Buidling a pc

[cnor]

Hi everyone,
I'm helping a friend build a pc for some moderate gaming, do you have any suggestions? His budget is $700 (For just pc and os, he has a monitor and keyboard), so after the OS i guess it's $600. I was thinking I could get him 4gbs ddr3 1330 mhz, amd phenom II 550, asus 110 motherboard, and an nzxt case. For the gpu I was originally hoping to get a 5770, but since it is in such low quantities, maybe he should get a gtx 260? And do any of you know the overclocking capabilities of the 550? could it reach >4ghz? Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Newf]

I'd get a 620 Propus with a Gigabyte 785 US2H and 4GB DDR2-800.

 

[cnor]

Is the propus a decent game-performer? If so then why is the 550 more expensive than it......

 

[batuchka]

 

[cnor]

Thx for responses everybody, I found this set up
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.294411
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146060
http://directron.com/cti700b.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.282080
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231087

all for just 665, if there are any suggestions regarding this I would be happy to hear them

 

[batuchka]

Hmm a less than reputable PSU, a HD 4870 and 2G of DDR2 with an AM2+ instead of AM3 chip - am not too sure of this to be honest

 

[sonic-boom]

NO NO NO on the PSU you picked. Def 4gb of DDR3.

 

[cnor]

How bout this instead of the other psu http://directron.com/cxi600b.html
And I'm really not sure myself about the graphics card, but it has such a good deal with windows 7..... Would the 2gbs affect it that much? This machine is only for gaming, and it is win7, not vista, so is it worth it to opt for the 4gbs? Even at current prices?

 

[cnor]

Actualy, is the quad core athlon cpu any good? For gaming? Because the person I am helping building this for is mainly using this as a gaming comp but would like a quad core

 

[shortstuff_mt]

That PSU is a POS also. You do NOT want to try and save money on the PSU. That's the most important component in the system. A cheap PSU will cause all sorts of problems from system instability to fried components.

Here's a build that's just slightly over budget with the DVD burner.

AMD Athlon II X4 630 Propus 2.8GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103704

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL8D-4GBHK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231180

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.286561 $192.98 (CPU + RAM combo) There's really no reason to use 2GB of DDR2 RAM on a new build.

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392

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

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.292739 $174.98 - $10.00 MIR (Motherboard + OS 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=N82E16822152181 $54.99

SAMSUNG SH-S223B 22X SATA DVD Burner Black Drive Bulk
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010832&prodlist=celebros $29.99

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066&cm_re=antec_300-_-11-129-066-_-Product $49.95

SAPPHIRE 100283-2L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102864&cm_re=5770-_-14-102-864-_-Product $164.99

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016&Tpk=ocz%20500w $64.99 - $25.00 MIR + 10% off w/ promo code CZ11, ends 11/25

Total - $732.87 - $35.00 MIR's

 

[cnor]

Once again thx guys, looked through your opinions and found this

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5

-$5.00 Instant


$59.99
$54.99

select item 2 quantity of item 2


hec X-Power Pro 600 600W Continuous @ 40°C ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply
-$15.00 Instant


$49.99
$34.99

select item 3 quantity of item 3

ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129066
-$20.00 Instant
-$15.00 Combo


$169.94
$134.94

SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders

SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814102858
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy

*

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116754
Return Policy: Software Return Policy
$269.98



AMD Athlon II X4 630 Propus 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor Model ADX630WFGIBOX
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL8D-4GBHK

AMD Athlon II X4 630 Propus 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor Model ADX630WFGIBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103704
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy



G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL8D-4GBHK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231180

$192.98

Subtotal: $687.88
Shipping: $0.00

I can pick up a dvd drive at the local store. Any thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[cnor]

Actually, on second thought, shortstuff_mt that was a great post, probably better than mine, I think I might do that one, thank you

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Yea, that HEC PSU is also not a good idea. I'll give you a quick way to tell if it's a POS just by the pictures. See the little red switch on the back? That means it doesn't have active PFC and you should turn and run. A good PSU will have active PFC and be at least 80+ certified. Another good tip is to look at the Amp rating on the 12v rail(s) vs. the 3.3v and 5v rails. Old model PSU's have more Amps dedicated to the 3.3v and 5v rails which doesn't do a modern system any good. You want the majority of the Amps on the 12v rail(s).

 

[cnor]

Batuchka your post was also good, I will consider it as well, thx to all ppl who answered

 

[cnor]

Ya once again shortstuff thx, you have been very helpful, i never realized how important a psu is

 

[batuchka]

Happy building and enjoy your rig!