New build help, complete newbie

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crossedoutt

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Mar 4, 2011
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Alright so my laptop broke and I'm tight on money so I want to build a desktop computer from scratch. Hopefully this will come a bit cheaper than buying a new computer. I'll mainly be using the computer for gaming and watching movies, the games I play aren't that intensive as I have vertigo (Maplestory, Black Ops). I want the build to stay near the $500 mark as much as possible.

As always, the cheaper the better, but I don't want to skimp on quality for cheapness. I also have to buy a key board and such though =/.

I asked some friends, and they input some builds for me. I also looked online and saw some builds. Here is where my current build choice stands (I mixed the two builds)

Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W ATX12V V2.2 Intel Core i7 Compliant Dual 80mm Fans Full Cable Sleevings Power Supply $45

PowerColor AX5770 1GBD5-H Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card $120

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler $30

BIOSTAR A880G+ AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $60

SIIG IC-510012-S2 5.1 Channels PCI Interface SoundWave $30

A-DATA Gaming Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model AX3U1600GB2G9-2G $45

HITACHI HDS721050CLA362 (0F10381) 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $40

Thermaltake V3 Black Edition VL80001W2Z Black SECC / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $40

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM $20

AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX $90

Total: $520~


The main problems are compatibility issues and if I forgot to add something vital. I want to make a fully capable desktop, not one that will not output sound or burn up in 6 months. Also, is my fan neccessary if my CPU contains one already?

Thanks
 
Solution
eloric
Your motherboard, and CPU for that matter, would be considered a "one off". No consideration for future upgrades, which makes a relatively short lived build. There are, for example, only two memory slots on your motherboard, which will not let you upgrade to 8 GB - 4GB is good enough for anything you are planning today. The CPU has only two cores, and new games are moving to take advantage of more than that. The performance hit on current games, however, is relatively small, so no worries.

There are a few other items like this, but all in all they are not necessarily bad if you just plan on getting your money's worth in two or three years and replace these major components then. It is kind of the intention you had at the outset -...
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eloric

eloric

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Mar 13, 2010
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Live near a Micro Center? They have good prices on AMD CPUs/motherboards and a good deal on a case. You can get better parts (like a quad core) for the same price that way.

Do you need a copy of Windows? Also, when do you want to buy?

Memory: G.SKILL NS 4GB . It is a little slower (1333), but not so you would notice it, and $6 cheaper.

Power Supply: Use this promo code: EMCKGKG26 to get a Corsair Builder Series CX430 CMPSU-430CX 430W for $20 after rebate.

Skip the sound card. Skip the heat sink (sigh) - you won't be able to overclock much, but you can do it later, if you want.

I think that knocks it down to $429, after rebates and including shipping. You are eventually going to get back another $20 on your video card too.



 
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batuchka

batuchka

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Dec 31, 2007
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$528AR if not staying near MC
Untitled-1059.jpg

cheaper if u did though hehe
 
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C

crossedoutt

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Can I listen to sounds/music without a sound card? Also, is this all I need when I build a fully functional computer (Minus the OS, I have windows 7 already)? It could go on the internet and all that right?
 
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eloric

eloric

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Your monitor is the one thing that you look at more than any other part of your computer. If at all possible, I suggest you spend more than the minimum. Here is a comparison of three other models, with yours on the left.

The Asus VE198D 19"is the same price at $100 when you consider promo code and shipping. It has a better resolution and is slightly larger.

The ASUS VE Series VE208T Black 20" 1600x900 is $20 more, but has both greater resolution and larger screen.

Here is the current standard: Acer G215HAbd-1 Black 21.5" 1920 X1080, but at $135 shipped, is not a great price for that size.

I checked Tiger and Fry's (am looking for more monitors myself), and with Newegg's free shipping and no tax, they have the best prices at the moment.

 
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eloric

eloric

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Micro Center has a $40 discount on their AMD CPU/motherboard combos. I particularly like their quad core Phenom 840 for $100, which is a sweet spot for price/performance IMO.

The Hyper 212 plus heat sink is on sale for $23 (if you want it) and I recommend the Elite 430 case for $35.

There are some catches here:
1) the current sale has been on for a month so they might be sold out. (Check first on-line before you go)
2) the sale ends today (but the March sale might be even better)
3) You have to figure in sales tax instead of shipping (which may be a good thing if you like supporting your local tax base)

 
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aznshinobi

aznshinobi

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Yes, Why does it matter what it is if your on such a small budget? Corsair is far expensive for your budget and they're CX series sucks in comparison to say OCZ or Rosewill.

Antec is pretty expensive, but when they're on said they're really cheap. You missed out, the Antec Green isn't on sale anymore off newegg and they sold out of Neo Eco's.

Seasonic is expensive! In comparison to Antec, a Seasonic SI12I or whatever 520w 80+ Bronze is about 70$ + about 5-10$ shipping.
 
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