My first build -- please help me critique my components

[dmarquand]

and check for incompatibilities.. Thanks.

-Intel i3-540 processor – LGA 1156 socket -$110 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115221&cm_re=i3-_-19-115-221-_-Product

-GIGABYTE GA-H55M-S2V LGA 1156 Intel H55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard – 2 X 240pin max 16gb no integrated graphics -$75 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128457&cm_re=lga_1156_motherboard-_-13-128-457-_-Product

-Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKX 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive -$40 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136770&cm_re=320gb_hard_drive-_-22-136-770-_-Product

-G.SKILL Value Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9S-4GBNT - $34
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231423&cm_re=4gb_ddr3-_-20-231-423-_-Product

-SONY Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1681S-0B – OEM $17 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118031&cm_re=dvd_drive_internal_sata-_-27-118-031-_-Product
-COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068&cm_re=mid_tower_case-_-11-119-068-_-Product

-PowerColor Go! Green AX5450 512MK3-SH Radeon HD 5450 (Cedar) 512MB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - $40 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131339&cm_re=hd_graphics_card-_-14-131-339-_-Product
APEX AL-D500EXP 500W ATX12V Power Supply - $45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817154026&cm_re=500w_psu-_-17-154-026-_-Product

Total: $411.00

 

[striker410]

Might I ask what you want to do with this machine? Also, what is your budget?

Go ahead and fill out this form: It gives us all the info we need to help you.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

I'll get back to you.

 

[dmarquand]

Might I ask what you want to do with this machine? Also, what is your budget?

Go ahead and fill out this form: It gives us all the info we need to help you.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

I'll get back to you.

It will be used heavily by the ladies of my family to [strike]waste their whole entire lives stocking people[/strike] surf Facebook and check their emails. Also, word processing and occasional programming in PHP. It will be used quite a bit every day, so durability is key.


My dad says were on a tight budget, so around $400-$450 (we already have a monitor and keyboard/mouse).

 

[striker410]

Ok, please fill the form. I may not have time tonight, but I'll have something for you in the morning if you fill it out.

 

[Guest]

Whoah, you are buying socket 1156, it's dead bro!

You need to get a socket 1155 motherboard with and i3-2100, socket 1155 is the successor to socket 1156 and the i3-2100 is the successor to the i3-540. It's a good thing you asked or you might have ended up with a dead socket.

As for the case, get the Xigmatek Asguard II for $30, it's also 100% tool-less.

Also, I don't think you need a graphics card, if you are not playing games, the i3-2100 integrated graphics (Intel HD 2000) very good, so you wont need the 5450.

 

[ko888]

That APEX AL-D500EXP 500W ATX12V Power Supply you have chosen is a big mistake. Apex (a.k.a. Allied, SuperCase) power supplies are made by Deer, L&C and Solytech, power supply makers that are infamous for shoddy products. When one of the most reputable test review sites, JonnyGuru, tested that power supply it literally exploded in spectacular fashion. Read the review here :

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=65

If you don't want to risk your PC and your home I recommend that you get a reputable name brand power supply unit from Antec, Corsair, Enermax, Seasonic and XFX.

The following power supply is much better and is actually able to produce its labelled power with better efficiency and lower cost. It is more than sufficient to power your intended system configuration or even the configuration that @mn96 suggested.

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply for $34.99 Note: No power cord included. By reusing your existing cord, you can reduce waste and help protect the environment.