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[Solved] $400-500 First time build

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - [Solved] $400-500 First time build

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Best answer from Transmaniacon.

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I'm building a system for the first time with $400-500.
I got an idea of doing a Phenom II X3 720 build but can't really make a good budget since this is my first time.
Also I will not be needing a graphics card and maybe not a psu.
I have an eVGA 8800GS 384MB and a PC Power and Cooling 370W with 27A on the +12V.
Also I'm not going to be overclocking since I don't know much about it. :(


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: By October 16th BUDGET RANGE: 400-500 Before rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: light to moderate gaming, browsing the web, multitasking

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Mouse, keyboard, speakers, Video Card (eVGA 8800GS 384MB) and power supply (PC Power and Cooling 370W w/ 27A on the +12V

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD Phenom II, CoolerMaster, Antec, NXZT, or Raidmax Case, Gigabyte Mobo with 6 or more USB and 1 PCI Express 2.0, 500GB or more HD, 4GB/8GB Ram, DVD-Rom, Card Reader

OVERCLOCKING: No but will look into it maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 or 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Prefer clear side window and lights. Quiet cooling also.

Thanks.


Message edited by moikie on 10-03-2009 at 11:01:10 PM
Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 20illusion ($59.95)

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128392 ($69.99 w/ $10 MIR)

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103649 ($119.99 + Free Shipping)

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231279 ($94.99 + Free Shipping)

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181 ($49.99 + Free Shipping)

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151187 ($31.99)

COOLER MASTER Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103065 ($29.99)

Rosewill RCR-IM5001 USB2.0 75 in 1 internal Card Reader w/ 3 ports USB2.0 Hub / eSATA port / Extra silver face plate - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820223108 ($19.99)

Total: $456.89

That PSU will be ok for now, but if you ever upgrade to a newer GPU, you will want to look into something around the 500W mark.
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Best answer

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 20illusion ($59.95)

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128392 ($69.99 w/ $10 MIR)

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103649 ($119.99 + Free Shipping)

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231279 ($94.99 + Free Shipping)

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181 ($49.99 + Free Shipping)

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151187 ($31.99)

COOLER MASTER Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103065 ($29.99)

Rosewill RCR-IM5001 USB2.0 75 in 1 internal Card Reader w/ 3 ports USB2.0 Hub / eSATA port / Extra silver face plate - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820223108 ($19.99)

Total: $456.89

That PSU will be ok for now, but if you ever upgrade to a newer GPU, you will want to look into something around the 500W mark.

Reply to Transmaniacon

Transmaniacon wrote :

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 20illusion ($59.95)

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128392 ($69.99 w/ $10 MIR)

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103649 ($119.99 + Free Shipping)

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231279 ($94.99 + Free Shipping)

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181 ($49.99 + Free Shipping)

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151187 ($31.99)

COOLER MASTER Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103065 ($29.99)

Rosewill RCR-IM5001 USB2.0 75 in 1 internal Card Reader w/ 3 ports USB2.0 Hub / eSATA port / Extra silver face plate - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820223108 ($19.99)

Total: $456.89

That PSU will be ok for now, but if you ever upgrade to a newer GPU, you will want to look into something around the 500W mark.




Thanks for the quick response.
how about switching the ram out for a bit cheaper one and upgrading to an antec nine hundred?
Would it require a bigger PSU with the bigger fans?
Also I might pull my dvd rom too and get a different cpu cooler and card reader too.
how does this CPU cooler sound?
OCZ Vendetta 92mm Ball CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835202005
its smaller but how efficient would it do compared to a bigger 120mm one and how would the fitting work out since it doesn't fit AM3? or will AM2 compatible heatsinks work with AM3 sockets?


Message edited by moikie on 10-03-2009 at 05:26:24 AM
Reply to moikie

Yea you can shop around for different RAM, most 4GB DDR3 kits will run you anywhere from $75-100

Antec 900 is a great case, but I don't think you can make up the difference in price with cheaper RAM. Look into the Coolermaster RC-690, its a fantastic case, and only about $10 more then the Antec 300. That PSU will be fine for you, fans are pretty minimal in terms of PSU draw.

Check out www.frostytech.com for the rankings of CPU coolers.

If you have an AM3 socket, you will need an AM3 compatible CPU cooler.

Reply to Transmaniacon
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