19 replies to this topic

[REDSTAR 105]

Hey guys, so my birthday is coming in like a month and a half and I've been looking for a custom build for awhile to replace my crappy Dell Dimension 3000 (teh sux.)

Requirements:

• 4-Core Processor
• a nice motherboard with a reasonable amount of pci slots and good graphics (ATI Raedon HD series or better onboard)
• 3 or 4 gb of ram
• 250gb HDD
• A case (as long as it has Efficient Ventilation, its fine)
• Total < $350

Here's what I've got...
PSU - $35 (with rebate)
Case - $30 (with rebate; $10 shipping) *
HDD - $35 ($2 shipping)
Processor & Motherboard - $165 (with rebate)
RAM - $40
DVD Burner - $20 ($7 shipping)

Optional:
Video Card - $40 (I may just see how onboard does and then switch to this if I don't like it)

Green = Final (unless you got better).
* = Newly added
Total = $344 (incl. shipping) w/ Optional = $389

THIS MAY BE THE FINAL BUILD, IF YOU FIND BETTER FOR CHEAPER PLEASE TELL ME!!!

I know we have a lot of people on this forums who build computers (QUINN) and you guys probably have way more knowledge in computers than I do. So I need suggestions on what I could get for cheaper/better, pleaseeee? kthxbi

Edited by REDSTAR 105, 21 April 2011 - 08:57 PM.

[gruntmods]

NEVER buy a cheap PSU, you will thank me when your computer doesn't explode.

[Randomrocket]

NEVER buy a cheap PSU, you will thank me when your computer doesn't explode.

this. and you're probably gonna want more than 500gb of hard drive

Western Digital 1 TB. May be more money but I got a Western Digital and it works really well.

[REDSTAR 105]

this. and you're probably gonna want more than 500gb of hard drive

Western Digital 1 TB. May be more money but I got a Western Digital and it works really well.

As of right now I'm living fine off a 80gb HDD, i really dont need all that much, thnks for the PSU tip though grunt!

[Randomrocket]

Is there a Fry's nearby your place? Cuz I checked it out before I built my pc and found a case for $20 cheaper than newegg and a disc drive.

Might wanna check it out just to see if you can find something there for cheaper. Don't even try their website though. Its trash. Prices and quantity do not match the store.

[REDSTAR 105]

Haha, yeah i went to their website and it is one of the worst i've seen. Yeah i do have a Fry's about 15 miles away... I may check them out sometime.
I was also worried about the case price myself, i mean i've seen some which i thought were better for $30

I also heard microcenter wasnt all that bad, but they are like 30 miles away so...

Edited by REDSTAR 105, 12 April 2011 - 06:07 PM.

[Quinn]

NEVER buy a cheap PSU, you will thank me when your computer doesn't explode.

^That was the first thing I was going to post.
--
Anyways, I think that the Case and RAM are great, however, I have some things that you may want to take into consideration.
CPU: Phenom II's are great, however the one you have picked will have a locked multiplier, which means if you want to overclock, it will be considerably harder to do (and produce worse results)
Motherboard: It has a 7xx chip in it, which are becoming outdated. However, they still run fine, but integrated graphics are something that I have always hated, due to them being both underpowered and prone to failure. My suggestion: buy a cheap dedicated graphics card
PSU: I could literally take a dump in your computer, and it would be less harmful than that sketchy no-name PSU. Buy from a good name brand, some to consider are; Antec, OCZ and Corsair
---

My recommendations:
CPU: Same one you have now if you have no intention of overclocking, a black edition unlocked Phenom II if you do.
Motherboard: Same one if you have no issues with the ageing chip, one with an 8xx chip if you want to be current.
PSU: Stated above, look at some good name brands
Graphics:
Budget option: http://www.newegg.co...82E16814187034R
Best Media Option (for the money): http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150449 (Currently out of stock, eta 05/02/20110

Please do not expect to be playing (newer) games on this system, as it will not be able to handle them well.

[REDSTAR 105]

Quinn you are freaking awesome! Although I don't need the newest products, as I am only using this computer for everyday use and not exactly gaming, I may get into some games but I'm not exactly sure yet... And I really dont want to stick with my pentium 4 processor, lol. Thanks for the advice!

EDIT: This should be a great PSU http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817371033
I also was not planning to overclock but still have it under consideration..

Edited by REDSTAR 105, 13 April 2011 - 09:26 AM.

[REDSTAR 105]

Delete this. (Can't edit posts from mobile devices.)

Edited by REDSTAR 105, 13 April 2011 - 09:26 AM.

[gruntmods]

Sorry about the double post but I can't edit my post on my iPod. This should be a great PSU http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817371033
I also was not planning to overclock but still have it under consideration..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153125

[REDSTAR 105]

^ Just a bit out of my budget....

[Quinn]

either one of those PSUs are good, but make sure that you don't go to low wattage wise. 375 is cutting it close, as Antec's PSU calculator is telling me about 303w will be used by the system (not counting capacitor ageing). I suspect it will be fine, but if you want to upgrade later on, you may have to replace the PSU. I personally have a 1000w, but I have 3 graphics cards and an assload of fans etc., and I run overclocked.

[REDSTAR 105]

yeah, i didnt think i would need all that much power, and the psu i found has really good reviews... i am also thinking about a DIY pc combo from newegg, ill keep looking

EDIT: Should I trust a PSU that comes with a case?

Edited by REDSTAR 105, 13 April 2011 - 07:56 PM.

[Quinn]

EDIT: Should I trust a PSU that comes with a case?

No, because they are the cheap no-name ones.

[REDSTAR 105]

Well i think I have found a suitable case then....

Next up, processor motherboard decision (really just a mb decision)

[Quinn]

The second motherboard you have listed, the MSI, is the same one another user (connorss) has. We have had some issues with it, mainly the "OC Genie" (automatic overclocking, not good, it makes the system unstable)
I think that was the only real issue, and luckily it can be disabled. If he sees this then he can expand on what I've said.

[REDSTAR 105]

Well I have absolutely no idea how to overclock but it shouldn't be that hard (???)

And considering I have the option for getting a $90 motherboard and $110 processor for $30 less, then I'll just choose that.

This may be the final decision right here!

[Quinn]

Well I have absolutely no idea how to overclock but it shouldn't be that hard (???)

And considering I have the option for getting a $90 motherboard and $110 processor for $30 less, then I'll just choose that.

This may be the final decision right here!

Overclocking is not hard, what is hard is getting a stable overclock.

[connorss]

The second motherboard you have listed, the MSI, is the same one another user (connorss) has. We have had some issues with it, mainly the "OC Genie" (automatic overclocking, not good, it makes the system unstable)
I think that was the only real issue, and luckily it can be disabled. If he sees this then he can expand on what I've said.

I would not recommend this motherboard at all, When i got my PC built and booted up within one hour I had my first BSOD. I learned that OC Genie turned itself on and was running at very poor settings (1.25V with 3.5GHz On CPU) After getting it turned off for good (It liked to turn itself on each boot) Two weeks past then I got a BSOD that my ram was undervolted. I took a look and sure enough. I was running 1566mhz (stock is 1156) with 1.55V. After getting that fixed it was a decent borde but i do plan on getting a new one for bulldozer.this one has caused me way to many problems

Edited by connorss, 14 April 2011 - 06:42 PM.

[REDSTAR 105]

Alright, well thanks for the help everybody! I will probably be getting this within a month!