Need new build suggestions $300-$400

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richardcvan

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Apr 29, 2012
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Hey yall, Im looking into building my first semi-gaming computer. Im mainly using this computer for; online classes, some gaming and possibly TV watching. Im planning on runing this on 2-3 monitors. I am starting from scratch. The things i can find on my own are; wireless card, mouse/keyboard and the monitors. I would like to go at least a quad core my absolute max is $500, but i would like to keep it around 300-400 if possible. Thanks in advance
 
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jaraldo

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Mar 22, 2012
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Hey :)

With 3 monitors I'm 100% sure $500 isn't going to cut it, because you'll need good graphics cards to run them. Not sure about how 2 monitors will affect the build.
Do you plan on buying parts online? Because adding in S&H+taxes will really make your budget hard to stick to.
Do you have a microcenter near you?
What games do you play?

Try to give as much addition information as possible.
 
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richardcvan

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2 monitors would work.. Gaming would be minimal, like need for speed or counter strike.. I am planning to buy online.. I'm not really looking to use it or any major gaming, I know I can settle for a duo core, but if I build I'd rather just get a quad core
 
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jaraldo

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Mar 22, 2012
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http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-ii-overclock-graphics-card,3032.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/diy-gaming-pc,2970.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/budget-gaming-pc-phenom-ii-radeon-hd-6850,2903.html

These builds are between 6 months to a year old. Hard-drive prices are more inflated(200% more) since the floods happened in thailand, but the prices of the other hardware should be low enough to counter that.
A SSD(Solid State Drive) will speed up your computer and if you happen to have to a spare external hard-drive around you can keep your OS/games on the SSD and other things on the external HD. If not, just stick with a 500GB-1tb hard-drive for now to stay in budget. SSD are really a nice thing to have though and you should consider getting one when/if possible.

Some parts I think should be in your build:
The radeon 6850(GPU) is a great price/performer.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131374

You will need a 500 watt PSU at least. 600w GPU isn't much more in price and it's nice to have "just incase" you want to upgrade to a better GPU later.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151093
Antec/Seasonic are good brands for PSU.

If you reference those builds in the links, you should be able to finish off your build easily :p
 
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jaraldo

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Mar 22, 2012
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Here's some additional info just because I'll be gone tomorrow :)
When do you plan on buying the parts?
Do you plan on making it upgradable?

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/312913-28-intel-2100-phenom
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/44339-intel-core-i3-2120-core-i5-2400-lga1155-processors-review.html
Basically you will be choosing between i3/phenom x4, if you find something better though go for it.
Both around the same price range. Personally I've heard good and bad about both so you'll just have to do some research. In my own findings the i3 is better. Nice thing is that at newegg no matter which one you pick, all i3/phenom x4 have free shipping.

If your not planning to upgrade later on, then you can minimize on some things.

I made a build but it's $600 instead of $500 :S. I added in somethings that I thought would be beneficial for your system.

i3-2120 Free Shipping
ASRock H61M-VS Free Shipping
Patriot Gamer Series 8GB RAM Free Shipping
Antec 550w Free Shipping
Radeon 6580 Free Shipping
Seagate Barracuda 1TB HD $6.29 shipping
Lian Li Case Free Shipping
LG 22x DVD Burner Free Shipping
Total=$581.92

I hope you are able to get the Free Shipping! I'm not sure if taxes were included either.

I'd keep the i3/ASRock H61-M/Lian Li Case for sure. The 6850 would be a great addition, but if need be you can downgrade it. Also, the DVD burner is he cheapest I could find with good quality/free shipping.

Things you do to reduce the price in my suggested build:
Ram: I went for 2x4gb, but 2x2 will be $10-15 less.
Power Supply: You can probably find one for less(maybe $50) like in the build links I gave before. Personally, I wouldn't go much lower if any, because the PSU is a really important part of your build. I tried to cheap out on one during building my computer and I'm paying for it now because it doesn't work correctly :fou:
You will need to stay in the 450w or more range if you keep the 6850. (it says in the Details on the product)
Hard-Drive: You could find a 500gb for $20 cheaper, maybe $30 if lucky. I just figured that you get x2 the space for not much more in cost.
Graphics card: Not sure on the "next best", so you'll have to find out for yourself. GPU Comparison

Reducing to 2x2GB RAM/500GB/PSU would save you around $50-$60. The RAM/HD/PSU are things you can always upgrade later. So you'd be at around $521.92-531.92.

I've put in enough suggestions for one day though :lol:

If you REALLY had to be close to budget, then in order of things to get cheaper:RAM,HD, graphics card then lastly the PSU.

Hope this is enough info for you, Have fun!
 
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jaraldo

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Mar 22, 2012
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That one has no graphics card, so not sure how well it will be with playing games. I think that picking out each part instead of going barebone, you will get a better PC overall. I find sites tend to stick good products mixed with lower quality products in barebone kits.

Just to be clear with this in my previous post:
Reducing to 2x2GB RAM/500GB/PSU would save you around $50-$60. The RAM/HD/PSU are things you can always upgrade later. So you'd be at around $521.92-531.92.
Click to expand...
A 450-500W(500W preferably) PSU will be good enough for any card below the Radeon 6850.
Say you want to get a better card later on, or even to try SLI/CrossFire(using 2 cards), you will need to get a 600-700W PSU to do this.
 
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jerreddredd

jerreddredd

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the powersupply that comes with that case is terrible. you would be throwing your money away in my opinion.

it would be a bad idea to trust you hard earned money to a cheap PSU, just to see it go up in smoke.

I was looking at your requirements and I have to agree with jaraldo on his recommendations for the most part.

what OS do you have or do you need that too? (Win7/Vista/XP)?

This would be lowest you could go ($506 + $9 shipping) and still get a good gamer on an Intel Platform. using a AMD PHII x4 965BE is also an option, but I think it would be around the same price.

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=14346451

$533.02 incl shipping gets you a better PSU and Case (sub these and remove the molex to sata cable)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171060
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112237
 
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Pezcore27

Pezcore27

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Incorrect. The June 2011 System Builder Marathron used an Antec Earthwatts 380 to power an i3-2100 and a 6850.

It is going to rely more on AMPS on the 12v rail(s) and supplying clean power to the GPU.
 
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richardcvan

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Apr 29, 2012
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I can't see the wish list. Do i need anything additional. like thermal compound, heatsink or any wires? I plan on purchasing today! I also plan on using yall's customized list.
 
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