Good computer on a budget?

[stewartfan]

I have reached an end with my computer, upgrading is not a possibility. I want to know what i need to know to build one of my own from scratch. What do i need? What should I look for in a Motherboard? A power supply? CPU? I do not know anything about this. I know what the components of a computer are, I know what they do, but i need some assistance with what I should start with, and what to do next? I would like a core 2 duo, quad, or some type of phenom. thats a good start, i guess.

I was thinking of keeping it simple and staying on newegg.com during the build.

First off, the case.
this seems like the best bang for the buck: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062

Now the motherboard:
?? i dont know how to tell weather or not it will fit, or if it will fit a processor i want...

Help?

 

[hunter315]

What budget are we working with? What do you use your computer for? When are you planning to buy? What resolution is your monitor?

Actually just repost in this format so we make sure we have everything covered
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[jbakerlent]

Please use this format:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[stewartfan]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ?

BUDGET RANGE: $600

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Home, Gaming, web surfing

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Speakers, KBD, Mouse, Monitor

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: none, really

OVERCLOCKING: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: the bigger, the better, but current is 17" @1280x1024

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: look at first question

 

[stewartfan]

I found this processor and it looks good for the price:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680

I decided AMD would be the way to go

 

[jbakerlent]

If you're looking for dual core on that budget why not check out the Phenom II x2 550 or for better multitasking a 720

 

[stewartfan]

If you're looking for dual core on that budget why not check out the Phenom II x2 550 or for better multitasking a 720

haha actually, i found the one above and edited before i read this one... and its the 550

 

[jbakerlent]

As for the case I would recommend buying a case and power supply separately and buying a PSU from someone like Corsair, OCZ, PC Power and Cooling, Antec... To answer your question about motherboard and CPU compatibility Core 2 systems use socket 775, and Phenom II systems use AM3 or AM2+, just make sure your motherboard uses the same socket as your CPU

 

[hunter315]

Alright, with that budget you can likely get a pretty good AMD triple core

720 x3 and ASUS 790GX combo $205
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205337

OCZ Platinum 1600 CL7 $76
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227297

WD Caviar black $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319&Tpk=640%20caviar%20black

XFX 4850 512MB $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150337

Antec 300 $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

Antec EA500 PSU $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007&Tpk=EA500

$601 before shipping or taxes or MIR. If you need to cut down the price a bit swap the ram out for these, it brings you down to $590
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193

 

[stewartfan]

well, how's about this video card?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161263
and then get a better-looking case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119104
and that brings it down to like $540?

 

[tecmo34]

^+1 on hunter315's build. I don't think you can find a much better build then what he put together for the price. It should be able to max any game out with your monitor's resolution. After you complete your build, I would recommend saving up money again and purchase a monitor with at least a 1920x1080 resolution for better gaming experience. You can find one on Newegg for around $160.

 

[hunter315]

Cases are personal preference, as long as it has a couple of fans and will fit a full atx motherboard it will work.

As for that video card, you listed gaming didnt you? That isnt very good when it comes to gaming, the lowest you should go for an ATI graphics card if you still want to game is a 4670, there is a reason the 4350 is that cheap.

 

[stewartfan]

^+1 on hunter315's build. I don't think you can find a much better build then what he put together for the price. It should be able to max any game out with your monitor's resolution. After you complete your build, I would recommend saving up money again and purchase a monitor with at least a 1920x1080 resolution for better gaming experience. You can find one on Newegg for around $160.

i fully agree, only, i think the video card he suggested is a little low for the price...am i wrong? compared to the one i suggested, i mean. would the case i chose in my last post be a good one?

 

[stewartfan]

Cases are personal preference, as long as it has a couple of fans and will fit a full atx motherboard it will work.

As for that video card, you listed gaming didnt you? That isnt very good when it comes to gaming, the lowest you should go for an ATI graphics card if you still want to game is a 4670, there is a reason the 4350 is that cheap.

ok,i will think about the one you put together, but, just to make sure, the case i picked would work with everything else?

 

[hunter315]

yeah it will work fine

 

[stewartfan]

also, would my current disc drives, being paralell-ata work in this setup?

 

[hunter315]

yeah, the motherboard has 1 IDE cable so you can have up to two old PATA devices

 

[stewartfan]

and another thing, i would like your opinion on a good graphics card with a vga port? i dont see myself upgrading to a new monitor any time soon

 

[hunter315]

most GPUs come with a DVI to VGA adapter, it works fine, i still havent upgraded to a DVI cable for my monitor yet myself.

 

[tecmo34]

i fully agree, only, i think the video card he suggested is a little low for the price...am i wrong? compared to the one i suggested, i mean. would the case i chose in my last post be a good one?

I'm not sure I understand your statement on "a little low". Do you mean price to performance? If that is the case, than no I don't think so. You will see a marked improvement with his card over yours. If you were building a "home internet" PC, your video card would be the way to go.

Your choice in a case is fine. It is similar to the Antec 300 so no issues there.

 

[stewartfan]

ok, well I have to say thank you to everyone who helped, and i feel i have truly learned a lot from this experience! i hope to get started asap!

 

[hunter315]

If you have any other questions please come back and ask thats what this forum is for.

 

[stewartfan]

most GPUs come with a DVI to VGA adapter, it works fine, i still havent upgraded to a DVI cable for my monitor yet myself.

I also noticed that there is a DVI to VGA adaptor, so that is great!

 

[stewartfan]

I noticed...Wont i need a heatsink?
Is this good:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

and other than that, will i need anything else to make this work?
(i plan on putting win7 on it)


SUMMARY:
720 x3 and ASUS 790GX combo $205
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.205337

OCZ Platinum 1600 CL7 $76
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227297

WD Caviar black $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] ar%20black

XFX 4850 512MB $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150337

CM Centurion $45
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/message.php?ref=0&numrep=0&config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=268568&page=1&p=1&subcat=322&sondage=0&owntopic=0&new=0

Antec EA500 PSU $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=EA500

 

[hunter315]

the 720 comes with a heatsink in its box, unless you are planning on overclocking you wont need a better one.