First Time Builder - Budget Build

[akim9]

hello! =).
well im planning on building a computer for the firs time, and i was hoping you guys could help me out with compatibilities, prices, and just the whole building computers 101. haha.

even though i have been using computers at a young age like most of you, ive never really opened it up myself except for the occasional failed attempts of my brother trying to "fix" his computer.

so as you can tell i am a bit hesitant because i dont really know where anything goes and how to- much.

but after several days of research and changing hardwares, i have come up with this build. please feel free to post any comments positive or negative =).
thanks in advance!

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: within the month-2 months?

BUDGET RANGE: under $500 the cheaper the better.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: multimedia(movies,pictures,editing,etc), web-surfing, no gaming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, speakers,monitor (need to get a new monitor, but not necessary immediately)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, but if there is another reliable store then im open to prices.

PARTS PREFERENCES: micro atx desktop case? it has to go on top of my desk because i dont have any space below.

OVERCLOCKING: no
CROSSFIRE: no

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024? not sure...

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: i would love to have a quiet PC. i prefer something that will last awhile and possibly be able to add to for higher specs. price is the most important factor on this build. I will be buying parts one by one throughout next 2 months.

Thermaltake LANBOX Lite VF6000BNS Black SECC Gaming Cube Computer Case - Retail - $74.99 w/ $10.00 MIR

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM - $49.99 FS

ASRock A780LM AM2+/AM2 AMD RS780L (760G) Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail - $54.99

EVGA 256-P2-N753-TR GeForce 8600 GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail - $44.99 w/ $15.00 MIR, FS

OCZ NVIDIA SLI-Ready Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2N800SRC44GK - Retail - $46.99 w/ $10.00 MIR

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX6000CZBOX - Retail - $77.99

COMBO - OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ... - Retail and SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support - OEM - $79.98 w/ $20.00 MIR

Subtotal - $429.92

 

[gkay09]

^ Hi...some of the parts you have chosen are either not required or old...

1. As you wont games, that 8600GT would be of no use...the onboard is more than suffice...

2. The AMD 6000+ is a 2 gen old CPU so you should be looking @ something new...

 

[gkay09]

Here is the main change that you can consider...
CPU + Mobo
AMD Phenom II X2 545 + Gigabyte 785 mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.237632

But as you would be buying in a month or 2, keep your options open as newer budget CPUs are sure to come from both intel and AMD...So then decide about them...
But the PSU and the case are pretty good...

 

[IH8U]

My $.02

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163112
$70 Silverstone SUGO
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016
$70 Antec BP550 (modular)
MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128397
$90 Gigabyte GA-MA785GMT-UD2H (sadly the onboard is better than that 8600 you listed)
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688
$61 AM3 240 Dual Core (upgrade later to a Tri, or Quad core)
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148227
$70 Crucial DDR3 1333 2x2GB
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152096
$50 Samsung 320GB (16mb cache)
DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187
$27 Samsung 22x DVDR/RW

Total no OS: $438 + S&H

AM2/AM2+ is almost a dead socket, AM3 is the newest and the DDR3 mem will go down in price between now and the time you finish ordering.

 

[batuchka]

Gkay is correct : non gaming the latest integrated video solutions like HD3300/4200 would suffice. The IMC or Integrated Memory Controller in an AM3 processor can talk to both DDR2 and DDR3 and there is no significant gains going from DDR2 to DDR3 so for budget muilds to maximise performance, one need not worry too much not hitting DDR3 IMO as the fact is AMD has not announced IMC on AM3 socket CPUs to suddenly be DDR3 exclusive I believe one is able to hit the newer low TDP (95W) Phenom 2 945 quad core with your budget ^^

This would be a build to pack and go *today* as it is difficult to predict prices in future

 

[Onus]

Gkay09's on a roll today...+1. The only possible tweak I might suggest is to get a 790GX board over the 785G, because the HD3300 IGP is a little better than the HD4200; this may not matter if there will be no games.

 

[Onus]

Oh...please do not be tempted to save money by getting a cheap PSU. At the minimum, look for one with full range Active PFC (has no little red voltage switch) that is 80+ certified for efficiency. Antec Earthwatts are good budget choices. The BP line isn't quite as good, but in your case, with very low power demands and the desire for a small case, the modular wiring is worthwhile.

 

[akim9]

thanks guys for all of your inputs and help =).

i will definitely change my processor and motherboard, and look out for price drops and deals within the next 2 months =).

if i do have some more money to spend i will try to go for the builds recommended =).

thanks!

 

[Onus]

Now that I'm not at work, I can see batuchka's build as well. Very nice. If you want to be cheaper, get a 720BE or a 550BE, but otherwise it almost makes me wish I had an excuse to build another rig right now.