Budget build for wife

[bloodandsoil]

Need feedback on a budget build for my wife. I was hoping to get everything under $500 before taxes and shipping.

She plays some games...she used to love playing Morrowind and right now she plays WoW, but she is not a hardcore gamer at all.

Anyway, I already have a case, monitor, hard drive, cd-rom drive, keyboard, and mouse. I just need to upgrade the motherboard, CPU, power supply, video card, and memory. I do have an eye for the future so I would like some upgradeability as well.

Here's what I came up with. Let me know where I can squeeze more value without sacrificing too much.

BFG Tech GeForce 7900GS 256MB = $199.99
Antec NeoHE 430 ATX12V 430W Power Supply = $79.99
Corsair ValueSelect 2 x 512MB DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) = $88.99
Asus P5B Motherboard = $124.99
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz = $187.00

Subtotal: $680.96
Tax: $49.37
Shipping: $14.24
Grand Total: $744.57

 

[NamelessMC]

Need feedback on a budget build for my wife. I was hoping to get everything under $500 before taxes and shipping.

She plays some games...she used to love playing Morrowind and right now she plays WoW, but she is not a hardcore gamer at all.

Anyway, I already have a case, monitor, hard drive, cd-rom drive, keyboard, and mouse. I just need to upgrade the motherboard, CPU, power supply, video card, and memory. I do have an eye for the future so I would like some upgradeability as well.

Here's what I came up with. Let me know where I can squeeze more value without sacrificing too much.

BFG Tech GeForce 7900GS 256MB = $199.99
Antec NeoHE 430 ATX12V 430W Power Supply = $79.99
Corsair ValueSelect 2 x 512MB DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) = $88.99
Asus P5B Motherboard = $124.99
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz = $187.00

Subtotal: $680.96
Tax: $49.37
Shipping: $14.24
Grand Total: $744.57

Where are you located?

You'd be better off getting the E4300 for $177 and over-clocking it a slight bit.

There's also an EVGA 7900GS on Newegg for $175 KO edition too.

That's 35$ right there you could save. Also, you might want to try to get a single DDR667 1 GB stick or maybe some kind of DDR667 chip. If you're going to NOT over-clock, I recommend going with a Smithfield 805 D or even an AM2 set up, since you will honestly get competitive performance for almost $100 cheaper going with AM2.

Core2Duo doesnt' pay off unless you over-clock, and the 4300 is cheaper and over-clocks better than the 6300.

That being said, I hate the power supply you chose. Antec is pretty much garbage.

FSP (Fortron) 400 watt power supply for $41

That's 40$ saved right there.

Intel Pentium D 820 Smithfield $99

EVGA 7900GS KO Edition $175 (Mail in rebate too)

PQI Turbo 1GB single DDR667 Chip $89

Much better choices in my opinion.

First, if you plan on upgrading later, no reason to fork out for a C2D when a Pentium D 820 will give you great gaming performance for half the price, and you have the same socket port to use a C2D in.

Also, don't go with cheap ram like that. Get the PQI single chip and later you can buy another one for 85$ and still get the dual channel set up.

The 7900GS I chose for you is $25 cheaper out the door, but it is also arguably better since EVGA offers the step-up program and their customer service is arguably better than BFG's. You also get a mail in rebate.

The power supply I chose for you is a much better choice. Fortron is a much more reputable brand.

 

[akhilles]

The Antec you chose is a bit expensive for merely 430W, compared to these:

580W 38A combined
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817128003

480W 34A combined
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817128005

530W 37A combined
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817128006

500W 36A combined
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817811002

485W 32A combined
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194015

535W 34A combined
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103512

 

[NamelessMC]

He's trying to cut a couple hundred on the subtotal though.

I recommend the Hiper 530 Akhilles suggested.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817128006

And the processor, video-card and ram I suggested.

If you really need to save money, that's your best options and you still maintain a high frame-rate.

 

[ikjadoon]

Need feedback on a budget build for my wife. I was hoping to get everything under $500 before taxes and shipping.

She plays some games...she used to love playing Morrowind and right now she plays WoW, but she is not a hardcore gamer at all.

Anyway, I already have a case, monitor, hard drive, cd-rom drive, keyboard, and mouse. I just need to upgrade the motherboard, CPU, power supply, video card, and memory. I do have an eye for the future so I would like some upgradeability as well.

Here's what I came up with. Let me know where I can squeeze more value without sacrificing too much.

BFG Tech GeForce 7900GS 256MB = $199.99
Antec NeoHE 430 ATX12V 430W Power Supply = $79.99
Corsair ValueSelect 2 x 512MB DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) = $88.99
Asus P5B Motherboard = $124.99
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz = $187.00

Subtotal: $680.96
Tax: $49.37
Shipping: $14.24
Grand Total: $744.57

I'd keep it like you have with the Core 2 Duo, except for the GPU: Grab a X1950 Pro. Faster and cheaper. If you want to spend a tad more, the X1950XT is perfect, but the X1950 Pro is probably the best price/performance.

That PSU you have chosen is 100% OK. A great pick, really, with modular cables and Active PFC. Nice choice!

You could do a little OC as well, but not needed. I would say 2.4GHz tops on the stock cooler.

~Ibrahim~

 

[ikjadoon]

After some careful consideration, this one looks great for the price:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817128005

You just lose SLi support, PFC, and modular cables, but you don't really need those..

~Ibrahim~

 

[joefriday]

I question the move to dual core CPUs, especially the Conroe. Does your wife use any multithreaded applications semi-frequently? Do you plan to not replace/upgrade your wife's computer for several years, and are looking at the Conroe as future-proof? Is your wife a serious multitasker, such as encoding video while playing her video games? Other than these previos possibilities, I wouldn't consider buying a dual core cpu (or at least a Conroe). If you want Intel, a 65nm single core Netburst, such as the Celeron D 347/352/356 for $45-$55 would work fine, and give at least the same performance in WOW as the Pentium D 820. If you must have a dual core, the D805/D820 are good buys for a light duty Intel rig. The Conroe seems like a bit of overkill here, but as I stated earlier, if you're building this to last a long time, it could be justifiable.

On the mobo issue, you can save a boatload of cash by looking at what Asrock has to offer. The 4COREDUAL-VSTA supports Kentsfield, and is priced around $60. Other decent alternatives are the Asrock ConRoeXFire-eSATA2 ($85) or the Asrock ConRoe945PL-GLAN ($70).

A CPU/mobo change can cut the cost around $120 to $200 without affecting WOW gameplay.

And let's not cut AMD out of the picture here. X2 3800s and X2 3600s can be had for just a bit over $100 now, which is nothing short of amazing. Also, you can find some pretty nice boards for around $70. And to the really cheap, an A64 3000/3200 is selling for $50-$60. That's damn cheap and will produce a solid gaming rig.

 

[ikjadoon]

Oh, we are going for an even cheaper build? AMD X2 is great, a nice overclocker, as well. I wouldn't go near the Netburst CPU's, though. I'd stay X2 or C2D. I only picked the C2D because it wasn't too much more for a lot more performance.

~Ibrahim~

 

[akhilles]

I second NamelessMC's barebone suggestion. You can save some money. I agree if you don't overclock, c2d may be a waste. The reason a lot of AMDers switching over to C2D is for the overclockability.

 

[skyguy]

Great specs you show, but HUGE OVERKILL for your wife's intended use. C2D not needed, and way too expensive for your budget. Same with mobo. And the 7900GS is overkill too for light gaming. Basically, you gotta pare everything back to simply what she needs, while hitting your budget.

Simple solution:

-Go with a single core (maybe a dual core Smithfield), but an AMD 3200+ will do just fine
-CHEAP A$$ mobo, whatever you can find
-1 gig RAM
-7600GT vid card
-FSP power supply

Toss in a cheap case and you're set if you already have a hard drive. That will hit your budget, otherwise you're gonna be $$hundreds over.

 

[alcattle]

You might also look for a cheap case with a good PSU. Hard to find but often cheaper and 2 separate pieces. Anything with a 400W will work for the system Skyguy suggested.

 

[skyguy]

Antec Sonata II for $95 is a GREAT choice for a PSU/case combo. Will work VERY well in this instance.

 

[akhilles]

But he said,

...I already have a case, monitor, hard drive, cd-rom drive, keyboard, and mouse...

 

[skyguy]

Ah, well then.......I recant and revert back to my first list of components

 

[GherkinPekul]

I hate to be a buzzkill, but what about your OS?

 

[KTev]

I agree with everyone else. It sounds like over kill for the use. I would aim for
GPU ~70 (7300)
MB 40-60 (any will do)
CPU 50-80 (sempron, celeron, or PD)
PSU 30-50 (again anything cheap)
RAM ~80 (1gb)
total 270-340

If you don't mind spending a little over 500 you could get a laptop for 700. Set up a simple wifi connection an your wife will love it.

 

[Syntonic]

I'm just going to out and out disagree with everyone since your wife liked Morrowind, I'm taking it she'll like Oblivion and guess who she's going to look at if that game isn't running well. If you can convince her just to stay with WoW, you'd be safe with much lower system requirements. An AMD X2 fits your budget better but c2d might be useful for future games (and possible future upgrades). I wouldn't hold too closely on the possible future upgrades though since future proofing seems like an exercise in futility. I believe Socket 1207 and AM2 will be your best bet for the AMD route (on your budget, AM2.)

Some suggestions: Just don't shop solely at once place. For example, there have been several PSU deals/steals. Outpost/Fry's had a 500w Ultra (40 dollars) free after mail in rebate (not the best PSU but it's an ok one normally but a great one after the rebate.) They did charge shipping though. There was also a deal on an Antec Trio 650w PSU (100 dollars) with a rebate that brings it down to 60 dollars at Fry's. That one had free shipping. Check out places like slickdeals and dealnews before making your purchases as well as several other computer e-tailers. Remember to also check the BBB and resellerratings to get some idea of how the e-store handles their customers if you are in the States.

If you don't want to play the rebate game, I'd recommend looking at the Sunbeam Nuuo 550w (modular with Active PFC) as it's 60 dollars US from Newegg. Don't plan on high end SLI with this thing but otherwise, works great. Unfortunately, if you can't purchase from Newegg, I'm relatively unsure what other stores in your area may carry them. To be honest, I'd suggest to stay away from the Antec Sonata II since you can easily get a better PSU that way along with an alright case. The Antec Sonota II is an easy decent solution but I hardly consider it a best buy.