2011 Holiday Season - $400 Budget Build (1st timer)

[freddyfunkalicious]

Approximate Purchase Date: sometime between now and christmas

Budget Range: ~$400

System Usage from Most to Least Important: (Photoshop/Painter, matlab, batch regex processing on large text files)

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, dvd burner, nvidia video card (agp so may be useless?)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: N/A

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1080p

Additional Comments: I would like to get a solid system: 8gb ram, quad-core cpu >2.8ghz, and most important RELIABLE. I'd also like to take advantage of any black friday type deals that may be going on, so if you suggest I wait please let me know. Also, I am a total newb to building a computer like this so please don't hold back. THANKS!!!

 

[freddyfunkalicious]

Here's a rundown on the components I have selected so far:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147023
Rosewill Blackbone Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811147023
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$49.99
$39.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136939
Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EARX 1TB IntelliPower SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136939
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$139.99


ASRock 970 EXTREME3 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813157280
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$10.00 Instant
$94.99
$84.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280
Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817371030
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$15.00 Instant
$69.99
$54.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9
Item #: N82E16820233186
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
-$20.00 Instant
$59.99
$39.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886
AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX450WFGMBOX
Item #: N82E16819103886
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
$77.99

TOTAL COST SO FAR:
$437.94
+$13.64 shipping

This cost looks pretty good but I think I'm really paying for that sata 6.0 hd... it may not be necessary? Also, it looks like I may need a new video card as my current one appears to be utilize an AGP connector.

 

[freddyfunkalicious]

Does anyone see any places where I can cut some costs? Specifically, can I go cheaper on the case and PSU without sacrificing reliability? Also, are there any cheaper 1TB harddrives that will work with this motherboard/cpu?

Thanks,
Josh

 

[fb39ca4]

If I were you, I'd get the $500 marathon PC, without the 6870, and get 8GB of RAM instead of 4. Also, get a Caviar Blue HDD, Green has lower RPM so they are slower.

 

[Unolocogringo]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157243

How about this motherboard . Has onboard video For now until you can get a video card.

 

[jessterman21]

If I were you, I'd get the $500 marathon PC, without the 6870, and get 8GB of RAM instead of 4. Also, get a Caviar Blue HDD, Green has lower RPM so they are slower.

+1 (RAM = ridiculously cheap right now)