My build vs Anandtech budget build

RedFiveSW

Member
Jul 24, 2009
71
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0
I was looking at the Anandtech budget builds from the May article, and have since worked my way up to this:

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX
Item #: N82E16819103649
$119

GIGABYTE GA-MA770-UD3 AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-MA770-UD3 AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128376
$65

OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Item #: N82E16820227362
$48

HIS H485QT512P Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported IceQ4 Turbo Video Card
Item #: N82E16814161244
$80

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee
Item #: N82E16832116677
$110

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply
Item #: N82E16811129024
$110

I don't need any other parts I didn't list.
All free shipping except the MB.
Total: $535ish


Here's the game: if you offer a better, higher-priced item, can you also offer a cheaper substitue for another part so the total is still close?

Do I need more memory? Maybe OC, but stability and silence are more important. Some gaming on 16x12, office apps, may get into ripping dvds.

 

s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
16
81
I have the opposite advice: get the UD3P and DDR3. Combo the mobo and a Gigabyte vidcard and save $20.
 

ChaiBabbaChai

Golden Member
Dec 16, 2005
1,090
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used. new PSU and case.

rendition (or whatever it's called) RAM.

why the FOKKK would you buy Vista? ;)
 

deputc26

Senior member
Nov 7, 2008
548
1
76
Originally posted by: RedFiveSW
Originally posted by: deputc26
Save $31.00 here.

I like the case. The RAM is DDR2 800 instead of 1066. How much of a difference does that make?

A less than 2% average difference, you won't notice and you could just oc it to 1066.

Originally posted by: ChaiBabbaChai
why the FOKKK would you buy Vista? ;)

This is a good point, I almost said the same thing in my original post but then figured it came with a free upgrade to 7. If it doesn't, ditch it for sure.

Edit: Bundle OS with gfx, upgrade to 7 included. Save $5
 

ChaiBabbaChai

Golden Member
Dec 16, 2005
1,090
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Well, I wouldn't want an upgrade disc - if you ever reinstall you have to load Vista first, then 7.
 

brblx

Diamond Member
Mar 23, 2009
5,499
2
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since when? i've never had to preload an old version of windows for an upgrade.