Noob wants to build a PC ... please help

RisingSun

RisingSun

Member
I'm not very tech savvy, but I've decided to try to build my own PC anyway. I want to build it around the AMD Athlon II X4 with the Radeon HD 5450 graphics card. I plan to use the PC for regular Internet surfing, watching Blu-ray movies, and light gaming. My budget is about $750 including tax and S&H. Your recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 (not sure about 620, 630, 640, 645)

CPU cooler: ?

Case: ?

MOBO: Gigabtye ? DDR3

RAM: G.Skill ?

HDD: maybe the SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Video card: Radeon HD 5450

Audio card: ?

Power Supply: ?

Optical drive: maybe the LG UH10LS20 ? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...36185&cm_re=supermulti-_-27-136-185-_-Product

OS: I guess I need Windows 7 64 bit for system builders http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...754&cm_re=window_7_oem-_-32-116-754-_-Product

I want to keep this as simple as possible, so I don't want to overclock, go into the BIOS, or doing anything complicated. Thanks for your help.
 
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RisingSun said:
I'm not very tech savvy, but I've decided to try to build my own PC anyway. I want to build it around the AMD Athlon II X4 with the Radeon HD 5450 graphics card. I plan to use the PC for regular Internet surfing, watching Blu-ray movies, and light gaming. My budget is about $750 including tax and S&H. Your recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 (not sure about 620, 630, 640, 645)

CPU cooler: ?

Case: ?

MOBO: Gigabtye ? DDR3

RAM: G.Skill ?

HDD: maybe the SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Video card: Radeon HD 5450

Audio card: ?

Power Supply: ?

Optical drive: maybe the LG UH10LS20 ? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...36185&cm_re=supermulti-_-27-136-185-_-Product

OS: I guess I need Windows 7 64 bit for system builders http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...754&cm_re=window_7_oem-_-32-116-754-_-Product

I want to keep this as simple as possible, so I don't want to overclock, go into the BIOS, or doing anything complicated. Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

If you not overclocking then no need for aftermarket CPU cooler.
CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...703&cm_re=Athlon_II_X4-_-19-103-703-_-Product - $90
CPU cooler:
Stock HSF - free
Case:
What do you look for in a case?
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131406 - $80
There's a biostar mobo that saves you $20 when you buy as a combo with the CPU, but I'd stay away from biostar as a brand
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=RAM_DDR3_2_x_2GB_1333-_-20-231-253-_-Product - $60
You not overclock, so 1333MHz RAM should do fine
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131342&cm_re=HD5570-_-14-131-342-_-Product - $70
HD 5570 much faster than HD5450 for gaming, just a lower clocked 5670
HDD: Your choice looks good, also consider caviar blue/black from WD - $50
Audio Card: Don't need a dedicated sound card for what you do, integrated onboard sound should do fine
PSU:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029&cm_re=400W-_-17-371-029-_-Product - $40
Optical: Your choice looks good, maybe consider
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136183 - $85
OS: Yeah, that's what you'll want - $100
Total: $575

Well under budget, if you want to spend more and indulge yourself then get a Phenom II X4, faster blu-ray drive, better GPU, or just pocket the cash and spend on better peripherals, monitor, etc.
 
If you're not tech savvy, it's not good idea to start it without proper guide. I think there are books and also guides on the internet teaching on how to build own first PC. Read them first.. Just my advice.. :)
 
fastdude said:
If you not overclocking then no need for aftermarket CPU cooler.
CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...703&cm_re=Athlon_II_X4-_-19-103-703-_-Product - $90
CPU cooler:
Stock HSF - free
Click to expand...
You've picked an OEM cpu...they don't have stock heat sinks. Have to buy one separate.


Here's what I'd get. The 5670 is a bit more than you'd asked for, but it'll stay useful a lot longer. You can even crossfire another one, should you be so inclined.

CPU- Athlon II x4 640- $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871

Mobo+GPU- Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3 + Gigabyte 5670- $179 ($10 mail in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.545406

RAM- 2x2GB G-Skill- $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396

PSU- Antec Earthwatts 650W- $73 (low shipping costs means it's within $5-10 of the good ~500W models)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

HDD- Samsung F3 500Gb (HD502HJ)- $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

ODD- LG Blu-Ray drive- $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136183

Case+OS- Win7HP x64 + CM HAF 912- $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.546483.11-119-233

Total- $702 with shipping, before any rebates. Should leave room for tax.
Click to expand...
 
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Phenom II's are on average only ~15% more powerful clock for clock, though it's a little more in gaming. The 640 is technically about even in power, even if the 810 does a bit better in games. There won't be any really noticeable difference in them.

The 925 is just $30 more expensive and would probably put him over budget after tax.
 
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Thanks for everyone's advice. I finally put one together, and I've had no major problems for a month. The final rig is in my signature. By the way, the 12-year-old above who said I wouldn't need a sound card was wrong. I compared the onboard sound of my new mobo to my old Dell computer which had a Sound Blaster sound card installed, and the Dell sounded better with richer bass. So I put the sound card in my new rig.
 
RisingSun said:
Thanks for everyone's advice. I finally put one together, and I've had no major problems for a month. The final rig is in my signature. By the way, the 12-year-old above who said I wouldn't need a sound card was wrong. I compared the onboard sound of my new mobo to my old Dell computer which had a Sound Blaster sound card installed, and the Dell sounded better with richer bass. So I put the sound card in my new rig.
Click to expand...

With your case I would upgrade your HS with this it will keep your idle and load temps at 1/3 and 1/2 respectively. AMDs tend to get a little "tired" when they get too warm.
 
ErnestHolmes said:
If you're not tech savvy, it's not good idea to start it without proper guide. I think there are books and also guides on the internet teaching on how to build own first PC. Read them first.. Just my advice.. :)
Click to expand...

Putting together a computer is as easy, if not easier, than putting together a piece of furniture.

I'd go for something like OCz's Fata1ty 550W, a 5770, and CoolerMasters Storm Scout case, in addition to whatever else you want.
 
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