Need a computer.

[cattb]

may i add if you get a ddr2 memory board get ddr2  ddr2 and ddr3 will not work in the same slots.

[Mar]

Mar, how are you posting? How'd you get here?

google utorrent
google win 7 beta

When in doubt, stop, engage brain, think.

Using the internet browser of my PlayStation 3.

Using the above guide I pieced this together, unfortunatly the text thing on the PS3 doesn't allow me to make large posts, so I'm going to have to split the following up:

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - RetailModel #:GA-MA785GM-US2HItem #:N82E16813128394Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn StockNote (Add)$84.99 -$5.00 Instant$79.99UpdateOCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ... - RetailModel #:OCZ500MXSPItem #:N82E16817341016Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn StockMail in Rebate CardNote (Add)$89.99 -$30.00 Instant$59.99UpdateHEC 6C28BB8S Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - RetailModel #:6C28BB8SItem #:N82E

[Mar]

Item #:N82E16811121001Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn StockNote (Add)$46.99 -$12.00 Instant$34.99UpdatePOWERCOLOR SCS3 AX4670 1GBK3-S3H Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video ... - RetailModel #:SCS3 AX4670 1GBK3-S3Item #:N82E16814131171Return Policy:VGA Standard Return PolicyIn StockMail in RebateNote (Add)$79.99  $79.99UpdateAMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX245OCGQBOX - RetailModel #:ADX245OCGQBOXItem #:N82E16819103687Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn StockNote (Add)$66.00  $66.00UpdateG.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - RetailModel #:F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQItem #:N82E16820231098Return Policy:Memory Standard Return PolicyIn StockNote (Add)$44.99  $44.99UpdateWestern Digital Caviar Blue WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare DriveModel #:WD1600AAJSItem #:N82E16822136075Return Policy:Standard Retur

[Mar]

Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn StockNote (Add)$39.49  $39.49UpdateSAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223C - OEMModel #:SH-S223CItem #:N82E16827151192Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn StockNote (Add)$25.99  $25.99Subtotal:$431.43

Sorry for that massive run-on sentence.

Now the question: did I do it right?

[Masherbrum]

Looks good to me.   

[airhog99]

1) Pick a power supply
2) Choose a CPU
3) Choose a few motherboards and read reviews on each, find one that give the best performance within your budget
4) Choose memory that is within your budget with the lowest CAS and fastest speed to match or exceed MB specs
5) Choose a Graphics platform (Nvidia or ATI) read reviews again and see how the platform tested on matches your MB choices.
6) Prefer SATA II over IDE since this is a much faster transfer of information.

A few here said get this and this, or think some are leading you astray.  Being in the business for over 27 years, a world ranked overclocker for over 5 years, currently hold the world record for a Overclocked (air) GTX 295.  You need to have the components compliment each other as stated before or else you may as well by a system at Best Buy, WalMart and not go through the trouble of building it yourself.

Please enlighten me and other's what sort of synergy you are talking about?
Assuming overclocking is not really what we are into here, as he is not even looking at speccing a very high end system.

Or even better, point to the best stuff for the given budget, instead of just saying all other's are leading him astray...

I certainly don't buy your comment about buying from Best Buy etc, as they could well sell totally unbalanced systems with cut-price components in crucial places.

[Mar]

Please enlighten me and other's what sort of synergy you are talking about?
Assuming overclocking is not really what we are into here, as he is not even looking at speccing a very high end system.

I believe here he is saying he knows what he's talking about

Or even better, point to the best stuff for the given budget, instead of just saying all other's are leading him astray...

Perhaps, but he could just be forcing me to learn so I don't have to rely on him to decide on the right parts.

I certainly don't buy your comment about buying from Best Buy etc, as they could well sell totally unbalanced systems with cut-price components in crucial places.

Here he's saying that if I'm going to build them like bestbuy does, might as well buy from bestbuy.

[airhog99]

Yeah.. If only it wasn't all a big secret.. 

[BaldEagl]

Yeah.. If only it wasn't all a big secret.. 

In TilDeath's defense I've seen too many in this forum overspend on RAM when it won't provide any benefit over a slower version.  Similarly, many feel the highest end video card will solve all their problems when in fact, they are just going to be bottlenecked by the CPU.  Sure you can put those components together and the system will run but decreasing the RAM and GPU to spend more on the CPU will improve the overall system performance and provide a much more satisfying experience with the finished unit.

This isn't even taking into consideration future upgrade paths, which can extend the life of the base purchase for several years.

I agree that building a balanced system isn't just slapping components together.  It takes a lot of time and research or experience to get the most out of each component in a well balanced system.  I spent three months researching each of the components that went into my system and I'm very happy with the results I obtained.

Of course we have some very experienced people in this forum that can recommend parts and be knowledgable enough to keep a system in balance drastically reducing the time commitment needed by the future builder.  Then, there are others who aren't so adept.

[james77411]

1   SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223C - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151192
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy 
   $25.99 



1   RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WB Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid

Tower Foldout MB Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811156063
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy  -$30.00 Instant
   $89.99
   $59.99


 
1   Western Digital Caviar Blue WD2500AAJS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA

3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136113
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy 
   $44.99


 
1   MSI 785GTM-E45 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD

Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813130237
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy 
   $69.99 



1   EVGA 01G-P3-N958-LR GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI

Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130501
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy  -$5.00

Instant
   $59.99
   $54.99 



1   APEVIA ATX-JV650W 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire

Ready Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817148041
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy  -$20.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate17-148-041
   $79.99
   $59.99


 
1   AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core

Processor Model ADX240OCGQBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103688
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy 
   $60.00

 
   
1   Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit 1-Pack for System

Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116752
Return Policy: Software Return Policy 
   $109.99

 
Subtotal: $485.93

Shipping: $7.56

Grand Total: $493.49

[Mar]

Please continue making suggestions, the more I see the more I learn.

Note: Arangement for an OS has been made, no longer need.

[BaldEagl]

james, I think you forgot the RAM.

[cattb]

reading what ur buying i am not going to tell you what to do, buy looks like you 160 gig western for 44.oo

newegg has promo deals

http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemail/Oct-0-2009/Top10/index-landing.html?nm_mc=EMC-
wd hdd 500 black for 59.00  5 year warranty vs 3  with the other 160HDD promo ends 11-02 ( yah i know its 15 more dollars)

for 59 you get 5 year warranty and 340 more gig 

[TilDeath]

Here is what I would get for your budget.  The only thing missing is a DVD drive which you could add for @30.00.  After rebates this system will be under your 500 mark

Case & PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146058&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL102709&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL102709-_-ComputerCases-_-L0I-_-11146058

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL102709&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL102709-_-MotherboardsIntel-_-LC1A-_-13128358

CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115056

Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145247

Videocard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130523&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL102709&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL102709-_-VideoCards-_-LC2B-_-14130523


Harddrive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL102709&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL102709-_-HardDrives-_-LC4C-_-22136320


The total is 539.94 less rebates which will put you under the 500 mark.  This should play AH at max everything or just shy.  This also leaves you room for upgrades.  I use this motherboard in lots of my builds.  It is very stable, easily overclocked if you decide to do that.

[Mar]

First I need to ask if that hard drive is nessessary, because I don't really need 500GB. My old one has 160GB and I never even managed to fill that halfway after 4 years of downloading junk and never formatting.

Second, that PSU only has one SATA connector, wouldn't that be a problem? You did recomend that I stick with SATA on hard drive and dvd drive right?