SSF Budget Build

[dasaki]

This is my first time posting, almost all ready to go with my purchase. I am building a budget SSF for my Dad all he does is check e-mail, browse the web, quicken, movies, so nothing too intense. Trying to keep the price under $600 (the lower the better). I still want the machine to be a great machine so that when I use it, if I ever do, it won't be slow for me. Any suggestions? Any other accessories I would have to buy? (I haven't built a computer in 4-5 years) Is it horrible to use the on-board video? If so, any suggestions for a budget video card? Also, should I be thinking of going AMD instead of Intel?

Wishlist of Everything Below

Mem: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-G31M-S2L LGA 775
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz
Cool: Scythe SCMNJ-1000
DVD: SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner
HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM
Case: LIAN LI PC-V350B
CPU: CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX
Network: GIGABYTE GN-WP01GS PCI Wireless Adapter
Accessories: Arctic Silver 5

Any critique is welcome, Thanks!

 

[Dangman]

First things first, don't bother DDR2 1066 RAM. Doesn't offer any performance increase. So drop down to cheaper DDR2 1000 RAM:
G.Skill F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 RAM - $45

Other than that, looks good to me. Onboard video is more than sufficient for your Dad's needs. However if you want every ounce of RAM available for use, pick up this cheap card:
Asus EAH3450/HTP/256M Radeon HD 3450 256MB PCI-E Video Card - $35

I'd also go with this bigger and potentially faster drive for just $2 more:
Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $62

For what your Dad plans to do with this rig, a cheap AMD is also a good option:
AMD Athlon64 X2 5000+ CPU - $66
Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2 AMD 740G mATX AMD Motherboard - $60
--
Total $126 plus tax and shipping.

 

[mrmylanman]

Yeah I'd probably go with the AMD if performance isn't all that important to him (which seems to be the case).

 

[dasaki]

Thanks for the suggestions going w/ AMD for my dad , going with the intel for my build

 

[nasdaq]

I've just been looking at Intel for my next build, a file server, but some of these AMD combinations look very nice. And since a server doesn't need the latest and greatest AMD might fit perfectly.

 

[lowteckh]

740G is fail, get a 780G for 5-10 bucks more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186141

Skip the lian li case for lower cost, use the stock HSF, switch to a waaay less costly PSU. Your build has elements of a budget gamer which does not need to be there for a general purpose web browsing computer.

- 780G mobo (see above)
- Athlon X2 (whatever's cheapest, just make sure it's AM2 and 2 core)
- 2GB ddr667 or 800 (whatever's on sale)
- Cheaper PSU (Thermaltake on sale @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052)
- Stock HSF
- Thermaltake Lanbox Lite ($55 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133045)

Keep in mind what you're building this for; I'm sure many of us get tempted to get better parts here and there but money saved is money in your pocket. I learned this the "hard way" after having to work with a friend's measly $200 budget and wanted Warcraft 3 to work (only plays that game, web, chat). Don't bother with an extra video card, the onboard HD3200 can handle anything adequately, I mean, we run WC3!. Maybe try an exercise and limit your budget even more (again, you're building this as a web/general computer)? I mean unless you're loaded and could care less.

 

[Dangman]

....switch to a waaay less costly PSU. .....
- Cheaper PSU (Thermaltake on sale @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052)

The only major problem with your choice of recommended parts is the PSU: it's not that good. The only decent Thermaltake PSUs are their Toughpower and Purepower RX line of PSUs. In addition, you can get the significantly better Corsair 450VX listed in the OP's first post for just $6 more:
Corsair 450VX 450W PSU - $66

 

[lowteckh]

The Thermaltake is 30 bucks AR. I used a Rosewill Stallion(!) 400w for my friend's build and we ran it with a 4850 just fine. A Rosewill, now you tell me the TT can't handle a simple mobo+cpu w/ onboard video? 280-300 of the 315 reviews on the egg say it's good. Not that good for what? Onboard video and a budget CPU?

 

[Dangman]

Rebates are not 100% guaranteed since they can be rejected, lost, or outright ignored. And you still have to pay the full price upfront and wait at least month or two for the rebate check to reach your hands. I only count rebates when it its actually in your/my hands. So with that in mind, the Corsair 450VX is still a better buy. Even if you count the rebates, the Purepower 500W is still poor choice since one can have a better quality PSU for exactly the same price:
Antec Earthwatts EA380 380W PSU - $30

I didn't say that the TT couldn't handle a PC with just onboard graphics. I said it was not that good of PSU for the price. It's only $6 cheaper than the better quality and Seasonic made Corsair 450VX. It's priced at exactly the same price as the Seasonic made EA380W.

In addition, Newegg reviews should always be taken with a grain of salt. Most of them are written by newbs, noobs or people who have absolutely no idea WTF they're talking about. Main reason why Newegg reviews should be taken very lightly: Apevia PSUs. Apevia makes shitty, low quality, and PC damaging PSUs. Yet on Newegg, many Apevia PSUs have 4 to 5 stars. That should tell you automatically the level of PC knowledge Newegg reviewers have: It's low.

And how long will that Rosewill 400W PSU last? Not long IMO. If it's still running fine a year later and that you've had absolutely no dead parts or any other hardware problems that could be traced to the PSU, then I will gladly admit I was in the wrong. But I doubt it will last that long.

Yes that Purepower will probably power the OP's planned or your recommended rig. But it's a poor buy considering that a quality PSU is not that much more in price.

 

[elleana]

I'm using the exact chip/mobo combination as the OP in my 2nd (spare/low intensity usage) rig, and it performs pretty well. I like it! Should be good for dad.

 

[lowteckh]

Rebates are not 100% guaranteed since they can be rejected, lost, or outright ignored. And you still have to pay the full price upfront and wait at least month or two for the rebate check to reach your hands. I only count rebates when it its actually in your/my hands. So with that in mind, the Corsair 450VX is still a better buy. Even if you count the rebates, the Purepower 500W is still poor choice since one can have a better quality PSU for exactly the same price:
Antec Earthwatts EA380 380W PSU - $30

I didn't say that the TT couldn't handle a PC with just onboard graphics. I said it was not that good of PSU for the price. It's only $6 cheaper than the better quality and Seasonic made Corsair 450VX. It's priced at exactly the same price as the Seasonic made EA380W.

In addition, Newegg reviews should always be taken with a grain of salt. Most of them are written by newbs, noobs or people who have absolutely no idea WTF they're talking about. Main reason why Newegg reviews should be taken very lightly: Apevia PSUs. Apevia makes shitty, low quality, and PC damaging PSUs. Yet on Newegg, many Apevia PSUs have 4 to 5 stars. That should tell you automatically the level of PC knowledge Newegg reviewers have: It's low.

And how long will that Rosewill 400W PSU last? Not long IMO. If it's still running fine a year later and that you've had absolutely no dead parts or any other hardware problems that could be traced to the PSU, then I will gladly admit I was in the wrong. But I doubt it will last that long.

Yes that Purepower will probably power the OP's planned or your recommended rig. But it's a poor buy considering that a quality PSU is not that much more in price.

Took me a minute to find that TT so I haven't looked at other deals. My IBM comp from about 8? years ago (whenever operation flashpoint came out) still "runs" and powers up even though the hard drive is trashed from me kicking it, my uncle's 10+? year old comp still runs. The whole "oh, not-brand-name stuff will break ASAP" is totally misconstrued and overblown; a system running below PSU wattage levels isn't going to wtf blow up in your face, only when it's actually put to load. A general system like the OP wants isn't going to require [any] juice at all and isn't going to be stressed. As such I find PSUs priced into the gaming budget category being recommended a little too.. wasted? Granted the TT is overkill too but the price seemed right for a system of that specs ($30AR vs $66). Guess you can call it pricing recommendation instead of actual product recommendation.

 

[tiraides]

Took me a minute to find that TT so I haven't looked at other deals. My IBM comp from about 8? years ago (whenever operation flashpoint came out) still "runs" and powers up even though the hard drive is trashed from me kicking it, my uncle's 10+? year old comp still runs. The whole "oh, not-brand-name stuff will break ASAP" is totally misconstrued and overblown; a system running below PSU wattage levels isn't going to wtf blow up in your face, only when it's actually put to load. A general system like the OP wants isn't going to require [any] juice at all and isn't going to be stressed. As such I find PSUs priced into the gaming budget category being recommended a little too.. wasted? Granted the TT is overkill too but the price seemed right for a system of that specs ($30AR vs $66). Guess you can call it pricing recommendation instead of actual product recommendation.

The other problem with inexpensive power supplies is that many of them are listed as being able to handle a load higher than what they're actually capable of. Today's computers run most of their components off the 12V rail; many inexpensive PSUs don't generate enough power for that rail. (Though the TT you're suggesting is not a bad PSU, per se, the fact that the EA380 is just as good power-wise yet actually costs less makes it a bad choice for ~$70-$80.)

As for your "price recommendation," it's not a good recommendation if the main source of your "savings" comes in the form of a mail-in rebate that may or may not arrive in time, if it even comes at all.

 

[lowteckh]

Main point is cheaper the better for general system build, my god way to twist my intentions. And onboard video and budget CPU isn't going to need much 12v at all, come on dude, he's asking for general purpose not freaking mid or high end. If he's going to consider cramming a video card in there then yea, go ahead and consider the ampage and whatnot but for a CPU + onboard build?

 

[Dangman]

Main point is cheaper the better for general system build, my god way to twist my intentions.

I get your point but we're not saying that the OP needs a 600W to 1000W PSU that costs $100 to $200. The only thing I'm taking issue with is the choice of PSU that you recommended: There are better PSUs for the price as I have shown. The EA380 for $30 or the Corsair 450VX for $66, either of which would be good enough for the OP's build and of substantially better quality that the PSU you recommended.

Yes the OP should not spend a ton of money on the PSU for a general purpose rig. However, the two PSUs that I've recommended are decently priced IMO and is not excessive considering the quality you get in return. And isn't that why many people build PCs? Knowing that they can get better quality parts over a prebuilt rig?

And that whole PSUs will only blow up under load is false. There have been many cases where a PSU will die/blow even during idle (Antec Smartpower and Truepower series)

 

[mrmylanman]

My friend's power supply died randomly one day doing pretty much nothing and took his whole computer out.

He cheaped out and bought a fairly cheap power supply, and as a result killed his motherboard and CPU. He spent $350 for those two components, I don't know if anything else got destroyed as well, since he went ahead and purchased a laptop, but the point is, be careful with power supplies.

They have the potential to destroy you entire computer if they are not performing correctly so I would be wary of what I purchase in that respect.

 

[zerodeefex]

Main point is cheaper the better for general system build, my god way to twist my intentions. And onboard video and budget CPU isn't going to need much 12v at all, come on dude, he's asking for general purpose not freaking mid or high end. If he's going to consider cramming a video card in there then yea, go ahead and consider the ampage and whatnot but for a CPU + onboard build?

That's a terrible way to go. Of anything in your system, cheaping out on PSU is the worst. I've seen ripple kill many a cheap-o system. If you're already spending hundreds of dollars, a FAR PSU to top it off doesn't sound like a great idea. But of course, as always, OP is free to do whatever he or she thinks fit.