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Custom PC Build under $600, advice please !

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Custom PC Build under $600, advice please !

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Ok, I have a $600-$650 budget on building this new GAMING pc. The computer will be used for running only a few programs at a time and for css,sc2, and some of the newer games coming out. I got the majority of the build off this website (marathon build) just tweaked a few things. I can spend up to $650 if the $50 makes a worthy difference .. trying to stay at 600. This is what I got so far... any input would be greatly appreciated since im stilla "newbie". thanks in advance,

CASE : Antec Three Hundred
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129042

POWER SUPPLY : Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W ATX12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817153023

DVD/RW DRIVE: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106263

MOTHERBOARD : GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128345

CPU : Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 Wolfdale 2.66GHz LGA 775 Dual-Core
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115132

RAM : Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220335

VIDEO CARD : SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102770

HARDRIVE: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148288

PRICE: 597.92 W/OUT THE $60 IN MAIL IN REBATES.

If there are cheaper, but better performance components im missing or any modifications you would make .. any advice.

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Avoid that Thermaltake power supply, it's an old design with too few amps on the 12v rail. Go with the combo deal for the Antec Earthwatts 430w or 500w that goes with the Antec300 case.
Spend the extra $13 to get this RAM, 2x2 GB DDR2 800 5-4-4-12 it runs at stock JEDEC 1.8v and is a much better choice for a 1st time builder.....fewer hassles.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146731

good solid build once you get rid of that power supply, the RAM is kind of optional, but what i'd recommend.

Reply to dirtmountain

I'll second dirtmountain's suggestion to change the PSU. While I have that same power supply in my PC, my PC uses quite a big less power than this proposed system; by choosing that PSU, you run the risk of it dying and taking your system with it.

------------------------------ DFI nF4-DAGF
A64 3700+ @ 2.25GHz (11 x 205)
2GB G.Skill DDR400 @410
ASUS Radeon HD 2600XT 256MB
Reply to angry_ducky

Ok, thanks alot. I changed out both the ram and power supply now using the

mushkin 4gb (2x2gb)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146731

&
earthwatts 430w psupply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.151545

new total: $610.92

Reply to cmill0422

For $5 more you can get a faster drive with 140GB more storage.

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] wd6400aaks $69.99

Reply to shortstuff_mt

I would spend the extra $15'ish for the Gigabyte UDR3:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128359

Reply to Noya

look at the same system that was built a month earlier. Tom's had better results with a E5200

------------------------------ "barebones" I7 build
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,2112.html
Reply to alcattle

+1 for the wd 640gb drive. I've seen that drive recommended over and over here and other places. Fast, quiet, and plenty of storage for the price

Reply to buzznut

If you're planning to go XFire later, get the -UD3P ($20 more than UD3R) instead of the UD3R since it has the 2nd PCIEx16 slot. Overall, the UD3x series is well worth it to get the better cooling + additional SATA ports over the DS3R.

As for processor, if I had known better, I would have gotten the E5200, has a much higher multiplier (12x vs 10x) so overclocking is far easier (at least on the motherboard end of things) and only 1mb cache difference from the E7300. That should pay for the upgrade to the UD3P

Oh, I have a new/retail boxed 5200 for sale below newegg's price (shipped) if you're interested (and a 7300 if you can't be convinced). PM me if interested.

Message edited by metanoia on 01-10-2009 at 09:21:53 AM

Reply to metanoia

ok, so swtich out the hardrive for the wd (+$10), change the mobo for the UD3P, and downgrade the cpu to the E5200 to take the cost down a little ??

Reply to cmill0422

+1 to dirtmountain and Shortstuff_mt's comments and looks solid

Reply to The1tarheel

Great build man and insane prices!
I would DEFINITELY change the PSU to around a 550W quality PSU or at least a 500W all good brands.

I would look for, single-rail, 80 Plus rated, and a 3 year or more warranty, and finally get a PSU with 120mm or more fan for great cooling which it would help A LOT in your system cooling.
LED's would be nice two on a PSU too.

Reply to yoda8232

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