Build on a bufget.... trying to get it done for under $600

G

Ge-off

New Member
hey eveyone this is my first post here but have been lurking a bit... now im going be building a new rig very soon and wanted to get your input and suggestions on my setup, so here it goes. Im going to be using this for mainly gaming like world of warcraft, CS, racing sims, and whatever new stuff comes out, interenet surfing, and watching some dvd's... anyways im deffinitly on a budget so please help me out. trying to stay as close to $600 or below as I can.

so far this is what im looking to buy:

-I already have my video card a radeon 9800 Pro

CPU:
-AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor = $223.88
Motherboard:
-ASUS A8V Socket 939 VIA K8T800 Pro ATX AMD Motherboard = $93.00
RAM:
-CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory = $123.00
Hard Drive:
-Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3250823AS 250GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive = $112.00
DVD Drive:
-SONY Black IDE DVD Burner Model DWQ28A = $41.99

now here is where i really need help.. i would like to get a new case and i saw that some cases come with PSU's but im sure they are not quality pieces... and i tried to read the PSU 101 but it was hard to understand exactly what he was talking about since im not to framiliar with PSU's... should I get a case with PSU or just buy a case and the get a quality PSU??

I was looking at this case that has a 450W PSU in it and its all only $37.50
-POWMAX 702 MATRIX CP702-7 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450W Power Supply

now i was looking at this PSU since a friend told me to get it:

-Thermaltake Silent Purepower W0014RU ATX 480W Power Supply = $58.00

is that a good PSU for my setup? should i go for somethign else? could i run the PSU from the case for a month or so then get a better one?

and guys anywhere you see somethign that i can get a different brand or suggest something to save some money id be greatful since this is a budget build! Thanks for any help guys! :)
 
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Your almost at $700usd. i would suggest getting a 3200+ or the 3000+ for the cpu it should bring you closer to your price range and you could easy overclock either of them to the 3500+ or even the 4000 and save your self the money.
the case you picked out appears to be a bit weak but if your on a tight budge you have to work with what you have I guess. Also a lot of people have problems with the usb 2.0 on the mobo so you might have to play with that some. Other then that it doesn't look too bad. :)
 
no videocard for the setup? You should probably buy a cheapcase and throw away the psu that came with it and buy a reliable one, especially when its from powmax...
 
For some reason, I really have never had any problems with PSU's that come with cases. But, I've heard from a bunch of people that it's much wiser to go out and spend more money on a higher-quality PSU. I was on a budget when I built my computer too, so I just went with a cheap case and PSU and it's been working fine, but I'll probably upgrade to a better PSU shortly for precautionary reasons.
 
^^^^^^ it is a double-layer, the sony is. don;t forget arctic silver and windows if needed. Get a better psu and get a gfx card. Basically will cost Rosewill RP550 ATX 550W Power Supply-57
eVGA 6600GT 128MB DDR3/PCI-E/TV-Out/Dual-DVI-159

$848 if you keep your current setup. if you get the 3000+, than $770. Also corsair value ram and 3000+ $734. A smaller hard drive maybe, $700ish.
 
ASPIRE X-Dreamer II ATXB4KLW-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 420W Power Supply-56
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor-225
Arctic SIlver Premium Photosynthetic Silver Thermal Compound Arctic Silver 5-8
CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard-80
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400-90
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3250823AS 250GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive-112
NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A-45
Windows XP Home Edition w/SP2-87 (Do you need?)
Rosewill RP550 ATX 550W Power Supply-56
eVGA 6600GT 128MB DDR3/PCI-E/TV-Out/Dual-DVI-159


grand total $918. Without windows, $831. Without 250gb hard drive and windows, but instead 80gig, $772, without 3000+,/250gig/windows, $693.
 
If you want to stick with AGP I recommend geting the following motherboard instead

MSI K8N NEO2 PLATINUM Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce3 Ultra $120-$25rabate=$95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130468
you have to spend a little more money to begin with but you will get it all back with the rebate making it the same cost of the ASUS. This is a better motherboard then the ASUS.


If you want a PCI-E board I would try
DFI nF4 Ultra-Infinity Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra $98.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136163
I admit this is the budget version of the DFI Lanparty boards so it proberly dont have the overclocking options of the lanparty but I have no reason not to believe it a great board.
 
Vampiric Rouge said:
Your almost at $700usd. i would suggest getting a 3200+ or the 3000+ for the cpu it should bring you closer to your price range and you could easy overclock either of them to the 3500+ or even the 4000 and save your self the money.
the case you picked out appears to be a bit weak but if your on a tight budge you have to work with what you have I guess. Also a lot of people have problems with the usb 2.0 on the mobo so you might have to play with that some. Other then that it doesn't look too bad. :)
Click to expand...

Is there a big difference between the 3500+ and the 3200+? its like a $30 difference so id rather get the 3500+ if its better... could i OC it higher?

as for the case, i just found that one on newegg and picked it cause it had a 450w power supply and it looked kinda cool :P

no videocard for the setup? You should probably buy a cheapcase and throw away the psu that came with it and buy a reliable one, especially when its from powmax...
Click to expand...

there is a video card its a radeon pro 9800... it says it up there. and again the case i pretty much just picked one off newegg... so im guessing powmax isnt of the highest quality?

For some reason, I really have never had any problems with PSU's that come with cases. But, I've heard from a bunch of people that it's much wiser to go out and spend more money on a higher-quality PSU. I was on a budget when I built my computer too, so I just went with a cheap case and PSU and it's been working fine, but I'll probably upgrade to a better PSU shortly for precautionary reasons.
Click to expand...

see thats what i want to do, run the stock PSU then throw in a better one after like a month. what is the minimum wattage i should look for and the minimums for the rails?

^^^^^^ it is a double-layer, the sony is. don;t forget arctic silver and windows if needed. Get a better psu and get a gfx card. Basically will cost Rosewill RP550 ATX 550W Power Supply-57
eVGA 6600GT 128MB DDR3/PCI-E/TV-Out/Dual-DVI-159

$848 if you keep your current setup. if you get the 3000+, than $770. Also corsair value ram and 3000+ $734. A smaller hard drive maybe, $700ish.
Click to expand...

vid card i have... is the rosewill a better PSU then that thermaltake i posted? and im thinking about a smaller hard drive at first then throwing in a bigger one later... like pick up a 80 for right now.

ASPIRE X-Dreamer II ATXB4KLW-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 420W Power Supply-56
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor-225
Arctic SIlver Premium Photosynthetic Silver Thermal Compound Arctic Silver 5-8
CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard-80
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400-90
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3250823AS 250GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive-112
NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A-45
Windows XP Home Edition w/SP2-87 (Do you need?)
Rosewill RP550 ATX 550W Power Supply-56
eVGA 6600GT 128MB DDR3/PCI-E/TV-Out/Dual-DVI-159


grand total $918. Without windows, $831. Without 250gb hard drive and windows, but instead 80gig, $772, without 3000+,/250gig/windows, $693.
Click to expand...

i have windows already... as for the ram is there a big difference between the corsair valueselect and the XMS series?? because id love to save the extra cash.... and you guys are reccomending a few different MOBO's... are any of these known for problems? I picked that ASUS cause i called them and they let me know that this new board has had the bios fixed and havent had problems with the AMD 64 3500+...

but if there is a better board for the same price or cheaper im all about it! like i said where ever i can save some cash ill do it, with a different brand or whatever.

If you want to stick with AGP I recommend geting the following motherboard instead

MSI K8N NEO2 PLATINUM Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce3 Ultra $120-$25rabate=$95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16813130468
you have to spend a little more money to begin with but you will get it all back with the rebate making it the same cost of the ASUS. This is a better motherboard then the ASUS.


If you want a PCI-E board I would try
DFI nF4 Ultra-Infinity Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra $98.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16813136163
I admit this is the budget version of the DFI Lanparty boards so it proberly dont have the overclocking options of the lanparty but I have no reason not to believe it a great board.
Click to expand...

im gonna stick with AGP because i already have the vid card.
 
PC World has said it's definately better to spend just a little more money and get the 3500+ over the 3200+. As far as PSU wattage, I would suggest getting at least a 450 watt. For the RAM, the XMS will run faster than the ValueSelect, but you won't really notice much difference that it'll be fine to save the money.
 
trying to stay as close to $600 or below as I can.
Click to expand...

- AMD Athlon64 3500+ Venice [ADA3500DAA4BP, $220]
- MSI K8N Neo2-F [$75] orMSI K8N Neo2 Platinum [$120]
- NEC 3540 [$40]
- Maxtor DiamondMax10 250GB [16MB, $105]
- XClio 450W [12V@32A, $50]
- Corsair XMS 2x512 [$125] or Corsair ValueSelect 2x512 [$90]
To match your budget, you have the option of Neo2F+XMS or Neo2Platinum+VS ... personally id go for the better motherboard.

Well have a run through with memtest, also check that the voltages are stable :)
Click to expand...
Well if its hard, you can skip right to the section where I just reccomend PSUs.
 
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