Computer Build Help

[Tigger29]

CPU:
AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 3.5 Ghz AM3 socket         $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103894

Personally I prefer Intel over AMD, but AMD does seem to have the 'best bang for the buck' these days.  You'll be fine with a Phenom.

Motherboard:
ASRock 4 memory slots, 2 PCIe, onboard Radeon 4250         $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157243

I like the ASRock brand.  I've had a lot of luck with it.  Looks like a decent board but personally I'd be looking for something with no onboard video but that should be fine for you.

PSU:
630 Watt ATX PSU, 1x135mm fan with LED            $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152035

I'm with the other on this.  Get a good brand of power supply.  "No-names" in the higher wattage power supplies tend to be cheap, inconsistent, and live very short lives.  I built my g/f's system from a combination deal a while back and it came with a "logisys" 600W power supply.  I felt that would be just fine for her extreme gaming needs (which consists of Mafia2 and Sims3).  Turns out I was wrong.  She kept experiencing crashes, lockups and other abnormalities on a regular basis.  I ended up installing a Corsair 500W in its place and it has been rock solid ever sense.  Personally I'd have to recommend Seasonic though.  I have built 6 systems now (4 with Seasonics and 2 with Corsairs that had Seasonic guts - keep in mind the new Corsair power supplies are *NOT* Seasonic now).  Not one single problem out of the six.

RAM:
2GB DDR3 SDRAM                        $19.99 x2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231395

Why only 4GB?  I think it would be hard to justify a new build these days without at least 8GB, but with that being said my own computer only has 4GB and I never even come close to needing it all.

DVD Drive:
DVD Drive                           $16.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118031

I'm with you there.  DVD burners are so cheap I see no need to get anything more expensive, and I especially see no need to go Bluray on a computer unless it's being used as a HTPC.

Hard Drive:
500GB 7200RPM Seagate HD                  $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148701

I'm a WD guy personally but I really don't think there's not much of a difference these days.  Unless you like to download music or movies, 500GB should be plenty.  Don't let people talk you into a SSD.  Sure it's a lot faster and can boot Windows in a matter of a couple seconds but in the whole scheme of things it really helps little to improve your computing experience.  Maybe when the price comes down low enough to compete with normal hard drives I'd consider it but I can't justify the cost just yet.  I did splurge on a Velociraptor a couple of years ago and yes it's considerably faster than normal hard drives but not enough to make a huge impact on performance.  Personally I wish I had put that money into a better video card instead.

for a case, I'm trying to decide between the following two:
Raidmax Tornado Blue                     $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156223
Xion AXP 100                           $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208027

I really don't think the case matters that much.  I got lucky and found a heck of a deal on a NZXT case... This one actually:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146059&cm_re=nzxt-_-11-146-059-_-Product and I got it on clearance for $30 with free shipping!  It replaced an el-cheapo case and I really like it!  I love how it has a couple of small blue lights in the front but the whole thing isn't too flashy.  It has all kinds of room and a bottom mounted power supply.

I spent another $20 in fans for 2 140mm fans on top and one 120mm fan on the side which give me plenty of airflow!  Also the big fans are MUCH quieter than the small ones because they don't have to spin as fast to move the same air.  This results in a very quiet system.

The only drawback to this specific case is the front screens get dirty real easy (I keep it near the floor) but a quick pass with the handheld vacuum attachment cleans it all up real fast so maybe it's not such a drawback afterall!  At least the crap is getting caught in the screens and not inside the case!

Yes you're definitely going to need a video card.  I would recommend AT LEAST a 5770 video card.  I would recommend you go with a less expensive processor and a 5770 INSTEAD of the processor you have listed and the onboard video (if you had to choose).  I built a budget gaming system for a squaddie using the AMD Regor processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103903, a 5770 video card, a cheapo motherboard and case, a seasonic power supply, DVD burner, 4GB of ram and even a decent headset for under $500.  He's extremely happy and has to try REALLY HARD to see any less than 60FPS in aces high... and this is with all settings maxed!

[Krusty]

I just checked the newegg link for that PSU. Definitely find something else. About HALF the review are DOA or "It died in 2 months" type comments. Avoid like the plague!

[Serenity]

I just checked the newegg link for that PSU. Definitely find something else. About HALF the review are DOA or "It died in 2 months" type comments. Avoid like the plague!

Roger, I'll track down another PSU.

As for the onboard graphics, when I was comparing motherboards, that seemed to be the best motherboard I could find, and at a good price, and just happened to have the onboard graphics.

As far as why only 4GB, I wasn't joking when I said I'm deciding between a new computer and eating next month. My laptop is hanging on by a thread, and I need to replace it. Thats the only reason I'm looking into a new computer, and I'm building rather than buying so I can get a budget PC right now, and if things get a bit better for me later on, I can buy one or two parts to upgrade rather than a whole new system.

[Serenity]

Okay, looking at PSUs, what kind of wattage should I be looking for, and what are the name brands that I should consider acceptable?

[cattb]

I would go single rail if you plan on running just 1 video card. You could also google power supply reviews and do some of your own research, just my 2.5 cents.

[Spikes]

Depends on the card but usually 700W is sufficient for a normal build. I run 2 video cards on a 600W.

[Krusty]

Heck, he should be able to get by on that setup with a 550W or 600W, I would think. That is unless the specs for the 6750 say it needs more power, which I doubt. Most single CPU, single GPU, systems on the upper middle range can run at 400W as long as it's a good solid 400. You hedge your bets by going a little higher, so that in case the manufacturer under-volts or over-sells the product you can still get the job done.

Might I suggest:

Antec 520W, $54, good reviews for the most part. Need to buy your own power cord (or you may have one lying around)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=17-371-030&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=3


There are tons of other options, but amongst the newegg choices that seems to be the budget PSU I'd aim for. You can go $15 more and see some other options that don't look too shabby, either.

[Tigger29]

I wasn't joking when I said I'm deciding between a new computer and eating next month.

So your budget is so tight that that you can't afford an extra 4 gb of ram, yet you are choosing a $150 processor over a $60 one that runs Aces High just fine??  It baffles the mind.

The system I built for my squaddie included a Seasonic power supply *AND* an ATI 5770 video card and came complete except for keyboard, mouse, monitor, and operating system for under $500 (all of which were transferred from his old system).  If money really is that tight then why not do the same?

[Serenity]

So your budget is so tight that that you can't afford an extra 4 gb of ram, yet you are choosing a $150 processor over a $60 one that runs Aces High just fine??  It baffles the mind.

The system I built for my squaddie included a Seasonic power supply *AND* an ATI 5770 video card and came complete except for keyboard, mouse, monitor, and operating system for under $500 (all of which were transferred from his old system).  If money really is that tight then why not do the same?

Because if I get a good processor now, if I stumble on an extra $20 later I can just slap in some more RAM, whereas, from what I understand, upgrading the processor is a bit more intricate.

[MoJoRiZn]

good PSU brands  Seasonic, PC Power and Cooling, Corsair, Thermaltake, OCZ.  skuzzy recommends a single 12v rail psu rather than a psu with 2 or more 12v rails. they are better, more stable and have cleaner power most times

here is a help guide article for anyone building or upgrading their pc

http://www.pcworld.com/article/229732/5_pc_upgrades_almost_everyone_does_wrong_and_how_to_do_them_right.html

[guncrasher]

have you taken a look here, some really good systems within you price.

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/category/amd_pc/

semp

[cattb]

You will be fine witrh 4 gig of RAM, heck before I upgraded couple years ago to 4 gig RAM I did not allways utilize my 2 gig RAM. I think it really depends on the type of use you will be using your computer for.
I have to bet the Phenom 555 0r 560 work fine for a budget system.

A budget system should be fine with a 500 watt PSU. Single rail decent power supply.