Hello, I am a first time computer builder (finally got motivated when my old clunker Compaq finally died on me) and would like some advice on my current build.
Unfortunately I am a fairly poor college student on a budget, so I am looking for a build around $600-700. I am not what one would call a “hardcore†gamer, but I do like to play computer games and would like a build that won't go out of date too fast so I won't be able to play newer games over the lifetime of the system. I should also note that I probably wont buy anything bigger then a 19†or 20†LCD monitor due to my budget so I won't be playing at really high resolutions. Other than gaming, I will mainly be using it for general use (internet, word, etc..), watching movies/videos, and maybe even some light video/image editing.
Anyways, here are the two builds I am considering right now.
Build 1
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core
Motherboard: GIGABYTE LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU & Motherboard Combo - $250 after MIR
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Video Card: ASUS GeForce GTS 250 512MB – $115 after MIR + CoD: WaW
Newegg.com - ASUS ENGTS250 DK/HTDI/512MD3 GeForce GTS 250 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 - $60 after MIR
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies
Case: RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WEB 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower - $55 after MIR
Newegg.com - RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black ATX-612WEB 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case - Computer Cases
Ram: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 - $45 after MIR
Newegg.com - CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s - $70
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
Total: ~$630 with shipping and MIR
Build 2
Same as above except switch CPU, GPU, and Mobo with;
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 920 2.8GHz Quad Core
Video Card: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4870 512MB
CPU & GPU combo: $295 after MIR
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Motherboard: GIGABYTE AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - $110
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards
Total: ~660 after shipping and MIR
Which build would you consider better? As far as I can tell, I will be getting a better video card with the 2nd build and a quad core, but I'm a generally not a huge fan of AMD and I've heard only good things about the E8400 so I am unsure about the CPU in Option 2. Just not sure which one I should go with. I could also switch the X4 920 with a X3 720 to save a little money, but the savings would only be like $15 with the bundle and I figured it was worth it to get an extra core (unless the X3 720 is better, I've heard good things about it).
I would also like some general advice on the build. Does everything seem to be compatible and a good value? Are the parts from good brand names? Any advice, recommend changes, or warnings on any piece of the build would be greatly appreciated. This is my first build and I just want to make sure 1) I don't screw up lol and 2) I get the best bang for my buck given my budget.
Thanks in advance for any advice. I stumbled on this forum awhile ago when I first started thinking about building a new computer and it's been a great help so far :happy:
Unfortunately I am a fairly poor college student on a budget, so I am looking for a build around $600-700. I am not what one would call a “hardcore†gamer, but I do like to play computer games and would like a build that won't go out of date too fast so I won't be able to play newer games over the lifetime of the system. I should also note that I probably wont buy anything bigger then a 19†or 20†LCD monitor due to my budget so I won't be playing at really high resolutions. Other than gaming, I will mainly be using it for general use (internet, word, etc..), watching movies/videos, and maybe even some light video/image editing.
Anyways, here are the two builds I am considering right now.
Build 1
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core
Motherboard: GIGABYTE LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU & Motherboard Combo - $250 after MIR
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Video Card: ASUS GeForce GTS 250 512MB – $115 after MIR + CoD: WaW
Newegg.com - ASUS ENGTS250 DK/HTDI/512MD3 GeForce GTS 250 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 - $60 after MIR
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies
Case: RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WEB 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower - $55 after MIR
Newegg.com - RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black ATX-612WEB 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case - Computer Cases
Ram: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 - $45 after MIR
Newegg.com - CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s - $70
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
Total: ~$630 with shipping and MIR
Build 2
Same as above except switch CPU, GPU, and Mobo with;
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 920 2.8GHz Quad Core
Video Card: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4870 512MB
CPU & GPU combo: $295 after MIR
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Motherboard: GIGABYTE AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - $110
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards
Total: ~660 after shipping and MIR
Which build would you consider better? As far as I can tell, I will be getting a better video card with the 2nd build and a quad core, but I'm a generally not a huge fan of AMD and I've heard only good things about the E8400 so I am unsure about the CPU in Option 2. Just not sure which one I should go with. I could also switch the X4 920 with a X3 720 to save a little money, but the savings would only be like $15 with the bundle and I figured it was worth it to get an extra core (unless the X3 720 is better, I've heard good things about it).
I would also like some general advice on the build. Does everything seem to be compatible and a good value? Are the parts from good brand names? Any advice, recommend changes, or warnings on any piece of the build would be greatly appreciated. This is my first build and I just want to make sure 1) I don't screw up lol and 2) I get the best bang for my buck given my budget.
Thanks in advance for any advice. I stumbled on this forum awhile ago when I first started thinking about building a new computer and it's been a great help so far :happy: