A Budget Build - Just The Essentials

[bhanson]

Hi,

It has been quite a while since I've built a computer. I'm still using the Desktop I built in early 2004 from parts I bought from FS/FT here, and from Newegg. Being out of the loop, I feel quite lost when trying to decide which route I should take in upgrading.

Current Machine:

ASUS A7N8X Deluxe
AMD Athlon XP 2500+
2x512MB OCZ Basic PC3200
ATI Radeon 9600 Pro

The Info

Use: Multi-tasking, web browsing with a ridiculous number of windows open, viewing HD video, some light to moderate gaming, and a little photoshop.

Budget: Any more than $300 is pushing it, although I'm a big "bang for your buck" kind of guy.

Country: Most likely buying all of the parts from the US, but if there was a good deal else where I wouldn't mind.

Brand Preference: I have a slight Intel/nVidia preference, but I really don't care and will accept whatever is the best value.

Current Parts: I have sufficient parts for everything else: hard drives, optical drives, case, PSU, etc.

Other threads: I have searched and read other threads, but I'm looking for a little feedback on this particular build before I decide to pull the trigger.

Overclocking: Not interested at all.

When: A couple days to a week or so.

The System


CPU: AMD Phenom 9600 Agena 2.3GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Quad-Core Processor Model HD960ZWCGDBOX - Retail

I'm reasonably confident in this CPU choice. AMD seems cheaper than Intel all around and this particular quad core is cheaper than the Intel C2D. With my expected multi-tasking use I think I would be pretty happy with this processor.

RAM: OCZ Fatal1ty Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2F10664GK - Retail

The only requirement for RAM is I have at least 4GB. I would *like* to be able to have room for 8GB, but I'm not sure what the deal is with having to run at 800 instead of 1066 and if the tradeoff would be worth it. I'd also need to get a different motherboard as I don't think I can afford 4GB sticks. This RAM also has a lifetime warranty.

GFX: XFX HD-485X-YDFC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

While I slightly preference nVidia, it seems ATI has the value edge here again. The cards I am looking at are the 4850 and 4870. This 4850 seems like a really good deal at $85, and I don't think the extra $40 (a near 50% increase) for the 4870 is worth it to me. This card also has a lifetime warranty.

Motherboard: ECS A780GM-M3 AM2+/AM3 AMD 780G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

This is my least confident part of my build. I'm completely in the dark on what motherboard I should get. A bunch of the boards on newegg seem to be open box, and I'm unsure what the warranty is on those. I like the idea of being covered in the case of a part dying prematurely. I'm partial to the idea of a Micro ATX, as then I could get a smaller case and have a smaller computer all around, I like small. However, I'll take a full size board if it's a better value or if I had to sacrifice too much for the small form factor.

I'm also confused about the FSB. The FSB speed of the processor is 3600 I think, yet I could only find motherboards with 2600. I assume I want a motherboard with 2600 as opposed to 1000? Also, one that uses DDR 1066 is preferential over DDR 800, I guess?

Maybe this one? ZOTAC GF8200-A-E AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 8200 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

It has a small form factor, 4 RAM bays that I could later upgrade to 8GB with, and is the same price. I've never heard of the brand ZOTAC, and whlie I want to stay frugal, I also want a reliable system.

I also like this ASUS: Open Box: ASUS M3A78-CM AM2+/AM2 AMD 780V Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

It is a brand I trust, for the same price without the rebates, 2600 FSB, 4 RAM slots, but I am skeptical about the open box. Does it even have a warranty?

I'm long overdue for an upgrade. While my current computer is sufficient for light web browsing, it stumbles to a halt when tasked with anything even remotely demanding. I'm looking to hit a pretty good value price point yet have enough power for the system to last me another 5-6 years. I'm completely open to suggestions on anything and I appreciate any and all input.

And while $300 is pretty much the most I want to spend, in the back of my head I'm also wondering if I would even notice a difference if I just picked up something like this: Newegg Combo Deal I mean, look at what I'm upgrading from! If this is the case I could save $100.

I wouldn't mind buying a Dell or other pre-built computer either, but I wasn't able to locate anything that looked like an incredibly great value.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lunyone]

The combo deal will be the cheapest you can get, but the GPU won't win you alot of gaming people with it.
Here are some of my concerns:
* You don't list a case or PSU. Your current PSU, assuming it's as old as your current system, will more than likely not be worth saving for your new build. I'd consider about $80-120 for a case/PSU combo (probably Antec 300 case w/PSU combo, like this one for $100)
* The CPU you selected is getting quite dated and some of the newer x2's and x3's would be a better selection, especially for gaming (due to the higher CPU speeds).
$87 shipped!!
AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
$102 shipped!!
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

Either CPU should do fine for your budget. The benefit of the PhII x2 550 Black Edition CPU is that it has an unlocked multiplier, so you can OC it easily (if you decide to do that).

* The memory that you selected is okay, but it's a bit slower than some. It runs at CAS7 (7-7-7-20 timings) and also at 2.0v, which is above the stock voltage of 1.8v's. This RAM runs at CAS4 (4-4-4-12 timings) and also at stock voltage, and is priced well at $55 shipped!!
* The mobo is an okay selection. Your on the right track with a 780g chipset or you can opt for the 790gx chipset, but it's a bit more, which might not work out for you budget.
* You didn't mention an OS, so I'm assuming you have one already. Otherwise your budget will be blown if you have to buy one. Windows 7 RC is free for download and will be good until June 2010, if you want to go that route.
* Your link for the 4850 shows the GPU for quite a bit more than $85 that you quoted, but even a 4670/4830 will do under this kind of budget.

So this is how I see the budget going:
CPU - $87 x2 250
Mobo - $60-80 780g or 790gx if your lucky
Memory - $55
GPU - $70-90
Case/PSU - $100

Total ~$370-400 or so. Add your HD/DVD that you have (don't recommend it, because they are slow compared to what is made now) and your set, assuming you have an OS.

P.S. 99% of mobo's now only have 1 EIDE port on them, so your limited to 2 IDE drives.