Suggestions For New Computer Parts Upgrade $350!

[Guest]

I want to build a computer around my stuff I have now.

Do not need:
-Case
-GPU
-PSU
-Peripherals (keyboard, dvd burner, etc.)

Budget: $350 including the sales tax

Requirements:
-HDD (500GB 6GB/s 7200RPM)
-CPU (AMD, Quad-Core, Over 3GHz)
-Motherboard (SATA 3)
-RAM (4GB DDR3-1600)

!!!!MUST BE AVAILABLE TO BUY AT MICROCENTER OR NEWEGG!!!!

 

[g-unit1111]

Not sure you can find an HD for that cheap right now with the situation in Thailand. But in any event check this out:

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990XA-UD3 - $139.99
CPU: 3.4GHz AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition - $129.99
RAM: 8GB (2 x 4GB) Kingston Hyper X 1600MHz 1.65 V - $48.99
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus - $25.99

Total: $345.99

 

[Guest]

I know but they had a 500GB Caviar Black HDD at MicroCenter for about ahundred, and I don't have one. With this HDD price gouging expected to go into the spring or summer of next year I think I'll have to take it...

 

[Guest]

Not sure you can find an HD for that cheap right now with the situation in Thailand. But in any event check this out:

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990XA-UD3 - $139.99
CPU: 3.4GHz AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition - $129.99
RAM: 8GB (2 x 4GB) Kingston Hyper X 1600MHz 1.65 V - $48.99
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus - $25.99

Total: $345.99

Ok, so I don't really need a cooler, so shaving off about 50 bucks, and I found a great review Ram: Corsair XMS3 4GB DDR3-1600 for $27.99

Is this a good buy for memory?

 

[g-unit1111]

Ok, so I don't really need a cooler, so shaving off about 50 bucks, and I found a great review Ram: Corsair XMS3 4GB DDR3-1600 for $27.99

Is this a good buy for memory?

I'm not really a big fan of Corsair XMS RAM - I'm convinced that it fried my old AMD motherboard because of the voltage and timing settings I was using. If you insist on Corsair RAM go with the Vengeance series over XMS - far better manufactured, but get the low profile version - the huge heat sinks make installing coolers very difficult.

As far as coolers go - the AMD cooler that's included isn't bad - I think it's better than the included Intel fans - but I'd still go for an aftermarket cooler since most are way way better than anything the CPU manufacturers include.

 

[Guest]

I was skimming the local MicroCenter paper and saw that you can get $40 off a motherboard with a CPU purchase. I've picked the CPU: Phenom II X4 970, HDD: Caviar Black 1TB

So:
$139.99
+99.99
-------------------
239.98

Now all I need are a mobo (take $40 off) plus 4GB of RAM (~$30)

HOWEVER: I have seen an FX-4100 3.6GHz AMD Cpu, for $119.99, is this a good buy too?

 

[Guest]

Sorry CB 500GB

 

[g-unit1111]

Definitely go for the X4 over the FX - the FX has a long way to go before it's perfected. And unless it includes a name brand motherboard I don't think I would trust that offer.

 

[Guest]

Okay, so FX is out, AsRock mobo is in...

Here is what I have:
Phenom II X4 970BE (139.99)
AsRock 880G Pro 3 (89.99-40.00)
Caviar Black 500GB 6Gb/s (99.99)
Corsair XMS3 DDR3-1600 4GB (27.99)

I think with tax it is around $340

IS THE AsRock 890GX Pro 3 a better buy for the extra 10 bucks?

 

[g-unit1111]

It shouldn't be too bad - just make sure it doesn't have built in video if you have a separate GPU that you're using.

 

[Guest]

They both have built-in video, I'll just uninstall the driver, but what I really want to know is if the 890GX Northbridge is a big improvement on the 880G