Need help, my first real build

[streetsoldier]

This is my first real build, i built my own comp in 2002 but it had a glued on processor and on board video so i never really had a chance to really build a comp. i am trying to build 2 computers. One of them for my girlfriend, and the other for me, i will be building them around april, but i am trying to get a head start on things by trying to figure out the best parts for the cheapest price.

For my girlfriend, she is an architect major, so she does need a comp that has some ok graphics and she plays games, but nothing serious, she likes age of empires and games like that. i am trying to build a comp that comes out to $500 with monitor and keyboard, so i have about $300 to spend on parts, if u have any other recommendations, i would like to hear them, i don't want to get her a mac and she doesn't like them either.
i already have an athlon x2 3800+ processor

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811164040
Linkworld 3210-04-C2628 Black/ Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $23

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813138077
BIOSTAR NF520-A2 AM2 NVIDIA nForce 520 MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $49

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814102704
SAPPHIRE 100172-64L Radeon X1550 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $30

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231111
G.SKILL 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory - Retail $45

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136075
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $50

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827118003
Sony NEC Optiarc Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM $27

psu undecided yet


This computer is for me, i do some light to medium gaming, but i am not a serious gamer, i can spend up to around $500, if there are parts that are cheaper and better then please let me know.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811166030
Sunbeam Silent Storm IC-SS-SVBK Black/Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $50

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131022
ASUS M2N-E AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $100

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814161096
HIS Hightech H155F512N-R Radeon X1550 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $50

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103194
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Black Edition Processor - Retail $100

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231111
G.SKILL 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL6S-2GBMQ - Retail $45

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827151153
SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM $28

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835230003
StarTech FANK8AM2 92mm Ever Lubricate Universal AMD 64-bit CPU Cooler - Retail $13

i haven't decided on the psu yet



None of these comps will be overclocked, they will have wide lcd screens around 19-22" let me know if there is a cheaper and better way to build this thx alot
I will be running xp on the first one and xp or linux on the second one, vista will not touch these comps.

 

[akhilles]

Print this out:

http://www.corsair.com/systembuild/report.aspx?report_id=12472

Drop the Geminii. Use the stock cooler. Save some money. Drop 4 gigs to 2 if it's 32bit OS. Use the savings to buy quality PSUs:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=108088

FYI, 5000+ black doesn't need a good cooler even if it's overclocked to 3ghz at stock volt. Keyword stock voltage = same temps as stock pc. Pick up any $10 AM2 cooler. Even a used one. FWIW, I'm in the process of upgrading to TEC which bring temps to below room temps.

 

[amd_fanboi]

ehmmm, does the above statement apply to intel builds as well???

 

[streetsoldier]

ok, thx alot i changed the memory to 2gigs, and the psu i didn't decide yet for me or my girlfriend...how does this look? is it good to go or are there any more suggestions?

 

[akhilles]

Better ram.

You're still wasting money on GeminII. Even if you get it, it needs a fan or 2.

 

[streetsoldier]

i did forget to take off the geminII what ram would u suggest that i can get for around $50 and that will give me 2 gigs?

i picked out a different cooler, i will prolly get it for both of the comps.

 

[aevm]

You don't need a DVD-ROM if you've already got a DVD burner. Use the money to improve the video card.

If you and the GF live together you should pool the money together and build a single good computer instead of two very cheap ones.

Edit: same for the CD burner, also unnecessary.

 

[streetsoldier]

thx for the suggestion...i didn't think of it, i just picked 2 of them cause i always had 2 i guess, and no we don't live togather, i am building her the pc for her birthday...

 

[akhilles]

No, I meant to say that's the better ram than the previous one. That's a good cooler choice.

 

[streetsoldier]

ok, thanx alot

are there any more suggestions out there?

 

[aevm]

PSU: you need at least 30A on the 12V rails. This 550VX has 41A, so it's a good fit leaving some room for upgrades and safety.

Corsair 550VX, $88
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-vx-550w-power-supply/q/loc/101/205852646.html

Edit: here a good deal from newegg too:
Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 ATX12V 550W , $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371002

 

[roadrunner197069]

If I were you I would build hers first and spend around $1000 on hers with monitor.

Then build yours in a month or so when you have more money.

$300 for parts is to tight of a budget to get a good computer. If she uses cad she is gonna need one hella of a good GPU and CPU, and probably a 64bit OS with 4g of ram. The graphics you picked for hers is only 64bit memory interface. She wont beable to render crap.

I wouldnt use anything less then the build you proposed for yourself for her computer. What your doing is great but if she gets one less powerful that doesnt do what she needs it to do she might feel cheap.

You said building in April. Spend it all on her computer because in May you will get $500-$600 from uncle sam with the new tax rebates that the government is gonna hand out. If she has a job she will get the money also then you can have her pitch in and the both of you can get some nice highend systems with Intel quad yorkfields, and atleast a 3750 or 8800gt card.

Sounds like you have $800 to spend for April so add $600 more in May you got $1400 and is she pitches in you got $2000. You could have some major potential there.

 

[streetsoldier]

ok, thx for the information, my plans were to build her this comp for now, and then in about 4 months to upgrade it, i want it to be an amd built so that i can use future tech on it. this is the start up system because that is all i can afford and i definitely need a comp i have a 1 gig duron and 512 ram with a 64 bit card, i am surprised this comp is still alive

 

[roadrunner197069]

You would do yourself great favors by waiting and do it right the first time. I know its hard, I like to build all of the time.

I have a AMD 3800x2 computer with 2g ram, 7300 SE, Vista Ultimate that is sweet for surfing watching movies and doing general apps. I spent $450.00 on it.

I also have the computer that I'm on now that I spent $650 on. This one has Asus P5k SE with e2180 intel overclocked to 3.3GHz 2 gig ram 80g HDD, 500G HDD, and a 8500GT, both have DvD burners. This computer smacks the hell out of the other one by a huge margin.

Intel build gets a 4.8 Vista score.
CPU: 5.7
Memory: 5.7
Graphics for Aero: 4.8
Gaming Graphics: 5.2
HDD: 5.7

AMD build Visa score is 3.0:
CPU: 4.8
Memory: 4.2
Graphics for Aero: 3.4
Gamiong graphics: 3.0
HDD: 5.2

The AMD computer cant do gaming or 3D graphics apps to save its ass. Evertything else is sweet. Moral of the story is you get what you pay for. You said she games and will be using 3d apps you definately got to reconsider on the graphic card.

 

[streetsoldier]

i will be reconsidering the graphics card, i am considering getting her something atleast 128-bit min...i hope i can even get to 256, she hardly games, age of empires is the only thing, i might buy a couple more games for her...are there cards that are better for graphics then for gaming? i would rather give her a graphics card...and no, i am not buying her a mac, me and her both don't like them.

 

[roadrunner197069]

If she does 3d Cad get her a minimum of 256 interface. The best way to know for sure is look up the specs for the Cad program she will be using and then get her a card based on those specs.

 

[shinagauri]

hah, i just purchased that G.skill ram too, but i got 2 packages instead of just one, it's a hella a deal since you save $63 or so instantly! there regulary $109 and it has free shipping! snatch it up man!

 

[streetsoldier]

she won't be needing to buy the software for another year and a half, by that time i am hoping to build her a great computer...

 

[roadrunner197069]

If that is the case you should be fine. I been installing lots of stuff on my amd and it takes twice to 3 times as long s the intel computer. Its driving me nuts.