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what is your budget?
also source games aren't very graphics intensive, you could probably get by with a 5770 or 4850 for pretty cheap.

Originally Posted by runsongas what is your budget? also source games aren't very graphics intensive, you could probably get by with a 5770 or 4850 for pretty cheap.

I completely forgot. For both items, Im aiming for under $120 or even $100 if possible, but if the quality and quietness could be significantly improved Id be tempted to go up to $150.

That is what I was trying to get at. I have a PS3 for most new games so I dont need a powerhouse, but I recently got into some of the indie Source engine stuff that stutters on low settings with my current setup.

cheapest modular psu I could find on the egg right now are the OCZ and Antec
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341016
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371016

There is a Lepa with a really large rebate too, but it's kinda ymmv and overkill for a single card setup
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817194093

As far as graphics cards, I don't see anything under 100 bucks that's a good deal right now.
Probably you should wait for a 5770/4850/gts 450 go on sale.
An alternative is see if you can get a 6670 for cheap even though its not as powerful as the other midrange cards, it doesn't require pci-e connectors and you might be able to get away with not needing a power supply.

I'd go with the OCZ power supply and probably a Radeon 5670 to stick within your price range. It'll run circles around the integrated video. Although you could save quite a bit of money going with a non-modular PSU like the Corsair CX500.

Originally Posted by Lawyers Guns N Money I'd go with the OCZ power supply and probably a Radeon 5670 to stick within your price range. It'll run circles around the integrated video. Although you could save quite a bit of money going with a non-modular PSU like the Corsair CX500.

I am aiming for modular because I would expect them to be a bit quieter and cooler than running a PSU in a case full of cables. I actually have an old 400W Seasonic from the last PC I built.

WHats the main source of sound in a PC? The Seasonic system was pretty loud, but then it had a 8600GT running in it.

if you don't mind using the 400watt seasonic, getting a 4850 or 5770 (or gts 450/550) on a good sale is probably the most bang for your buck. if you opt for anything faster you'll need to get a power supply probably and a 5850/460 with a psu is probably going to be more like 150/160 total.

modular psu don't really help that much unless you have a pretty small case without cable management. modular psu's actually don't run much quieter too.

In my rig the video card and the cpu heatsink fan are the loudest ones. most fans for psu are 120 mm or larger and actually are pretty quiet. (smaller fan means higher rpm and more noise usually).

650watt antec on sale today at newegg ($55) if you don't mind a non-modular psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-17371044-L05C

code: EMCKBJD39 if you don't get eblast

Originally Posted by runsongas if you don't mind using the 400watt seasonic, getting a 4850 or 5770 (or gts 450/550) on a good sale is probably the most bang for your buck. if you opt for anything faster you'll need to get a power supply probably and a 5850/460 with a psu is probably going to be more like 150/160 total.

According to AMD's website, the 4850 and the 5770 both require a 450W PSU to run them. Seasonic is a quality brand and might get by ok, but you'd be cutting it close.

His cpu is a 95watt tdp, the 4850/5770 run at about 160 watt on load, 180 for furmark.
mobo/ram/drives should probably come in under 100 watts without an issue.

should be like 350 total. If he had a 135 watt tdp cpu it might be a closer call.

I think I might just put back in my old PSU and buy the video card and then see where I am at on noise. I have never cut it close on a PSU though, will it just crash or am I looking at serious damage?

good psu's will just shut off if you try to draw too much power. crappy ones with chinese capacitors sometimes will give off sparks or you'll hear a capacitor pop inside the psu.

I know its not a build myself but can I get your opinions on this machine? Not a big PC gamer just need a decent computer for myself and the price is right

http://www.pcconnectionexpress.com/I...585&cac=Result

I would not buy a Gateway. My dad has bought Gateways all the time. I think we've had 5 all together. The last one was crap.

if you're just surfing the web and absolutely must have a small form factor then sure go ahead but that desktop is pretty limited and not a good deal imo.

its got 2 major issues: weak components as is and very limited upgrade potential.
The HD is at 5400 rpm, integrated Intel video, and the psu is a laughable 220 watts. Also the small form factor case will prevent upgrades with standard ATX size parts which means you will have to get a whole new computer instead of just swapping out some of the weakest parts.

if you are comfortable building your own desktop, you can probably put together a much better Llano based build for the same price.

here is my no frills 300 dollar build

CPU+Motherboard: Phenom II X4 965 + AM3+ mATX motherboard (Asus/Gigabyte) combo from Microcenter
Ram: 8gb (2x4gb) Any major manufacturer DDR3
Hard Drive: Seagate or Western Digital 7200 rpm (Blue series is fine) 1 TB
Power Supply: Corsair Builder Series CX430
Case: Antec 200/300 or Thermaltake V3
DVD Burner: whatever is on sale for 20 bucks
Video Card: 4850/5770/gts 450/550 (as budget allows and what is on sale)
Cheap cpu heatsink/fan optional (AC Freezer/Hyper212 etc)

Total Cost (After rebates):
CPU + Mobo: 120 at Microcenter
Ram: Patriot G2 was 30 bucks at Newegg as a shell shocker recently
Hard Drive: Seagate 1 TB 7200 rpm is 50 at Microcenter
Power Supply: 20 bucks at Newegg last week
Case: Both have been 30 bucks at Newegg before
DVD Burner: 20 bucks
Video Card: 4850 was 20 bucks Black Friday, otherwise those video cards more commonly seen at 40 to 60 bucks.
Optional heatsink/fan: 10 to 20 on sale

Total: 310 to 350 (taxes/shipping extra)

Originally Posted by runsongas if you're just surfing the web and absolutely must have a small form factor then sure go ahead but that desktop is pretty limited and not a good deal imo. its got 2 major issues: weak components as is and very limited upgrade potential. The HD is at 5400 rpm, integrated Intel video, and the psu is a laughable 220 watts. Also the small form factor case will prevent upgrades with standard ATX size parts which means you will have to get a whole new computer instead of just swapping out some of the weakest parts. if you are comfortable building your own desktop, you can probably put together a much better Llano based build for the same price.

Ive been wanting to build one, been looking around but don't know a thing about any of the parts needed. Is it possible to build a good machine for around 400? What about the OS? I know windows is up there price wise itself

Originally Posted by runsongas DVD Burner: 20 bucks

I have a Plextor PX-740A sitting around that whoever builds this machine could have for the shipping costs plus a buck or two. Might let you get away with the whole system for under $300.

having to get a new copy of windows is another 100 bucks unless you can get it cheaper through your school.

I've been running the same old copy of xp that I got in undergrad for 20 bucks. I tried to go the WINE on ubuntu route but it was just too much hassle. I generally run a mix of red hat/mint otherwise.

400 is doable by using sales and rebates. The example I put up would take about 2 months or so to get all the parts because it would take waiting for everything to go on sale before getting it. 400 without paying for windows would mean just getting a deal on the major parts (cpu mobo vid card) and maybe paying a bit more for the other pieces to get it all at once.

Originally Posted by runsongas having to get a new copy of windows is another 100 bucks unless you can get it cheaper through your school. I've been running the same old copy of xp that I got in undergrad for 20 bucks. I tried to go the WINE on ubuntu route but it was just too much hassle. I generally run a mix of red hat/mint otherwise. 400 is doable by using sales and rebates. The example I put up would take about 2 months or so to get all the parts because it would take waiting for everything to go on sale before getting it. 400 without paying for windows would mean just getting a deal on the major parts (cpu mobo vid card) and maybe paying a bit more for the other pieces to get it all at once.

Try Craiglist for a cheaper copy of Windows 7. Sometimes you catch legit copies on their from ppl that no longer want the OS. A worker at this place I volunteer at got a copy for $25.

Originally Posted by pbnate88 Ive been wanting to build one, been looking around but don't know a thing about any of the parts needed. Is it possible to build a good machine for around 400? What about the OS? I know windows is up there price wise itself

I agree, $400 is doable. Start by figuring out what you want to do with it (Gaming, Office Work, Photoshop, Video Encoding, HTPC) and do a bit a research. You can ask here and you will get lots of help. I would just make sure you to leave room to upgrade down the line so you can get the most mileage out of your initial $400.

As far as OS. Students can get Win 7 for cheap. If you aren't a student you likely can find one and throw some beer money their way for them to get you a key.