order of importance

[Hrodebert]

With the mind numbing amount of options in today's store bought computer selection, and my increasing desire for better "bang for my buck" I am leaning toward building my own computer. While I am by no means a tech savey type, I am not completely ignorant of computer basics.
I use a computer for web surfing, youtube, music downloading- storing- listening, photography basics, and possibly future home entertainment use.
With that being said, what is the basic order of importance for the parts of a self built computer these days, and why.
My budget will be in the 600-700 dollar range but is not set in stone.
Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and Have a great day

 

[PP Mguire]

If there is no gaming then I would say this.

PSU
CPU
SSD
RAM
GPU
Mobo
Case

 

[jasonalwaysready]

without a standard system of grading in importance...:

PSU
CPU
GPU
Mobo
RAM
SSD
Case

 

[PP Mguire]

GPU isn't that important for any machine that doesn't game. You can get something like a GT520 and still be fine or even Intel's HD4000. In this case, having a good SSD would mean more for performance than anything. Same goes for a mobo. Somebody who doesn't game most likely wont OC either so they can get like an H series board for cheap and still have most all of the basic features needed (SATA3, USB3, HDMI/DVI out) and be fine.

 

[iFargle]

CPU
RAM (amount)
PSU
GPU
HDD space and speed, equally important imo
RAM (speed)
Motherboard
Case

 

[Hrodebert]

Thanks for the input guys. I am trying to learn as I go here and I had no idea the importance of the PSU until I looked further into it.
I already have a 1TB portable hard drive for backup, but I am leaning toward an HDD at least as big so that I can have all my music and pictures in 2 places. Is this the right way to go? I can see that this will be about personal preference in the end but I am very interested in the why of the opinions that I do receive.
Thanks for the input so far and have a great day

 

[iFargle]

Yeah, never buy a cheap PSU. You'll regret it when it eventually blows Corsair or Antec... The two I'd choose.

 

[jasonalwaysready]

ah, didnt see that it wasnt for gaming.

also, the external drive that you have is slow, and shouldnt be used for anything but backing up data... as an external drive.

 

[danhodge]

A 1TB hard-drive isn't expensive at all really, so there isn't much reason to not get one, since they are around $70 to $90, depending on the brand, and if there is a sale on Newegg

 

[kmote]

PSU
Case
Mobo
CPU
RAM
HDD/SSD
GPU