Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > Please help, first build in a long time, low budget ($550)

Please help, first build in a long time, low budget ($550)

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Please help, first build in a long time, low budget ($550)

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doje1999   04-19-2009 at 08:25:38 PM

hello, this is my first post as well as my first build in about 6 years so I pretty much have no idea what to look for or what i'm doing. My powermac just broke down and i don't have $1500 laying around to buy one so i'm just gonna build a pc, hopefully. Anyways, i was going to go to a website like cyberpowerpc.com but i heard too many bad things and most people just say to build your own so here I am. Here goes.

case: RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black ATX-612WEBP 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower With 500W PSU - $94.99 ($25 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156098

cpu + mobo: Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz + GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L(combo) - $144.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.181198

ram: G.SKILL HK 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $42.99 (will this ram work with the mobo i chose?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820104020

video: XFX GS250XYDFC GeForce GTS 250 512MB - $129.99 (is it worth it to spend $15 more for the 1 GB version?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150357

hdd: Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM - $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136320

cd/dvd: LG 22X DVD±R DVD - $22.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136144

I have a copy of windows xp which I'll be using. Besides that, do I need anything else besides whats on my list? Thanks.

This build costs about $550 including tax. any input/ideas would be greatly appreciated. I'm a total noob with computer builds and this is my first one in a long time, I'd really appreciate the help. I definitely want to keep it under $600 including tax. I'm going to be mainly using it as a graphic workstation and for gaming. Also, I was wondering if i should go for a cheap case and a decent PSU. I read the reviews and heard mixed things about the psu. I read so many good things about the Smilidon case and especially that its noob friendly which was the main selling point for me. THANKS!


Message edited by doje1999 on 04-19-2009 at 10:16:59 PM
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WR2   04-19-2009 at 08:46:44 PM
- 1 +

Overall - very good choices. I was going to suggest more CPU and less case before I saw the case rebate.

The only tactical error I see is buying single sticks of RAM vs a matched pair.
Give the G.SKILL HK 4GB DDR2 800 a good look.
Or go for the matched set: Kingston HyperX 4GB DDR2 800

Reply to WR2
doje1999   04-19-2009 at 08:52:15 PM
- 0 +

hey thanks ancient poster, i updated my cart to the paired kingston

Reply to doje1999
doje1999   04-19-2009 at 08:56:58 PM
- 0 +

woops, i meant wr2 :)

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