Considering building a PC

[Joseph S]

I've been thinking of building a new PC since mine is getting a bit old and outdated. I've long wanted to build one using a Core 2 Duo E8500, but they still expensive.

Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor BX80570E8500

This i3 is much cheaper and features integrated graphics. So I wouldn't need to purchase a video card which would save more money. What are your opinions on the quality of the graphics with this processor?

Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3540

Which would be the better starting point for a new build especially when considering the price?

[glc]

The i3 onboard graphics are pretty decent for onboard graphics. They are not gaming quality though.

You may want to build a Sandy Bridge if video quality is important - the graphics are a major improvement. It's still not really gaming quality though. You will have to wait for the lower cost options though - the cheapest Sandy Bridge right now is $185.

Either way, the motherboards all have slots for video cards, which can be added later when/if needed.

[Joseph S]

So you would go with the I3 over the Core 2 e8500, is the I3 better ?

[cantputt04]

The i3 is much better. It is cheaper, uses less power, and won't get as hot, not to mention the fact that it's more powerful.

Personally I'd bump it up to the i3-550 just because, why not?

Intel Core i3-550 Clarkdale 3.2GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor

Or if you want to stay within the same price range as the E8500, an i5-760 should (according to Tom's Hardware) give you as much gaming performace as you'd need out of a processor (if you intend to game that is)

Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor

Also, with the LGA 1156 socket, you get DDR3 memory and lots of other cool goodies that the old 775 board didn't have yet.

[glc]

If you are on a tight budget, the 540 is $10 cheaper than the 550.

Newegg.com - ASUS P7H55-M LX LGA 1156 Intel H55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3540

Newegg.com - CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMV4GX3M2A1333C9

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Newegg.com - ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - CD / DVD Burners

Newegg.com - SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Pick a case you like.

[Joseph S]

Would like to use my old ATX case , will micro ATX board fit ? what would be a good video card for $75.00 that could run call of duty black ops ?

[glc]

A micro ATX board will work in a standard ATX case.

Newegg.com - ASUS EAH5670/DI/1GD5 Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

[Khalil]

The i3-540 is the main staple for my current Intel builds, it is a good processor with low energy use (73W), the 1156 is very stable far more stable than any other Intel platform I have ever built with. I am happy with the onboard graphics when using windows 7, I still always insist on a graphics card even if the customer is not going to game, people's needs change and I hate it when they walk in and tell me something was not working because the machine does not have a video card. With a video card, the machine will do most anything you throw at it.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by Khalil the 1156 is very stable far more stable than any other Intel platform I have ever built with

even P45?

[Joseph S]

I have a Thermaltake 430 watts power supply , P/N W0070ru . Would this work ?

[glc]

Not really. It wasn't designed for PCI-Express applications, it only has a single 18 amp +12v rail. It's best to use that PSU in an AGP build.

Since I posted the list, some other PSU's have gone on sale. This one should be sufficient:

Newegg.com - Antec Basiq BP430 430W Continuous Power ATX12V Version 2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

[Joseph S]

Disk Drive

Newegg.com - ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - CD / DVD Burners

Hard Drive

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD2500AAKS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Video Card

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100254HDMI Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Power Supply

Newegg.com - Antec Basiq BP430 430W Continuous Power ATX12V Version 2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Ram

Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBRL

Motherboard

Newegg.com - ASUS P7H55-M LX LGA 1156 Intel H55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Processor

Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-550 Clarkdale 3.2GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3550

I picked that Ram because my case has a window and I liked the way it looks. I picked a smaller hard drive to save some money. Is it a decent one? The i3 550 came down to the same price as the 540 so I will go with it. Could I get by without buying a video card? How is this one compared to the one you recommended? If I wait I may can purchase a better one later. If I buy one now I'll have to go with one that fits in my budget.

[glc]

Please do not use G.skill ram - they have been having quality and compatibility issues. Use Corsair, Crucial, Kingston, or A-Data - DDR3-1333 1.5 volt preferred. You can build without a video card now and add one later if needed. It will not game well without a card but it will do everything else fine.

You are much better off getting the Black drive - faster and better warranty. It's only another 15 bucks.

[Joseph S]

Newegg.com - A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AD3U1333B2G9-DRH
what about this ram ? would like to order today if possible. would you get the video card i choose about or wait and buy the one you recomened ? thanks for all your help

[glc]

That ram is a good choice.

Are you planning on gaming with this computer? If so, how much can you afford for a video card?

[Joseph S]

I ordered parts last night, got the black WD harddrive. price went up and lost free shipping on Ausus dvd/cd drive,so changed to an LG.I'm over my sale pitch to my wife now to do up grades. Was thinking of getting motherboard that had idle connectors,that would let me use old harddrive and dvd/cd drive.Also though the thermaltake power supply I had would work. Power supply wouldn't work, though idle connector mobo would limit upgrades. Didn't buy video card. wil see how it works with out one.Don't have munch time lately to play games anyway. My first buget was to spend 75.00 to a 100..00 on video

[glc]

If you need to get data off your IDE hard drive, you can use this adapter:

IDE/SATA to USB 2.0 Cable Adapter - Turn Your 2.5", 3.5" or 5.25" IDE or SATA Drive Into A USB Drive! 2020

The LG DVD burner is fine. All brands are pretty much the same these days, the only one I won't touch is a Samsung.

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by jdeb even P45?

Yes, much better than the P45!

[Joseph S]

I have downloaded the mobo manual and read through it. If I'm understanding it right there are no jumpers to worry about. The mobo auto detects everything (cpu, ram, etc). It sounds like the cpu is surface mount. Is there anything I should be aware of to keep from making a mistake, or is this straight forwared? I also will not be overclocking, I assume some kind of thermal compound will come with cpu and heatsink. Thanks Alot to GLC for all your help!

[glc]

Yes, it's very straightforward. The heatsink has compound preapplied. Asus motherboard manuals are generally well written.

[Joseph S]

I assembled the computer and got Windows 7 Professional running on it. The motherboard was one of the easiest ones I've used. I hadn't spent much time with Windows 7 or Vista and it was more of a change from XP than I thought it would be. Thanks to all those who helped.