Basic Computer Build Approx. $500

[carlosvega1]

Hey guys. So it's been since like 2006 since i've built a computer and was asked by my co-worker/coach if I could help him build one. The budget is roughly $500 and he would basically use it for music, word, e-mail, watching film/video. He want something that he can use for a while. From reading the forums and getting to know the newer technology i came up with:

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP

BUDGET RANGE: roughly $500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:r music, word, e-mail, watching film/video

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

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg
PARTS PREFERENCES: by brand or type (e.g.: I would like to use an AMD CPU & Biostar mobo with a 24" LCD and full tower case)

OVERCLOCKING: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Nothing Fancy



Motherboard:
ASUS M4A785T-M/CSM AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $84.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131609

CPU: AMD Phenom X4 9150e Agena 1.8GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 65W Quad-Core Processor $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103287

Ram Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3K2/4GR - Retail $104.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134792

Case: Haven't decided, i would say roughly $80.00 ???

DVD: LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 24X DVD-R SATA Black 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support $28.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335

Harddrive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Total so far:$433.95

Thanks in advance for your help.

~Carlos

 

[Atomosk]

With what he will be doing, a case is no more than a personal preference. If he were going to be gaming I would say to go heavy on the case but it is not needed. You could pick up a decent $30 case that would meet the hardware's' needs.

You will need a PSU. I would recommend:

Antec EarthWatts 380w - $49.99
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033&cm_re=psu-_-17-371-033-_-Product)

Unfortunately this leaves roughly $15 for a case. If he doesn't mind going over 15-30 bucks then go with the Antec. Otherwise grab a,

hec HP585D RETAIL 585W - $29.00
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339012&cm_re=psu-_-17-339-012-_-Product)

Both PSU's will power everything just fine, but the latter, being cheap, might not last as long, and always run the chance of being unreliable.

GL!

 

[carlosvega1]

thanks.. does everything else look ok?

 

[Atomosk]

Yup, everything looks gravy!

Just remember to grab some thermal grease for the cpu (Arctic Silver 5 ftw)

 

[carlosvega1]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.315682

how is this for a case and power supply?

 

[carlosvega1]

also another question i have that the CPU says:

Integrated DDR2 DRAM Memory Controller
The AMD Phenom 9150E Quad-core processor is integrated with a DDR2 DRAM memory controller capable of supporting unbuffered DRAM. The integrated memory controller changes the way the processor accesses main memory, resulting in increased bandwidth, reduced memory latencies, and enhanced processor performance.

however, with the mobo i'd be using ddr3 Ram.. does that make these incompatible?

 

[Atomosk]

I am very glad you caught that. I am rather embarrassed I missed that but yes you are right. The am2+ socket cpu's don't have a ddr3 memory channel. These are not compatible. Also, DDR3 is a waste of money right now. The performance gain is minuscule. You will be just as satisfied with DDR2

Pick up a GIGABYTE GA-MA770-UD3 - $74
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128376)

and G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 $85
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122)

I apalogize for not catchin that. That would have been a big flop D:

As for the case and psu, it will work just fine. Antec cases are most preferable.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Wow, you're getting some not so good advice in this thread. First off, you do NOT want to use an old first generation Phenom chip. Second, AM3 and DDR3 is the only way to go with a new build since there is no price premium and it allows for future upgrades. I would scrap the whole build and go with something like this:

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&cm_re=athlon_ii_x4-_-19-103-706-_-Product $95.99

ASUS M4A785T-M/CSM AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131609&cm_re=asus_785g_am3-_-13-131-609-_-Product $84.99

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277&cm_re=g.skill_ddr3_4gb-_-20-231-277-_-Product $93.99

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&Tpk=samsung%20f3%20500 $54.99

LG Black 24X SATA DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136177&Tpk=lg%2024x%20sata $27.99

Antec Two Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129070&cm_re=antec_two_hundred-_-11-129-070-_-Product $49.95

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=N82E16817139008 $54.99 - $10.00 MIR

Total - $462.89 - $10.00 MIR

 

[carlosvega1]

thanks for the help!