Building machine for friend, please check...

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shan1784

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Hello, I'm building a budget machine for a friend. It will be just for internet browsing, kids school work, and light gaming. He needs everything except monitor and speakers with a budget of $300. I am pitching in my old mobo to help him save some money (what a buddy I am...)


This is what I have selected so far. Please check for compatibility. Mainly worried about psu that comes with case being enough power for system and video card. If possible suggest a different case, a nice one with psu that will bring me back under budget or suggest other items that would be a better buy for less $$$...


CPU
Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E5200 - Retail $72.99

Mobo
DFI LANPARTY DK X38-T2R LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $0 (free)

Memory
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail $33.99

Video Card
MSI R4650-D512 Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail $66.99

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YD 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $39.99

DVD Burner
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model GH22NP20 - OEM $21.99

Case
Rosewill R223-P-BK 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $30.99

PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail $59.99

Keyboard and Mouse
LITE-ON SK-1788/BS 2-Tone 104 Normal Keys PS/2 Wired Standard Keyboard - Retail $6.99

Logitech SBF-96 Black 3 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical Mouse - OEM $8.25

Total - $342.17 + Shipping
 
PSUs bundled with cases tend to be bad-quality, you'd be better off buying them separately. I recommend something like a Corsair 450 for you, or a 550TX if your friend plans on upgrading the GPU in future.

Edit: In fact, reading some reviews for that bundle, they say bad things about the PSU.
 
Well i would not go with a generic psu (some are fine, but for the most part they are not, and they can blow, and take things with them). So look for some good deals on psu's on sale (worst case scenario pick up a 380 earth watts as it is cheap and reliable). Also you could pick up a really cheap case instead, you can find decent looking ones for under $35. If you (or he) plan to do any major upgrading in the future though you might want to buy a bit more in a psu.

Edit: yam beet me to the PSU
 
Hmm, that PSU still isn't very good - only 60% efficiency? That's aweful.
I don't know much about US$, but you might want to look at something like the Corsair 400 or 450VX - good quality, slightly higher wattage. And I've heard good things about Earthwatts 380, again I don't know anything about price.

The power supply is the one thing you DO NOT want to go cheap on. If it dies, it can take other parts with it, so make sure you get a decent-quality one.
 
Nah, i would definitely not go for that psu you listed. Case is fine, (i don't see how a case could be bad lol, if you are not looking for looks and high air flow) Check out the 380earth watts, a 450vx would also be a good choice.
 
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