First-time PC builder needs help

K

Kicker

New Member
Hey guys, I'm new here. :) I'm about to build a computer for the first time. I have a budget of $500 and I don't want anything too serious. I'm just going to be using the computer for some light gaming, web browsing and music, but I want it to be mid-range in case I decide to do some PC gaming. These are the parts I have:



-Shipping: $10.45
-Total: $508.36

It's a little bit over my budget but I think I can spare ten bucks. What I want to know is, is this the best value for my money? Should I get a more powerful PSU to replace the one that comes with my case? Will there be any compatibility issues? Also, is there a significant difference in Vista 64- and 32-bit versions, and should I just go with 32-bit?

Thanks a lot, sorry this post was so long. :)
 
Outdated machine!!
Get these instead!

AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX240OCGQBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128394

SAPPHIRE 100253DDR3L Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102838

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR800C44GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227267

LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS50 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136167

Other keep the same.
Total $514 + shipping

However, I recommend HDD get Seagate 7200.12 or WD Caviar Black. They are faster.
Case + PSU: I recommend get midtower instead, in case you want to get a ATX motherboard in future

Kicker said:
It's a little bit over my budget but I think I can spare ten bucks. What I want to know is, is this the best value for my money? Should I get a more powerful PSU to replace the one that comes with my case? Will there be any compatibility issues? Also, is there a significant difference in Vista 64- and 32-bit versions, and should I just go with 32-bit?

Thanks a lot, sorry this post was so long. :)
Click to expand...

PSU + case: due to your budget, that would be the best combination. However, if you thinking of getting a better PSU later, why didn't you spend extra to get a proper one now?
Just get a $30 case with a $50-60 500W PSU

You need to get a 64bit OS as you want to run more than 3GB RAM.
 
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I have some suggestions.

$506.91

Better graphics card for a few dollars more.
SPARKLE SFPX95GT512U2HP GeForce 9500 GT $47.99

Dual Channel memory kit for a few dollars less.
OCZ Gold 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 $45.99

A decent power supply.
XCLIO GOODPOWER 500W $44.99

Cheap case. (I have one and it's very nice looking)
Rosewill Computer Case $24.99

SATA Optical Drive for a few dollars more.
LG Black SATA CD/DVD Burner with LightScribe $27.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ $79.99

GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 $54.99

Western Digital Caviar Green 750GB $69.99

Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit $109.99
Includes free Windows 7 upgrade coupon
 
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Thanx Bodaggit, I'll check those out. About the case, it's a full ATX case, and the mobo you suggested is Micro-ATX. Thanx a lot for your advice. :D

Also: I found a Hitachi 1tb hard drive for the same price as the WD Caviar Green hard drive, should I spring for the 1tb drive instead?
 
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Kicker said:
Thanx Bodaggit, I'll check those out. About the case, it's a full ATX case, and the mobo you suggested is Micro-ATX. Thanx a lot for your advice. :D

Also: I found a Hitachi 1tb hard drive for the same price as the WD Caviar Green hard drive, should I spring for the 1tb drive instead?
Click to expand...

That board will fit fine in that case.
Most cases are designed to fit more than one specific size board.
Rosewill R226-P-BK said:
Motherboard Compatibility: Micro ATX, ATX
Click to expand...

I would advise against Hitachi drives. Personal opinion.
 
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K, I'm going to go with the WD hard drive then. Another question, if I got that case you suggested, I might get this power supply, but I'm kind of in the dark, because I've never heard of that brand before, and it's only $30. Can you shed some light on that please?
 
Sorry to double-post (though I'm not sure if that's against the rules here), but I took you guys' advice and did a little research of my own and came up with this build.


Do I need to change anything?
 
CPU, immenesly better, the athon 64 is very old tech:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688

Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130237

hec psu's arent very good, spend the extra for a quality 500W unit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189014

Memory, get a 2x2gb kit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227420

Spend the extra $10 for a caviar black, the green series are low performance low power draw drives, the caviar black drives are much faster:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136283
If you plan on gaming, spend the extra to get a 4650 or 4670 graphics card.
 
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Ahh! I see. Thanks for the advice, I'll try that. :D

Also, I can't really forget my budget, because I'm only 15 and don't have a job, the $500 is my Christmas present. So that, coupled with what I get from an allowance, is really all i have.
 
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