$450-$600 replacement build

[The_Wiseman]

I have around $600 to build a new PC (keyboard not needed, monitor optional -- I'd like to have it, but I can use my HDTV and buy it later if necessary, or find an old one cheap somewhere). I can get Windows 7 through my school.

I'm building it to replace my laptop, since I'm selling it.
Processor: 2.2ghz Core 2 Duo or faster (Intel/AMD makes no difference to me, as long as it's faster than a 2.26ghz Core 2 Duo)
Memory: 4gb ddr2 800 or better
Hard Drive: at least 160gb 5400RPM, I don't need a lot of storage, but faster would
be great.
Graphics: 256 ATI Radeon 3650 or better (preferably much better. HDMI out
preferred. A motherboard with HDMI out may work, as long as I can upgrade the
graphics card later. I have no preference between ATI and nVidia.)
Optical: CD/DVD +/- RW burner. Blu-Ray would be a plus, but I don't need it.
Case: great cooling -- it will be under a desk in a space about 11" wide by 15.5" high.
Most of my electronics are white/black/brushed silver, but it doesn't really matter.
Wireless: optional.

Motherboard: eSATA, onboard graphics with HDMI (unless using video card)
Audio: My sound system only has 5.1 surround, so anything that can output that
through HDMI would be great. That's just an extra, though.
I'll also need an SD card reader, but that can wait.

Monitor: I only need a 17" monitor, but I'd like it to have 1080p resolution if I buy one. Open to any suggestions.

I don't do a lot of PC gaming, but I like having the option. I'd mainly like to be able to play GTA IV because I can record gameplay videos on it, which is fun with friends. My laptop had the above specs, and it can run it alright but the draw distance isn't too hot, so a graphics upgrade would be nice.

The build I made is about 400 before the case, which I can't decide on. The power supply I chose (Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU 500W ATX 12V 2.0 Power Supply - Retail ) is $60 before rebate, $40 after, so if there's a good case/psu combo I'd be interested. I'm also not sure about the motherboard (ASUS P5QL/EPU LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard) or the processor (Intel Celeron E3200 Wolfdale 2.4GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E3200 - Retail ). As long as it runs as good as my laptop, I'll be satisfied. Then I can upgrade it later :-)

Thanks for any and all recommendations, particularly any from the AMD side since I have no experience there.

[pam123]

processor : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103681

motherboard : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131381

video card : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102853

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

[The_Wiseman]

Excellent, thanks!

The case I'm looking at is the Antec Sonata III, is its PSU reliable?

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by The_Wiseman Excellent, thanks! The case I'm looking at is the Antec Sonata III, is its PSU reliable?

The Antec Sonata III is a good case; has decent airflow, is pretty easy to work in and is pretty quiet. The power supply is pretty reliable, it's an Antec Earthwatts 500W.

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by pam123 processor : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103681 motherboard : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131381 video card : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102853 Memory : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

Looks like a good parts list; would take a look at the HD4850 instead of the HD4770; the price is actually lower for the HD4850 but the performance is better: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102824

[The_Wiseman]

Niice. I might just splurge on the video card, then. It's kind of exciting to see a build with basically the specs of an $800 dollar build I was going to do last Christmas for so much less.

[pam123]

Hard drive : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136297

Optical : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136171
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136167 (OEM)

The hard drive has a five year warranty and will give you some room to grow.
The optical doesn't have light scribe but otherwise, it's retail, it come with software.
If you'd rather do third party software,I use CDBurnerXP, then switch to the OEM version and save some more money.

[The_Wiseman]

I ended up changing quite a bit for the build, but here's how it ended up.


IKONIK Taran A30 IC-T3DBC Black 0.5mm SECC / ABS / Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$49.99 --not positive about this case, but I like the look of it, and the reviews are decent

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
$74.99-- the prices on ddr2 went up before I ordered, unfortunately, so that the Corsair was the same price.

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
$79.99-- looks nice, and the integrated video is a step up from my laptop. It should do me until I can upgrade.

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor Model HDZ550WFGIBOX - Retail
$102.00 (-$21 combo)--nice looking processor, especially if it unlocks. 3.1 dual core is plenty for me, though, to be honest.

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
$49.99 (-$10 rebate) + free 8gb SD card

Rosewill RNX-G300LX IEEE 802.11b/g PCI Wireless Card Up to 54Mbps Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP, 802.1x, WPA, WPA2, AES, TKIP ... - Retail
$14.99 -- pretty cheap for WPA2, so I got it just in case

LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS50 - OEM
$28.99

Rosewill RSD-CR106 Blue USB 2.0 External Single slot SD / MMC Card Reader - Retail
$8.99 -- the built in ones seem to be getting pretty bad reviews. I'd like one I can use anywhere, anyway.

I also spend about $28 on a new surge protector and a SATA to eSATA cable for an old drive I want to transfer data off of, and I'm using another HDD I have (Western Digital).

+$14 shipping
Altogether about $430, so I'm pretty happy with the pricing. Anything else I should grab? I was considering changing the stock heatsink/fan, but I'm worried about buying anything before I see the mobo since it's microATX. I don't really plan on overclocking, but I might unlock the other cores if possible. Will that actually increase the heat a good deal? Or will it take pressure off the other two cores so they can all run a bit cooler, evening it out?

[Masaki 7-11]

For the most part looks good, I'm not too sure about the case though; 0.5mm aluminum will be pretty flimsy, 0.5mm steel, is ok, but you'll usually want at least 0.7mm aluminum or steel. Take a look at Coolermaster cases; they are pretty good and you can get some for around $40. The integrated graphics on the motherboard is equal to a HD3450 (so a decent bit slower than you laptop graphics), but it should be ok until you upgrade; definitely faster than an integrated Intel graphics card.

[pam123]

I would up the power supply, go for 500 watts .

A Sonata III (3) will give you what you need and still fit your budget constraints.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129024

[glc]

400 quality watts is more than enough for onboard video.

[The_Wiseman]

Thanks for all the help, hopefully all goes smoothly!

Ahhh, the graphics card issue is irritating. I'll probably upgrade it before long... I'll check on the power supply then. I'm planning a cheaper build for my parents later this year, so if the Corsair can't handle a 4850 I'll use it in theirs. There are really just a few certain games (like GTA IV) which are more interesting to me to play on the PC with video recording and trainers :-). Until I upgrade, I'll make do with the PS3 for my gaming fix.

I'm giving the case a try because I really like the look of it for some reason. If it ends up a disappointment, I'll probably go with either the Sonata III or the CM 690 which I've heard nothing but good things about.

[glc]

ATI recommends 450 watts minimum for the 4850.

I've built with both the Sonata III and the CM 690. They are both excellent, but I prefer the CM 690 with a Corsair 520HX modular PSU.

[The_Wiseman]

Thanks for all the help, build went pretty smoothly. A couple of hiccups when I forgot to plug in the two 2x4 Cpu power connectors and trying to get the dvd burner working in UBuntu so I could burn the windows 7 dvd, but otherwise it went easy.

I have one small issue, my wireless card's bracket doesn't seem to fit the piece on the back of the case. idk if it's the case design, the card, or my stupidity, but now I have a hole in the back for the antenna to stick through. If I can't figure it out, I'm just going to put some screen over it, but I wanted to ask.