$250-$300 Build

[NASA22]

Hey guys,

So I'm looking to build my first computer for around $250-$300. It would be used mostly for internet surfing, word processing/presentations, music management, and some light gaming. I'm looking for some advice because this is my first time undertaking such a project. I'm thinking that a motherboard with integrated display would be sufficient for my uses so I can save some money on a graphics card. Newegg has some quad-core AMD cpus that look kind of nice. I'm just throwing things out there and would appreciate any advice. Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[jasonalwaysready]

do you have an os?

 

[NASA22]

I was going to install windows 7 64 bit. But that is another expense. The $250-$300 is my budget for the hardware. I guess it would also be worth noting that I would like to upgrade sometime in the future and install a solid state drive for the operating system and other applications. While I doubt that this will fit into the budget now, it would be nice to have a 6 megabits per second port on the motherboard to have the option be available later. Thanks for your quick reply!

 

[jasonalwaysready]

that budget makes it tough to build a computer that could be considered modern and reliable. you may want to consider saving for a little while longer. getting into the $400-500 range will get you a good computer. any quad core out there now, though unnecessary for your applications, would eat half of your budget.

 

[NASA22]

Thanks for the reply. What about building it around something like this from amd?

Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 840 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor HDX840WFGMBOX

 

[jasonalwaysready]

im not the best at putting together builds, but perhaps:

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Newegg.com - ASUS M4A88TD-M/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Newegg.com - Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 840 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor HDX840WFGMBOX

that comes to $350, but you'll still need a case to put them into. pick out a midtower. and wait for someone else to suggest better than i have here.

 

[NASA22]

That is a very nice build. I especially like the motherboard with HDMI, optical, USB 3.0, and gigabit ethernet. The price is great too. What do you think of this case/power supply combo? It would save me a little cash.

Newegg.com - Rosewill R101-P-BK-450W MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case, come with 1x 120mm Fan, 450W Power Supply

 

[patonb]

No, the rosewill are lower end. That said, the antec 550 is over kill for that built.

I'd go for this one: Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
great psu and can easily handle a better gpu if you wished later.

 

[jasonalwaysready]

that case is cheaper and comes with a (crappy) power supply you dont need. check out this one for $5 more. Newegg.com - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

 

[compninja]

I'd like to keep updated with how this goes because if you manage to build a good computer for $300 then I might be interested in building a new one too, will give me something to do and it isn't to expensive

Good Luck