Advice on first time budget build?????

[tyroneWC]

Hey guys i am by no means an expert in all of this but have done my fair share of research and have come up with these parts for a new pc...

please let me know if you have any better ideas but keep in mind i don't want to spend anymore money unless absolutely necessary, i also have no idea if all these parts will work together so let me know if somethings wrong i.e psu is possibly overkill?

The pc is for gaming at 1024x768 and have no intention of overclocking in the near future,thanks in advance...

CASE: Zalman Z9 plus

CPU: AMD Phenom IIx4 965 125w

GPU: Club 3D HD6790 1GB - 256-bit

RAM: Mushkin 1333MHz DDR3 2gbx3

MOBO: Asus M4A88T-V Evo

PSU: Antec HCG 520w (12v rail-480w)

HD: seagate 750gb 7200rpm

 

[zooted]

At 1024x768 you could get away with a 5670 for a good amount of time. You could then drop the psu down to the antec earthwatt 380w.
Also go for 2x2gb, 3x2gb is for tri channel ram, which would force you to run in single channel mode hindering performance (negligible)

 

[brew182]

I as well am not an expert in these things, however I have learned a bit lately. As far as your CPU choice, I hear that Intel's are better for gaming so you might want to find the comparable one in Intel's lineup. Also, that hard drive you have chosen is (I'm guessing) probably really expensive because of flooding. If you can find one in an old computer or something of that sort that could hold you over for a while (6 mos - 1 year) then that could save you a boat load in the long run as prices are supposed to recover. Also, what is your budget?

 

[tyroneWC]

At 1024x768 you could get away with a 5670 for a good amount of time. You could then drop the psu down to the antec earthwatt 380w.
Also go for 2x2gb, 3x2gb is for tri channel ram, which would force you to run in single channel mode hindering performance (negligible)

okay thanks i thought at that resolution i was mayb going overboard with the GPU with the money i save would you recommend i use it to improve or upgrade other parts or leave as is?

 

[tyroneWC]

I as well am not an expert in these things, however I have learned a bit lately. As far as your CPU choice, I hear that Intel's are better for gaming so you might want to find the comparable one in Intel's lineup. Also, that hard drive you have chosen is (I'm guessing) probably really expensive because of flooding. If you can find one in an old computer or something of that sort that could hold you over for a while (6 mos - 1 year) then that could save you a boat load in the long run as prices are supposed to recover. Also, what is your budget?

Sorry forgot to mention that i do have the hard drive mentioned from my previous pc,so wont cost me a thing...Ive also heard that intel is better but i cant afford an intel motherboard and a intel processor, it works out much cheaper to get AMD instead...well its hard to compare as i live in south africa here i get what i previously listed for 5000 (rand) so if you divide by 8(guessing) its 625 dollars

 

[Tijok]

Hey Tyrone,

Not to derail the conversation, but why are you upgrading your whole computer to play games and still playing on a 1024x768 monitor? (I really hope that's not an old CRT) Wouldn't it be best to also upgrade to a new monitor, I mean the Full HD (1920x1080) 21.5" ones are only about $130, less on sale.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009316

If that's a bit too high, you can still upgrade at least to a widescreen 1440x900 for a scant $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009235

It just seems to me you'll get more out of the upgrade by being able to see your games better. As far as building that into the existing price, here's my humble suggestion. This is assuming you're just doing some low-res gaming:

AMD A8-3850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103942

ASRock A75 PRO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157258

Acer 19" 1440x900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009235

Total = $320 vs. $350 for your CPU, GPU, and Mobo

The reason I am suggesting an FM1 based rig is twofold. First, AM3 is officially a dead platform, and building a new rig on it seems odd. AM3+ is feasible, but it is also somewhat pricey in order to get the good features. FM1 gets you features like SATA 6GB/s and USB 3 for a very low buy in. Secondly, looking at the low resolution you're gaming at, I think the APU inherent in FM1 will probably provide all of the graphics power you'll need.

If you are even thinking about OCing, I take back my suggestion, as you'll have to wait for a K-series APU to be able to do it really well/easily.

Best of luck in the build, and I definitely recommend you stick with AMD, the bang for your buck is much better in the budget you're discussing here!

 

[tyroneWC]

Hey Tyrone,

Not to derail the conversation, but why are you upgrading your whole computer to play games and still playing on a 1024x768 monitor? (I really hope that's not an old CRT) Wouldn't it be best to also upgrade to a new monitor, I mean the Full HD (1920x1080) 21.5" ones are only about $130, less on sale.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009316

If that's a bit too high, you can still upgrade at least to a widescreen 1440x900 for a scant $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009235

It just seems to me you'll get more out of the upgrade by being able to see your games better. As far as building that into the existing price, here's my humble suggestion. This is assuming you're just doing some low-res gaming:

AMD A8-3850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103942

ASRock A75 PRO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157258

Acer 19" 1440x900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009235

Total = $320 vs. $350 for your CPU, GPU, and Mobo

The reason I am suggesting an FM1 based rig is twofold. First, AM3 is officially a dead platform, and building a new rig on it seems odd. AM3+ is feasible, but it is also somewhat pricey in order to get the good features. FM1 gets you features like SATA 6GB/s and USB 3 for a very low buy in. Secondly, looking at the low resolution you're gaming at, I think the APU inherent in FM1 will probably provide all of the graphics power you'll need.

If you are even thinking about OCing, I take back my suggestion, as you'll have to wait for a K-series APU to be able to do it really well/easily.

Best of luck in the build, and I definitely recommend you stick with AMD, the bang for your buck is much better in the budget you're discussing here!

My previous monitor fell off the table and broke so im using a 32 inch tv (HD ready) i realise its useless but dont have money to get a new monitor at this point in time, so its going to have to do for now... as for your suggestion for the processor and mobo it never really occurred to me and i didnt realise AM3 is dead ill definitely look into it thanks for your feedback!

 

[andrewcarr]

Please list all the parts you plan to buy (with links), the money you want to spend and fill this out.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[tyroneWC]

Best answer selected by tyroneWC.