Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > [Solved] Need help for a very budget build <400

[Solved] Need help for a very budget build <400

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - [Solved] Need help for a very budget build <400

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!

Ask the community Add a reply

Best answer from shortstuff_mt.

Bottom Search this thread

Hi, my brother needs a newer system, his computer is getting way too old now, and he doesn't want to spend too much, since he mainly plays console games... I recently built my own too, but all I read up on was the latest hardware, so I'm a bit lost when it comes to older hardware. I will do my own research today, but I wanted to get some quick help too so I can save time in deciding what to buy for him. You guys don't need to link the websites if it takes too much time, I just need some parts recommendations, then I can go look for it on my own.

This is his old computer, for reference:
HP a510n
We added an extra 512MB ram for total 1GB and added a video card (nvidia 7600GS)

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Now

BUDGET RANGE: ~400

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator, and World of Warcraft @ 1680 x 1050 (the only computer game he plays)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: tigerdirect, newegg, zzf, or any California tax exempt

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States

PARTS PREFERENCES: no preference. best bang for the buck, price/performance ratio

OVERCLOCKING: Yes, to squeeze best performance

CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Is a $400 computer possible? If it needs be, we can reuse HP's power supply or case (micro atx). We can also reuse the DVD writer. It's not too imporant. In that case, all we would need is motherboard, cpu, ram, video, hard drive.

Message edited by Godzealot on 10-14-2009 at 10:45:19 PM

Add a reply

I wouldn't re-use the HP PSU. I don't know if the HP case will work or not. A lot of times they use proprietary components. If you can re-use the case, here's a build suggestion:

AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103688

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128394

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.273663 $119.99 (CPU + motherboard combo)

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 [...] 20f3%20500 $54.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166 $79.99

SAPPHIRE 100245HDMI Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product $99.99 - $10.00 MIR

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139008 $49.99 - $10.00 MIR

Total - $404.95 - $20.00 MIR's

You can even get a new 5750 if you can come up with another $30.

SAPPHIRE 100284L Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $129.99

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ilds-usage
That thread has a build for different budgets/applications. There is a bargain build in there for $478.92 which is over budget for you, but you could trim it down if you don't require a video card, etc.. Plus he keeps it updated.

Reply to unlimited

Thanks for the link. Perhaps I can go with the bargain build, but cut out PSU, Case, DVD, and HSF.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by Godzealot on 10-14-2009 at 11:11:01 PM

Reply to Godzealot

Godzealot wrote :

Thanks for the link. Perhaps I can go with the bargain build, but cut out PSU, Case, DVD, and HSF.

You may want to check how big the PSU is on that PC. I looked on HP's website but didn't see anything regarding the PSU. I would go with at least a 400 watt these days, even for a budget build. Also if you plan to overclock, the stock HSF will need to be replaced.

Message edited by unlimited on 10-14-2009 at 11:23:32 PM

Reply to unlimited

Best answer

I wouldn't re-use the HP PSU. I don't know if the HP case will work or not. A lot of times they use proprietary components. If you can re-use the case, here's a build suggestion:

You can even get a new 5750 if you can come up with another $30.

SAPPHIRE 100284L Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $129.99

Message edited by shortstuff_mt on 10-14-2009 at 11:23:26 PM

Reply to shortstuff_mt

Thanks, I actually remember I have a 450W PSU laying around to reuse.

Reply to Godzealot

Thank you for the build... I can order the parts (except PSU) and if they don't fit I will have the budget to buy a cheap case. Thanks

Reply to Godzealot

The real question as to if this is possible, what about the OS? Legally, the one from the HP shouldn't be used. Depending on if the install checks the bios, might not be able to use it at all.

------------------------------ TheAnimal's - HOW TO ASK FOR BUILD ADVISE - Use this FORMAT
sKora's Design Guide
Reply to skora

Good point, hold out another week and get a copy of Windows 7 for $100

Reply to unlimited

Why hold out another week. You can pre-order Windows 7 for $99 right now. You can also get it for $30 if you're a student.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM $99.99

www.win741.com

Reply to shortstuff_mt

Ugh, just when I was about to order, the spinpoint is out of stock =( Any other recommendations?

Would this one work?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152112

Message edited by Godzealot on 10-14-2009 at 11:58:22 PM

Reply to Godzealot

One thing, this is very important, my PSU is older, so it does not have the SATA type power connector, it only has all 4 pin styles... would that work with the 4850 or the hard drive?

Message edited by Godzealot on 10-15-2009 at 12:01:50 AM

Reply to Godzealot

It will work, but I would get this one instead if you have to order before the F3 comes back in stock.

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $49.99

Reply to shortstuff_mt

I wouldn't use that old PSU. The older power supplies had the majority of Amps on the 3.3v and 5v rails. You'll need a PSU with a 4-pin CPU power connector, SATA connectors, and a PCI-E connector. An old PSU will not run a 4850. I highly suggest getting the 400CX.

Message edited by shortstuff_mt on 10-15-2009 at 12:04:38 AM

Reply to shortstuff_mt

Thanks. I purchased everything including the PSU.

Reply to Godzealot

Thanks. Everything worked perfectly. And they all fit into the HP case. Currently running win 7 64 smoothly, and all games run at max settings at 1680x1050 with no AA but AF on. Thanks!

Reply to Godzealot

Ask the community Add a reply

Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > [Solved] Need help for a very budget build <400

Go to:

Help |
Forum rules

There are 1059 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Page generated in 0.413 seconds

Focus On

[Solved] Need help for a very budget build <400

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - [Solved] Need help for a very budget build <400