Will this work - new computer

[Denholm]

Hey guys,

As some of you may know, I pulled together an estimate for a new computer for a friend of mine. Since I'm not an expert in what to look for I figured I'd ask people who knew if this system would work, or if there would be complications.

Please note, I'm not looking for tips on how to buy something better, the guy wanted a cheap system that could at least run AH, and I wanted to make sure to get him just that, in working order. Here are the parts:

Computer Case: Rosewill R604-P SL 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147059

PSU: BFG Tech GS-550 550W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V V2.8 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817702010

Motherboard: Intel BOXD945GCNL LGA 775 Intel 945GC Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121319

Processor (CPU): Intel Pentium E2180 Allendale 2.0GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116052

Memory (RAM) x2: Kingston ValueRAM 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144151

Video Card: CHAINTECH GSE85GT 512MB GeForce 8500 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814145156

Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE SB0570LPVP 5.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Low-Profile Sound Card - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102010

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262

There are some things my friend will salvage from his old system and stick into his new one. Therefore don't bother suggesting keyboards, mice, speakers, monitors, or CD-Rom drives.

And once again, my question: Will the system go together, or will there be a conflict somewhere?

Thanks in advance.

[Speed55]

As long as the micro motherboard lines up inside the case, it should be fine.

Oh, and the memory you picked is DDRII 533, and the motherboard accepts up  DDRII 667. I couldn't say how much of a difference that makes.

[Denholm]

I'm not too worried about that. I'm mainly worried about the PSU working with the motherboard, as well as knowing if the motherboard comes with SATA cables which connect the HD to the motherboard.

[Fulmar]

Though I could only find benchmarks for the 8500GT 256mb version, I believe the ATI 3650 is better bang for the buck.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121243
ASUS EAH3650 SILENT MAGIC/HTDP/512M Radeon HD 3650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail
($34.99 after $20.00 Mail-In
Rebate pdf )

For Memory, this is better deal than the two sticks you selected.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134635
Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
# Free Shipping
# Your Price:$27.49
***It's 800mhz instead of your selected 533mhz, so you 'could' OC it for him.  Or it may serve as more future proof for him as down the road he could upgrade the processor that has the 1333 FSB where the 533mhz DDR2 wouln't be a slow down.

IMO, this is a better Motherboard.  Better/newer chipset than the old 945.  It's a full size board, offers more CPU and faster ram support.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128356
GIGABYTE GA-P31-ES3G LGA 775 Intel P31 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$64.99

[BaldEagl]

I'd opt for a few different parts.  Here's why:

This PSU for an extra $20 after discounts and rebates will last your buddy forever.  PCP&C uses a single large rail and they put out plenty of amps at 80-85% plus efficiency.  The PSU you chose doesn't even list it's amp output which is kind of scarey.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

This motherboard, again for about $20 more is full ATX which will fit parts better, supports DDR2 1066 memory (upgrade the memory you've chosen to at least DDR2 800), supports much more RAM, has faster bus speeds, has more HD/peripheral hook-ups, etc.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345

This video card is DDR3.  It's also EVGA with a lifetime warrantee and a thirty day step-up program where, if your friend doesn't like it, he can exchange it for a better card paying only the difference.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130085

What you've chosen will work.  If your friend wants some capability to upgrade easily in the future, or not to have to completely re-build in the short term, I'd spend the extra $40.

[Fulmar]

BFG Tech GS-550 PSU Specs

GS-550 Power Supply

Specifications
>   ATX12V 2.2
>   Dual 12V Rails
>   SATA Connectors
>   PCI Express Ready
>   Efficiency: > 80% Typical
>   Silent 140mm Intake Fan
>   BFG Thermal Control Technology
>   Protection Circuitry
>   MTBF: 80,000 Hours at 25° C
>   Safety Approval: CCC, CB, UL, TUV, CE, CSA, CUL, NEMKO, SAA, GS, VDE
>   Dimensions: 8.6cm W x 15cm H x 15.8cm D (3.4" W x 6" H x 6.25" D)
>   1 Year Warranty
DC Output
>   +3.3V = 35A
>   +5V = 40A
>   +3.3V +5V Max. Combined Wattage = 130W
>   +12V1 = 18A
>   +12V2 = 18A
>   +12V Max. Combined Wattage = 432W
>   -12V = 0.5A
>   +5VSB = 2.5A
Included In Box
>   1 x 550 Watt Power Supply Unit
>   1 x US Power Cable
>   1 x User's Guide
>   4 x Mounting Screws
Connectors
>   1 x 24-Pin (20+4-Pin) Motherboard Connector
>   1 x 8-Pin (4+4-Pin) CPU 12V Power Connector
>   1 x 6-Pin PCI Express Connector
>   1 x 8-Pin (6+2-Pin) PCI Express Connector
>   4 x 4-Pin Molex Connectors
>   1 x 4-Pin Floppy Connector
>   4 x SATA Connectors
Works With The Following Motherboards
>   PCI Express
>   AGP
>   PCI

________________

Upon further review, it appears that BFG no longer offers a lifetime warranty on their PSU's anymore.  Which makes me believe they have a cheaper manufacturer building their units now.  Their warranty is only 1 year.

The PC Power and Cooling one baldeagl posted has nicer specs and a 5 year warranty.

[drdeathx]

Denholm,

The ATI 4830 is out for appr. $129 and smokes the nvidea 9800 as I read. Your power supply should be good but maybe look at 700W. Wouldn't hurt. The 4830 is kinda unbelievably priced. Best bang for buck

[Denholm]

Thanks Fulmar. That's the type of hints and tips I was after.

Eagl, I appreciate your input, yet my friend was hoping to stay below $400, which the current estimate is just beneath that limit (thanks to the suggestions by Fulmar.)

The only worry I have about that ATI video card you recommended, Fulmar. Will it fit the case? That's a large front-end.

[Skuzzy]

BFG is sourcing the power supply from the same Chinese company that many others are using, including Antec, Rosewill, and a barrage of others.

I would not trust that supply.  The Chinese company making all those supplies are using very cheap capacitors.  It might last a year in regular use, but when it goes, it will probably take everything else with it.

[Fulmar]

Thanks Fulmar. That's the type of hints and tips I was after.

Eagl, I appreciate your input, yet my friend was hoping to stay below $400, which the current estimate is just beneath that limit (thanks to the suggestions by Fulmar.)

The only worry I have about that ATI video card you recommended, Fulmar. Will it fit the case? That's a large front-end.

It will fit in that case just fine.  It just takes up two slots. This may be a problem if you still want that Micro-ATX motherboard.  But if you use either the motherboard I choose or the one BaldEagl suggsted, it will block 1 x PCI-E 1x port on both boards.  And realistically, I don't think it's going to really matter.  The board I selected has 2 x PCI-E 1x slots and Bald's has 3.  The only things you can really put in PCI-E 1x slots currently are Raid cards or high end sound cards.  And since this is a budget PC, it shouldn't matter.

I selected that Asus card since it had a $20 MIR.  Other 3650's have a fan and only occupy 1 slot (but no MIR, but are $54.99).

What is this person's max budget?  And are they the type of person that hangs onto their computer for 4+ years or do they upgrade say every 2 years?

[Denholm]

Thanks for the tip Skuzzy, I'll see if I can convince him that he needs a PC P&C. Fulmar, he intends on using this PC for years to come, right now he's not mentioning anything which would hint that he wants to upgrade in the future.

[TilDeath]

Here is what we put together as an entry level gamer.  Has good overclocking ability and stable parts.  These prices are a few weeks old so they could be lower or higher

E7200            http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052    $120
Asus P5Q Pro        http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299    $140
Corsair 450VX        http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003    $80
mushkin 2x2GB PC2-8000    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146755    $93
Gigabyte HD4850        http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125238    $170
Samsung F1 1TB        http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152102    $140

Total $743

Possible Upgrades
E7200 -> E8200
E7200 -> Q6600
HD4850 -> HD4870

A mid level system

E8600            http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115054    $270
Gigabyte EP45T-Extreme    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128350    $265
Corsair 750TX        http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006    $130
Mushkin 2x2gb PC3-12800    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146828    $255
Gigabyte HD4870x2    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125233    $550
Seagate 7200.11 1.5TB    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148337    $190

Possible Upgrades
HD4870x2 -> GTX280(saves $150)
E8600 -> Q9400

Total $1660

[humble]

There are good power supplies and cheap power supplies but not good cheap power supplies. I don't have any personal experience with BFG so I wont say anything negative...but here is an option

OCZ 700W PS for $60 after rebate...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002

[Denholm]

Thanks for chipping in.

I'm rather comfortable with the estimate now after taking Eagl's and Skuzzy's suggestions to dump the PSU I had listed and pick up a PC P&C.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Remember not to skimp on the heatsink/fan.. 



And no that's not a joke either.