Recommend me a cheap(ish) computer setup

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Kabob

2[H]4U
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Oct 3, 2006
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I didn't know what forum to put this in since it falls under most of the hardware forums in some way...

I built my current desktop computer back in 2004 and it's served me well. With the upcoming release of Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3 (someday...) I'm contemplating a new computer build in the near future. I don't need anything amazing, I don't want a graphics pumping machine, just something that will let me play those games (which supposedly won't be resource hogs) at a decent resolution.

Currently I'm running:
AMD Athalon 64 3400+
DFI Lanparty UT3 Mobo
2x512MB Kingmax Hardcore PC4000 RAM
ATI X800 XT PE AGP 8x card
IDE Western Digital 80GB HDD
IDE Dell CD-RW
Enermax 465W power supply
Antec Super Lan Boy case

I know I'm going to have to scrap pretty much everything except maybe the case and the power supply (but that's a maybe, although it does have decent 12v rails)...I might just replace those as well (depending on price).

Overclocking isn't important at all, I don't plan on downloading tons of music/movies so a giant HDD isn't necessary either. As for fanboyism I like Nvidia but I'll use ATI if it's cheaper.

Once again, I'm not looking for Eyefinity or max resolution DX11 gaming, just something that can play the aforementioned games reasonably well with some room to grow. I haven't really kept up with computer technology over the past few years so I'm not quite sure what's good and what to skip over.

I know my budget is a bit crazy, but if I could keep the parts under $400 that'd be fantastic, less is better (don't want the wife to kill me). If this is unrealistic let me know.

Thanks in advance!
 
Bah, I knew it was the wrong forum. Any mod want to move it for me?

As for the "what to as" I have good portion of it...oh well. Here's the full run.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Casual gaming, web browsing.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
~$400 before shipping/tax
3) Where do you live?
USA
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
CPU, Mobo, Ram, GPU, HDD (doesn't need to be large), optical drive.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Enermax EG465P-VE PSU, Antec Super Lanboy case.
6) Will you be overclocking?
Possibly but not terribly important.
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
21" CRT, hopefully a ~20 LCD before then.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Before SCII is released.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
None required.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? 32bit or 64bit?
Windows XP Home 32 bit.
 
You are going to want to scrap some money together for a modern OS. 32bit XP Home isn't much of a gaming OS anymore. It IS almost 10 years old....
 
Given the age of your parts, you might as well add a new PSU into the mix?

Is your copy of Windows a retail copy or OEM/Systems Builder? If it's the latter, you may need a new OS.

$400 is pretty tight for a gaming machine... can you throw in some extra money from other sources?
 
Quick build before I go back to homework:

Athlon 240 + GB MA770T + OCZ 4gb DDR3-1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.343462

Corsair 400W + Sony Optiarc
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.341056

XFX 5770 + Battleforge
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.320995

F3 500gb (when back in stock)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&cm_re=F3-_-22-152-181-_-Product

Around $500 (well over budget, but hard to build a gaming build with only 400), plus you should probably upgrade to win7 for gaming, but to each his own.

PS- yes I know the ram sucks, but its the best combo I could quickly, feel free to post a better, just a starter build here.
 
5+yr old PSU? Yes, it would be best to replace it unless you end up with a very low-power system.

Do you live near a Microcenter or Fry's?
 
Didn't realize that this thread was moved, thanks mods!!

To answer the questions:

I may be able to raise my budget by a little bit, I got an unexpected check in the mail for around $150.

Yeah, I know my PSU is old. There's a 500W OCZ ModXStream on Newegg for $40 shipped (after $25 MIR) today which I suppose I could nab.

My copy of Windows XP was purchased by my wife from her University, it can be reinstalled an infinite number of times. Although I do know it's getting old...I suppose I could get Windows 7 on a new machine.

No Microcenter or Fry's near me. Newegg will be my friend I suppose.
 
kabob983 said:
Really? I thought OCZ PSU's were typically really good.
Click to expand...
Nope. Not any more. There are some good OCZ PSUs out there but they're either sold out, no longer manfacturered, or totally overpriced and out of your budget range.
Posted via [H] Mobile Device
 
Wow, live and learn (guess alot has happened since i built my PC all those years ago where OCZ PSUs were "THE" PSU to get...)

Duly noted.
 
Danny is 100% right, stick with Seasonic, Corsair and Antec. Also check jonnyguru.com for the best reviews of power supplies.
 
Shadowsong's build looks pretty good for your budget (nice combo find), an ATI 5770 is what I'd recommend too.
 
$400 budget, I would do this. It can still deliver. You have a CRT monitor so.. running games at 1280x1024 resolutions won't be so bad. Buy another 2GB stick of RAM when you move to Win 7 64bit

PSU/OPTICAL - Corsair 400CX + Sony Optiarc 24X both for $73.98 ($15 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.341056

VIDEO CARD/CPU - Sapphire Radeon HD 4670 1GB + AMD Athlon II X3 425 both for $138.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.335151

MOBO - MSI 770-C45 AM3 for $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130228

RAM - Crucial 2GB DDR3 1333 for $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148221

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 500GB for $54.99
http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view

Total: $397.93 + $9.97(shipping) = $407.90

Or this

PSU/OPTICAL - Corsair 400CX + Sony Optiarc 24X both for $73.98 ($15 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.341056

VIDEO CARD/CPU - Sapphire Radeon HD 4670 1GB + AMD Athlon II X2 245 both for $127.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.335157

MOBO - MSI 770-C45 AM3 for $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130228

RAM - Crucial 2GB DDR3 1333 for $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148221

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 500GB for $54.99
http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view

Total: $386.93 + $9.97(shipping) = $396.90
 
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Do not get a Samsung F3 hard drive. I bought 1 from newegg and bios didnt recognize it. Newegg sent me a replacement and the same problem. It is now no longer carried by newegg, I had to wait two weeks for the WD 640 Black to be back in stock. I installed it and it works perfectly. Stick with WD (black edition). It is now out of stock again due to high demand.
 
HardwareGuru said:
$400 budget, I would do this. It can still deliver. You have a CRT monitor so.. running games at 1280x1024 resolutions won't be so bad. Buy another 2GB stick of RAM when you move to Win 7 64bit

PSU/OPTICAL - Corsair 400CX + Sony Optiarc 24X both for $73.98 ($15 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.341056

VIDEO CARD/CPU - Sapphire Radeon HD 4670 1GB + AMD Athlon II X3 425 both for $138.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.335151

MOBO - MSI 770-C45 AM3 for $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130228

RAM - Crucial 2GB DDR3 1333 for $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148221

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 500GB for $54.99
http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view

Total: $397.93 + $9.97(shipping) = $407.90

Or this

PSU/OPTICAL - Corsair 400CX + Sony Optiarc 24X both for $73.98 ($15 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.341056

VIDEO CARD/CPU - Sapphire Radeon HD 4670 1GB + AMD Athlon II X2 245 both for $127.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.335157

MOBO - MSI 770-C45 AM3 for $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130228

RAM - Crucial 2GB DDR3 1333 for $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148221

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 500GB for $54.99
http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view

Total: $386.93 + $9.97(shipping) = $396.90
Click to expand...

That's a good setup.

Running the HD4670 myself...not a graphics powerhouse but good bang/buck. I went with Gigabyte for my board. Running Dragon Age pretty nicely on at highest settings, no more dipping framerates like my old C2D/x1950xtx setup.

I think the Phenom II 550 BE is the best CPU deal right now (good odds at an unlock), but that's $97 compared to the $72 + combo deal above...so it would cost you a good $25-$35 extra (depending on how you calculate it).
 
I don't how fond you are of ebay or using the FS/T threads. But you could maybe sell your old parts for a $60 or so and use it for this build. Just look around and see what the going rates are for you items. I know it's not much, but its better than nothing. Unless you plan on using them for something else or testing supplies.
 
Oh I'm all about used parts. Several of the components in my computer (A64 3400+, Radeon X800 Pro flashed to X800 XE PE, DFI Lanparty UT3) I bought used.

Speaking of which...I was casually browsing on Craigslist and found this...I dunno if it's sold or not but I thought I'd get your opinon.

I've never put much stock in Alienware but someone's selling one of their computers locally.

Blue Alienware case with 750w power supply
Intel Core2Duo 2.66Ghz processor
8GB Ram
250GB Hard drive
Nvidia GeForce 260GTX 1GB Video Card
LG Super-Multi Drive DVD Burner
Brand new HP 24x Internal Double-Layer DVD±RW/CD-RW Drive
Floppy Disc Drive and Media Card reader combo
Integrated HD Audio AND Sound Blaster Add-On card
Dual gigbyte network ports
8 USB Ports (6 rear, 2 Front)
2 Firewire ports (1 front, 1 rear)

Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit - Installed and activated with valid license (Not OEM, RC or trial!)
Nero 8 CD/DVD Creation software.
Click to expand...

He has it listed for $400...which seems awful low to me so I'm cautious. He tried to sell it for $500 but it didn't sell. He listed that on the 9th so it very well may have sold by now, but I'm not sure.

Thoughts?
 
Specs look good. And that is a good deal. That would cost upwards $500 if you were to hop on ebay and buy similar used parts. I've never used craigslist, so I don't know how trustworthy it would be, but shipping a whole computer costs quite a bit, so he might just be looking to sell locally for that reason. And selling locally can make it hard to find buyers. So his loss is your gain I suppose.
 
What about spending a bit more on a better board like the 785G EVO from ASUS and better processor, ram, etc. with the basis that he will be using the on-board video for the time being. This will allow him to get a better system now and THEN when those games are scheduled for release pick up something like a 5770/5750 as they should be considerably cheaper then.

Also, if you are a student or still have a valid .edu email address check out the ultimate steal. Can pick up Win7 Pro for $65 through digital river, or you can see if you are eligible for Dreamspark and get other stuff as well...

Asus M4A785TD-V EVO $99.99

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition $97.99

G.Skill Ripjaw 2x2GB (4GB) DDR3 1600 $104.99

Antec TP-550 550w PSU $89.99

Western Digital 640GB Caviar Black Edition $69.99 (through Amazon)

All together you are looking at almost $500 but I think you will be happier with this system than anything else. Plus it leaves you the ability to possibly unlock the processor and get a total of 4 cores as well as upgrade to a better video card in the future. This is almost the exact system I will be building at some point this year, except I will be going with a X4 630 instead as I do not game much on my pc anymore and will not be getting a discrete graphic card unless I end up doing dual monitors for my side business. I purchased that exact drive from amazon right before XMas when it was on sale for $45 with free shipping and have not had one problem with it...
 
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tomiboy59 said:
Specs look good. And that is a good deal. That would cost upwards $500 if you were to hop on ebay and buy similar used parts. I've never used craigslist, so I don't know how trustworthy it would be, but shipping a whole computer costs quite a bit, so he might just be looking to sell locally for that reason. And selling locally can make it hard to find buyers. So his loss is your gain I suppose.
Click to expand...

Craigslist is hit or miss but I've had teriffic luck with it. We bought my wife's Subaru WRX on there, I've purchased 3 motorcycles (over the years), my current Jasper Xbox 360, I've sold AR-15's on there, etc. You've got to be cautious but if you are you can pick up some truly stellar deals.

gregnash said:
What about spending a bit more on a better board like the 785G EVO from ASUS and better processor, ram, etc. with the basis that he will be using the on-board video for the time being. This will allow him to get a better system now and THEN when those games are scheduled for release pick up something like a 5770/5750 as they should be considerably cheaper then.

Also, if you are a student or still have a valid .edu email address check out the ultimate steal. Can pick up Win7 Pro for $65 through digital river, or you can see if you are eligible for Dreamspark and get other stuff as well...

Asus M4A785TD-V EVO $99.99

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition $97.99

G.Skill Ripjaw 2x2GB (4GB) DDR3 1600 $104.99

Antec TP-550 550w PSU $89.99

Western Digital 640GB Caviar Black Edition $69.99 (through Amazon)

All together you are looking at almost $500 but I think you will be happier with this system than anything else. Plus it leaves you the ability to possibly unlock the processor and get a total of 4 cores as well as upgrade to a better video card in the future. This is almost the exact system I will be building at some point this year, except I will be going with a X4 630 instead as I do not game much on my pc anymore and will not be getting a discrete graphic card unless I end up doing dual monitors for my side business. I purchased that exact drive from amazon right before XMas when it was on sale for $45 with free shipping and have not had one problem with it...
Click to expand...

There's a guy on the FS/FT forum with a 4 cores unlocked Phenom II that you mentioned and it's cheaper than that. Dunno if it's been overclocked or not.
 
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