Is this a good budget build? ($400 or less)

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yoyojam55

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Recently I posted a thread about a $700 system. Well my budget got reduced a lot. Now I'm trying to build a system mostly for the experience (it's my first build). I do also want a computer that is a good multitasker and is fast enough. I'm also looking for something that will be more upgradeable than my dell. Obviously at that price I'm not looking to game on it. Mostly just running a ton of web tabs, AIM, itunes, antivirus, and whatever other random program I feel like running at the time. I'll probably give the CPU a mild overclock, but at this price I realize I won't be able to get a board that will let me get that big of a overclock.

I've put together a list of components that I'm looking at right now. I'm worried that the PSU might now be enough to power this and leave room for expansion.Any other help would be appreciated.

CPU: PDC E5200
Motherboard:GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128357
RAM: Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220227
GPU: SAPPHIRE 100253L Radeon HD 4650 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102805
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008
HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074
Case: Rosewill R115-P BK http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view
ODD: LITE-ON 22X DVD Burner Black SATA http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view

-Ethan
 
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yoyojam55

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That board only has 2 sata ports on it, so I wouldn't be able to upgrade it much in the future. Getting a board with more sata ports would negate any price difference. Also the 7750 has very little overclocking room.

Everything else look good? I'll probably buy the PSU and case tomorrow because that's the last day for some promo codes on them. Any objections to this build?
 
Abyssalx

Abyssalx

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True about the sata, didn't think of that.

I wouldn't say that about the 7750 though.
Only reason I say this is because my friend has the processor OC'd to 3.33GHz on air. Not the stock cooler, but still.

It's not super oc'ing but the cache helps the price.

What about this MB then? 6 SATA Ports.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128342
 
xthekidx

xthekidx

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Its ok for your budget...I would want to wait a bit though until you can save a little more money for the MB, that one is as basic and cheap as they come...you get what you pay for. You don't need the sata cable, the mobo comes with 2.

Just be aware that rebates take a while to come...like 10 weeks sometimes so it won't feel like you are getting that ram for $28, it will feel like $54. Something like this might be better for you if you are short on cash and can't wait for the rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144238
 
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yoyojam55

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Over the next few weeks I'm going to be on the lookout for deals and buy parts and I see a good deal. So I'm not worrying about overspending about a part, I'll probably ask here before buying anything anyway. Thats why I'm buying the PSU and HDD now, I have a good deal on them.
 
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jimbo15

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this set up is something i would be interested in also...how would this compare to a 4 or 5 hundred $ dell or hp out of the box. as far as lots of multitasking like stated above??
 
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yoyojam55

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I've been thinking of switching out for this motherboard and an E7400 and using integrated graphics. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186146
Would those graphics be able to handle the Windows 7 and Ubuntu eye candy, as well as very mild gaming (mostly quake live)?

Would the board/PSU (400cx) be able to handle a mild overclock (3.2 - 3.4 ish)? How far could I get on the stock cooler? If I later decided to get an aftermarket cooler, could I take off the stock one to replace it? Would I have to take out the motherboard to do that? Also what is a decent cheap aftermarket cooler?
 
Greg_77

Greg_77

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Integrated graphics would be a lot worse than a dedicated card. For light gaming, a low end card would be better. Increasing your budget a bit would help considerably. You could always upgrade to a dedicated card later, and use the integrated until then. It is much easier to upgrade the graphics card than a cpu.
 
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yoyojam55

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I realize that integrated won't be able to do much gaming. My main concern is weather or not it will be able to handle Aero and such.

How about the overclocking questions I had a few posts back?
 
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yoyojam55

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For $20 more I can get a Phenom II X3 710 and a mother board with much better integrated graphics (Nvidia 8200 vs Intel 3100). Which processor is generally faster, the E7400 or the PII X3 710? Is this build pretty good now?

EDIT: I'm about to buy that RAM unless anybody has any objections to it.
EDIT2: RAM purchased. I just realized that that cooler master case no longer has free shipping on it, instead it's $15. Is there another case you would recommend that is cheaper?
 
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yoyojam55

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All I have left to buy is a CPU, motherboard, case, and DVD drive. Here are my choices right now.
CPU: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Processors/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=04&sku=A2032161
Motherboard: http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=209968879
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208009
DVD drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106287

OR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165023
with that same case and DVD drive for about 15 bucks more.

Intel or AMD for this situation? In either build I would go for a mild overclock on stock cooling, then later upgrade the cooler and possible get a graphics card.
 
aford10

aford10

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Y

yoyojam55

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Bump, still looking for any last minute opinions on those parts. Will I be able to get any kind of an overclock on the stock HSF? What's a good cheap HSF to get later for around $40?
 
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