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Tom's Hardware > Forum > Systems > New Build > [Solved] New Cheap Rig - Suggestions and Alternatives !HELP!

[Solved] New Cheap Rig - Suggestions and Alternatives !HELP!

Forum Systems : New Build [Solved] New Cheap Rig - Suggestions and Alternatives !HELP!

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Approximate Purchase Date: This week
Budget Range: keep it under 400 after Rebates (450 if there's something waaaay better)
System Usage: Light Gaming PC and all around family PC. Future-proofing and BANG FOR BUCK!
Parts NOT required: optical drive, GPU, hard drives, keyboard, mouse, speakers, monitor, OS
Country of Origin: USA
Preferred websites for parts: Newegg, Amazon.
Overclocking: YES
SLI or XFire: MAYBE
Monitor Res: 1280x1024

Motherboard: ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD
Processor: AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz
Ram: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit
Case: COOLER MASTER Elite 430
PSU: Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power
CPU COOLER: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
TIM: Arctic Silver AS5

I am ready to purchase but I am a tightwad with my money. In a perfect scenario I'd have a mislabeled 955BE and be able to squeeze 4Ghz outta each core. I know that I MIGHT not be able to unlock anything and I may be stuck with a simple 2core CPU but it's worth the gamble to me. Also I chose this board because it will support X6 later on down the road. I already have the GPU (GeForce 8600GS) and I plan on using it for this build. I will upgrade later but I'd like to be able to to go to a multiple GPU setup later on. Looks like a Xfire on these AMDs.

I do have one concern, Will my CPU cooler fit in the case?

Please people, Any input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Reply to landran
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Since u stated cheap

 

Items off Egg $162
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q205/batuchka/Untitled-2271.jpg

 

X4 640 +Biostar A780L3G $96
http://www.microcenter.com/special [...] PROMO.html

 

$258

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by batuchka on 02-09-2011 at 07:11:19 AM
Reply to batuchka
Best answer

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811129066
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
$69.99


Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817371016
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$15.00 Instant
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate
$79.99
$64.99


G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
Item #: N82E16820231277
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$49.99
1

Kingston DataTraveler G3 2GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive (White & Orange) Model DTIG3/2GBZ
Item #: N82E16820139254
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
-$6.99 Saving
$6.99
$0.00


COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel ...
Item #: N82E16835103065
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$29.99


AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX
Item #: N82E16819103727
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
ASUS M4A87TD/USB3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131651
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

439$ AR

To cut costs
Downgrade to Phenom 2 955 20$

Reply to Anonymous

+1 For the family PC these are good builds.

Reply to shineon2010

 

OMG Cheap, not always the best way to go.

 

First off I would NEVER recommend Biostar. I also would not recommend a AthlonII for gaming, I would rather attempt he X2 unlock to X4 or just go with a Core i3-540.

 

Also those are in-store Microcenter prices, very few of us live near a MC.

 

Second of all, you don't want a WD Blue. Go Samsung F3 if your on a budget.

 

Thirdly, Ballistix is junk. I've personally RMA'd these sticks 3 times and finally just gave them away.

 

4th, 380w is not going to cut it with a quad core at 4ghz. The cpu alone will consume 150-170w. Then you upgrade video card and guess what, you have to upgrade psu too.

 

5th, that ugly crap case is going to be $35 shipped. Spend another $10 for a Antec 300 that's 100X better.

 

All bad choices in my opinion.


Message edited by geekapproved on 02-09-2011 at 07:34:04 PM
------------------------------ Core i3-2100/Asrock H61/8GB1333/XFX HD5850oc/WD Black 500/Antec 300/Antec EA380w bronze
Currently playing Deus Ex:HR a second time on Hardcore
Reply to geekapproved

If you really want to save maney wait for bulldozer and bobcat they will not be compatible with socket AM3 so if you want to upgrade to them at any point down the line you can't. Also when new products are released old products drop in price so you will save money here. Although we don't know when they will be released it shouldn't be too far (hopefully less than 6 months).

If not i recommend going with a cheap i3 530 you can OC that to 3.6 stable on stock cooling.

Reply to jjthomp

Don't be afraid to check Amazon.com, the consistently beat newegg on price and consistently have free shipping on items newegg charges to ship.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product Was $45 yesterday after rebate.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] D=10521304 $50 after rebate

 

Also Chiefvalue.com usually beats newegg with free 3 day shipping.

 

http://www.chiefvalue.com/product- [...] 4091010060


Message edited by geekapproved on 02-09-2011 at 09:07:05 PM
------------------------------ Core i3-2100/Asrock H61/8GB1333/XFX HD5850oc/WD Black 500/Antec 300/Antec EA380w bronze
Currently playing Deus Ex:HR a second time on Hardcore
Reply to geekapproved
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