How is my build? How can I save on it?

[Floodz Jr]

I used best buy because it's easier for me.
Check below for the components

Let me know if you can see my list I created, if not check back later please. I'll fix it.

I'd prefer to get this down as low as I can. Hopefully under $500 But I had to take some sacrifices to get it this low. Maybe a different video card.

I also need to know if all of this is good and compatible. I'll use it for Minecraft and also graphic design. Photoshop and Illustrator take up a ton of RAM.

 

[manofchalk]

Post the build here, that Bestbuy link shows up with nothing.

 

[Floodz Jr]

Western Digital - Caviar GP 500GB Internal Hard Drive - 74.99

Asus - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 Graphics Card - 129.99

x2 Crucial Technology - 2GB PC3-8500 DDR3 DIMM Desktop Memory - 27.96

Intel - Core i3 i3-2105 3.10 GHz Processor - Socket H2 LGA-1155 - 134.98

Asus - Micro ATX Motherboard 1333/1066MHz (Socket 1155) - 69.99

Thermaltake - 430W TR2 ATX Power Supply - 54.99 (this confuses me how many watts i need)

Corsair - Carbide Series 300R Compact Mid-Tower Gaming Case - 78.98

 

[FinneousPJ]

I think where you can save most is obvious - the case. Also have a look at HD6770/6790 which will match the GTX for usually less money. Or a HD 6850 which will decimate the GTX for similar money.

You don't need a 2105 - buy 2100 or 2120 - and if you want to save money a SB pentium will perform very similarly for less money. You can probably find a cheaper mobo if you look at other brands.

 

[Floodz Jr]

Would this be acceptable

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Intel+-+Pentium+G630T+2.30+GHz+Processor+-+Socket+H2+LGA-1155/4647948.p?id=1218500933549&skuId=4647948&st=sb%20pentium&cp=1&lp=3


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/XFX+-+HD-545X-CDH2+Radeon+HD+5450+Graphic+Card+-+650+MHz+Core+-+2+GB+DDR3+SDRAM+-+PCI+Express+2.1/3939932.p?id=1218443206554&skuId=3939932&st=hd%206790%20video%20card&cp=1&lp=2

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Cooler+Master+-+Elite+343+Micro+ATX+Mini+Tower+Chassis/2969353.p?id=1218367937469&skuId=2969353&st=desktop%20case&cp=1&lp=2


Other wise is everything compatible?

All of this brought my total down to 509.13 plus 25 dollars off and free shipping.

 

[FinneousPJ]

No, the T means it's a low power part. This one
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Intel%26%23174%3B+-+Pentium%26%23174%3B+2.7GHz+Processor+G630/3668275.p?id=1218424565845&skuId=3668275
or
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Intel%26%23174%3B+-+Pentium%26%23174%3B+3.0GHz+Processor+G860/3892233.p?id=1218441013318&skuId=3892233 which is more expensive

That GPU is not a gaming card FYI.

Case is fine as long as you like it!

 

[geofelt]

For your usage, I do not see the need for a discrete graphics card.
You can always add one later.

A i3-2120 @$125 would be plenty.

Photoshop can use lots of ram. 8gb is good $40:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424
But, consider a 16gb kit for about$95.

Any 1155 motherboard should do, here is a ecs H61 m-atx motherboard for $50:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135309

The only case vendor with quality psu's included is Antec. Here is a decent case with a 380w psu for $90:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129071

I am a big believer in using a SSD for the os and some apps.
Splurge on an Intel 330 60gb ssd for $50 after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167120

For storage, get what you need. A 500gb drive will be $70.

This totals up to about $420. You will need an os for $100, and peripherals.

 

[Floodz Jr]

My revised build

Asus - P8H61-M LX Desktop Motherboard - Intel H61(B3) Express Chipset - Socket H2 LGA-1155 - 64.47

PNY - Optima MD8192KD3-1333 8GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory Module - $36.98

Intel® - Pentium® 2.7GHz Processor G630 -67.98

Cooler Master - Elite 343 Micro ATX Mini Tower Chassis - 38.99

Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade - Windows - 119.99

Western Digital - Caviar GP 500GB Internal Hard Drive - 74.99

Thermaltake - 430W TR2 ATX Power Supply - 54.99

VisionTek - ATI Radeon HD 6450 1GB Memory x16 PCI Express Graphics Card - 50.98

Is this all compatible and will it be fast for the money? I want it to be well worth the money.

I'm down to $509.37 OS included.

 

[Sephypoo73]

An upgrade copy needs an existing install of Windows Vista... which is a huge pain when you need to reinstall, and I don't see any mention of an existing PC or OS.

Also, spend an extra $20 and get a good video card like a 1GB DDR3 6670.

 

[Floodz Jr]

I think I got it down to what I want and need

Cooler Master - Elite 460-Watt ATX CPU Power Supply - 34.98

Windows 7 Home Premium - Windows - 199.99 (Not an upgrade thanks for pointing that out)

VisionTek - ATI Radeon HD 6450 1GB Memory x16 PCI Express Graphics Card - 50.98

Asus - P8H61-M LX Desktop Motherboard - Intel H61(B3) Express Chipset - Socket H2 LGA-1155 - 64.47

PNY - Optima MD8192KD3-1333 8GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory Module - 36.98

Intel® - Pentium® 2.7GHz Processor G630 - 67.98

Cooler Master - Elite 343 Micro ATX Mini Tower Chassis - 38.99

Western Digital - Caviar GP 500GB Internal Hard Drive - 74.99

Total - 569.36

This seems like it will be good. Does anybody have any more recommendations?


I'm sorry if I'm being a pest at all. I feel like I am.

 

[geofelt]

Coolermaster has inconsistent quality psu's.
I suggest a Corsair 430w unit, which will actually cost less after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

I suggest you defer on the graphics card initially. The integrated graphics is fine for normal work.
The 6450 is better, but does not qualify as a gaming graphics card, and you may have to abandon it in favor of something stronger. For gaming, you are generally looking at a $100+ graphics card. Some apps can use the CUDA capabilities of a Nvidia based card, so check that out too.

For windows, you also have the choice of a OEM license. It will be about $100. The main negative is that it is not considered retail, and the installation is tied to your current pc and motherboard.

A retail license can be freely transferred to another PC.

Upgrade is considered as retail. It will also cost about $100.
Have you ever owned a old copy of windows? If so, I think you qualify to use a windows upgrade package.
It need not be currently installed on the pc. In fact it is not possible to have it installed if you are converting from 32 bit to 64 bit. To do a clean install of a upgrade dvd to a pc without a suitable os, you first install, and do not activate.
That gives you a 30 day period of a functioning os. Then, you do the upgrade and activate.

 

[Floodz Jr]

Should I get a 64 bit or 32? I want the OEM because it looks easier.

 

[Floodz Jr]

AMD Option

Motherboard: ASRock 970DE3/U3S3 AM3: $67

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 BE @ 3.4GHz socket AM3 - good overclocking: $120

GPU: HIS IceQ X H687QN1G2M Radeon HD 6870 1GB - $160 or $130 with rebate

Ram: G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - PC3 12800 $50

PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 V2 (CMPSU-430CXV2) 430W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - $45

Case: LOGISYS Computer CS2008XBK Black ABS + Mesh bezel, SECC 0.6mm ATX Mid Tower Computer Case: $34

HDD: Western Digital - Caviar GP 500GB Internal Hard Drive - $75

How does this look? I modified a build I saw in an article.
Here it is if you're interested. http://teksyndicate.com/videos/build-550-gaming-pc-june-2012

 

[geofelt]

Should I get a 64 bit or 32? I want the OEM because it looks easier.

You need 64 bit. 32 bit only can access 4gb of ram.

 

[Floodz Jr]

Best answer selected by Floodz Jr.