Can someone look over my parts list?

D

dlaube

New Member
I've only ever built one desktop and that seems to run fine. Was hoping someone could go over this and look for any issues such as compatibility, or bottle necking...I'm a pretty mild gamer, but I do need something to run Portal 2 next year on hopefully max settings at 1920X1080 resolution.
Here's what I've got so far:

cpu - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103843 AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX440WFGIBOX
ram - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211364 A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AD3U1333B2G9-DRH
psu - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148027 APEVIA ATX-CW500WP4 500W ATX Power Supply
video card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500130 ZOTAC ZT-20203-10L GeForce GT 220 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
mobo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131363R ASUS M4A79T Deluxe AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard
HDD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145338 HITACHI Deskstar P7K500 HDP725032GLA360 (0A35411) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Bare Drive


well that's what I've picked out for a total of $518.25 (including the case but I didnt list it, I'm set on that)...I wasnt planning on going over 500, so any "more bang for the buck" type recommendations would be greatly appreciated, and anywhere I can cut back the price for just as good, or at least really close performance would be awesome.

Thank you in advance for helping if you do take a gander.
 
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That video card is pretty weak. I'm not sure that it would handle max settings, but the specs for the game aren't out yet. If I were you I'd buy a $25 card now just so you have something, then spend at least $100 for the upgrade in a few months.
 
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Well this is the card I have now http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102855
and with that my computer can run WoW on ultra detail (I know its not thaat impressive) flawlessly and indefinitely and can fraps CSS and Portal flawlessly (Once again I know, not that impressive)
So, I would like to at least match that, but I also would like to try a different product because I am building this computer for a friend, and if one card perhaps works better then the other, I can switch them for the greater of the two. =P....also I just plain like trying new things

Any suggestions of equal or lesser cost?
 
Video card - GT220 don't worth $70
PSU - that brand is not good.

If you want similar performance of GT220, consider this combo deal
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.457870

Or for $70, 9800GT/ 4670 is a better card

HDD - Get some with free shipping
This is $15 off with promotion code
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

I don't see the point of getting 790FX mobo. You won't be crossfire.
If you after cheap open box. Get these
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131651R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131631R

Or these combo deal
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.478156
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.456239
 
So theres not much of a difference between a 512 and 1g graphics card?
Not being sarcastic, I just always thought it was a huge difference, BUT, I've never had anything to compare to really know.

Woot with that combo im under 500 now :)

Now my only 2 quandaries are....will that graphics card realllly be just as good? And do I pay 4 more bucks, lose 70 gigs on the hard drive, but get a western digital over the one I have selected now. I'm not too concerned about the storage space, but I do know i've never had problems with any western digital hard drive.

any thoughts on this card? free shipping http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150449
last thing....how well are 'coolmax' brand psu's?
 
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.456494

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.466067

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.464963

comes out at $464.94 before MIR.

After MIR, total is $404.94

For that you get a much better power supply, video card, hard drive and processor. Your motherboard no longer has uneccesary features on it, however has more useful features, like SATA 6.0.

Out of interest, what is the case you are planning on getting? It may be worth getting some fans with that bit of extra money you have if the case has poor ventilation
 
this is the case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153
and one thing in particular that i like is that the front side panel is in on the top instead of the bottom. I made the mistake of leaning my computer forward with a usb device plugged into it, and busting up the front side panel...that was a huge face palm on my part.
But with the money saved there I could probably get a better case =P...but I cant imagine that one wont do the trick.

Actually with everything you mentioned, along with the case, the dvd burner, im now at 544.37 =/
However the deals are too good to pass up, id rather pay the extra 44.37 knowing im getting much better products for the price.
Im thinking I should get a micro atx case though, versus the one I had picked out....(edit) I just considered the PSU might be too big, I dont know for sure yet
 
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