$500 family computer build

bdjeff

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Aug 10, 2009
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Hey all. As a gift to my family I decided I would build them a new computer since the one they have to put up with is easily 5-6 years old and really pushing its limits. If at all possible I would like to order TONIGHT, so I can be sure I'll get my parts in time for me to build it up this weekend. Yes, I meant to post this a few days ago, but what can I say? I'm a bit of a slacker lol :p


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: tonight! BUDGET RANGE: My dad is going to help with the costs a little bit, but I don't really want to make him pay much at all. So the most I'd really like to spend is 500-550. maybe a little more if I can get something a lot better for a small price.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Internet, Videos, and some decent gaming. I don't think my brothers will be playing anything too current, but I'd like it to be able to at least run almost anything out there right now even if the settings have to be dropped a tad.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, OS, Monitor (although I want to pick one up for them if the budget allows)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: Would like asus/gigabyte mobo. AMD cpu.

OVERCLOCKING: NO. I want this build to be as bloody stable as I can get it. SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Negative

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1024x768 for now, most likely no higher than 1280x1024 anytime soon.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Stability is key here! I need a reliable build that will last them for a good few years at the very least without too much hassle. The less I have to fix problems for them the better lol.

Also, I have a ton more experience building up higher end systems. This will be my first budget build in quite a few years so I'm not really too sure on the best way to go about building one. Any help is MUCH appreciated :)


Here is what I have so far!

CPU-
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=N82E16819103688

Mobo-
ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131595

they are a combo deal - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.308546

Hard Drive-
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

Memory-
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Case/PSU
Unsure of good cheaper cases/PSU so help here is needed.

GPU-
Not too sure what my best option would be here. Thinking maybe 9800gt or maybe a radeon 4670/4770. Kind of leaning towards Nvidia here, but again, will listen to suggestions gladly :p

Thanks in advance for the help guys!
 
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take a look at this set up:

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152100

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GT-UD3H AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128411

G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBECO -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231318

and for combos

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.302553

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.300856

that comes out to be about 545$ but you can swap out the case and hdd for something else, and that system would be much better than the other one for a little bit more, also very well balanced and stable
 

bdjeff

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Never been a fan of rosewill so I think I will stay away from them. Would probably stick with the smaller 500gb WD drive since I'm pretty sure even thats massive overkill for their storage needs. Vid card and CPU combo is interesting. I'm kind of leaning towards Nvidia just with my experience with drivers. I know ATI has gotten a lot better, but i've never had a problem with nvidia drivers, while I have had several with ATI's. Looks like a solid mobo as well... good suggestions, I think I'll try to mix and match between my parts and yours and see what I come up with.
 
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like i said, depending on personal preference you could change the hdd and case, but the hdd is overkill, but it is also at a great price. I would wait for newegg to restock their WD 640 GB black edition, cheaper and faster, and WD is great in my experience.

if you dont like rosewill and you are willing to spend a bit of extra money, you could take a look at these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.306933

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.303728

can personally highly recommend the second one as i own it and it is great, large, quiet, cool looking, and cheap.
 
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ooo also i would definitely go with the ati card in this system, way better stability and price to performance ratio!
 

bdjeff

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Yeah, I have the wd 640 black in my system right now and I love it. But like I said, I need to order this asap so I can have it built this coming weekend. I want to have it all set up and ready to go when they open it up lol.

And those 2 cases... probably too expensive. I think I will just stick with the antec 300. I've used it in 2 builds for friends recently and I liked it a lot. Plus its just something basic to stick in the computer room for them. They dont need anything fancy. Do you think that PSU in the Combo I linked earlier will be fine? I'm thinking 400w should be plenty enough in this system, but I suck with PSU's lol.
 
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that 400 watts is good, according to newegg that system with a 4770 in it takes up 310 watts, so you should be fine, and antec is quality, so thats good. I didn't see you choose the antec 300 which is a great case, and i wouldn't of replaced it with those cases, although i still highly recommend throwing in the extra 50 for the xclio combo.
 

bdjeff

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Yea, if it was something for myself maybe I would. I'm trying to spend more money in the hardware side of things instead of the case. I spent 130 on my case (lancool pc-k62 FTW), but I want to pack as much punch into the system as I can manage. So out of necessity I have to spend a bit less on the case.

So with the 4770/x2 250 combo, wd 500gb, case/psu, im up to about 310 right now. I need mobo and memory. That gigabyte one looks pretty solid, and no matter what memory I get i'm gonna end up spending at least 90 bucks for decent ddr3. hrm... that would push it to about 500 even right there. How does that look for an overall build?
 
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yea definitely get the gigabyte, and that 1333 MHz memory i put up there is 7-7-7-20, 1.35 volts ( :bounce: ) and 97$, very stable as well. I have the 640 gb WD as well and for normal use i could never imagine using anything more, so good pick.
 

bdjeff

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Yea, now if only it was in stock so I could pick it up with this build lol. I definitely plan on picking up a 2nd for storage soon. Probably whenever I get around to getting my SSD lol.

So heres what I got then...

x2 250/4770 combo for 172
Gigabyte mobo for 95
G.skill ram for 95
WD 500blue for 55
Antec 300/400w psu combo for 80 bucks (save 50 bucks on these two :O )

total 510 with shipping. thats not too shabby at all.
 

bdjeff

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Hrm... I feel that I should be able to save a little more with combos lol. All the savings is in the case and psu there. Gonna see if I can scrounge around a bit and come up with some decent combos to bring it down a tad. if not, im still happy with that :)
 
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oh ok, then yeah it looks like it cant really get too much better than that. Even though it isn't suppost to be amazing, that be one nice build once you are done, not to mention the balance and stability in it.
 

bdjeff

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Yea I'm pretty sure my family will be VERY happy with it haha. They've got like an athlon 2200 or something really old in their current one. and an fx5200 ultra gpu rofl. it can barely play the original call of duty... so i think everyone will like it :D