Budget Computer Build ($400)

[iWong]

I'm going for my second-ever computer build and have been out of the loop for a while, so I'd very much appreciate any comment/feedback on this configuration. I don't play games at all, but it will occasionally be used for photo editing and movies along with everyday school work. Thanks!

ANTEC NSK4480B Mini Tower Case with 380W Power Supply $80
Asus M2A-VM - AMD 690G PCI-E Socket AM2 $75
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Dual Core Processor AM2 2.7GHZ 2X512KB 65W 65NM Retail $75
Asus EAH3450/DI Radeon 3450 256MB PCI-Express 2.0 w/ HDMI Port $35
Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X4096-6400C5 4GB DDR2 2X2GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL 5-5-5-18 240PIN Memory Kit $45
Samsung Spinpoint F1 Series HD103UJ 1TB SATA2 7200RPM 8.9MS 32MB 3.5IN Hard Drive OEM $100
LG GH22NS30 Black DVD+RW 22X8X16 DVD-RW 22X6X16 DL 16X/12X 2MB SATA OEM $25

Total $435 (before tax)

[bolmsted]

is it really worth it anymore to build a computer on your own? you can get a clone PC or manufactured PC pretty much for he same price.... even a laptop near that price (they have sure come down in price).

[iWong]

That's something I'm debating myself...based on pure specs alone I guess there are pretty comparable pre-configured systems available. Do you think the improved quality/performance of these individual parts would be worth the extra time spent putting it together on my own? Maybe not...:confused:

[willy]

Drop the video card and replace the mobo with this ... http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128360

And you may want to consider this CPU for slightly higher price ... http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103272

[mingyang]

is it really worth it anymore to build a computer on your own? you can get a clone PC or manufactured PC pretty much for he same price.... even a laptop near that price (they have sure come down in price).

lol @ branded desktops

[sickcars]

lol @ branded desktops

+1

The system that he would build would have better quality parts. If the OP wanted to spend a big more he could get much better parts. But either way its still better then buying crappy cheap systems from Bestbuy/Future Shop

[iWong]

Drop the video card and replace the mobo with this ... http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128360

And you may want to consider this CPU for slightly higher price ... http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103272

Thanks for the suggestions, willy. How would you say the 780g's integrated graphics perform in comparison to something like the Radeon 3450 for movie playback?

With regards to the processor, I really don't know which to choose with only ~$10 differences between the X2 5000/5200/5400/6000...do you think an extra $25or so would be worth the jump from the 5200+ to the 6000+?

[willy]

Thanks for the suggestions, willy. How would you say the 780g's integrated graphics perform in comparison to something like the Radeon 3450 for movie playback?
The graphic core is basically the same ... but since you don't game, there's really no significant difference (ie. hybrid Crossfire) ...

[CheapScotsman]

And you may want to consider this CPU for slightly higher price ... http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103272or go for this higher performing CPU for the same price ... http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103300&Tpk=7750

A review on how the 7750 stacks up against the 6000 and/or 5200 can be found here: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/athlon-x2-7750_5.html

[loybond]

Thanks for the suggestions, willy. How would you say the 780g's integrated graphics perform in comparison to something like the Radeon 3450 for movie playback?

With regards to the processor, I really don't know which to choose with only ~$10 differences between the X2 5000/5200/5400/6000...do you think an extra $25or so would be worth the jump from the 5200+ to the 6000+?

When you say movie playback, do you mean DVDs and other SD content? If so, it won't matter. If you're talking about high-definition videos, 1080p ones to be more specific, grab the fastest CPU you can justify the cost of. While some video cards can offload the CPU, that only works in certain programs with certain types of content. It's best to have a CPU that *can* handle the workload if needed. AMD, anything 2.5 and up should be fine. Intel, 2.0 and up is fine. Both dual core of course.

[Avatar]

Got the M378a-EM + 940 combo from NCIX recently. The mobo has Radeon 3200 and HDMI etc.. A pretty decent mobo. However I know AM3 is coming. It should be capable for normal application.

[evanx]

Drop the video card and replace the mobo with this ... http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128360

And you may want to consider this CPU for slightly higher price ... http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103272

I agree with dropping the card and switching out the motherboard. Makes better sense with the 780G onboard capabilities.

[xxgg]

I would get a cheapest Dell desktop computer with non-celeron CPU.
It's free shipping,
It's got warranty from Dell.

These days Dell computers are cheap enough that I don't even bother helping people build their own cheap PC.
Another reason is... if you start calculating the price of Microsoft Windows + little things like keyboard+mice...
I think Dell computers are cheaper.

Basically,,, with Dell it's like getting operating system for almost free.

So keep that in mind.

Try it for yourself, go check out cheapest Dell desktop and try to configure a similar system yourself with the prices from local computer shops. don't forget to add shipping fees from others, where as Dell give free shipping. Dell Warranty! Don't forget to calculate in the OS price.

Try it yourself and compare the price and see which is worth more.

[JWL]

I'm going for my second-ever computer build and have been out of the loop for a while, so I'd very much appreciate any comment/feedback on this configuration. I don't play games at all, but it will occasionally be used for photo editing and movies along with everyday school work. Thanks!

ANTEC NSK4480B Mini Tower Case with 380W Power Supply $80
Asus M2A-VM - AMD 690G PCI-E Socket AM2 $75
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Dual Core Processor AM2 2.7GHZ 2X512KB 65W 65NM Retail $75
Asus EAH3450/DI Radeon 3450 256MB PCI-Express 2.0 w/ HDMI Port $35
Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X4096-6400C5 4GB DDR2 2X2GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL 5-5-5-18 240PIN Memory Kit $45
Samsung Spinpoint F1 Series HD103UJ 1TB SATA2 7200RPM 8.9MS 32MB 3.5IN Hard Drive OEM $100
LG GH22NS30 Black DVD+RW 22X8X16 DVD-RW 22X6X16 DL 16X/12X 2MB SATA OEM $25

Total $435 (before tax)

What are you doing for operating system?

[mr_raider]

Drop the video card and replace the mobo with this ... http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128360

And you may want to consider this CPU for slightly higher price ... http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103272

I disagree. The 3450 would superior to any IGP, simply do the fact that it uses faster dedicated memory.

If you want to cut some corners though, any ATI 780g based board or nvidia 8200 based board will do. Look for combo deals on newegg.

The only change I would suggest to the OP is to get this motherboard for a little more:

http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11830BD4096&vpn=GA-M770-UD3&manufacture=GIGABYTE

It has much better upgrade potential, and better components.

The Brisbane CPU selected is a good choice. It would make an adequate placeholder until better 45nm parts start to appear in the sub-100$ price range.

The 7750 is of course a superior performer, but may be overkill for your needs. I still run an old 2.2GHz 4200 x2 Windsor and it does fine for older games (pre 2007), office work, web and video.

[ppl4golf]

Mobo is definitely NOT the one to get...although combining with the 3450 it is better than the 780G.

I have both M2A-VM and Gigabyte 780G - you can't get wrong staying away from the Asus mobo.

[willy]

I disagree. The 3450 would superior to any IGP, simply do the fact that it uses faster dedicated memory.

If you want to cut some corners though, any ATI 780g based board or nvidia 8200 based board will do. Look for combo deals on newegg.
Why do you think faster dedicated memory will help ? OP doesn't game ...

The graphic core of 3450 (HD 3200) is essentially a HD 2400 (HD 3450 is basically a 55nm die-shrinked of HD 2400 (65nm)) .... Both of them have ATI's UVD. I don't see why OP needs a discreet video card (other than hybrid Crossfire) ....

[iWong]

I would get a cheapest Dell desktop computer with non-celeron CPU.
It's free shipping,
It's got warranty from Dell.

These days Dell computers are cheap enough that I don't even bother helping people build their own cheap PC.
Another reason is... if you start calculating the price of Microsoft Windows + little things like keyboard+mice...
I think Dell computers are cheaper.

Basically,,, with Dell it's like getting operating system for almost free.

So keep that in mind.

Try it for yourself, go check out cheapest Dell desktop and try to configure a similar system yourself with the prices from local computer shops. don't forget to add shipping fees from others, where as Dell give free shipping. Dell Warranty! Don't forget to calculate in the OS price.

Try it yourself and compare the price and see which is worth more.

Thanks for the suggestion, will do. I will probably be buying local however, (NCIX/Anitec) so I won't be paying for shipping anyhow.

What are you doing for operating system?

I think I'll probably be transferring my XP retail key from one of my older systems - that can be done, right? I don't think I'll be paying anything for Vista and will wait to see how Windows 7 comes along.

I disagree. The 3450 would superior to any IGP, simply do the fact that it uses faster dedicated memory.

If you want to cut some corners though, any ATI 780g based board or nvidia 8200 based board will do. Look for combo deals on newegg.

The only change I would suggest to the OP is to get this motherboard for a little more:

http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11830BD4096&vpn=GA-M770-UD3&manufacture=GIGABYTE

It has much better upgrade potential, and better components.

The Brisbane CPU selected is a good choice. It would make an adequate placeholder until better 45nm parts start to appear in the sub-100$ price range.

The 7750 is of course a superior performer, but may be overkill for your needs. I still run an old 2.2GHz 4200 x2 Windsor and it does fine for older games (pre 2007), office work, web and video.

Thanks again for the suggestions. I'll do another mobo comparison and read up on reviews!

EDIT: Any comments on which of the following three mobos to get?

Gigabyte GA-MA780G-UD3H AMD780G ATX AM2+/AM3 2PCI-E Video Sound GLAN CrossFireX HDMI Motherboard (http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=36119&vpn=GA-MA780G-UD3H&manufacture=Gigabyte) $113
Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-US2H AMD780G mATX AM2+/AM3 PCI-E DDR2 SATA2 Video Sound GBLAN HDMI Motherboard (http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=36026&vpn=GA-MA78GM-US2H&manufacture=Gigabyte) $109
ASUS M3A78-EM AMD 780G mATX AM2+ PCI-E16 PCI-E1 2PCI SATA HDMI Video Sound GBLAN 1394 Motherboard (http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=31724&vpn=M3A78-EM&manufacture=ASUS&promoid=1058) $99

[JWL]

I think I'll probably be transferring my XP retail key from one of my older systems - that can be done, right? I don't think I'll be paying anything for Vista and will wait to see how Windows 7 comes along.


If it was a retail license and you are no longer using the old system you are good to go. If it is an OEM license it is only good with that system which is defined as the motherboard of that system.