Custom Computer Senior Project:$300 budget

T

tcollier360

New Member
Hey guys- please read and give me your input!
I'm a high school senior and to graduate I have to do a big project of my choice. I'm going to be building a budget computer with a fair amount of power. Please tell me what you think about my build so far. I'm trying to keep the cost at $300. I would like to use a microATX mobo for now, just to stay in budget. A PCI-e slot is a must for future graphics card when I get the money!

Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core E2200 w/fan $65
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...307&CatId=2851
from what I hear it overclocks quite well

MOBO: XFX MG-61Mi-7059 $60
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=ITD&body=MAIN
or may get cheapo msi refurb in the $30-$45 range off the msi website
945P Neo5-F
https://shop.msicomputer.com/App/Sto...l.aspx?ID=1263
this is an ATX, but the money I save by refurb would be enough to get a $50 graphics card.

RAM: OCZ Platinum XTC 4GB Dual Channel PC6400 Memory $45
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...D&body=REVIEWS

Case: Apevia X-Plorer Steel Case $55
http://www.xoxide.com/aspire-x-plore...ack-black.html

Need PSU-any ideas? prolly about $30 for it.

OS: Win XP pro 32-bit free

Please give critcizm or compliments!
 
you think amd is a better choice? I play games and listen to music. Im hoping Ill be able to play starcraft II when it comes out...Dual core is a must i believe. I need the side panel case to show off the innards. I was going to get some cold cathode neon lights. My teachers will be easily impressed...oooohhh a glowing blue computer....A+!!!
 
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i can't really suggest much, but heres a psu thats 39.99 before rebate(30 after, put in "mar20" in coupons for cart) that's about all i can contribute to this thread, and yes amd would probably be best
 
SIGMA La Vie ABWBP Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811226012

ASUS 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model DRW-22B1ST - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135187

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3320613AS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148316

Intel
E5200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

ZOTAC N73U LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 7150 / nForce 630i Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500007

AMD

AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 Kuma 2.7GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Dual-Core black edition Processor Model AD775ZWCGHBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103300

Foxconn A7GM-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186141
 
daisymtc said:
SIGMA La Vie ABWBP Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811226012

ASUS 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model DRW-22B1ST - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135187

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3320613AS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148316

Intel
E5200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

ZOTAC N73U LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 7150 / nForce 630i Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500007

AMD

AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 Kuma 2.7GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Dual-Core black edition Processor Model AD775ZWCGHBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103300

Foxconn A7GM-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186141
Click to expand...

Very nice AMD build. It seems I could get more power for cheaper with AMD. I like the Foxconn board, the onboard HDMI is nice since I do occasionally stream media to my TV. I found it for 10 bucks cheaper from the Dell website. the corsair RAM is on tigerdirect for $20. Very good reviews for all of these products. The only problem I can see is the tower. First, I do like the design of it and it has the side window I need. It also comes with 2 fans and a PSU! the problem is, newegg says this is an ATX form factor case. Will there be screw holes to fix a microATX in there, or would i have to drill my own? Thanks alot for all the help!
 
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tcollier360 said:
the screwholes will be in the right spots for a microATX even though the case is designed specifically for ATX?
Click to expand...

most likely, since they have mulitple screw holes, not just for that MOBO. If you can screw in all of the screws, it should be fine.
 
how about
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144227
APEVIA X-QBOII X-QBOII-BL/500 Black / Blue SECC Steel MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail $65 after rebate

As for the HDD, the one that was suggest to me (seagate barracuda) had a 42% 5 star rating and a 39% 1 star rating on newegg. I was a little disconcerted with that and picking out a Western Digital equivlent for the same price
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074
 
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i would wouldn't even bother with those reviews if i were you, 99.9999% or those people don't even know what they are talking about
 
meh dont worry about the harddrive. I cant have that charged to my parents credit card or they will realize I went over budget. Ill pick that up at bestbuy or someplace. What about the cases? has anyone had a hard time with these specific cases?
 
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