New Computer For College.

[moff3tt]

I am building a new computer for when I go to college. My budget is only abou $400 - $600 It will be mostly media stuff like watching/editing videos, listening to music, and playing some older games like StarCraft maybe some newer games if I can afford them and of course college stuff. I would like it to last as long as possible before upgrades. So being spending a little more here and there I would not be totally against. It won't be purchased or built until probably the end of June since that is when I'd probably earn enough money for it.

I have been around computers for a long time and a pretty competent user. Though I don't know the specifics of hardware too much. If there is something that is unnecessary, or not sufficient enough let me know, and let me know why, I would like to learn as much as I can. I know I left out the graphics card, I don't trust myself at all to pick one that would be good at all. I do know though that I need one since the motherboard does not have onboard graphics, though that would probably be insufficient for HD videos and stuff.

I have a set of speakers that I will be recycling, my dad has a keyboard and mouse I can use, and I have a CRT in storage that I'll be able to use.

CPU - This was recommended by my friend
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor Model HDZ940XCGIBOX - Retail

MOBO - This was recommended by my friend
ASUS M4N72-E AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA nForce 750a SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

RAM - Should I get more?
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail

Optical Drive - I figured anyone would work
ASUS 22X DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-22B1LT - Retail

HDD - I know it's a little small but it's a big improvement over my old one
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Case/PSU - It was a good rated case and had a PSU with it
Rosewill TU-155 Black 0.8mm SGCC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 400W ATX12V Version 2.2 Power Supply - Retail

Graphics Card - You guys help me out here...

If there is anything I missed, and rules I've broken, anything of that sort just let me know I'll fix it first thing.

[tomtoon]

I think you should get a flat-screen monitor. They provide better picture and faster response times.

Most people recommend 4GB RAM around here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122

OR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

Also do you want to go with VISTA or XP?

[shadowpr]

If not building to june, I wouldn't spec it out till may at the earliest.

And onboard video will be more than enough for movies. It will not be enough for gaming though.

We would also need to know if your keyboar and mouse are ps/2 or usb.

[moff3tt]

Sorry I forgot about mentioning the OS it will probably be Win XP SP3, and I am not sure if the keyboard or mouse is USB or PS2, I will have to ask my dad.

The only reason I will be using the CRT is cause it's free... I know it's big and bulky but it's cheap.

There is no onboard graphics on that mobo though, so that is why I mention getting a graphics card.

So, waiting till may, I only ask now is so I can look ahead, because I'm still waiting on things like financial aid letters, and if I got any scholarships. So I don't know how much money I will really have. Plus it's always good to learn early and so in May/June my decisions will be more informed.

So other than the RAM are things looking ok? Since I'll probably get similar products anyways since they'll be cheaper and not too obsolete.

[shadowpr]

For intel, I would look at the e5200 and a asus p5kpl-cm board. It comes with onboard video, so you won't HAVE to buy a video card unless gaming is the priority. You could wait a bit longer and then add a video card.

And that case/psu combo isn't good. The psu is garbage.

[moff3tt]

Ok, with some of the reconmendations I now have this:

It will run Win XP SP3, I also have a monitor, speakers, mouse and keyboard set up/recycled.

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E5200 - Retail

ASUS P5KPL-CM LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200KSRTL 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Retail

ASUS 22X DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-22B1LT - Retail

FSP Group FSP300-60GLS-MJR 300W MicroATX 80 PLUS Certified Power Supply - Retail

COOLER MASTER Elite 360 RC-360-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mini Tower Computer Case - Retail

With the recommendation of the smaller MOBO, I had thought about the form factor of my computer in a dorm or apartment and decided a smaller desktop would be better. Though the difference of Mini ATX versus Mid ATX when upgrades come around may be a bad idea. The price is also down to $350 from the previous $650 build. I may be able to buy it earlier than June.

[raftero]

might look at this combo, i bought it for my build and like it, good power supply too and 380w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129032

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by moff3tt Ok, with some of the reconmendations I now have this: It will run Win XP SP3, I also have a monitor, speakers, mouse and keyboard set up/recycled. Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E5200 - Retail ASUS P5KPL-CM LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200KSRTL 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Retail ASUS 22X DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-22B1LT - Retail FSP Group FSP300-60GLS-MJR 300W MicroATX 80 PLUS Certified Power Supply - Retail COOLER MASTER Elite 360 RC-360-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mini Tower Computer Case - Retail With the recommendation of the smaller MOBO, I had thought about the form factor of my computer in a dorm or apartment and decided a smaller desktop would be better. Though the difference of Mini ATX versus Mid ATX when upgrades come around may be a bad idea. The price is also down to $350 from the previous $650 build. I may be able to buy it earlier than June.

i like that list a lot.. might consider this hard drive though http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320

[glc]

Are you sure that case takes a micro ATX power supply? If so, I would not advise it, 300 watts leaves no room for adding a video card later and higher power micro PSU's are scarce.

This Foxconn comes with a quality 300 watt *standard* ATX power supply, is small, and the PSU can easily be upgraded later.

[moff3tt]

I actually was talking the build over with another friend *with an engineering degree* and he also recommended a new PSU and a larger case so I was just surfin' through newegg and this site's list of good PSU manufacturers and selected different ones.

New Build:

CPU
Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E5200 - Retail

MOBO
ASUS P5KPL-CM LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

RAM
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail

Optical Drive
ASUS 22X DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-22B1LT - Retail

Case
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

HDD
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail

I think this is the best build so-far, let me know what you think. It is only $400 which is great it's under the optimal price of $500 and still allows me some "wiggle room." For lets say a graphics card or something.

[not important]

Originally Posted by moff3tt I actually was talking the build over with another friend *with an engineering degree* and he also recommended a new PSU and a larger case so I was just surfin' through newegg and this site's list of good PSU manufacturers and selected different ones. New Build: CPU Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E5200 - Retail MOBO ASUS P5KPL-CM LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail RAM G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail Optical Drive ASUS 22X DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-22B1LT - Retail Case COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail HDD Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM PSU CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail I think this is the best build so-far, let me know what you think. It is only $400 which is great it's under the optimal price of $500 and still allows me some "wiggle room." For lets say a graphics card or something.

Looks like a keeper. I would suggest a LG or Lite-On optical drive.

[glc]

Asus opticals are fine.

[jdeb]

here is the best card for the money these days... 59.99 after rebate is nice

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102820

[moff3tt]

I changed my case to this, there aren't any 1 or 2 egg reviews and the Cooler Master had a lot of "it breaks easy" reviews =/:

XCLIO Coolbox Advanced Fully Black Finish 0.5mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

[jdeb]

that should keep that north bridge nice and cool... that thing might fly away

[moff3tt]

Originally Posted by jdeb that should keep that north bridge nice and cool... that thing might fly away

Ha ha ha, yeah I'm looking for a job for the summer right now, hopefully everything works out. Thanks for the help guys!