$300 Computer Build

[bladder23]

Building a new cheap computer for email, web browsing, photoshop and dreamweaver. Also Counter-Strike 1.6. Please keep in mind that prices are in Canadian.

Processor: Athlon 64 X2 3800+ AM2

Motherboard ASUS M2A-VM

RAM 1GB Kingston ValueRam KVR667D2N5

DVD Burner Samsung SH-S182

Case/PSU: Radiant Case w/ 500W PSU

Adds up to about $300 CAN.

Will be using my spare ASUS 7600GT and my Maxtor 40GB IDE HD.

Will this be compatible at all? First build for me.

Thanks a lot!

 

[zach0624]

This looks like a great build but I would by a SATA hard drive (500 gb $100USD is my recommended size) because it looks like you only have 1 ide spot which is probably going to be used for optical drives. Also SATA is way faster and it looks like your board will even allow you to go raid later. Your board supports pci express graphics so if your 7600gt is pcie your fine but if not you can get a pcie 7900gs off of new egg for $105USD.

 

[Ika]

Look at his complete budget. Would he think about buying an HDD that's more than 1/3 the price of his entire computer? Very likely not. If OP was going to be okay with a 40gb HDD, why not suggest something smaller, such as 250gb or even 160gb? Same goes for the graphics card. He doesn't need to upgrade his graphics card. Why upgrade when you won't be using it? It's not like CS 1.6 is super power-hungry.

 

[imported_maxdad007]

I would say just need to get a SATA HDD and you would be all set. I am leary of PSU's that come with cases if I don't recognize the brand, but that would be my only points of concern. Nice build though,

 

[bladder23]

Just a question.

Will the Micro-ATX motherboard fit into the ATX Mid Tower Case?

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: bladder23
Just a question.

Will the Micro-ATX motherboard fit into the ATX Mid Tower Case?

Yes.

 

[KoolDrew]

Also, I'd be hesitant to put that PSU in even a budget rig. This case would be good:
http://www.techonweb.com/produ....aspx?id=D22973&src=DT

Yes, it's only a 350w supply, but it's a quality one that should suffice. I'd also suggest looking at some of the Antec offerings, but they can be a bit more expensive.

 

[bladder23]

Thanks guys.

Seems like I can't use this mobo because it only has 1 IDE which is for my DVD Burner.
It also is a bad overclocker.

Can someone recommend me a cheap AM2 Mobo with decent overclocking and 2 IDE's?

I like this one even though it's a bad overclocker.

MSI K9VGM-V

Thoughts?

 

[AmpedSilence]

Originally posted by: bladder23

Can someone recommend me a cheap AM2 Mobo with decent overclocking and 2 IDE's?

I would also be interested in this also. I am planning on doing a sub-$150 upgrade soon and this would be prefect way to start.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: zach0624
SATA is way faster

Not this again: SATA isn't necessarily any faster, it's just an interface that has the potential to allow faster transfers. While hard drives across the two interfaces (SATA and PATA) are based on the same technology (that barely hits the older interface limits), there's no intrinsic benefit to the SATA interface.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: bladder23
Seems like I can't use this mobo because it only has 1 IDE which is for my DVD Burner.

1 IDE channel = 1 IDE cable with 2 device ports (master/slave/cable select).

You can still use both your burner and your hard drive simultaneously with this board.

 

[bladder23]

Originally posted by: betasub

Originally posted by: bladder23
Seems like I can't use this mobo because it only has 1 IDE which is for my DVD Burner.

1 IDE channel = 1 IDE cable with 2 device ports (master/slave/cable select).

You can still use both your burner and your hard drive simultaneously with this board.

thanks man

 

[duragezic]

Yeah you can use them both. Sometimes though, if say you hard drive is towards the lower part of your case and the optical is at the top, the IDE cable might not be long enough. The length from the motherboard to the first connector might be enough, but the length between the Master and Slave connectors can be a little short sometimes for drives that aren't next to each other.

Just a warning, and you can place them closer if needed, plus with the small case it might have plenty of room.

Using the IDE drive right now isn't a bad idea as any additional hard drive (or optical) you buy in the future will almost certainly be SATA, which you have a couple ports for. So filling up with two PATA devices right now is okay IMO.


I agree with the other poster about the case & PSU... Inwin is a pretty well known brand and I'd recommend that one linked.

Also, on that budget, have you checked into a cheap Dell or such? There was that $199 (US) Compaq at Best Buy a few weeks ago which with a small RAM upgrade and cheap PCI-Ex card would be a great system. A good thing about those retails boxes is the the OS... hell a $199 machine, Vista alone is almost that isn't it? But it sounds like you will use your old OS. Still, it might be worth checking in to. Unless those places won't ship to Canada? If they don't, forget it, otherwise I'd suggest browsing the Hot Deals forum.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: zach0624
SATA is way faster.

read and learn and don't post sh!t you obviously don't know anything about. you are 100% incorrect on this one man....:thumbsdown:

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Also, I'd be hesitant to put that PSU in even a budget rig. This case would be good:
http://www.techonweb.com/produ....aspx?id=D22973&src=DT

Yes, it's only a 350w supply, but it's a quality one that should suffice. I'd also suggest looking at some of the Antec offerings, but they can be a bit more expensive.

he will be be fine with the case/PSU he is using.....

IMO it`s just plain scary to buy any case/PSU bundle....
Always go for seperates.....
Even your offering from Technonweb is IMO no better than what the OP is already getting!!!

Peace!!