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Building New Pc (Budget), selling old.

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So I haven't built a computer in a while and thought it was time to upgrade, but I'm a few hundred dollars away from being able to buy all the parts. So a friend told me that he would buy my PC, since he only uses it for Music, videos, internet, and FSX (Flight Simulator 10). So the main question is how much is my current PC worth and are the parts I chose for my new build compatible, reliable, and better than my current one. I wanted a Lanbox case for one reason. Lan parties! I'm tired of having to carry a kinda huge desktop to my lan parties (it's not even that great of a computer).

My Current Computer (I need a price check):

Case:
Antec 900 Mid Tower Case
Motherboard:
Nvidia 680i Sli Lt
Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Allendale 2.2Ghz
RAM:
2 x 1 GB Corsair and extra 512 Mb
Hard Drive:
500gb Maxtor HDD at 7200 RPM (Sata)
Video Card:
8500GT 512Mb Pny
CD/DVD Drive:
HP Lightscribe (Sata) DVD+R 22x DVD-RW 6x DVD-RAM 12x
PSU:
600 Watt lifetime PSU
Operating System:
Windows XP Sp3

My dream PC (Please Criticize, I'm aiming for under $600, I already have an Extra Operating System so that's not a problem):

Case:
Thermaltake LANBOX Lite VF6000BWS Black Gaming Cube Computer Case - $89.99
Motherboard:
ASUS M3A78-EM Micro ATX AMD - $78.99
Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 2.7GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Dual-Core black edition - $64.99
RAM:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel - $49.99
Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 640GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive - $69.99
Video Card:
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512-P3-N841-AR Video Card - $109.99
CD/DVD Drive:
I don't know yet... which do you think I should get?
PSU:
Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU 500W Power Supply - $54.99
CPU Cooler:
Thermaltake CL-P0466 80mm CPU Cooler - $59.99
((Okay now this is a problem, I really don't know if this will fit in the case being Micro atx with a 8800GTS in it so please comment some advice))

PM me for Product list from newegg.

Message edited by Mastershake1000 on 07-08-2009 at 10:16:04 AM

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I'm gonna have to say no to the 7750. It runs hot and doesn't overclock too well so it's really, really not suited for a small gaming lanbox. Go with the Athlon X2 250 or the Phenom II X2 550 instead as they run much cooler than the 7750 would at 3.0GHz and you can use the stock cooler. I don't think that thermaltake cooler would fit anyway .

For the motherboard I like this ASRock better.

ASRock A780GMH/128M $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157154

I would choose a different PSU, but I suppose that one will be fine. I recommend reversing the fan on the stock CPU cooler to blow air up into the PSU fan so it can exhaust out the case.

Message edited by megamanx00 on 07-08-2009 at 06:19:24 PM

Second on the Phenom II X2 550 if you're thinking of going for an AMD build. Budget gaming builds typically run better on dual cores than quad cores.

Not only that, but that particular model gives quite a bit of bang for your buck.

Reply to evankim390

I agree with the above... i have a 7750 and while it's not a bad CPU, there are better options for around the same or a little more $$. The Phenom 2 550's are really nice (comparatively the 7750 is a Phenom 1 and the 550 is a Phenom 2, run better, cooler, and OC better.)

I can't say im a fan of lanboxes... unless you do actually lan a lot, i don't think i would bother. You can get better cooling from a real tower. a CM690 would be a good alternative in the same price range.

now, i dont know enough about the 8800's to say if this would be better or not.. but i just picked up a BFG tech gts250 1 gig for like 114... now i know a 250 is a 9800 which is really an 8800, so i would assume that the gts250 is "better" so, that might be worth looking into.

Reply to Kithzaru

Look on e-bay for a similar system, and look at completed auctions. That will give you some idea of worth. Usually, a PC is worth more broken down into parts than it is as a complete pc.
Also, FSX is one of the few very cpu intensive games that is multi core optimized, and your friend would be better advised to look for a quad core system.
If you value his friendship, tell him so.

Heat will be a big issue in a small case.

For your dream system, pay attention to the manufacturing technology of your vga card. The 8800GTS(g92) uses older technology. 40 and 55nm parts are here now, and by the end of the year, there should be some much better cards for you.

The thermaltake psu is a tier 3 unit on this list:
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.asp
It is 70% efficient, which will build up unnecessary heat. Low efficiency is an indicator of lower quality.
I think you can do better.
Look for a quality unit like Corsair which is 85% efficient.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139003

Reply to geofelt

geofelt has a point... you could just break it down and sell the parts.. reuse that case.. save the money and put it to other stuffs

Reply to Kithzaru

Yea, you can do considerably better for around $600:

AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103681

ASUS M2A74-AM AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 740G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131391

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.211681 $136.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166

Antec earthwatts EA430 430W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371006

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.204214 $99.98

Thermaltake LANBOX Lite VF6000BWS Black SECC Japanese steel Gaming Cube Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] =VF6000BWS $89.99

XFX HD-485X-YDFC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150337 $109.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] wd6401aals $74.99

LG GH22NS40 22X SATA DVD Burner Black Drive Bulk
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] t=celebros $31.99

Total - $543.93

You could swap out the CPU for a Phenom II X2 550 for an extra $28 if you used this combo:

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103680

ASUS M2A74-AM AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 740G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131391

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.211677 $164.98

Reply to shortstuff_mt

Thanks for feedback I think I will change CPU to AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition, I guess Asus mobo would be better but I'm still skeptical, but oh well.

Reply to Mastershake1000

damn shortstuff... good combos there. Considering that Callisto and MoBo combo myself.

~ There is nothing wrong with Asus Mastershake, they are a very well known quality brand, nothing to be skeptical about there =P

Reply to Kithzaru

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