures have the best support for upgrades? If I find a superior machine above my price range I would still consider buying. I can always source small parts and a monitor elsewhere.
 
ASRock G41M-S LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157165

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E5200 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 32-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116756

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

LITE-ON SK-1788/BS 2-Tone PS/2 Wired Standard Keyboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823107120

Rosewill RM-1600L Black 5 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Laser Mouse - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826193039

XFX PVT96GYGF3 GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150397

Grand Total: $608.70

Everything except a monitor & optical drive, though you can find both on craigslist for cheap. Majority of it is free shipping, and you could probably take the time to find replacements for the few items that do require paid shipping (shipping is what put me over $600 by $11).

Got it as close as I could.

[EDIT 1: I should mention that, as of this posting, the XFX video card listed comes with a free copy of COD:MW.]
 
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The system you put together really fits my needs well. Does anyone have experience using these components together? Also, one thing I would like to have is digital audio out, I can always upgrade later however is there a board that can be had for slightly more with this feature?
 
While all good parts, psilence's build list is not good for the money for the following reasons:
- EOL'ed socket
- The E5200 is easily outperformed by cheaper AMD CPUs
- The OP did not request Windows 7 Pro. In addition, it is clear from his responses that a LCD monitor has to be included in that $600 build.
- There are better choices in video cards around that $90 to $100 price range

EDIT: Here's an alternative build:
$146 - AMD Athlon II X2 245 CPU + GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H AMD 785G HDMI mATX motherboard Combo
$45 - Corsair 2GB VS2GB1333D3 DDR3 1333 RAM FS
$117 - Visiontek 900287 Radeon HD 4850 1GB PCI-E Video Card FS
$55 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive FS
$29 - Samsung SH-S223C SATA DVD Burner FS
$78 - Antec NSK4480 II ATX Case with Antec Earthwatts 380W PSU FS
$14 - Microsoft Basic Optical Mouse FS
$18 - Microsoft Wired Keyboard 500 FS
----
Total: $502 plus tax and shipping (FS = free shipping)

Faster video card, faster CPU, better CPU upgrade path, and better RAM upgrade path in terms of price at the slight expense of a lower wattage PSU and lower quality case. The rest of the money can be used towards a monitor or even a Windows 7 license. In addition, since most of the parts are from Zipzoomfly, you do not pay taxes as ZZF only charges CA residents tax.
 
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Danny Bui said:
- The OP did not request Windows 7 Pro. In addition, it is clear from his responses that a LCD monitor has to be included in that $600 build.
Click to expand...

First off thank you for your advice, I am going to look into your suggestions immediately after this post.

I would like Windows 7, do I need pro? No.

LCD is not mandatory, I am flexible on the way things play out. I would really like to build a computer and if it costs a little more over time I am ok with that. My main concern is a functioning system in the week prior to Christmas. Who knows, maybe Santa will bring me a 20 something flat panel.

I should say that my budget is flexible. I'm not going to be able to spend a grand however I threw the 5-6 hundred out there as that is what I can guarantee I will have for expendable income in the next month. As for the expense of Case and power supply I do know that the power supply is very important and I would like a quality piece. I'd love to have a nice case but not at the cost of performance. However, looking at the two Antec case I believe the better cooling opportunities in the Three Hundred Series would allow me to over clock more then the bare bones case. Thoughts?

Thank you all for the information and giving me something to base my research off of, I really appreciate it.
 
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I just never buy AMD or ATI, after the myriad of bad experiences I had back in the AXP 2500+ / 9800 Pro days. Maybe someday, but not any time soon.

As for the rest of the issues, I think the OP has addressed them. You can't go wrong either way; for me, it's just personal preference.

Happy trails.
 
FryPhaX said:
As for the expense of Case and power supply I do know that the power supply is very important and I would like a quality piece. I'd love to have a nice case but not at the cost of performance. However, looking at the two Antec case I believe the better cooling opportunities in the Three Hundred Series would allow me to over clock more then the bare bones case. Thoughts?

Thank you all for the information and giving me something to base my research off of, I really appreciate it.
Click to expand...

I'm a bit biased in my opinion but, I'm certainly liking the three hundred. It keeps everything very cool, and there's plenty of room for upgrades down the line.
 
FryPhaX said:
As for the expense of Case and power supply I do know that the power supply is very important and I would like a quality piece. I'd love to have a nice case but not at the cost of performance. However, looking at the two Antec case I believe the better cooling opportunities in the Three Hundred Series would allow me to over clock more then the bare bones case. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Good to see that you know that PSUs are important. However do note that the EA380 in that Antec NSK 4480 is made by the same manufacturer for the Corsair 450VX: Seasonic. SO the EA380 is of a good quality.

But it is true that the Antec 300 should provide better cooling and therefore higher chances of a successful overclock than the NSK 4480 II
 
Well I've made the decision to build my own system, which I know I really wanted to do in the first place. Since I am going that route I am going to change my parameters a little more and give myself the $600 Budget for the computer itself.

How do you guys feel about this combo deal?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.285167

The power supply has good reviews and I haven't been able to find a better price on a combination with a tower that I like. Any down falls to this particular PSU I should know about?
 
Great combo deal for $110 w/free shipping for both the case and psu. That Antec EA650 Watt PSU is a good power supply. It has 45A on the +12V and you should have no trouble powering a Radeon HD5850/5870 video card with that. I personally have that Antec PSU myself.
 
$600, Danny Bui has the right idea with doing a NewEgg and Zipzoomfly purchases. Let's do 50/50 from both vendors.

Antec Earthwatts EA650 + Antec Three Hundred both for $109.94 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.285167

OCZ Gold 4GB DDR3 1066 + XFX Radeon HD 4770 both for $187.98 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.285773

total: $297.97 w/free shipping
tax: $27.56
grand total: $325.48

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GT-UD3H AMD 785G for $92.99 w/free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010968

AMD Phenom II X2 550 for $98.99 w/combo purchase. Free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010530

Seagate 500GB Sata HDD for $54.99 w/free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010067

Samsung 22X Sata DVD Burner for $28.59 w/combo purchase. Free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011470

total: $274.56 w/free shipping and no tax


Grand Total Purchase from NewEgg & Zipzoomfly = $600.04
 
OS included in that $600? If not, go for HG's build. If so, I don't think you can fit it unless you add a bit more cash. :(
 
I do have a copy of XP, and can always upgrade to Windows 7 at a later date. I'm going to continue my research but will probably order the case/psu in the next day or two.

What about Heatsink and fan for the processor?

How do you guys feel about the ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO vs the Gigabyte unit suggested?
 
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Cant go wrong with either board.

As for cooler, go with the CM Hyper 212+.
 
enginurd said:
Cant go wrong with either board.

As for cooler, go with the CM Hyper 212+.
Click to expand...

Grr! Thanks for letting me know I'm on the right track!

Alright, I am ordering the Antec 300 case / Antec PSU combo deal and the Asus MoBo tomorrow. Grand total shipped $191.80
 
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