First Time Build Under $400

[jobondur]

I'm looking to perform my first computer build. I want something that will mainly be used for internet and other basic work as well as ripping DVDs and some occasional gaming (but not much). I have the monitor, OS, keyboard, and mouse; all I'm looking for is the actual computer.

I want at least a dual core processor and a mid-tower case with probably around 4 gig. I would also love it if I could stream video output to my PS3. I won't be doing any overclocking (yet) and I want something that will be upgradable in the future.

The pieces I would love suggestions on are:

1. CPU
2. Motherboard
3. Case
4. Memory
5. Video Card (if not onboard motherboard which is fine)
6. Hard Drive (at LEAST 500 GB)
7. DVD Burner (DL necessary, lightscribe is preferrable but not necessary)
8. Power Supply (if not included with case)
9. CPU Cooling Fan

If you have any suggestions on hardware to buy I would greatly appreciate it. Remember, my budget is $400. Thanks.

 

[Proximon]

It's very hard to put together a system for that budget. You may not get everything you want.

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=6028789

That's not too bad actually. Quality PSU in the case, board is compatible with Phenom II.

 

[jobondur]

Thanks for your input Proximon, I really appreciate your expert advice. I was a little surprised that you put so much of the budget into the case though. I was initially looking at the one below because of it's price, reviews, included power supply, and number of cooling fans. The only thing about that case is I don't know whether the power supply is a good one or not. Do you have any input on it? I think I would rather skimp a bit on the case and commit that money to a better motherboard and/or CPU. Take a look and see what you think...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156098

Also, I assume that mobo will be fine to add a video card to in the future if I really start to do some gaming?

Thanks a ton. You guys that help us first timers out don't know how much we appreciate having someone that really keeps up with computer hardware give us advice.

 

[ajcroteau]

I really think you should wait and increase your budget. At $400.00, you might be able to put something together but i don't think your going to be very happy with it.

I would at least try to double your budget. That'll at least give you some breathing room as far as buying good components.

AJ

 

[jobondur]

AJ,
That's not really an option. I'm currently in the middle of planning (and paying for) a wedding as well as selling TWO houses. So I really don't have the extra money laying around to throw into a computer that I'm not going to be asking to do too much. Like I said, I'm not gonna be playing crazy games on this rig so I don't need the top of the line stuff. My previous computer was a 7 year old 1.2 Ghz AMD HP that (up until it died) could do everything I needed it to do (albeit a little slower than I really cared for). I'm just looking for a fun, cheap project computer to play with that I can upgrade later if I want/need to. $400 is my budget and I plan on sticking to it, I just want to know what's the best stuff I can get for my money...thanks.

 

[ahslan]

if thats the case, then it is certainly possible for you to make your build...is there any chance that you could reuse any of the parts from your old computer? like a dvd drive or something? anything helps really...and an easy way to save money on newegg is to buy combo deals and use promo codes...you can save a ton like that...

 

[jobondur]

The only thing I could actually reuse would be the 60 Gb hard drive and I plan on just using that as my 2nd hard drive to backup my pictures and important files to. Everything else is just old and outdated. I will be reusing the keyboard, mouse and monitor (until I decide to get a 22") so all I need is the rig itself.

My only question with the case I listed is the PSU. Would I be better off getting the case I listed (with PSU included) or spending a little more to get a case and PSU seperately? Also, what mobo would you recommend?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

If you apply the promo code for the PSU, this build comes in at budget:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000 3.1GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 89W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103272 $76.00

ECS A780GM-A AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135075 $69.99

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731 $45.99

Antec Three Hundred ATX Computer Case
http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-three-hundred-atx-computer-case/q/loc/101/207906549.html $53.24

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008 $59.99 - $10.00 MIR + 20% promo code "Jansave20"

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319&Tpk=wd6401aals $79.99

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153 $25.99


Total - $411.19 - $10 MIR & 20% promo on the PSU

 

[jobondur]

Also, when you say promo codes, do you mean promo codes for specific items or across the board promo codes (like 10% off the entire order)? If you have across the board promo codes for newegg could you please send them to me???

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The only item that currently has a promo code is the power supply. It's 20% off the PSU only.

 

[jobondur]

That looks good, I really like the fact that the mobo has HDMI. Does anybody have any input on the mobo itself though? I've never heard of ECS Elitegroup, but then again I'm kinda new to this. Do they make a good product??

 

[ahslan]

the listed build shortstuff put up would certainly meet your needs...just remember that the rig does NOT have a dedicated video card...but the onboard video on the 780g is probably the best onboard video chipset you can get...

 

[ahslan]

and about the mobo, my friend has used an ECS mobo before and didnt run to any issues with it...ECS isnt known as the most reliable brand in the world but then again, I LOVE Biostar, and for some reason ppl say their stuff isnt too reliable as well...I personally would recommend anything from the Biostar's TForce line...my friend has this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138105] and he loves it...i got the TA770 and I love it...

 

[jobondur]

Yeah I understand that it has onboard video and that is more than fine with me right now. However, if I decide I want to really start playing games on this system, I could still throw a nice video card in there right?

Anybody else have experience with ECS they'd like to share?

Or recommend a different mobo?

Thanks for your help, I think I'm starting to get really close to deciding exactly what I want to buy...

Also, since the CPU comes with a heat sink and fan do I have to get that thermal gel stuff or will everything already be together when I get it?

Any other little things that I might forget (wrist strap, screws, etc.)? I've got plenty of standard and small screwdrivers and basic tools like that but really no computer specialty tools. Is there anything that I really need?

Also, what is the absolute best online guide to building a computer??? Link please.

Once again, thanks...you guys (and gals) are a tremendous help...

 

[jobondur]

Also, 400 isn't ABSOLUTELY locked in stone. If you think I'll be MUCH happier spending an extra $20 or $30 to get a much nicer mobo then I'm open to that. So if we keep everything else that shortstuff_mt had listed, what mobo should I get that is less than $100. Just make sure that the onboard graphics are top notch, at least 8gb RAM possible, HDMI, future expandability, and something that will be easy for me to put together and configure.

Just remember, the goal here isn't to spend $100 on a mobo. It's to give me the most bang for the buck while staying under $100.

Thanks.

 

[ahslan]

1. Yes, you could easily throw in a video card to increase your gaming performance...

2. there will be thermal paste already ON the included heatsink so you wont have to spread any of it or buy any thermal paste...

3. No specialty tools are needed...just make sure that the screwdriver you are using isnt magnetized...that might mess up some of your components...a wrist strap would help with static but you can certaintly do without it...just dont go around rubbing your feet all over ur carpet before you start assembling

4. Not sure about a guide but im pretty sure someone else has a sick link for that....if not, google is your friend

 

[ahslan]

the top notch brands for mobos are usually either ASUS or Gigabyte...a good way to find a solid mobo is to have the mobos sorted by best reviewed...

 

[dirtmountain]

Here's another build idea using a Rosewill case with 450w PSU and the AMD 7750 Kuma with the 790GX combo.

case/PSU - $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147030

CPU- Athlon 64 x2 7750 $78
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103300

Mobo - Biostar TA 790GX $70 after rebate and in combo deal with CPU. Integrated video capable of playing blu-ray movies.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138128

RAM - 2x2 GB DDR2 1066 $55 - used with that mobo and that CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

Cooler - Xigmatek 963 $25 for overclocking- ACC with board and CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233001

HD - WD 500GB SATA $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

Burner - Liteon SATA $21
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106263

$378 before shipping and tax (if any)

 

[jobondur]

How about this one? Would this be a substantial upgrade? It looks like it has everything I want and though it only has 30+ reviews they are almost all 5's except for 2 people that got DOAs. Does it look like it would be fully compatible with everything else (RAM specifically)?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128373

 

[shortstuff_mt]

This combo would be a great upgrade:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.153414

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000 3.1GHz Socket AM2 89W Dual-Core Processor Model ADV60000DOBOX - Retail
+
GIGABYTE GA-MA78G-DS3HP AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

$154.99 combo deal

The motherboard is full-size ATX, which means you'll have more expansion slots. I've also had great luck with Gigabyte lately.

Edit: LOL - The motherboard you were asking about is the one in this post.

 

[ahslan]

I would recommend going for the gigabyte as well

 

[the1tarheel]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129045
Antec NSK6580B Black 0.8mm cold-rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 430 Watts 80 PLUS Power Supply

nice case and psu for $100.00

 

[ahslan]

the build that dirtmountain put up isnt bad either...what i would change from it would be that case/psu combo to an antec psu and whatever case you want...

awesome NeoPower 550w antec psu on sale: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103941]
good case on sale: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119047]

 

[Guest]

IMHO: Do not get a aftermarket cooler, but get a boxed CPU (which comes with a perfectly fine cooler). Get a diskdrive 500 GB or 750 GB or bigger if that pleases you. On a $400 budget, just stick to 4 GB DDR2 value memory. This way you can spare out more money for the CPU, the component that actually is gonna influence your preformance alot more then a fancy mobo.

And then u will have a decent gaming system when you add the videocard later!

 

[jobondur]

What's the major difference between the Kuma and the 6000 CPUs?

Is the Antec NSK6580B case that Tarheel listed a better one than the 300? I assume the power supply we have listed on here is better than the one included with the package deal??

Hey Ashlan - which case are you referring to, there's 20 on that page you linked to.