Buying new computer components today, but which build?

[lrh9]

Thanks to several of you - without who's guidance I would not have made it to today - I am finally ready to order the components for my new computer. However, I have a choice between three builds that I've selected, and once again I need the invaluable advice of tom's hardware forum members.

I will first post the common items.

Case:

ZXT HUSH Silver SECC Steel/ Aluminum/ Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Case fans:

Two COOLER MASTER R4-L2R-20AC-GP 120mm Blue LED Case Fan

(Note: I'm not getting these because of the LED, but because they move 90cfm air and have the lowest db rating of all of the 120mm >80 cfm fans.)

Power Supply:


hec HEC500TEWX 500W ATX12V Ver2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - OEM

(Note: I'm aware that this is a fairly cheap PSU. However, I've read reviews of hec products and they are apparently reliable. I think the main reason for the low cost is the fact that it is an OEM product. Otherwise it seems like it will meet my needs.)

Motherboard:

Open Box: ASRock K10N78M AM3/AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 8100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

(Note: Newegg open box policy does state that the item is tested for functionality. I feel comfortable buying open box items. Especially seeing as I easily found a dozen testimonials of positive experiences with such items. I am also aware that such items may be missing accessories such as cables or driver cds. I'd like to go ahead and say that I all ready have the necessary cables and I'm purchasing some cds to put the drivers on in case the driver cds are not in the package. I feel comfortable taking the risk - which is in my estimation small - to save the money because I am on a very tight budget.)

Memory:

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit

GPU:

Open Box: ASUS EAH4850 TOP/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready

(Note: See information about my stance on open box items above.)

Total USD (including UPS Guaranteed 3 day service to my address): 366.93

The main difference as you can probably guess is in the CPU (and associated fan and heatsink in one instance).

Here are two choices related by having the same cooler.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor (Total of 475.3 USD including fan/heatsink and common components.)

OR


AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Brisbane 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 89W Dual-Core Processor (Total of 470.74 USD including fan/heatsink and common components.)

BOTH w/

Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2

And the other choice is the:

AMD Athlon X2 7850 Black Edition Kuma 2.8GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 95W Dual-Core Processor (Total 492.86 USD including fan/heatsink, thermal compound, and common components.)

(Note: The name says Athlon X2, but the description says Athlon 64 X2. Any information on this would be appreciated.)

w/

XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler

using

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

I least like the Windsor. It seems like a limited power hog, and it is actually more expensive than the Brisbane.

The Kuma costs more, but I suspect it would be more powerfull than the Brisbane. So what do you guys think I should get?

 

[gkay09]

I would suggest you this reworked config over those...

CPU
AMD Phenom II X2 545
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103694

Mobo-
Foxconn A74MX-K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186151

RAM
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

CPU cooler -
Sunbeam CR-CCTF92-4 92mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207006

Graphics card -
HIS H485QT512P Radeon HD 4850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161244

CASE - Same

Power supply -
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016

Total - $430 | $370 with rebates...Without shipping included...
And you get a very fast CPU compared to those you had listed, better mobo, graphics card and power supply...

 

[gkay09]

And if you are not going to overclock high, then I doubt that you would require the aftermarket CPU cooler...the stock ones are pretty good for stock speeds and a slight overclock...

 

[lrh9]

One thing I'd like to talk about right now. I'm not sure how the graphics card you suggested is better except in its price and the fact that it is retail. The card I picked out has a 680MHz core clock and a 2100MHz memory clock whereas the card you suggested has a 650 MHz core clock and a 2000MHz memory clock. If there is one thing I want this system to be about it is the graphics, so I'm not sure why I should switch.

 

[gkay09]

The graphics card that I had suggest is better for these reason -
1. It would run cooler than the ASUS card.
2. It has a closed cooler design, which blows the hot air outside the case through the rear vent, instead of blowing back into the case, which could raise the temps inside the case...
3. Better than an open box as you might not know how their conditions will be...
4. A 30MHz overclock can be easily achieved by tools like the Rivatuner...
Check this site for more info...
http://www.guru3d.com/article/his-radeon-hd-4850-iceq4-turbox-review/14

But its your wish to go for it or not as its your PC

 

[lrh9]

I think the card can compete with the Asus card, and it will be much cheaper. I'm just wondering why. Was the card manufactured later with better techniques? Is HIS just a better manufacturer than Asus?

 

[gkay09]

^ The HIS is a very good graphic card manufacturer...
And the reason why the card is cheaper because as the demand is high, they mass-produce the card hence lower production costs and to compete with other manufacturers, they offer attractive prices...

 

[lrh9]

You're pretty good at this. If you think we can work the Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition in under budget, would you help me do it?

 

[gkay09]

Ya Sure...

 

[gkay09]

What is the max budget and what are the components that you require ?? Dint see a HDD in your config...

 

[Outlander_04]

The phenom x2 550 is $114

the phenom X3 710 is $99 . The core speed is lower [ unless you overclock mildly ] but you have 3 cores instead of two . Some people have managed to overclock these to 3.6 GHz

AMD Phenom II X3 710 2.6GHz $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103648

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231200

$254 for cpu/mb/ram
All the latest AM3

You can save more by using the X2 545 , or more again with the the X250
Either of these is stronger than the 6000 or 7850

If you need to save money then forget about the xigmatek cooler for the time being


gkays gfx card has the best cooler fitted to a 4850 .

 

[lrh9]

Anything over 500 USD is in the danger zone. Anything over 530 USD is unacceptable.

I have a small capacity (120GB) SATA 3.0 GB/s disk. I'll be reusing it. Basically what I need is what I posted. A CPU, GPU, PSU, case w/ cooling, and memory. I have a monitor, mouse, keyboard.

 

[lrh9]

Ugh. Let me get things straight. Are we all agreed on the graphics card and case? I think so?

 

[gkay09]

^ The case is more of a personal choice...But I would spend about $10 more and get the Antec 300 or CM 590 over that case mainly for the air flow...

 

[Outlander_04]

Anything over 500 USD is in the danger zone. Anything over 530 USD is unacceptable.

I have a small capacity (120GB) SATA 3.0 GB/s disk. I'll be reusing it. Basically what I need is what I posted. A CPU, GPU, PSU, case w/ cooling, and memory. I have a monitor, mouse, keyboard.

Ok so
my cpu/ram/mb $254

gkays 4850 $80 [after rebate ]

Totals $334

plus a dvd drive $26

$360

That leaves $140 for psu and case?

This is personal choice but its hard to go past the antec 300 for $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

SeaSonic SS-500ET 500W ATX12V V2.2 $62
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151069

Thats all good quality components . The latest AM3 platform from AMD , complete with DDR3 memory

And the total is $482

[ or less if you go with the x2 545 processor ]

 

[lrh9]

No, no, no, no. 1) I don't need a dvd drive. 2) I can't factor in rebates while buying. I have a set amount of money and anything I get has to be within that limit BEFORE rebates.

 

[Outlander_04]

then its $6 cheaper up front cos the rebate is $20 and you save $26 on not buying a DVD drive

 

[gkay09]

Another config,

CPU + Mobo -
X3 720 +ASUS M4A78T-E AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205337

RAM -
Mushkin 4GB DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146873

CASE + PSU -
Antec Sonata III with Antec EA500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

Graphics card -
HIS 4850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161244

Total - $489 | $454 Including rebates

The best part - Only the mobo would incur shipping costs as all other items including the case have Free Shipping...

 

[nachowarrior]

no no no, you got it all wrong.

here. let me update some of your prime components
cpu cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185125

go with the x2 if you plan on using xp for the life of the build, if you want windows 7 go for the tri core x3 720 BE the few dollars more will make you happier.

Case + PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010090007+50001622+1295819208+105510029&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&Subcategory=7&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

any of those should work just fine, Building made easy with the flip out WHOLE RIGHT SIDE on most of those. The psu's in em work just fine, just make sure you have enough connections, i had to add a molex to sata power cable, no biggie.

and you're going to hate me for this, but you'll love me in the end....

get a BETTER motherboard... I know it's a big part of your budget killer, but i suggest an asus or gigabyte motherboard with a better chipset. 790gx/fx are best for gaming but you can get by with something less. the 780g chipset won't support more than one ddr2 1066 chip, i'm not sure about the mobo you picked but most of the lower end chipsets won't support more than 1 stick of 1066, it'll clock down to ddr2 800. also, you're going with an ati card, i'd get something that has an ati chipset for ease of adding another video card for either crossfire or extra monitors. here are some suggestions...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=22&Description=&Type=&N=2010200022&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&Manufactory=1315&Manufactory=1314&PropertyCodeValue=709%3A47010&PropertyCodeValue=709%3A46434&PropertyCodeValue=709%3A46178&PropertyCodeValue=719%3A33047&PropertyCodeValue=719%3A42103&PropertyCodeValue=719%3A34372&PropertyCodeValue=3880%3A27176&PropertyCodeValue=3880%3A27177&PropertyCodeValue=3879%3A31644&PropertyCodeValue=3879%3A29256&PropertyCodeValue=3879%3A39004&PropertyCodeValue=3879%3A31642&PropertyCodeValue=3879%3A27158&PropertyCodeValue=3879%3A34675&PropertyCodeValue=3879%3A47006&PropertyCodeValue=3879%3A27244&PropertyCodeValue=3879%3A34428&PropertyCodeValue=2368%3A14897&PropertyCodeValue=2368%3A14899

again, check to make sure it meets your requirements. 790x chipset would be a solid base platform and comes in at a good price.

The savings on the case/psu should balance out a little some of the other products but i'd go ahead and put a few more dollars into it now and save yourself from an all too soon upgrade. ESPECIALLY THE MOBO. x2 6000+ isn't bad, it's just that there is better but i definitely wouldn't skimp on the mobo. (not to mention that open box won't include sata cables AND THE I/O shield... i/o shield is MOST imporant part of buying an open box vs. oem. IMO it's not worth the open box price.
anywho, ram + vid card should be satisfying. Don't forget an HDD plus all your cabling. zip ties are often overlooked, good to see you included your own thermal paste. I think that covers it for a quick overhaul. Post with your decision.

 

[lrh9]

A change in my finances has occurred so I'll probably have to wait 15 days before buying.

This PC is going to be the poor man's gaming PC. I've had this computer I'm on now for six years, and I'll probably have the new one for just as long. So I need performance AND longevity. I need something I can enjoy now and something that will still be working down the road. That means that a less than 3.0 GHz stock CPU isn't going to cut it because a smaller stable clock sacrifices performance and an overclock sacrifices longevity. And since I can only afford a dual core >= 3.0GHz cpu, that means it will have to be one of THESE CPUs. NO EXCEPTIONS.

GPU will be the HIS H485QT512P Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported IceQ4 Turbo Video Card - Retail. FINAL

 

[nachowarrior]

actually, here... this should make it easier within your 500-530 budget.
full on am3 build with ddr3

case + PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062

cpu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

cpu cooler (thermal pad works fine, as5 optional)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185125

motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378

ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=147&Description=&Type=&N=2010170147&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&PropertyCodeValue=523%3A23986&PropertyCodeValue=523%3A29188&PropertyCodeValue=523%3A15794&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A29371&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A30386&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A38355

video cards
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000048&Description=hd4850&name=Desktop%20Graphics%20%2f%20Video%20Cards&ActiveSearchResult=True

comes out to 407 before the ram and the MIR on the case, that should get you the best bang for your budget buck right there and get you up to speed on a solid platform that should be upgradeable rather than the soon to be outdated am2/am2+ platform. Most of that stuff has free shipping as well, so shipping shouldn't be much of a concern. Happy shopping.

 

[Outlander_04]

nachowarrior the
GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 $80
is a 770 nb/710 sb board . The only restriction it has to upgrading is that the 770 only has support for a single pci-e x 16 slot .

Other than that performance and overclocking are much like the 790 series , and the board has successfully unlocked disabled cores on x2 and x3 processors
In other words its the AM3 budget king , with a whole lot of bang for buck since its gigabyte and quality

The raidmax case and psu is a different story . Average quality at best

 

[nachowarrior]

raidmax case is much nicer than any nzxt i've touched. btw. psu's out of them are running great for more than a year, for 60- 90 bucks it's one of the best deals you can get for a case/psu combo. not to mention building with that raidmax series is easy as pie because of the flip out mobo tray. Airflow is great. Door is magnetic and IT OPENS THE CORRECT WAY! haha, that's one of my personal peeves, companies that have the door open toward the window rather than away from it. (cept the antec p1xx series, double fold hinges).

On the AM3 platform the memory frequency is independent of the processor frequency, allowing for greater overclocks and stability so memory handling and bios features are key. The 790 series of chipsets show framerate increases vs. lesser chipsets, the 770 included. The 770 is actually a business class chipset. Sporting the 710 southbridge vs. the more robust 750 SB. That and amd's overclock utility works with 790 chipsets, he'd have a full "dragon" platform. whereas gigabytes "easy tune 5" is VERY lacking. I find it easier to OC via the bios than with easytune 5. But that's gigabyte specific. Anyway. Perhaps one of the largest points by far against the 770 is that the 16x slot drops to 8x when you fill any of the four pcie x1 slots. Besides, the build i suggested still comes in at or under budget depending on how he decides to tweak it. So it's all good.

anyway, it's ultimately his choice weather or not he decides to skimp a bit and save a few bucks or go for it and have a more solid and flexible build. If you REALLY want my BEST offer, it'd be to spend 150-200 on the motherboard and get something loaded with features and quality. Still I took the budget and put the best quality into the working parts as I could find, and saved a few dollars on the deal leaving options for ram and video card. As for your dislike of the case, i don't know why, it's solid if not a bit on the heavier side... but changes out parts like a dream and at a wicked low cost.

 

[hunter315]

Get this CPU/Mobo combo instead
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205337
Comes out cheaper than the gigabyte board with the 720

Also i would suggest getting a good quality PSU not a raidmax, ones from good brands go bad less often than those from cheaper brands, an antec 300 case may not have a fold out motherboard tray but it still has plenty of space inside.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.215893
That PSU is plenty to power this card,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150337
Get it now while you can i paid 110 for mine 2 weeks ago.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I don't think Outlander_04 is questioning the case as much as the PSU. Raidmax PSU's are junk and should never be recommended unless you want to risk a fireworks show and fried components. I see that you're using a Raidmax PSU in your personal build. Let us know how that works out for you in a couple years.

The Antec, SeaSonic, and OCZ PSU's suggested in threads above are much higher quality than that Raidmax one.