Thoughts on Budget Build

[Mike Maloney]

I was looking at putting together a build for a decent PC that was fairly cheap. This is what I came up with, I'd like to get some thoughts on how it looks, thoughts on going with Micro ATX, etc.

Motherboard: Gigabyte LGA 775 Intel 945GC Micro ATX

CPU: Intel Pentium E2160 1.8GHz Dual-Core

RAM: 4x1GB Corsair 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM 667

HDD: Western Digital 160GB 7200 RPM SATA

DVD-ROM: Pioneer 20x DVD-R Burner

Case: IN WIN Black Steel MicroATX Case - 300W Power Supply

OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home - OEM

[Katreat]

I am no expert in mATX builds or budget systems but will throw out a few comments.

I would work around one of the newer intel chipsets for the MB G31/33/35. I think they have better support for the newer processors and are more upgradable.

I would stick with 2 GB of ram. If you need 4 then go for 2x2 GB sticks, but even with Vista 2 GB is enough ram for just about everything.

If you dont have burning software, I would pay the $3-4 premium and get a retail burner. Lite on Retail come with Nero. I would also get it SATA.

I would try for a HD with at least 16mb of cache.

I would get a name brand PSU, not something included in the case, most are terrible. I would also look for something a bit bigger just to allow some room for expansion to a video card if it was ever needed. This could just be because I always think in gaming terms but a few more watts would not hurt.

Take all recomendations with a grain of salt, I have never built a mATX box and you may have no need to ever upgrade...... they are just suggestions to think about.

Kat

[Alaron]

Here is the mATX motherboard we recommend: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131197 It is based on the G31, a newer chipset as Katreat mentioned.

[Masaki 7-11]

If you are looking at a budget build, take a look at an AMD setup, they usually provide more performance for the same price as an Intel setup for smaller budgets (especially when it comes to using integrated graphics). What kind of budget were you looking at?

[Mike Maloney]

Hi Alaron, thanks, I have updated my motherboard choice accordingly.

Hi Katreat, thanks for the advice. I have adjusted my choices to reflect 2GB of RAM, a retail Lite-On DVD burner, and an HDD with 16MB cache. As far as power supplies go, I took a look at what Newegg had available as far as MicroATX PSUs, and didn't see much there that looked worth it. If anyone has any recommendations, I'll check it out. I do think the 300W will be okay from a capacity standpoint, this build isn't really something that I expect to be upgrading much if at all. Also, as I mentioned, the PSUs for MicroATX are pretty slim pickings on Newewgg.

Hi Masaki, thanks for the advice on AMD. I will look around and see what's available and if there's anything that catches my eye. As far as my budget? I guess I don't really have one. I have a friend who was looking to replace the family computer at home, just needs it for pretty basic stuff, Internet, word processing, etc., and I offered to build him one that could last for a while, but still be affordable. So, with that in mind I started piecing the build together while trying not to go overboard on price. Right now the total for the PC is at $425, which I think is a good number.

Motherboard: ASUS Intel G31 LGA 775 Micro ATX

CPU: Intel Pentium E2160 1.8GHz Dual-Core

RAM: 1x2GB Corsair 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM 667

HDD: Western Digital 160GB 7200 RPM SATA (16MB Cache)

DVD-ROM: LITE-ON 20x DVD-R Burner-Retail

Case: IN WIN Black Steel MicroATX Case - 300W Power Supply

OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home - OEM

[Masaki 7-11]

Take a look at this AMD setup; it is about the same price and faster than the Intel setup you have in your post:


LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model LH-20A1S
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106057
$28.99

COOLER MASTER Elite 340 RC-340C-KKN1-GP Black Steel MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119149
$39.99

Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136062
$59.99

GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2H AM2+/AM2 AMD 740G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128328
$69.99

Antec Basiq BP-350B ATX12V Version 2.01 350W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371013
$19.99

mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996527
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146118
$44.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Brisbane 2.5GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADO4800DOBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103212
$76.00

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic SP1 32-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116480
$89.99

Subtotal: $429.93

[bd1886]

Masaki's suggestions prove what kind of value (and power) can be missed out on by being "Intelcentric"these days. Check this out... http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/p...max-9,369.html

[Katreat]

Masaki's list looks good and he is correct in that AMD usually gives a bit more bang for the buck below the top. However for a basic home machine either AMD or Intel will work just fine so alot of it is personal choice.

changes from your intel list would be to go with 2 x 1 gb for the memory. You want paired sticks to get best performance, not just a single 2 gb stick of memory. Ususally for cases I would just look at any mid tower. You do not need a mATX case for a mATX board, they fit fine in an ATX case. But if you really want a small foot print then a mATX case is generally a bit smaller. The case and PSU Maski links looks like a good deal and I would have more faith in the name brand PSU.

Kat