The Ultimate 'Build-A-PC' Thread. Complete With Pricings & Recommendations (06/06/10)

[quote name='Fatso2027']Depends on what you're using that extra $100 for, if you use it on a graphics card, then a lot, or if you use it on a case, then not much. Intel and AMD are pretty similar, IMO anyways, AMD is just WAY cheaper.[/QUOTE]

Just to clarify, when I refer to the $400 and $500 builds I am referring to the OP in this thread for the Gaming Builds. For me it is not a matter of what I will use that extra $100 on but saving that extra $100.

Am I getting more for my money with an AMD or is the AMD and Itel comparisons in the OP designed to be comparable builds.
 
I guess I haven't looked at the builds in the OP, last time they looked a bit outdated. If you are looking for budget, go AMD, that's what I did in my build, and i got a VERY nice computer for around $600.

After looking at those builds, those $400 builds aren't really anything special, if you are on extreme budget, the $500 AMD build is the one you're going to want, the intel builds are eh.

And don't get me wrong, I actually prefer Intel over AMD, I have a Intel processor in my laptop, but AMD is so much cheaper than Intel, so for a budget PC, AMD is easily the way to go.
 
[quote name='Fatso2027']I guess I haven't looked at the builds in the OP, last time they looked a bit outdated. If you are looking for budget, go AMD, that's what I did in my build, and i got a VERY nice computer for around $600.[/QUOTE]

Any chance you could share your build with me? I haven't built a computer in 12 years so I have no idea what the best boards and such are anymore.
 
Yea, no prob.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130266
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103872
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811118017
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161183
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121363
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106334
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

That's what I did, should be in tomorrow. The only thing with my build is that it does NOT include Windows. As a student I got it for virtually free, so if you need a copy you'll have to add around another $100 for that. Windows really kills just about any budget PC, it's obnoxiously expensive.
 
[quote name='Fatso2027']Yea, no prob.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130266
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103872
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811118017
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161183
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121363
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106334
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

That's what I did, should be in tomorrow. The only thing with my build is that it does NOT include Windows. As a student I got it for virtually free, so if you need a copy you'll have to add around another $100 for that. Windows really kills just about any budget PC, it's obnoxiously expensive.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I hate M$ for that too.

I did find this setup at bestbuy tonight. Anyone have any opinions on it?

Yes, I know it will need a graphics card.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Gateway...ssor/9698918.p?id=1218153427813&skuId=9698918
 
That isn't too bad, but I would not buy a computer from BB, they load it with so much shit...

Honestly if you can find yourself a copy of windows, or wait a few weeks, just build your own, you're going to get a much nicer computer, completely free of all that preloaded crap. I bet you'd be much happier with something you put your blood sweat and tears into, plus, that computer seemed a bit overpriced, I have never had good luck with Gateway anyways.
 
[quote name='Fatso2027']That isn't too bad, but I would not buy a computer from BB, they load it with so much shit...

Honestly if you can find yourself a copy of windows, or wait a few weeks, just build your own, you're going to get a much nicer computer, completely free of all that preloaded crap. I bet you'd be much happier with something you put your blood sweat and tears into, plus, that computer seemed a bit overpriced, I have never had good luck with Gateway anyways.[/QUOTE]
The crap doesn't bother me though. I just delete it all. Some Gateways allow you to just reinstall ONLY the OS as well.

I have a GAteway that I purchased back in 2003 that is still going strong and used daily.
 
I would recommend this, buy that one from best buy if you need a computer NOW. If now, save your pennies for a few weeks and get something built to tailor your needs.

On a side note, that desktop had some pretty nice stats, 6 gigs ram? Nice! Necessary? Nope. Other than that and the fact it already has windows, it doesn't look too far off what you could do yourself for less than that.
 
Depends on your budget, and preference on manufacturer. I chose the ATI 5770, but that may be more than you want to spend, or need. Are you planning on using this for gaming or just general use? The other thing is that newegg PC only comes with a dual core, and if you want to game, I would recommend a tri core, or if you want to shell out a little more, a quad core.
 
[quote name='Fatso2027']Depends on your budget, and preference on manufacturer. I chose the ATI 5770, but that may be more than you want to spend, or need. Are you planning on using this for gaming or just general use? The other thing is that newegg PC only comes with a dual core, and if you want to game, I would recommend a tri core, or if you want to shell out a little more, a quad core.[/QUOTE]
Primarily gaming but watching movies with occasionally as well. I thought the intel i series was advertised as a dual core that operates as if it were a quad core because of it hyperthreading abilities.
 
[quote name='lllGurulll']http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.415721[/QUOTE]

2 x 1gb ram ddr2 you want 4 and id get ddr3
the mobo has 2 dimms which if you had 2 x 2gb ram would be sufficient but leaves no room to upgrade.

the cpu is overkill especially for that build.
the x3 fatso listed would be more fitting for the budget.

its not necessarily good to go as high s you can on the cpu when your budget is so low.
the idea is to have a balanced pc, everything sharing similar limits so youre getting full advantage of the system as a whole.
 
 
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[quote name='lllGurulll']Antec Three Hundred + BP430 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 430W Power Supply $79
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $55.99
MSI 890GXM-G65 AM3 AMD 890GX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $95.99
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBPK $92.99
AMD Phenom II X4 925 Deneb 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor HDX925WFGIBOX $129
SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black EIDE/ATAPI Model SH-S222A - OEM $24.99

Total 478.91

I think I might like this case better for the same price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062[/QUOTE]

Nobody has any thoughts?

This is one of the reasons I don't care for sticky threads. They tend to be over looked.
 
[quote name='lllGurulll']Nobody has any thoughts?

This is one of the reasons I don't care for sticky threads. They tend to be over looked.[/QUOTE]

No video card?
 
[quote name='kilm']No video card?[/QUOTE]

I'll worry about that after I have the base setup. I spent allnight putting that together so was really hoping to wake up to some input.

I don't have a clue about video cards anyway so I want to nail this down first then discuss that.
 
[quote name='lllGurulll']I'll worry about that after I have the base setup. I spent allnight putting that together so was really hoping to wake up to some input.

I don't have a clue about video cards anyway so I want to nail this down first then discuss that.[/QUOTE]

Everything looks good to me
 
[quote name='kilm']Everything looks good to me[/QUOTE]

I'm kind of concerned about the case and PSU. I've seen enough neg reviews on so many of them that I really don't know what direction to go. I don't need anything fancy but I don't want a piece of tin either. My only worry with a case and psu combo is the return policy if the psu is DOA. Definitly don't like the idea of packing up the entire case just to get a new psu.
 
[quote name='lllGurulll']I'm kind of concerned about the case and PSU. I've seen enough neg reviews on so many of them that I really don't know what direction to go. I don't need anything fancy but I don't want a piece of tin either. My only worry with a case and psu combo is the return policy if the psu is DOA. Definitly don't like the idea of packing up the entire case just to get a new psu.[/QUOTE]

The case is a good case. May not be the most spectacular case, but still a very good case and one of the most popular on Newegg

They're not negative reviews, they're just not great reviews. This is the PSU itself: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371023&cm_re=BP430-_-17-371-023-_-Product

The only real negative is the short wires, which you should still be able to work your way around. Reliability is there, it's unlikely the PSU will be DOA, so if the real issue is the short wires, you could look elsewhere. Otherwise, Antec is a good brand with good return policies and services.
 
[quote name='kilm']The case is a good case. May not be the most spectacular case, but still a very good case.

They're not negative reviews, they're just not great reviews. This is the PSU itself: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371023&cm_re=BP430-_-17-371-023-_-Product

The only real negative is the short wires, which you should still be able to work your way around. Reliability is there, it's unlikely the PSU will be DOA, so if the real issue is the short wires, you could look elsewhere. Otherwise, Antec is a good brand with good return policies and services.[/QUOTE]

Any opinion on the other case? It is more flashy than I want but is sturdy as hell. It's the bottom link.
 
[quote name='lllGurulll']Nobody has any thoughts?

This is one of the reasons I don't care for sticky threads. They tend to be over looked.[/QUOTE]

youll get help in this thread for sure, sometimes it may take a day.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.394170
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.416146

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...52181&cm_re=samsung_f3-_-22-152-181-_-Product
this is better than the WD blue

there are a bunch of combinations you could work out between cpu/mobo/video card
 
[quote name='lllGurulll']Any opinion on the other case? It is more flashy than I want but is sturdy as hell. It's the bottom link.[/QUOTE]

Looks decent, I suppose, if the exterior appeals to you. Not incredibly impressive. The PSU... hm... Can't really find too much information about it, but the reviews seem favorable. Overall: doesn't look terrible.

Antecs are very sturdy cases. They're not like cheap sheet metal melded together.
 
[quote name='lllGurulll']Any opinion on the other case? It is more flashy than I want but is sturdy as hell. It's the bottom link.[/QUOTE]

do you have a frys or microcenter around? i found it invaluable to inspect some cases in person. they may not have the exact models youre looking but you can get a beter idea of build quality of manufacturers and features.
 
[quote name='paz9x']do you have a frys or microcenter around? i found it invaluable to inspect some cases in person. they may not have the exact models youre looking but you can get a beter idea of build quality of manufacturers and features.[/QUOTE]

nope. unfortunately not.
 
[quote name='lllGurulll']Will it matter if I have a Nvidia or ATI card with that motherboard since it has ATI built in?[/QUOTE]

no, but if it makes you feel better, you can match ATI with ATI.
 
WEll, I am stumped on which ATI to go with. Utilize the crossfire on this board and get a ATI 5450 or just make the jump to the 5770 which is a little more than I want to spend.

Somebody mentioned that the 4k series might be a better option than the 5450 as well. I have my PC picked out now but I need to select a video card.
 
[quote name='lllGurulll']WEll, I am stumped on which ATI to go with. Utilize the crossfire on this board and get a ATI 5450 or just make the jump to the 5770 which is a little more than I want to spend.

Somebody mentioned that the 4k series might be a better option than the 5450 as well. I have my PC picked out now but I need to select a video card.[/QUOTE]

Go with a single card for now that's within your budget. If you're going for super budget, go with a 4k card. They are decent even now. If you're going for performance, go with a 5k.
 
I was looking at the hybrid crossfire to combine my card with the onboard video but it sounds like it won't be worth it with the 5450 at all.

Looking at 4850s right now.
 
[quote name='lllGurulll']great, the 4850 requires a 450w psu and the combo only comes with a 430w psu. ugh.

breaking up the combo kills my budget.[/QUOTE]

post links to the combos too.
the 5k series cards use less power than the other lines.
do you have a set budget?
 
[quote name='paz9x']post links to the combos too.
the 5k series cards use less power than the other lines.
do you have a set budget?[/QUOTE]

I do not want to exceed $600 including shipping.

I put together another setup for under that but the cpu is an athlon II x4 rather than the phenom II x4 I had before for the same price. this is just frustrating as hell.

I can't seem to get a combo that will give me a powerfull enough PSU ot support the 4850 video card at all.
 
[quote name='lllGurulll']I do not want to exceed $600 including shipping.

I put together another setup for under that but the cpu is an athlon II x4 rather than the phenom II x4 I had before for the same price. this is just frustrating as hell.

I can't seem to get a combo that will give me a powerfull enough PSU ot support the 4850 video card at all.[/QUOTE]

im pretty sure the build with the 5770 was under $600 before rebates.
the athlon x4 635 is a good gaming processor. at stock speeds youre not losing anything between that and the 925.

for a gaming pc my opinion is the difference in price between the cpu's is better spent on a gpu.

if you want others to make specific suggestions or find substitutes or combo deals you should post links.
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121363
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.422631
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.394170

$572 shipped (unless you pay tax)
-$30 in rebates down the road

ive heard positive stuff about adata. im not able to find an msi approved ram compatability list to make sure its tested to work on that board though.
maybe someone else can find one?
 
We still have a PSU problem there as that is only a 430w and the watts calculators state I still need a 450W. I'm also leary of that ASUS video card because of the reviews on it. Seems like there are a lot of glitches involved with it.

I'm trying to work with the info from this site....

http://www.hardware-revolution.com/500-gaming-computer-quad-core-cpu/

I have replaced the athlon II x4 with a phenom II x4 and also changed the mobo they recommend for a more future proof MSI that I link above but it is a open box to save $35. I'm right at $604 before shipping because the case they recommend has a $15 shipping fee.
 
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[quote name='lllGurulll']We still have a PSU problem there as that is only a 430w and the watts calculators state I still need a 450W. I'm also leary of that ASUS video card because of the reviews on it. Seems like there are a lot of glitches involved with it.

I'm trying to work with the info from this site....

http://www.hardware-revolution.com/500-gaming-computer-quad-core-cpu/

I have replaced the athlon II x4 with a phenom II x4 and also changed the mobo they recommend for a more future proof MSI that I link above but it is a open box to save $35. I'm right at $604 before shipping because the case they recommend has a $15 shipping fee.[/QUOTE]

you know, it doesnt sound like the cooling on that 5770 is too solid.

where are you getting the power numbers? im getting 369w from the antec calculator.

what psu are you planning on?
 
[quote name='paz9x']you know, it doesnt sound like the cooling on that 5770 is too solid.

where are you getting the power numbers? im getting 369w from the antec calculator.

what psu are you planning on?[/QUOTE]

I used the Newegg PSU calculator. It kept coming up 441.

here is the PSU I have in my cart.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

I have changed my mobo to a gigabyte with no onboard video so I am looking at nvidias now. Specifically the GT 240 series.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127483

Still trying to find a decent case that is more than just sheet metal.

I am at $552 shipped right now with out a case.
 
My build came to something around 630 shipped, so it's a bit more than you want, but you could trim it in a few spots if necessary. You do still need to factor in Windows as well, all that hardware won't do you any good without an OS.
 
[quote name='Fatso2027']My build came to something around 630 shipped, so it's a bit more than you want, but you could trim it in a few spots if necessary. You do still need to factor in Windows as well, all that hardware won't do you any good without an OS.[/QUOTE]

I had forgotten that I have a copy of Vista Premium so I will put that on my laptop and move the win7 license to this computer.
 
[quote name='lllGurulll']I used the Newegg PSU calculator. It kept coming up 441.

here is the PSU I have in my cart.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

I have changed my mobo to a gigabyte with no onboard video so I am looking at nvidias now. Specifically the GT 240 series.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127483

Still trying to find a decent case that is more than just sheet metal.

I am at $552 shipped right now with out a case.[/QUOTE]

I think youre better off with that psu. you want some room to allow higher efficiency anyway.
the gt240 isnt a good choice, it performs below a 9800gt
 
Finally finished my build.... not the best but it's a personal best for me for cable management.

all I gotta do is run a few more tests before I throw the top on and deal with the mess of external cables.

26711_404923244141_533879141_4523476_2250751_n.jpg

34353_404923269141_533879141_4523477_5594038_n.jpg

34180_404923524141_533879141_4523480_5214462_n.jpg

36019_404371694141_533879141_4509167_1248589_n.jpg


CPU: Core i7 940 ($149)
RAM: Corsair XMS3 CAS7 ($139 AR)
GPU: 2x9800GTX+ 512MB ($149) / 2x250 GTS 1GB ($103) Switching over to the 250's when they arrive on monday and giving my GF the 9800 GTX+'s
MB: Gigabyte X58A-UDR3 rev 2 ($209)
Storage: SSD X25-M 2nd Gen 160GB ($229) + 3 other drives I have lying around
Optical: Bleh normal DVD Burner ($19)
Case: Silverstone FT02 ($216)
Cooler: Hyper 212 Plus ($29) + some random 120mm fan I had lying around for pull
PSU: Corsair 850HX ($139)

Total: $1231 (approx, probably left out tax cost in a few of those. so probably more like $1320.19)

If I didn't bother with the SSD I would've saved quite a bit, but it was a pretty good price for it. Things install quite fast in it. Really loving this case though.
 
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[quote name='paz9x']I think youre better off with that psu. you want some room to allow higher efficiency anyway.
the gt240 isnt a good choice, it performs below a 9800gt[/QUOTE]

I'll have to check into that as I know that will bump up my wattage significantly.

One question, I'm partial to Nvidia but am I missing out on anything by not looking further into ATI? The main reason I was looking at ATI earlier was because the motherboard was ATI based. The mobo I have in my cart now has no onboard video at all so it opened me up to both.
 
Can anyone recommend me a good video card to play SC2 on ultra? Im thinking a hd 5770. Any good deals for that or something equivalent? GTS 250 maybe? Ideally would like to spend around $100

My other PC specs are:
Intel core i5 750
4gb DDR3 1600
gigabyte H57M-USB3 Mboard
Will be playing at 1600x1050 resolution since that is my monitors max
 
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