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Need help for a very budget build <400

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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.

More about : budget build 400

Godzealot said:
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.
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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/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite... $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/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $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/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $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/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $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/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $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

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.

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.
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