300-400 High School Student Build (1st build)

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sonicers

sonicers

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I'm a high school student. I've recently decided to get a new computer somewhere between 300 and 400 dollars. I only have 500, and I'm saving 100 for the OS. I came up with a quick build plan, but I'm not the best with computers. I'd like to be able to multitask as well as run stuff like LoL at 60 fps. I'm on a budget, so I won't be buying a graphics card. This build will be my first build. My planned build is here: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/fWxG

■AMD A8-3870k (110)

■Gigabyte GA-A55M-DS2 Micro ATX FM1 Motherboard (50)

■Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory (35)

■Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (65)

■Fractal Design Core 1000 MicroATX Mini Tower Case (40)

■Apevia 500W ATX Power Supply (20)

■LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer (25)

(Prices are rounded)

If you have any better ideas for a build in this price range, please suggest them, but I mainly just have a few questions.

■Should I buy now, or wait for the new Trinity A10 to come out? I've seen benchmarks of the A10 outperforming the i5-2500, but for some reason I doubt it.

■Would it be a better choice to go with Intel processors? The i3-2100 is supposed to be better than the A8, but I'm not going to be buying a graphics card, so I was thinking of going for the A8.

■Intel processors have Intel HD graphics built in. I've heard that these aren't that great. Would it be able to run LoL at 60 fps? Because, if the Intel HD 2000 can run LoL at a decent 60 fps, then I really have no need for a fancy APU that isn't great outside of the graphics.

■I went with the cheapest motherboard. Is there any difference between motherboards besides extra features, and if so, which one should I get within my price range? (You can suggest Intel motherboards too)

■I've heard the Fractal Core 1000 is a bit cramped on the inside. Would it be worth that extra 15 bucks to go with the Core 3000?

That about wraps it up. At the very least, please answer the questions. Thanks in advance :)
 
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jerreddredd

jerreddredd

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First off you need a better powersupply that Apevia. you really should get an 80+ certified PSU, but the are some good non 80+ PSU's like the antec VP450. right now the Antec 380 is on sale a newwgg its small but very solid and will power the APU and a mid ranage GPU if you expand later on.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371045
this is also a good one for building
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

an A8-3870K APU should be fine for LoL:
http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=703416

for a good budget case I recommend this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146075

The Gigabyte GA-A55M-DS2 is a good budget MB its a good choice.

your build with one of the PSU's I recommended should be just fine for what you need it to do

another option is a G850 Pentium dual core CPU/MB with a HD 6670. that would run about $412 including shipping with $15 MIR brings it under $400. You get USB 3.0 Sata 6g and a good entry level GPU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151255
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146075
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102988
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371045
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152244
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1029183


 
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sonicers

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I've got 4 quick questions.

Are you sure that 380W would be enough? I have a 4 year old computer with a 300W power supply and it freezes quite often. If I go with 450W, is there a big difference between 500W and 450W?

Also, should I wait for Trinity to come out? I want this to last at least until junior year. I'm a freshman.

Will the i3 2105 with Intel HD 3000 be enough for 60 fps? My main use will be homework, and other stuff that would need more raw processing power, but I still want to be able to play LoL in my spare time at full fps. If Intel HD 3000 will run LoL at 60 fps, I'd choose it over AMD's APU. (I've heard AMD is not good for much outside of graphics and gaming)

Also, I went with Fractal for looks. (lol) Would it be worth upgrading to the Core 3000? I didn't want to go Mid ATX, since I thought for such low spec computer, it'd be overkill, but recently I've heard that MicroATX cases get really cramped. I can be a little flexible with the price, so I can go a little over 400 if I need a case that fits everything.
 
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sonicers

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I am using a Micro ATX Board, but based on reviews, the Core 1000 is exceptionally small, and I don't want it to be too difficult to put all the parts in; I've never built a PC before. It'd only cost 15 bucks more to go Mid ATX, is it worth 15 bucks? The Core 100 is 175x355x420mm
 
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sonicers

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Wow, that seems really roomy, and I like the price. I saw the Antec 300 case in the related topics, and it looks almost identical to the Fractal Core 1000. Is it glossy? I want a matte case :p

BTW, since I'm only gaming casually on this computer, will I need 1600 Mhz RAM? From benchmarks there doesn't seem to be a major difference. Would it be worth the money to go for 1600 Mhz RAM?

Edit: I won't need a CPU cooler, will I?
 
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sonicers

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Nice! Haha

I've heard that Fractal cases are generally quieter. Is the Antec quiet as well?

Is it just the Fractal Design R3 cases that are really quiet? Are the Core cases not focused more on soundproofing? Because if the Core cases aren't really that quiet, I'd immediately switch to the Antec lol
 
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TheBigTroll

TheBigTroll

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either one wont be quiet since they are optimzed mainly for airflow. they should be just as loud (not really since stock antec and fractal fans are nice). neither one will be loud enough to bother you

the define r4 (upgraded r3) are very quiet but they are out of your budget

i personally have a 550D from corsair (should have gotten R4 but bought it too early) and it would be dead quiet until you put your face near the case. its also quiet given the D14 is ran passively and everything is on voltage reducers
 
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ScrewySqrl

ScrewySqrl

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for $500 including OS, you ca do a decent A8 build, with a 6670:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A8-3850 2.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-A55M-DS2 Micro ATX FM1 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 6670 1GB Video Card ($56.97 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill R101-P-BK MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.49 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($27.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222BB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($90.76 @ Amazon)
Total: $464.15
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-29 18:36 EDT-0400)

This will do games pretty well at 1600x900
 
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sonicers

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I'm not a gamer, so I won't need CF 6670 but thanks so much for the advice :)

I think I'll use the RAM you found, thanks!
 
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sonicers

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Also, should I wait for the A10 Trinity to come out before buying, or will Llano be just fine? The Integrated Graphics of the A10 are supposed to be the equivalent or better of the AMD 6670 card. It's also benchmarked better than the i5 2500k
 
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sonicers

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People on Youtube who've made videos say the Intel HD 3000 runs LoL @ 30-45 ish fps (w/o FRAPS)

Even though I only game casually, I still want an enjoyable experience. (at least 50 fps) I have a Pentium right now (an older one), and it seriously isn't working out for me. I run 18 fps on lowest possible settings -_-

Is Trinity worth waiting for? I'm not in any sort of rush.
 
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jerreddredd

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sorry for the late response, I have been traveling oversees. The Antec 380 is a very solid 80+ rated PSU and it is capbable of putting a over 330 watts on its 12V rail (CPU and GPU use these) this is more than a lot off 500w psu's can. it used to be a favorite in the budget build system category, but the price went up over $50 and it fell out of favor. the VP 450 is also a very strong PSU, but isn't as efficient as the antec 380. both are good choices for a buget build. if you are running your rig all day and night I would get the 80+ certified 380, if not then the VP 450 is the choice.

I believe in the here an now, so I would just go with with the A8. Trinity may or may not be worth waiting for, and then at what price will it be? I would get the A8 and if later you need more graphics power you can always drop in a graphics card.

Case wise, the Fractal Cases that are designed to dampen the sound are really quiet. Fractal cases like the 1000 and 3000 will be quieter as the Fractal fans are really well built and quiet. these case do not have any sound dampening foam in them like the Mini, R3, R4 and XL do, so they won't be as quiet. the case is always a personal choice, Fractal, Antec and NZXT all moake good cases. I have build with them all, there is not wrong choice here. choose which one you like the best. :D
 
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sonicers

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The only reason I'd go with the Antec is for USB 3.0. What are the benefits of USB 3.0, and will I need it if I don't plan on using an external hard drives?

I think I'm going to go with Corsair for the PSU, they're supposed to be nice. I found an 80+ certified one, thanks for the advice on that :)

Edit: Also, could I buy extra Fractal fans, if they're nice and quiet?
 
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sonicers

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Well I'm not going to use external hard drives so...

I think I'm going to go with the Antec. Mostly because of value; it comes with 2 fans, whereas the other cases only come with one

In the end, I came up with this:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/g5Va
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/g5Va/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/g5Va/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A8-3870K 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-A75M-S2V Micro ATX FM1 Motherboard ($64.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($27.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($21.48 @ Amazon)
Total: $372.41
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-30 17:13 EDT-0400)

Its 50 dollars more, but I think it was worth it. It's still in my price range as well. Thanks for all of your help :)
 
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