Need Advice - $500 System

[jlg6184]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 02/22 - 02/30
BUDGET RANGE: $500
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, DVD-RW, Hard Drive, Monitor
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com
PARTS PREFERENCES: Doesn't Matter
OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Doesn't Matter, Monitor is only capable of 1024x768

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Basically, I was going to rebuild when my last system died due to a power surge, and didn't get around to it due to financial issues. Now my wife is telling me if I want to build, I need to do it basically now, or never. I have been looking at the AM3's and ATI cards, but figured I would throw this out there just in case there are some decent ideas I haven't thought of yet. I am going to need a new operating system, so that is likely going to leave me with $400 or so to play with. Thanks!

 

[whitefang]

If your old PC died to a power surge it's just the power supply that went out. You could replace it with a $40 PSU and depending upon how old it is you could just upgrade that.

 

[jlg6184]

The old PC died almost a year back, the power supply surged something fierce and took out my motherboard, video card, and hard drive. That was why I was set to rebuild, but was unable to until now.

 

[whitefang]

http://i46.tinypic.com/1yn3oh.png

For $40 more you can get a total of 4GB ram.

Or for $20 you can get a 2.9 ghz triple core

Or for $60 more you can get both.

 

[jlg6184]

Very nice, thank you...I will take a look at those, and play with it a bit. I just wasn't all that sure about the new AM3's as it seems like there is a ton of new processors since I last looked.

 

[Jairo]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 02/22 - 02/30
BUDGET RANGE: $500
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, DVD-RW, Hard Drive, Monitor
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com
PARTS PREFERENCES: Doesn't Matter
OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Doesn't Matter, Monitor is only capable of 1024x768

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Basically, I was going to rebuild when my last system died due to a power surge, and didn't get around to it due to financial issues. Now my wife is telling me if I want to build, I need to do it basically now, or never. I have been looking at the AM3's and ATI cards, but figured I would throw this out there just in case there are some decent ideas I haven't thought of yet. I am going to need a new operating system, so that is likely going to leave me with $400 or so to play with. Thanks!

Hi jlg

View this thread:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/281036-31-build-advise-please

 

[whitefang]

Blackjello, he needs an OS.

Jairo, that thread won't be of much help. That guy didn't need an HD or a DVD rom.

 

[blackjellognomes]

Blackjello, he needs an OS.

Jairo, that thread won't be of much help. That guy didn't need an HD or a DVD rom.

Oops, sorry. Just noticed.

 

[Jairo]

Jairo, that thread won't be of much help. That guy didn't need an HD or a DVD rom.

jlg6184 OP

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, DVD-RW, Hard Drive, Monitor

 

[whitefang]

Huh? I'm confused. The OP needs an HD and DVD rom. The thread your referring to doesn't.

 

[squirrel15]

What about this build. I have a feeling you'll be satisfied.

CPU/Mobo ($197, $10MIR): http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.335019

PSU/GPU ($185): http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.343127

RAM/Case ($126): http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.343336

total: $508 - $10MIR
only $8 over your limit for a much better build.

Bam! You got a good video card, great CPU, RAM and Mobo, a good trusty PSU by antec and an ok case. I see one problem with this build. The case only has one 120mm for cooling! Once you get your MIR or any money you might earn and put that towards getting adding fans to the case. This almost exactly like blackjellognomes' build but I just changed the PSU and CPU so I must give where credit is due and thank blackjellognomes for a good build outline that I followed.

 

[squirrel15]

whoa I'm confused too! does the guy need an OS or not? If so then we need to make some adjustments.

 

[jlg6184]

Thanks guys for the posts, and yes, I do need an OS and I do NOT need HD or DVD-RW. I have a valid XP COA still, but I would prefer to just go to Windows 7 at this point.

 

[squirrel15]

Oh man! and I was so proud of my build too! lol ok lets start over again. lol

 

[whitefang]

lol well not needing an HD or DVD changes every thing...

 

[whitefang]

You have 3 options.

The first two are just case preferences, the first one is a better case (mid atx, bigger)

The second one is a smaller case (MIcro atx smaller) You also save about $15

The third one is the second option with a lesser PSU. still a great psu. but cheaper. you could use that $30 to upgrade somthing else.

http://i47.tinypic.com/28tjp93.png

http://i48.tinypic.com/2vxhf9c.png

http://i49.tinypic.com/5cy3i8.png

 

[jlg6184]

So is that X3 435 the best processor in that price range? I figured I would ask as during my searching I have found a few others right around the same price.

 

[whitefang]

What are the others you have found?

Another option is to get a Phenom II X2 545 and try your chances at unlocking the 3rd and 4th cores for a full Phenom II x4 925.

 

[jlg6184]

I seen the AMD Athlon II X4 620 at 95.99 and the AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition at the same price.

EDIT: Also, is the lower wattage PS (550W) gonna be enough to run everything decently? I am kind of weary of them since they caused the death of my last system.

 

[bramc]

Just to assure you:

My µATX Antec NSK-3480 and its included Earthwatts 380watt (Seasonic build, 80+) running:
X2 550 -> x4 B50
Ati5770
and hdd etc.

http://www.antec.outervision.com/

No problem at all...

 

[squirrel15]

Well me and whitefang had a nice long discussion on the Anthlon ii X4 620 vs. the 545 BE. lol its more of a preference thing, your more than welcome to get the phenom ii X2 545 BE and unlock the cores, and if it doesnt work at all, its still a good CPU and should handle anything you throw at it.

 

[jlg6184]

Thanks again. I will have to do some more research, as it appears several of the AMD Chips have unlockable cores. When it comes down to it, I think money and how much I actually have to spend will be the biggest factor. I mean at 500 bucks the builds here are pretty decent from what I have read so far tonight. Don't know how everything is going to go, never know, I may have an extra 100 or so to play with (after talking with the wife) so I may beef it up a bit, but this has given me several options to choose from.

 

[jlg6184]

Alright, I have one last question, then I think I am pretty much set. 32 Bit or 64Bit. Last time I rebuilt (well over a year ago), 64 bit had some issues with 32 bit applications/drivers. I am sure some of that has smoothed out since then, and I know that the perks also consist of getting past the 32bit ram limitations. Just curious which way is recommended at this point?

 

[whitefang]

64 bit all the way. no driver issues any more.

 

[jlg6184]

Alrighty, thanks again...I think I am set. I am just looking at some comparative parts and whatnot to see if this is the best bang for my buck, and it appears to be. Thanks for the recommendations.