New computer

Seeing 3gb of memory on a prebuild is a little new while Vista is the OS. For a little more then the price seen there however you could build a fairly good performer while nothing being high end. That's start by compiling some average price ranges for the various items before pointing any one special make and model.

cpu - $160-$225
memory(depending on speed and type) 2gb = $60-$110
board - $75+ - $140
supply(for good make and model depending on output factors) - $70-$135
video card - depends on type of application(gaming or basics) - $80-$160
case - typic standard steel - $60-$115(any more is ridiculous!)
need lcd too? widescreen or standard + size $160-$270
 
E4600
Gigabyte/ MSI P31 MB
HD3650
2 x 1GB DDR2 RAM
250GB 16MB Cache SATA HDD
SATA DVD burner
Cheap case
hec HP585D PSU
XP / Vista
 
hec supply? That sounds all too much like a cheap generic brand there. A look over of the sticky on supplies http://www.computerforum.com/90118-useful-psu-case-guides.html will also see the good/bad lists of makes and models of known brand names for the most part. http://www.computerforum.com/90116-psu-good-bad-list.html

First knowing who you can order from and where you are located will make a difference on what is more commonly available product wise before pointing certain items is particular. The HD 3650 model is the latest mid range card by ATI there. How does that fit into a budget to lower cost build?
 
PC eye said:
hec supply? That sounds all too much like a cheap generic brand there. A look over of the sticky on supplies http://www.computerforum.com/90118-useful-psu-case-guides.html will also see the good/bad lists of makes and models of known brand names for the most part. http://www.computerforum.com/90116-psu-good-bad-list.html

First knowing who you can order from and where you are located will make a difference on what is more commonly available product wise before pointing certain items is particular. The HD 3650 model is the latest mid range card by ATI there. How does that fit into a budget to lower cost build?
Click to expand...

I have to disagree on that part. I have the same power supply, hec Orion 585W. It's currently powering my rig down there, along with 3 case fans, a aftermarket cooler, a DVD burner, a 70mm expansion fan, a very OC'd CPU, and a slightly OC'd GFX. And getting this PSU for around $30 was a steal. I have not encountered and crashes in games at any level of settings (COD4, BF2, Halo, Halo 2).
 
Then you have been fortunate if that's not simply a manufacturer's own direct sales brand name over their usual retail outlet. A large wattage rating seen on a $30 supply usually raises flags as to how well they are made.

For a 430w supply those usually run for about $60-$70 retail. The last build here saw 4 hard drives, 2 optical drives, and 4 case fans three 120s and a 140mm front intake with an Antect 550w model.

For the current build seeing one less HD and 5 cases one 120 on the side cover with two 120s in the front one rear and the 200mm top fan on the 900 model case the current supply is an OCZ GameXStream 700w model. That ran for about $135-$140 at the time. But it's for a work horse build not a more basic case.

The Zalman CNPS 9700 sits on top of the dusl core AM2 model cpu in the build that also sees a tv tuner card added to the list for the $1,200 price tag when finished. But far more is expected out the newer build here then asked about for a basic custom case.
 
That's why I originally made a list of the typical price range seen on each item you would need. Depending on just what combination of hardwares you end up selecting the prices will vary. While not being an exact since prices for any one thing can also see changes fast you can get an idea on the total.
 
but would it be better just to buy the pc my friend is plannin on buying? i know i can build a custom one because my dad has a friend that does it all the time and he could help me, but ive been reading on these forums for a view days and everybody keeps saying a custom pc would be better, so can somebody post specific parts that would be better or at least the same quality and links would also be appreciated. Thanx
 
First you have to decide on the type of build in mind when preparing for the type of system to be assembled. If this will be for gaming or simply high performance then that will see a higher total using a fast cpu, high end video card, and a good amount of memory. The Acer prebuilds are a lower quality premanufactured system.

For gaming most will point out one particular Core 2 Duo or quad core model they favor for things like ocing. For a basic web browsing email checker you can save a bundle cash wise simply deciding on how large a drive will be needed along with seeing 1gb to 2gb for XP and 2gb seems right for Vista.

The usually accepted as top makes of boards are now seen as Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, and EVGA. You start with a board first that offers the features as well as socket type for then choosing which cpu will meet the needs there. What the board supports for memory as well as the cpu is still first however.

For a basic AM2 board at this time for 2gb of DDR2 800 memory and a dual core AMD cpu the Asus M2N-E works for $99.99 down from the $135 seen last August. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131022

The AM2 6000+ X2 was seen for $229.99 then without the slightly faster 6400+ X2 model seen at the time
now for $169.99. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103228

2gb of Kingston memory was seen for $88 then is now $44 at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134488

$80 for a WD 320gb sata drive. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074

Sub total before S&H = $394 + or - a few cents

Video and even sound card will depend on need. ATI is known for image quality while NVidia cards are favored for gaming. Then add that to the case and power supply. The links here are only a rough idea and can be changed at any point to give you an idea. The make and model board would be different if deciding on an Intel rather then AMD cpu.
 
PC eye said:
hec supply? That sounds all too much like a cheap generic brand there. A look over of the sticky on supplies http://www.computerforum.com/90118-useful-psu-case-guides.html will also see the good/bad lists of makes and models of known brand names for the most part. http://www.computerforum.com/90116-psu-good-bad-list.html

First knowing who you can order from and where you are located will make a difference on what is more commonly available product wise before pointing certain items is particular. The HD 3650 model is the latest mid range card by ATI there. How does that fit into a budget to lower cost build?
Click to expand...

I new HEC PSU is not the best choice for 585W. However, the spec. I recommend is unlikely need over 450W. So that HEC should sufficient. And looking at the PSU spec. it seems OK.

Regarding the HD3650, according to newegg, the cheapest one start with $80. It should fit the build. Or in case he/she want a better PSU within the budget, just down it to a HD3450 for $50 and get a better PSU.
 
First before pointing any specific models you have to know if the intended buyer wants an ATI or NVidia card. Will it be Intel or AMD for a cpu. Those two are answered by first looking at the Acer model seen at the link namely ATI and AMD.

Vista Home Premium will be the OS considered answering that one while ordering an OEM for system builders full install version would be added to the list. A dvd burner and good sized drive like the 320gb or maybe a 500gb sata would be the idea there since seeing a 500gb HD in the Acer prebuild.

Later expansion? You can always grab a larger supply for a custom at a later date if a 450 to 500w model isn't enough. What the case will be primarily used for is actually the deciding factor when planning out any custom case. Besides selecting a video card the option for adding in a sound card for gaming or simply for multimedia has to be considered.
 
i would like to use Intel. I will be watching videos so what would a good graphics card be. And also i will be playing music so i need a sound card
 
Then you have been fortunate if that's not simply a manufacturer's own direct sales brand name over their usual retail outlet. A large wattage rating seen on a $30 supply usually raises flags as to how well they are made.
Click to expand...

No matter how expensive/cheap they are, only personal experience can tell how good they are. Although I don't expect it to hit 585, look at the 12V rails :rolleyes:
 
midman said:
i would like to use Intel. I will be watching videos so what would a good graphics card be. And also i will be playing music so i need a sound card
Click to expand...

So this would be for you then. ahhaa...! :P I thought as much. This is why I mentioned "knowing the preferences" before as far as cpu and video card. So instead of looking at the AMD powered prebuilt you are looking for Core 2 or Intel quad? The Core 2s will see the lower prices at this time still.
 
well actually its kinda for me.....but its for my friend too. We are kinda seeing who can pick the best parts and then we are both probably gonna order 2 of everything. I really dont care whether it is AMD or Intel. Is there any major difference between them for just a basic pc at home.
 
It depends on what you mainly be using the system for. For just getting online any cpu will work. For any performance then you would look at speed as well as considering a dual core over a single core model making things easier when having more then one thing running at the same time.

For video and sound card alike with Vista in mind if not the latest line you would need a model rather recent and still seeing updates. ATI goes through models faster there. For a one time buy you would look at things like a case with good air flow and easy maintainence along with the option for a good 3rd party cpu cooler to see low cpu temps over the stock hsf that comes with a retail box.

The major differences being seen between the two companies at this time is mainly in the gaming arena. For multitasking AMD is still favored here since AMD models are known for running cooler then Intel models.

With rapid changes in hardwares being seen your new build is outdated in six months time making the selection of hardwares awkward if you plan to stay on top. The 6000+ X2 was selected here for the 3ghz dual core move up from the 2.2ghz single core model on the last build to see a leap speedwise there as well as the capability. Some old 98 builds put together here are still going strong after being passed down however.
 
so would this be a good build i plan on running vista

XION Dazl XON-502 Silver with Blue LED Light Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208024

Seagate Barracuda ES.2 ST3250310NS 250GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148309

ECS KA3 MVP (V1.0A) AM2 AMD 580X CrossFire ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135024

MSI NX8600GT Twin Turbo GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127306

LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DH-16D2P-08 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106087

Antec Neo Power 500 ATX12V 500W Power Supply 100Vac to 240Vac +/- 10% UL, CUL, TUV, CE, FCC, CCC, CB, C-tick - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103940

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145175

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Windsor 3.2GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103191
 
A few things I would change besides for personal preference would be the board first. Then I would be looking at other cases still seeing 120 not 80mm case fans(I love great air flow!), and a look at a heftier supply if not now later. For that look over the sticky for the recommendations for the type of build planned. http://www.computerforum.com/90118-useful-psu-case-guides.html

The 6400+ X2 wasn't even in stock when trying to get the current case together seeing only the 6000+ now run. But it's been a good model for a work horse build. AMDs still seem to always run cooler then Intels with the right cooling inplace.

MSI offers great cards whether ATI or NVidia driven there. For an old Socket A build here recently reassembled a 4yr. old 128mb AGP MSI model was used for seeing 98 up running again on that as a gift for someone.
 
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