New system build $400 excluding GPU

[VampD]

Hey guys, thanks to all who provided feedback for my previous system build, that went nicely. Now I'm looking toward doing another decent gaming system build for my friend, his budget is $400 and does not need:

-Operation system
-Video card ( plan to use my old 9800 gtx+)
-Monitor
-3rd party HSF ( he won't do much overclocking with processor )

the system build should include:
-Processor ( preferably Intel if possible )
-Mid tower or maybe full tower sized Case
-Ram ( at least 2 gigs )
-Hard drive ( at least 500 gb and decent 7200 rpm speed )
-PSU ( at least 600 watts for future proofing )
-Single Optical drive ( DVD burner )
-Mobo which has PCI-E and can handle either the new i3 or i5s, or new AMD processors

Thanks in advance! look forward to what you guys come up with

 

[BiGyLiLuPdAmIdL]

Hmm for $400 its going to be tough to get an intel setup. Let me try to find some deals tho.

CPU and Mobo: Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!
RAM: Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBPK
HDD: Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Case: Newegg.com - Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
PSU: Newegg.com - CORSAIR Builder Series CMPSU-600CX 600W ATX12V v2.3 Active PFC Power Supply
Optical: Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X 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 CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - CD / DVD Burners

Total: $403

 

[farinha]

Personally I think you should consider a AMD setup since it will give you more bang for a buck.

 

[patonb]

Its really tricky so it'll have to be AMD.. Heres my suggestion:

Newegg.com - MSI 870-G45 AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX
Newegg.com - OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3F1600LV4GK
Newegg.com - OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Newegg.com - LG Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD Burner - Bulk - CD / DVD Burners

Thats about $381 But you need a case till. Theres $40 bucks in mailins leaving you about $60 for one.

Or theres this combo but its a 500W psu and slower ram..... you'll need a hard drive still.
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!

My builds got better others but no case yet....

Big....... Saddly them Corsairs blow chunks.. 40A on the 12V for 600Ws is sad.

 

[BiGyLiLuPdAmIdL]

True true about the PSU lol. I noticed that too, but I figured the price was decent for a reliable brand. I guess that's why its called the "builder series" though lol.

 

[patonb]

^yha... Corsair kinda screwed that... I'm sure its good build quality.. just horrible output.

 

[Muffin Man]

how about this,

Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X4 635 Propus 2.9GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor ADX635WFGIBOX
+
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3 AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Newegg.com - Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

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 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 1.5MB Cache SATA 24X Burner LightScribe Support - CD / DVD Burners

Newegg.com - Thermaltake V3 Black Edition VL80001W2Z Black SECC / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

totals to about $387

however on the case, if you/your friend can't decide what to go with for all the internal parts, i would suggest to atleast get this case that BiG listed, it's great for the price (only a 48hr sale)

Case: Newegg.com - Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

 

[VampD]

thanks for the replies guys, but which is the best processor in the 3 builds suggested for gaming the i3 AMD x2 555, AMD x4 635, or i3 540?

 

[BiGyLiLuPdAmIdL]

Don't get the x4 635, it only has 2mb L2 cache. The i3 540 is way better than it, and even though its only dual core it has 4 total threads for multitasking. For gaming tho, I think the x2 555 will be your best bet, considering it fits in well with your budget too.

 

[VampD]

Don't get the x4 635, it only has 2mb L2 cache. The i3 540 is way better than it, and even though its only dual core it has 4 total threads for multitasking. For gaming tho, I think the x2 555 will be your best bet, considering it fits in well with your budget too.

what does L2 cache do compared to L3? I'm assuming L2 cache is more important?