First budget computer build

R

Runs4fun

New Member
Hi,

I'm trying to build a computer for ~350.00 USD that would be capable of playing World of Warcraft as well as some other basic things. I'm not worried about playing on max graphics settings, just looking to get it as lag free as possible for the price.

About a month ago a user named "Drenlin" posted up a build in response to a post here - http://www.computerforum.com/186854-first-complete-computer-build.html

I liked the build, was around the price point I'm looking at but unfortunately the combo deals have expired.

I've made my own build, I was hoping I could get some feedback.
-Is everything compatible?
-Would I need to buy any other hardware/cables?
-If anyone could find cheaper/better components that would be appreciated.

RAM -
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) - 50.00 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

Case + DVD -
LIAN LI Lancool PC-K58W Black 0.8 mm SECC, Plastic + Mesh ATX Mid Tower + LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA - 86.00 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.579097

Power supply + Hard drive -
COOLER MASTER Elite 460 RS-460-PSAR-J3 460W ATX12V V2.31 + Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1.5TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s - 100.00 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.578311

Motherboard + CPU -
GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3 AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD + AMD Phenom II X2 545 Callisto 3.0GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor OEM - 130.00 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.581279

Total: 366.00 USD + 8.00 Shipping

I'm not sure if the combo deals are worth it, or if I'd be better off buying separate items to save money.

Thanks.
 
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Thanks for the reply,

How about Fans and heat sinks? in the build by Drenlin that I linked he included a cooling fan. Would it be necessary to purchase an extra one?


Thanks.
 
I made a second build which is about 47 USD cheaper, It includes a little CPU cooler. The case comes with a power supply, do you all think this power supply would be sufficient for my purposes?

Case - COOLER MASTER Elite 310 RC-310-BKR2-GP - 60 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119210

Hard drive - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB 7200 RPM - 50 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

Ram -G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 - 50 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

CPU cooler - COOLER MASTER DK9-7E52A-0L-GP CPU Cooler 12 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103087

Motherboard + CPU - GIGABYTE AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard + AMD Phenom II X2 545 Callisto 3.0GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor - OEM - 130 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.581279

DVD - SONY Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive- OEM - 17 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118031

Total - 319.00 USD


Thanks.
 
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SslagleZ28 said:
What about an operating system? Also maybe look for a PSU combo with a better PSU
Click to expand...

I know that I still need an OS, my budget for hardware is around 350.00 USD. Didn't bother to add that I need an OS.

I'm not great with computer hardware, what makes a power supply good? Should I be looking for something with higher Watts?

Thank you.
 
Runs4fun said:
I know that I still need an OS, my budget for hardware is around 350.00 USD. Didn't bother to add that I need an OS.

I'm not great with computer hardware, what makes a power supply good? Should I be looking for something with higher Watts?

Thank you.
Click to expand...

Its a quality thing, internals wise... see what you can find in Corsair HX or AX series, Antec earthwatts, or XFX remember the power supply is the most important part of your computer
 
^ in this price range, what he'll be looking for are antec's Neo ECO and Earthwatts, Seasonic's S12II, and Rosewill's Green Series. S12II would be the best, but the Neo ECO seems to be the best deal right now.

That build still has no graphics card, and the mobo doesn't have an IGP. You'll need either a mobo with onboard graphics (look for 785G or above) or a cheap GPU.

I'll throw a build up in a minute...sadly most of the good holiday combos are gone, but I'll try and get something good.


edit: Here ya go. It lacks a proper GPU, but the onboard will easily play WoW and there's room to add a fairly powerful GPU later on...the CPU and RAM won't be a bottleneck. I even managed to find a mobo with SATA 6GB/S, should you want an SSD, and VRM cooling should you want to overclock.
CPU- Athlon II x4 635- $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871

Mobo- Foxconn A88GM Deluxe- $78 (has onboard graphics)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186196

RAM- 2x2GB G.Skill Ripjaws X- $53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231427

HDD- Spinpoint HD502SJ- $48
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=HD-HD502HJ

DVD- Asus DRW-24B3LT- $18
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135221

PSU- Antec Neo ECO 400C- $48
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029

totals to $345
Click to expand...


If you'd rather just have a decent GPU now at the cost of a weaker CPU, replace the CPU and mobo with these:

Mobo + CPU- Gigabyte Ga-MA770T-UD3 + Athlon II x2 255- $133
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.581246

GPU- Powercolor Radeon HD4650- $53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131360

I would recommend the other route though, since all you have to upgrade to have a really good gaming computer is the GPU...no worries about the dual core bottlenecking it.
 
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^No case.
445 w/ ^ 880G makes something like the Challenger or M59 not too far off, because the Elite 310 needs another fan$$.
A combo(if one can be found:mad:)on the os could lower costs by 20$.
 
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