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Tom's Hardware > Forum > Systems > New Build > Desktop Computer Build for $350. NO HARD DRIVE OR CD ROM Needed!

Desktop Computer Build for $350. NO HARD DRIVE OR CD ROM Needed!

Forum Systems : New Build Desktop Computer Build for $350. NO HARD DRIVE OR CD ROM Needed!

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Okay, I had Dell Optiplex GX270 with NVidia Geforce 6200, 4 GB DDR1 Ram which finally DIED!
Meaning, I'm finally going to build my own computer. YAY!
I'm NOT a gamer...I do Adobe Flash and VIDEO EDITING.
However, I do not have much money. I'm trying to build a GOOD computer under $350.

 

Here are specs I have come up with so far:
1. Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-H61M-DS2 LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
2. CPU - Intel Core i3-2100 Processor 3.1GHz 3 MB Cache Socket LGA1155
3. RAM - PNY Optima 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) PC3-10666 1333MHz DDR3
4. Power Supply - Cooler Master Elite 460W ATX +12V V2.31 SATA
5. Graphics Card: Evga GeForce GT 430 1024 MB DDR3 PCI Express 2.0
6. Case - 10-Bay ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - No PSU?
7. Hard Drive and CD-ROM - I will not be buying for now because I will be using the one from my Dell.

 

So, all of them cost up to $350. What do you guys think? Will it be smooth for my purposes? And will it be better than any new pre-built computers that is at it's price range today?
And obviously, I'm NOT going to overclock.

 

Thanks.


Message edited by yoosuf290 on 01-24-2012 at 04:10:06 AM
Reply to yoosuf290
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I wouldn't base a build around a Diablotek PSU. I'm assuming you have a copy of Windows you can transfer over. Anyway, try this build:

AMD A6-3650 Llano 2.6GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 6530D AD3650WNGXBOX $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103943

ASUS F1A75-M LE FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131769

Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BLS2KIT4G3D1609DS1S00 $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148544

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119233

Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371030

Total: $355 before shipping and taxes (if applicable)

Are your hard drive and optical drive SATA?

------------------------------ If all the animals along the equator were capable of flattery, then Thanksgiving and Hallowe'en... would fall... on the same day.
Reply to hpdeskjet

Yup, my hard drive is SATA, I think. Well, I think Dell Optiplex GX 270 uses SATA.
But ya, I trust Intel more than AMD, haha. And some people say Intel i3 is better than AMD A6-3650.
Thanks for the reply though. The only thing I'm planning to change is the PSU but isn't 520w too much for my system?

Reply to yoosuf290

For your purposes, I think the A6 would be fine, but it is completely up to you. As for the PSU, I recommended that once since it is on sale. It is usually wise to get more than the minimum to account for the fact that PSUs degrade over time.

Edit: Forgot to mention that the PSU I recommended could support Crossfire for another GPU if you wanted to add one in later for the A6 build so eventually it wouldn't be too much.


Message edited by hpdeskjet on 01-24-2012 at 08:40:03 AM
------------------------------ If all the animals along the equator were capable of flattery, then Thanksgiving and Hallowe'en... would fall... on the same day.
Reply to hpdeskjet

If you plan to use the GT 430, I think this PSU should suit you well:

CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 V2 (CMPSU-430CXV2) 430W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139026

It supplies 28A on the 12v rail. Your video card requires 22A according to newegg. Don't think the Cooler Master meets that requirement (18A on 12v rail). Other than that I have nothing else to add. Good luck with your build :)

------------------------------ If all the animals along the equator were capable of flattery, then Thanksgiving and Hallowe'en... would fall... on the same day.
Reply to hpdeskjet

a sandy bridge onboard graphics may nearly do what you require without the need for a discrete GPU

------------------------------ Case: CM 690 II usb 3.0 |MB: ASROCK extreme 4 gen 3 | CPU: i5 2500k @ 4.6gHz (CM hyper 212 EVO cooler) | HDD: Crucial M4 SSD 128gb OS boot | GPU: gigabyte oc2 HD 6970 @960mHz | RAM: 16gb 4x4 Gskill ripjaws 1600mHz | PSU: thermaltake litepower 700
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