$600 General Purpose Build

[cecilb]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: End of October. Once Win 7 ships.

BUDGET RANGE: $600 before rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Poker, Internet, Movies, Video Streaming (Hulu), Visual Studio

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD seems the most budget friendly.

OVERCLOCKING: Yes (Stock heatsink, air)

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 2560x1600 (Dell 3007WFP)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Due to a fairly firm budget I've opted to go with a mobo with onboard graphics and 128MB sideport. I assume this will be able to handle a 30-inch monitor at native resolution without issue. Any advice, improvements, cost-cutting ideas are welcomed. Thanks!


Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-MA785GPMT-UD2H AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128399

CPU:
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/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

RAM:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193

Hard Drive:
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Optical Dirve:
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151175

PSU:
BFG Tech GS-550 550W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V V2.8 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817702010

Wireless Card:
EDIMAX EW-7128G IEEE 802.11b/g PCI Wireless Card Up to 54Mbps Wireless Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP, 802.1x, WPA, AES - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833315041

Case:
Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

OS:
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Total: $609.88


If there are any parts I can swap or improve on please let me know. Thanks again.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

That BFG PSU is junk. This combo saves you $15 while at the same time getting a quality PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.265979 $94.94 (Antec 300 Illusion + EA430 combo)

 

[rockyjohn]

You may want to add a graphics cards later and most even moderate mainstream cards require at least 450-500w. So I suggest this PSU - and it is only $40 after a $20 rebate:


OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016

The rest looks good, although I don't know if the onboard video will handle that large of a monitor for video - it definitely won't for gaminng. YOu can find cheaper, decent cases but it is more a matter of style and preference.

 

[englandr753]

I would make the following changes to save more coin:

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103681

CPU Cooler:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

Motherboard: ddr2 support - cheaper cost
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131595

Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145247

If you are using your system for what you say and don't think you will consider adding much more hardware use this psu:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

Stick with the Antec 300, its a sweet case. Shortstuff made a good suggestion for the psu and case combo if you are going to use it as a general system as you are stating. If theres any doubt you may want to add a more powerful video card later then get a better psu now.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The Athlon CPU is a pretty big step backwards from the Phenom II x3. I wouldn't make that change unless you absolutely have to. The same goes for the motherboard and RAM. I wouldn't use DDR2 in a new build since it's nearing EOL and prices will only go up from here. The AM3 motherboard and DDR3 RAM offer a much better upgrade path for only a minimal investment. It's worth it IMO.

 

[cecilb]

Thanks a lot guys. Like shortstuff said, I think sticking with AM3 and the better CPU is the best bet. I will also go with a better PSU (OCZ 500W) since there is a decent chance that a game will catch my eye forcing me to eventually get a video card.

I know there are less expensive cases than the Antec 300 but I like the design and am willing to pay a bit more knowing I'm going to look at it everyday.

As of right now the build is going to cost around $625 including the OS. I'm going to keep an eye out for any deals and will likely start ordering withing the next week or so.

Thanks again.

 

[rockyjohn]

I know there are less expensive cases than the Antec 300 but I like the design and am willing to pay a bit more knowing I'm going to look at it everyday.

Not only that, but it is the one component that you might still be using 10 years from now, so the monthly amortized cost becomes very small.

 

[englandr753]

My suggestions were for only if you were sticking to your original post. If you think you might game then stick with your original setup.

To do what you listed in the beginning my offerings are more than enough...