Complete PC Noob in need of advice

[lundy76]

Approximate Purchase Date: 1 month

Budget Range: 600-800 Total

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Surfing Internet, Home office work

Parts Not Required: Moniter, Keyboard Mouse

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any trusted Source

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: None, No idea as far as preferences, only for sure is Windows
Overclocking:No Idea
SLI or Crossfire: No Idea

Monitor Resolution: Not Sure

Additional Comments: I have zero experience in this and any and all advice is helpful. I am not looking to play super graphics intensive games. Mostly the New Counterstrike and some other steam games. All others would be played on my xbox most likely. I would like it to be able to do home office work like on excel, ppt, word etc.... I am not apposed to going prebuilt if the options are available. Thank you in advance

 

[o1die]

Check newegg for daily shellshocker specials. They have at least two a week with everything you need for a basic system. Keep the included power supply for a spare and go with something like this: Rosewill RG630 watt ps for $49.99 after promo code. Here's a good video card: sapphire 6850 for $134.99 after rebate. (both from newegg.com; my links aren't working). Finally, check craigslist for an unopened copy of windows pro or ultimate, unless you're a student. Students get some versions of windows almost free. If I were in your shoes, I'd save some more for an ivy bridge system with a low end version which starts at around $200. You don't need to spend more than $100 for any board in your budget range. Lots of good boards are available.

 

[lundy76]

After doing some searching on the forums I found these recommended builds and this one sounds like it is exactly along the lines of what I am looking for. Only issue is that many of these products are no longer available and I have no Idea which direction to go as far as changing them. Could someone help me out with this, I would greatly appreciate it.


Budget: $741.91

CPU: AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX450WFGMBOX
MOBO: ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM
HSF: Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2 - Retail
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified ...
GPU: XFX HD-695X-ZNFC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
DVD: LITE-ON Black 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support - Retail
Case: COOLER MASTER RC-692-KKN3 CM690 II Basic Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Thermal Compound: Comes with heatsink.

 

[o1die]

Newegg still carries many of the items on your list. Check for ram deals; you may still be able to afford a 2x4gb kit if they are on sale. And get an am3+ board; asrock, biostar, gigabyte, asus, all good brands. This isn't rocket science. Just select a board with usb 3.0 and sata 3.0 if needed. I use my ssd with sata 3.0 ports. Here's one board: asrock 970 extreme 3 am3+ for $79.99 with free shipping (link didn't work).
Here's a good cpu for $100 after promo code: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103996

 

[nekulturny]

After doing some searching on the forums I found these recommended builds and this one sounds like it is exactly along the lines of what I am looking for. Only issue is that many of these products are no longer available and I have no Idea which direction to go as far as changing them. Could someone help me out with this, I would greatly appreciate it.


Budget: $741.91

CPU: AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX450WFGMBOX
MOBO: ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM
HSF: Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2 - Retail
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified ...
GPU: XFX HD-695X-ZNFC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
DVD: LITE-ON Black 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support - Retail
Case: COOLER MASTER RC-692-KKN3 CM690 II Basic Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Thermal Compound: Comes with heatsink.

The Athlon II 450 Ranas are still available from newegg. You can find them here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886&Tpk=Athlon%20II%20X3%20450

Although personally, I'd consider this instead as it will perform significantly better likewise it is better equipped to complement the video card you've chosen.: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

The video card you're looking for is still available here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102987

You could cut a few dollars with this power supply instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

The case is still available here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216

Although you could trim a few bucks off and still have decent case with this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&Tpk=haf%20912

Newegg doesn't have that CPU cooler still available, although this is a good alternative:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

Newegg no longer stocks that motherboard, but this is a comparable alternative: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280

Good alternative to the hard drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

 

[adzx]

Yeah, the AMD athlon x3 isn't that great of a cpu, get the one listed above, it'll work a lot better.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3899435&SID=skim1402X558040X5a29e657602d51613b43b057a23bb123

 

[lundy76]

Best answer selected by lundy76.