custom build for $500 with details of what i have and need

[iraethan]

I have never built a computer before, although I have experience with the adding hardware and working in the bios, etc. I already have a DVD burner, two hard drives, a sound card, Windows XP Pro, speakers, a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. I am trying to build a fast PC that will play games decently and run smoothly while burning DVD's (my burner is an 8X Samsung, and need to stick with it).

I have a budget of $450-$500 (but I may be willing to spend another $100 if you feel it absolutely necessary). It is a bit low, but with the components I already have, I think I will be able to put together a nice system, do you? I'd prefer an AMD, although am open to suggestions with an intel. Also, I do not want video on board. i will be ordering from newegg. pc mech has a free guide for building the machine and a more detailed guide to purchase... is the free guide enough?

I guess that is all... I would appreciate any feedback with specific builds and advice, thanks!

[Cricket]

What kind of games do you play?

$500...it's gonna be tight. The video card is gonna take up a good chunk of that. And even though you have some parts, you're still gonna need a motherboard, CPU, heatsink, RAM, video card and a compatible power supply.

The free Build Your Own PC tutorial is a good "guide" to follow. Just ask questions in the forum if you get stuck.

:) Cricket

[iraethan]

the video card does not need to be at the top, just as long as it is capable of keeping up with some of the newer games fairly well, ie. Doom 3, etc. Let me rephrase. I play games occasionally and would like to get a decent card, but gaming isn't my top priority, more important are the processor and ram.

[Antistupid]

CPU: Athlon64 2800+ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103485) $124
Mobo: ASUS K8N (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131512) $85
RAM: Corsair ValuRAM 512MB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145026) $41
Graphics card: Radeon 9800Pro 256MB 256bit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102511) $159
Case: Antec Solution Black w/ 350W PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129148) I'm assuming your drive is black. $76

You should have the rest.
Total: $485

[discodanman45]

The 256 MB 9800 Pro is not worth the extra money unless you are doing video editing. The 128 MB version is what I would use for a budget gaming system right now

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102362

[Antistupid]

Ditto that.

[glc]

The Nvidia alternative to the 9800 Pro would be a 6600GT. Costs more, but it's the best video card on the market for under 200 bucks.

If processor and ram is more important, keep the 9800 Pro 128mb and put a gig of ram in the system while ram is cheap. I'd get the Corsair dual channel kit (2x512 PC3200 value select) simply because it's cheaper than 2 separate 512's and cheaper than a single 1gb module.

[iraethan]

Okay, here is what I am looking at now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Case and PSU: Enlight case w/ 350w PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811116172) $57
Motherboard: ASUS K8N (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131512) $85
RAM: Corsair ValuRAM 2X 512MB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440) $77
CPU: Athlon 64 3000+ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103501) $149
Video: Radeon 9800Pro 128MB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102362) $124

With two day-shipping the grand total comes to $523.78... which is well within budget. I upgraded the processor from the one recommended. Is it worth the extra $25 going with the 3000+ rather than the 2800+? Also, I went with the Radeon 9800Pro, but would be willing to spend an extra $30-$40 for the 6600GT if it performs much better. Which of the models of the 6600GT do you guys recommend, or should I stick with the Radeon? Also, went with a different case... do you think it is solid... or should I find a case without the PSU and purchase it seperate? Thanks for all the help.

[Cricket]

I'm not sure if a 350 watt PSU can handle all that. You might want to see what the others think.

:) Cricket

[glc]

A Enlight 350 should not be a problem handling all that. The video card requires a 300. I've got a customer running a couple P4 3.2's with dual SCSI hard drives and Fire GL video cards (that use a 9800XT GPU) on Enlight 340's with no problem.

[Antistupid]

I looked at your links, and the processor is a 939 pin model, while the motherboard is a 754 pin model. Although I usually would reccomend 939, for $500 the 754 pin set up is more money efficient.
You won't notice much difference between the 3000+ in the 2800+. I would save $25 and go with the 2800+.

[iraethan]

So I have an extra $60 to spend! Where is the best place to invest the money. I am thinking about moving up to the 6600GT, but need advice on which model. Or is it worth the money to bump up to the X800? Also was thinking about upgrading the mobo to the Asus A8V (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131510) which would add on an extra $30 and put me in the socket 939 category. Do these sound like the right changes, or should I put the money towards a better processor, or case, or something different? Again, thanks. I am excited to get my parts ordered and begin building!

[Antistupid]

I would invest money on the Asus K8N4E that would give you PCIe, which is prabably the best option.

[sigmaseven]

I put my vote in for a ram upgrade. A jump to 1 gigs will do you wonders; while not as much as the jump to 512, a whole gig will give you very good performance.

[Antistupid]

I put my vote in for a ram upgrade. A jump to 1 gigs will do you wonders; while not as much as the jump to 512, a whole gig will give you very good performance.
he already has 1GB of RAM, if not I would have said the same thing.

[iraethan]

okay guys... i think i have made up my mind on my computer! Let me know if this looks good from top to bottom... and if there are any complaints or suggestions, please send them ASAP!

Mobo: Asus A8V (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131510) $114
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103537) $153
Video: Sapphire radeon 9800Pro 128 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814102362) $124
RAM: Corsair Valueselect 1GB (2 x 512 MB) 184 Pin (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145440) $77
Case: Enlight w/ 350 Watt PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811116172) $57
Hard Drive (I know I wasn't originally purchasing one, but I do need a new one): Seagate Barracuda 7200 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148040) $65

The grand total comes to $624 including two-day shipping. If you see any problems with this build or think it could be utilized better in any way, please let me know. I am getting excited to order these components and get this underway!

[Antistupid]

The A8V is not a good choice. The chipset used is in a Via chipset, which are just not as reliable and stable as an nVidia chipsets. Although most Via chipsets for AMD systems are decent, nVidia chipsets are in a lot better. That is why I still suggest getting a socket 754 system, and getting the Asus K8N4E PCI express motherboard instead of getting a socket 939 and the A8V.

[LA22]

I say upgrade the mobo further and go with the A8N-E. I has the 939 socket, and the nVidia nforce4 ultra chipset. Its only a $11 upgrade from the other mobo you have choosen. I think it is well worth the money.

[Antistupid]

I say upgrade the mobo further and go with the A8N-E. I has the 939 socket, and the nVidia nforce4 ultra chipset. Its only a $11 upgrade from the other mobo you have choosen. I think it is well worth the money.
Yes, either go for the A8N-E or the K8N4, which ever fits your budget better.

[iraethan]

thanks guys. i went with the A8N-E, which has the nvidea, socket 939, and PCIe (the best of all worlds!)although I had to go with another merchant... newegg was out. A8N-E @ zipzoomfly.com (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=240423) i am also purchasing the processor with zipzoomfly.com - which seems to be a quality merchant. everything else is as above. Last chance for suggestions... my finger is awaiting to press the "check-out" link!

[glc]

You are going to have to rethink the case/power supply with a PCI-E board - that's not a 24 pin PSU. Which PCI-E video card did you choose? The 9800 Pro is AGP.

[iraethan]

thanks. what do you think about a Asus EN6600 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121180) $122? I can't pay much more than this, so if there is a better one at this cost let me know. i am not sure what i need to change with the case... would my first choice work Antec w/ 350 PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129148) or would you recommend something else?

[Antistupid]

The video card would work. but the power supply won't. The Thermaltake SilentPurepower 430W is a good 24pin PSU.

[iraethan]

once again I post a final list... well maybe! still going with the Asus A8N-E, the Seagate Barracuda, the Venice 3000+ AMD 64, and the Corsair Valueselect RAM. New components are a
Case: Raidmax ATX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811156019)
PSU: Thermaltake 430W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817153023)
Video: Would like a recommendation between the Sapphire Radeon X700 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814102536) or the Asus 6600 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814121180) or a card similar in price. Thanks again for all the help.

[glc]

Can you squeeze another 10 bucks for a video card?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102504

[iraethan]

I definitely can add $10 for the card. With the card you suggested GLC, and the rest of my setup, should I go ahead and purchase the parts? I think everything is in line.

[Antistupid]

Yes, I think you can click the ORDER button now. I always like pushing order buttons :)

[iraethan]

To all who helped me out with my new build, thank you! Everything came in today and I put together the parts with hardly a hang up and installed XP Pro quite easily. So far the system is screaming. I will update again when I get all the service packs put on and play some games! thanks again.

ira

[Antistupid]

I hope you enjoy your new system.