Entry level gaming machine

[cicohipe]

After receiving some advice on the forums, and reading the monthly best graphics cards and cpu's i have put together a package that i think will offer good entry level gaming performance while allowing for easy upgradability.

Motherboard: ASUS M4A785T-M - $89
CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 250 - $73
Memory: CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB DDR3 1333Mhz - $69
Power supply: Huntkey 550watt - $39
Case: ASUS TA-K51 VENTO - $49
Video card: ASUS EAH 4670 512MB - $69
HDD: HITACHI Deskstar 320GB SATA2 16MB Cache - $49

+ media keyboard + usb pen drive

Total: $481.00

All prices are in Australian dollars

By going with AMD i can upgrade to the latest and greatest phenom down the track and also upgrade to a better video card and better/more ram.

 

[Wolygon]

Hello.

The power supply you selected in not good, you shouldn't buy cheap no name PSU's but instead go for brands such as Antec and Corsair. A good power supply which won't cost you too much is an "Antec NEO 450W" which are around $65, however when you want to upgrade your computer you will most likely have to get a new PSU. If you are willing to spend the money so you don't have to upgrade the PSU then maybe an "Antec NEO 620W" for $95 would be better.

You could save some money on your CPU buy going for the "Athlon II X2 240" as it only has a lower clock speed so it will not have much less performance yet it is $15 cheaper. But still it would be better if you could fork out the $25 for the Athlon II X4 as then you won't have to upgrade your processor if you upgraded your video card.

Are you sure you don't want to get a 500GB HDD for only about $5 more?

Appart from that it looks pretty good for a budget build.

I'm not sure where you live but gocomp.com.au allows you to pick-up form their Brisbane store and they have very good prices.

Hope I helped.

 

[cicohipe]

Cheers punk! i'm checking out gocomp now actually, i have been looking at gamedude and umart, gocomp seems very competitive though and they are close to me too. I had actually already changed my specs to a 500g hdd and changed the power supply after reading more info about huntkey. I decided on a 430w thermaltake psu which is only $10 more.

I'll take your advice and look into either downgrading or upgrading the cpu too

 

[Wolygon]

Glad I could help, I have some thoughts about that PSU (Thermaltake 430W), Thermaltake PSU's are good don't get me wrong, but that one breaks that rule. I remember a few months ago I was looking up the PSU as I was very intrigued by its cheap price yet good brand name. I forgot what I found but it wasn't good, I'll look again to see what I can find.

Just as I though, I searched it in google (Thermaltake 430W review) and found some nice stuff to change your mind.

The first few posts here some it up:
http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=284914

And if you are still have cold feet about not getting this PSU here is a detailed review of the PSU:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/332
Just read the conclusion if your slack (thats what I did).

Hopefully that changed your mind about that PSU, pitty you can't even trust the Thermaltake name, from principal I won't buy off them for it.

Glad I help.

 

[cicohipe]

Best answer selected by cicohipe.

 

[cicohipe]

Wow cheers mate, i think i'll spend an extra 10-20 on psu and go with antec. Antec is always safe.... i hope

 

[Wolygon]

Glad I could help, good luck with your build mate.

Thanks for best answer.