$500 system - good choices?

[bringayelve]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 2 weeks

BUDGET RANGE:$500-$550 / before rebates

SYSTEM USAGE: basic business computing,multiple apps open at once, surfing, light gaming (Diablo II), movies

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

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com All the parts below come from there.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US

PARTS PREFERENCES: constrained by budget

OVERCLOCKING: slight. If I do it, it will be just to gain experience. I don’t think I’ll actually need it.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: in the future maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200 and 1280x1024; the ability to add a third monitor would be nice (I work from a lot of docs at one time)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: my first build. After researching here I’ve put together the following. This is more than likely overkill for my true needs, but I’d like to have something I can hold on to/upgrade from. I wanted quad core with DDR3 ram and a solid power supply. I’d like your comments/alternative suggestions.

There are two combos at the heart of this. I went with the OCZ 700w psu after reading comments about the psu’s importance. (Although I’m presuming this has only 2 12v rails.) It comes with a Radeon 4670, which while not super will probably take me into a new world. (I might want to look at Assassin’s Creed, but my gaming is limited to Diablo II.) The cpu and mobo were chosen based on price and quad core.

I picked the case because it looked easy to work with and the hd because it looked reliable and I have external backup drives.

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030
$31.99

COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106
$54.99

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275
$91.99

Combo:
• AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor Model ADX620WFGIBOX - Retail
• ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.308229
-$5.00 Instant -$20.00 Combo
$183.99
$158.99 (final)

Combo:
• OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ700MXSP 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ... - Retail
• GIGABYTE GV-R467ZL-1GI Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.304701
-$40.00 Instant -$20.00 Combo (Doesn't include $30.00 Mail-in Rebate Card + $10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card)
$202.98
$142.98 (final)

Subtotal: $480.94 Shipping adds another $33
Grand Total: $514.75

This is not counting rebates – I don't hold my breath waiting to see if they ever arrive. And in case you were wondering, a yelve is a dung fork. We all need one these days.

 

[MadAdmiral]

You don't need a discrete GPU. Get a mobo with integrated video and you'll be fine.

Also, you should get a motherboard that only supports AM3. These are the only ones that will support DDR3.

You don't need gaming memory. G.Skill makes some great low voltage sticks that will lower the power requirements (the Eco series).

That PSU is overkill. You'll only need 400W at most. Antec Earthwatts is a great choice in this power range.

I'm not seeing an HDD. I recommend the Samsung Spinpoint F3 500 GB. It's $55 and one of the fastest, quietest, cheapest HDDs available.

 

[crazy359]

YEA DUDE GO FOR ANTEC 300!!!!!!!
Put some nice blue LED fans in the front and it will KICK ASS
yea go with a 4650 or 4670 if u want 3 display go for 5xxx series cards

 

[MothMusic]

The motherboard you picked is only ddr2 and your ram is ddr3. Obviously they are incompatible. This build features Mad Admiral's suggestions and is cheaper than your original setup:

AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103706
$99 -Free shipping

Antec EarthWatts Green(No power cord included) EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033
$45 -Free Shipping

Crucial 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Desktop Memory Model CT25664BA1067 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148149
$78 For 2 sticks -Free Shipping

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395
$50 -Free Shipping

APEX TX-381-C Black Steel Micro ATX Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154094
$25

Sony Optiarc Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1678A - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827131061
$19

ASRock M3A785GMH/128M AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157168
$80

Total = $396

 

[BHBoy]

I'm in the same situation as you as for as usage, and this is what I got for under $400.

All from newegg, all free shipping. Took me about a month to acquire watching for sales. Without sales, the price would be $530

Case: Antec Two Hundred Mid-ATX ($30 after $15 off & $10 off w/hard drive combo)

PSU: OCZ Fatal1ty 550W ATX12V Active PFC ($40 after $15 off & $25 mail in rebate)

HD: WD Caviar Black 750GB 7200 RPM Sata ($65 after $15 off)

Mobo: ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX ($85 after $15 off)

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 Propus 620 Socket AM3 ($100)

Mem: 2 sticks of Crucial 2 GB DDR3 1066 (PC 8500) ($73 after $5 off per stick + $5 off combo with CPU)

DVD: Probably will get LG or Samsung from newegg ($2 after $25 gift card for ordering $250 or more from newegg on 12/14)

GPU: Since I do very little gaming, the mobo's onboard ATI Radeon HD 4200 should be fine for me.

You could get some cheaper items (like the micro ATX equivalent of my board) or more expensive ones (like DDR3 1333 memory or a GPU)

 

[MadAdmiral]

Moth's build above is great, and all that you'll really need.

Only change is to grab a SATA burner instead of an IDE one.

 

[BHBoy]

Moth's build looks good. But beware of shipping changes, esp. for cases.

Also look for combos.

A similar Mobo and the AMD 620 can be had for $159 (no free shipping - at least not today)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.304701

 

[BHBoy]

http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/11-154-095-TS?$S180W$
APEX PC-389-C Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154095
$25 -Free Shipping

Oops, I didn't see the promo code for free shipping in the original case you suggested.

 

[MothMusic]

Oops, I didn't see the promo code for free shipping in the original case you suggested.

No, when you said the combo deal and talked about shipping, I thought you meant the case. So posted that one which was the same price but had free shipping. But then when I looked at the combo you posted there was no case! So I was being a little dumb there, posting before reading what you were talking about...

 

[BHBoy]

You can save another $5 on MothMusic's build by getting 1 stick of mem with the AMD 620 CPU combo http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.301860

And then buy another stick separately.

 

[bringayelve]

Whoa - I'm blown away by the speed and thoroughness of the comments here. Thanks for catching my mobo error.

So, if I modify MothMusic's suggestions with a SATA hard drive, BHBoy's cpu/mobo combo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.304701 and case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811154095, I'll be looking good? (I haven't quite worked this all out yet.)

I started with a bad case of parts-envy (you know what I mean), so I have to ask: without spending all the savings you've accumulated for me, is there no extravagance to indulge in?

I also have to point out that I've probably got 10 or 20 years on all of you, but you come across as the collective voice of reason. That's a switch. Thanks.

 

[MothMusic]

Whoa - I'm blown away by the speed and thoroughness of the comments here. Thanks for catching my mobo error.

So, if I modify MothMusic's suggestions with a SATA hard drive, BHBoy's cpu/mobo combo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.304701 and case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811154095, I'll be looking good? (I haven't quite worked this all out yet.)

I started with a bad case of parts-envy (you know what I mean), so I have to ask: without spending all the savings you've accumulated for me, is there no extravagance to indulge in?

I also have to point out that I've probably got 10 or 20 years on all of you, but you come across as the collective voice of reason. That's a switch. Thanks.

Here is the build with all the suggestions you were asking about:

Since this pc can do everything you need it to do easily, I can't think of anything to spend the extra $116 on. Maybe you could get a fancier case though, if you really wanted to spend the extra cash.

AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail

ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.304701
$159 with combo deal

Antec EarthWatts Green(No power cord included) EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033
$45 -Free Shipping

Crucial 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Desktop Memory Model CT25664BA1067 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148149
$78 For 2 sticks -Free Shipping

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395
$50 -Free Shipping

APEX PC-389-C Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154095
$25 -Free Shipping

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
$27 -Free Shipping

Total = $384

 

[BHBoy]

You could use the extra money and get a 2nd identical HD to do RAID 1.

I'm not an expert on that, so maybe someone else could advise.

 

[MadAdmiral]

For the uses you listed, you really don't need to spend any more than you already are. You could stick in a cheap GPU for the movies (I'm assuming you want to watch in true HD) or improve the CPU. Other than that, there's nothing you can really add to it without drastically increasing the cost (i.e. $100+).

If you do add all that, I wouldn't call it a business build. It'd be more of a low-end gaming/media build.

 

[bringayelve]

MadAdmiral, in terms of a cheap gpu, what are you thinking?

 

[MothMusic]

MadAdmiral, in terms of a cheap gpu, what are you thinking?

For $116 you could get a GTS 250 ($110) which can handle modern games at high settings at a 1600 monitor res.

Or if you want to go cheaper, the 4670 ($65) can play modern games at high settings at a 1400 res.

 

[Guest]

You want want to double-check the memory, I think that ASUS micro-ATX boards uses DDR2 not DDR3

 

[bringayelve]

You want want to double-check the memory, I think that ASUS micro-ATX boards uses DDR2 not DDR3

Well, crud, you're right. MothMusic's original suggestion accommodated DDR3, but the one from the combo doesn't.

Any quick suggestions for DDR2 ram? I'm presuming there's no easy (read: doesn't jack up the price) way around this.

 

[MothMusic]

You want want to double-check the memory, I think that ASUS micro-ATX boards uses DDR2 not DDR3

Your right. :/

bringayelve, just use the ram and mother board from the previous setup. Or if you really want the second builds combo deal, use this ram here:

4gb ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820141240
$78

 

[MothMusic]

Well, crud, you're right. MothMusic's original suggestion accommodated DDR3, but the one from the combo doesn't.

Any quick suggestions for DDR2 ram? I'm presuming there's no easy (read: doesn't jack up the price) way around this.

PQI TURBO 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PQI25400-4GDB - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820141240
$78