Very budget build (~$350)

[perpleXa]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next week

BUDGET RANGE: Approximately $350

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, surfing, watching movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Don't need monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg or Tigerdirect

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States

PARTS PREFERENCES: doesn't matter

OVERCLOCKING: no

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: no

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920*1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: My desktop computer recently broke down so I'm trying to buy a very budget built computer. I'm not too comfortable building my own, so I've decided to go with a barebone build from Tigerdirect ( http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5642399&CatId=332 ). I was planning on throwing into it a XFX 4670 from Newegg ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150450 ). What do you all think? Any suggestions would really be appreciated!

I'm also considering this one -------------> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5611891&Sku=B69-1165

 

[ares1214]

wow, a deathstar, biostar, bad memory, and an old phenom, doesnt even include a os, vid card, all the other things, look into these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103231

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103232

your 350$ budget is almost impossible. you might as well save it, cuz the second you get this, it will be 3 generations behind, and work properly for about 1 year, whereas if you get it up to 500-700, the possibilities increase tenfold.

 

[perpleXa]

Ouch.

What about something along the lines of this -----> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5611891&Sku=B69-1165

 

[ares1214]

thats not that bad, but still, theres no point in being 2-5 generations behind normal tech, and that still doesnt include dvd drive, adapter, os...

 

[Mulder19]

Well, the last system kit you posted is designed for overclocking. After all, the e5200 is not a good choice for budget gaming unless you plan to do serious overclocking. Paired with my 4850, I get solid 1080p performance on max settings in almost all games. If this is the route you go, you will want an aftermarket fan. Check out the one I have below; its a good value.

Also, it is good that the system is SLI compatible. However, to my knowledge, the 240 doesn't support SLI. So if you want it later, you will not be able to simply stick another cheap card in. Also, the 550 watt powersupply may struggle with 2 video cards and an overclocked CPU.

 

[False_Dmitry_II]

For the record, those were all barebone kits. Meaning they aren't assembled in the slightest.

Don't you have some other parts like a case you can reuse?

 

[BHBoy]

Is $350 with or without OS?

Going with AMD AM3, you can get something that will be basic today and expandable for awhile.

You can get a AMD dual core AM3 2.8 Ghz CPU for $53. A variety of Mobos with onboard graphics (ASUS, ASRock, Gigabyte) in the $70 to $90 range, a decent PSU for around $50, a 500 GB HDD for $54, and 2 gig of mem for $50, a DVD drive for under $30, and case for arounc $30. Combo deals can make it even lower.

Anything you can reuse (case, HDD, etc.) helps - provided the death of your PC didn't fry any of them. Also depending on what your old system is, you may not want to reuse the PSU.

 

[capt_taco]

AMD triple-core 2.9ghz processor + ASUS AM3 motherboard combo deal: $146.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.315857

2GB Corsair DDR2-800 RAM: $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145239

Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 512MB: $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824

CoolerMaster 500W PSU: $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171031

Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200RPM hard drive: $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395


Total cost: $371.95



Ta-da.


Although the first thing you'll probably want to do is add another 2GB of RAM (for $100 total spend, bringing total cost to $410-$420, you can get 2x2GB of DDR2-1066, which is going to be far, far better).

Course, this leaves you without an OS, but hopefully you can re-use your old one.

 

[BHBoy]

Some possible considerations to Taco's list:

Mobo/CPU combo - If you really have to stick to that budget, there's $124 combo with the same mobo but has a AMD 2.8 Ghz dual-core (Regor). Saves you $22 bucks. Also may want to consider a mobo that support DDR3 since DDR2 is being phased out.

HDD - I've seen person here rave abou the Samsung Spinpoint which can be gotten for the same price on newegg (may be via email promotion)

PSU - Unless I'm mistaken, I've haven't heard alot of good thing here on the CoolerMaster PSUs. A quick search look in the PSU forum would answer that.

DVD - Newegg has some email promotion going on now.

Case?

 

[bgd73]

350 can do alot. AMD replies are amd fan clubs, nvidia, and intel the same..why even ask here. I am frowning like an old wiseman at some of the replies.

The "at least 500 dollars needed" has been ousted.

Read up on some facts, get your 350 worth...or save 340 of it and go with...
a p3 on a badly biosed cognac mobo with a rage64....

 

[capt_taco]

Some possible considerations to Taco's list:

Mobo/CPU combo - If you really have to stick to that budget, there's $124 combo with the same mobo but has a AMD 2.8 Ghz dual-core (Regor). Saves you $22 bucks. Also may want to consider a mobo that support DDR3 since DDR2 is being phased out.

HDD - I've seen person here rave abou the Samsung Spinpoint which can be gotten for the same price on newegg (may be via email promotion)

PSU - Unless I'm mistaken, I've haven't heard alot of good thing here on the CoolerMaster PSUs. A quick search look in the PSU forum would answer that.

DVD - Newegg has some email promotion going on now.

Case?

In regards to those (all good points)

CPU/Mobo - DDR3 support would be better ... but for this budget, I'm thinking DDR2 will still be at least passable by the end of a triple-core CPUs life. Hopefully getting 4-8GB of it will be sufficient and more important than getting DDR3.

HDD - Saw the Samsung too for about the same price, was just one or the other. It should be just as good as the Seagate.

PSU - I THINK CoolerMaster has improved to the point where people don't really consider them El Cheapo PSUs, even if they're not quite elite. If it turns out you're not comfortable with it, there was a ThermalTake 430W PSU for $24.99 that I almost recommended ... it SHOULD support a 4850 even though the mfr says 450W but was just being cautious. I know Thermaltake has at least an OK reputation.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

DVD and Case - If these can't be scrounged from either the OP'S old system or a system that someone else is throwing out, he's not looking hard enough. This IS a budget build, right?

 

[ares1214]

here are 2 great CHEAP psus from 100% high quality (ocz, and corsair):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016

the psu is the most reused part, so why get a bad one.

 

[ares1214]

ok, just spent a long time, and this is about the best i can come up with:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.323089

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.314411

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811517007

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118032

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688

final price is 382.93, and it is much more reliable, better in some cases, and actually a little future proof (cant believe anybody would recommend ddr2, its going 100% obsolete, and prices are rising)