New budget build

[Xecutor]

Hi guys,

Long time no post But I require a little bit of help with this build of mine. I am planning to get an AMD system with a budget of $550-600 CAD (after tax).

My main concern is to get a "future-proof" mobo (with DVI/HDMI output), PSU and case.

My mobo should have
- AM3
- onboard gpu
- USB 3.0
- SATA 3 (6gb/s)
- DIMMs Expandable to 16GB DDR3
- at least 1 PCIE x16 lane
- mATX form is acceptable

PSU requirements:
- 600W min
- 80 Plus Certified efficiency
- Dual 12V Rails w/ min 34A total
- 2 x 6 pin PCIE power connector (with at least one of them being 6+2 PCIE)
- at least 4 SATA power connectors
- Modular if possible, otherwise not an exact requirement

CASE
Anything that's cheap but has good airflow with at least 1 side vent for cooling GPUs. I've seen Antec 300 at $49.99 CAD, but I'm open to suggestions.

CPU can be any AM3 that will fit the budget
RAM - at least 4GB DDR3
HDD - 400-500GB SATAII (cheapest)
DVDRW - Any LG or Samsung 22x



I appreciate any help you can provide me.




So far, here is what I've found:

Mobo- GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H SKT AM3 AMD890GX+SB850
https://www.infonec.com/site/main.php?module=detail&id=450737

CPU- AMD Athlon II X4 630 Quad Core Processor Socket AM3 2.8GHZ (95W TDP)
https://www.infonec.com/site/main.php?module=detail&id=449645

RAM- OCZ Gold 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) - CL9
https://www.infonec.com/site/main.php?module=detail&id=449574

PSU- OCZ StealthXStream 600W (I know it's not 80+ cert, but good reviews on it)
https://www.infonec.com/site/main.php?module=detail&id=349336

CASE- Antec THREEHUNDRED Small Versatile Case Black finish
https://www.infonec.com/site/main.php?module=detail&id=353163

HDD- Western Digital 500GB Black Edition SATA 3Gb/s Desktop Storage 7200rpm 32MB Cache
https://www.infonec.com/site/main.php?module=detail&id=443123

DVDRW- LG GH24LS50 SATA 24X DVD-RW LIGHTSCRIBE BLACK INTERNAL w/NERO OEM
https://www.infonec.com/site/main.php?module=detail&id=450089

The grand total for the above (no shipping, only pickup in store) = $630.49 CAD (after taxes)
A similar build on newegg.ca got me $661.97 (after taxes <$76.17> and shipping <$33.87>) - $551.93 pre-tax/SH


Thanks again guys!

 

[raybay]

You can save money on the power supply and the memory, but first, what are your planned uses of the new computer.
Look at memory at www.crucial.com or Directron.com
Consider a quality power supply, but you don't need more than 450 o4 500 W if it is truly a good one.
The Western Digital Black is a good choice,as is the LG
Be very certain your motherboard will fit the case you get... when the CPU and fan are included.

 

[Xecutor]

Thx raybay I really appreciate it!

The intended use is more for HD TV display for now, but it will be used for gaming in the future - brother-in-Law's kids are still little (10yrs old). Hence the need for the sturdy PSU and 1 PCIEx16 at least for a future videocard (possibly an HD5850). Oh, and this PC is going overseas so the PSU should be able to handle 240V.

http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=MjQ=
According to Antec, the mobo should fit.

For the PSU I really need help. I don't know what a good cheap PSU would really resemble. I know I should be looking at 80+ certified PSUs with at least a 6-pin and a 6-pin +2 PCIE connector. Assuming this comp will be for gaming later, is 500W sufficient? Or do I need at least 600W for the newer gen videocards?

Is Crucial Memory available in Canada?
I only found US prices, which will make it more expensive to get (incl shipping) $109.99 USD
http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT2KIT25664BA1339

Also, Directron is in US only... I can't order from US, shipping costs too much. I am really limited to canadian websites and seller stores.

For newegg.ca, the components go way above budget... Do you have any more suggestions I can look at please?

 

[Xecutor]

Im sorry for the 2x post but i need to bump this as i need the help pretty urgently as i am attempting to pick up / order the components on Monday. im really grateful for ur help n understanding about this.

 

[red1776]

Hi again X, I don't know what your budget for the PSU is but this is of very good quality and you can put a 5850 on it later if you choose as it has 41A on the 12v rail and has the needed SATA (6) connectors you need.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

and crucial ram is in Cananda
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produc...0 50001455&IsNodeId=1&name=Crucial Technology

not sure your going to be able to do better than Newegg CA price wise unfortunately.

 

[dividebyzero]

Corsair TX650w for $80 (after rebate) or OCZ StealthXStream 700w for $70 at NCIX ?
The OCX 4Gb DDR3-1333CL9 is also $80 -after rebate if you believe in such things

 

[LinkedKube]

Corsair has a great range of psu's in the 500-600watt range. I'd look towards them for something that will last a long while.

As far as ordering in canada I'm lost.

 

[Xecutor]

Thanks guys

My PSU budget is more like $50-$70 CAD.

What do you think of this one?

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182200

You are right about newegg.ca being the best for price out there. Beats tigerdirect and ncix (no offense).

So far, I am sticking with the GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H mobo and Athlon IIx4 CPU. The RAM, I checked Crucial RAM on newegg, but their prices are too high - all above 105$ CAD. So I think I will go along with the G-Skill one. I just need cheap reliable 4GB DDR3 RAM 1333MHz - I am not worried about the latency and timings and such. I haven't found any cases that are cheaper than the Rosewill one so far, so I will stick with it too, unless you guys are able to find something else.

TBH, I love Corsair PSUs - just built my dad a comp with a 600W Corsair PSU, but his budget was larger than mine, so we could afford it. This one is already teetering on $659 CAD after SH/Tx, and I'm trying to cut down the price further if at all possible. But, with some sacrifice I guess I can get the extra $60 above my budget.


So, my components are going to be (unless you're able to find something better ):


DVDRW
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136177

CASE:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

MOBO:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128435

PSU:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182200

HDD:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

RAM:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231274

CPU:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103704

Total = $659.25 (incl S/H+Tax)

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

What do you think of this one?

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16817182200

POS.
Corsair 550 or 650 if you really need it, though it looks like you'd do better with a corsair 400, considering the price you're willing to pay.

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM
Better RAM for the price IMO.

600W Corsair PSU, but his budget was larger than mine, so we could afford it.

Never seen a corsair 600.

 

[Ritwik7]

Take a look at this PSU. Should be pretty reliable and would run an HD 5850 comfortably if you add one later.

 

[Xecutor]

Take a look at this PSU. Should be pretty reliable and would run an HD 5850 comfortably if you add one later.

Wow! That's really awesome! I think I may choose this. I found another one in same category and same price:

Which one would be best?

This one?
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022

or the one you gave me?

 

[red1776]

Hey X,
Those two PSU's are very close in build quality. slight edge to the BFG Tech. The OCZ is rated @ 25A x 2 12v Rail and the BFG is rated @ 18A x 2 12v Rails. Although I have found that BFG is a rarity in that they tend to be rated conservatively, so they are probably much closer in output. I would go with the BFG

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

I think the BFG looks like a tin can, while the red one is much flashier.
Whatever I guess.

 

[Xecutor]

Just wanted to thank all of you for your tremendous help! My first half of the shipment is coming in today. The second half is still in NY. But, I suspect I should expect it next week or so

I'll try posting pics of it later on to show my appreciation!

Once again, I love you guys! Thanks

Final order included a change in the CPU from an Athlon II x4 to a Phenom IIx2 555 BE Callisto C3 revision (which I found can be unlocked using certain mobo's). I got an 890GX Biostar which had SATA3 but no USB3.0 which I figured is not a biggie since in the country my bro in law is gonna be, USB 2.0 is still relatively new, so USB 3.0 won't be there until another year or two, by which time, there will be add-on parts to give that functionality if needed. Red, I went with the "flashy" OCZ PSU I feel that since this is a budget PC, some flashiness is necessary for personal reasons, but I was really highly debating myself to take the BFG. There is some competition in the house of my bro-in-law that I won't go into (lol) where the red color will come in handy

The Phenom II x2 555 change I think was one that will make this budget build worthwhile since I read a lot of reviews where this cpu can be unlocked on this biostar mobo to either a Ph II x3 or Ph II x4 if I am lucky. I think I am going to see if I can find an after-market cooler and some AC5 to make full use of this CPU.


You guys are awesome! Thank you for everything.


PS: hellokitty, wrt a prev comment about the corsair psu, it was a 650W, lol my apologies. And I got the RAM you suggested

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

Don't count on the core unlocking, and for future reference, don't listen to newegg reviews, most of them are actually *****s.

 

[mailpup]

Our very own TechSpot published just this week a review of budget AM3 motherboards. While the main topic was motherboards, included was a discussion about the Phenom II X2 555 and unlocking cores you might find interesting. Check it out here: https://www.techspot.com/review/295-amd-socket-am3-motherboard-comparison/

 

[Xecutor]

Lol, hellokitty I will keep that in mind. I have found TS to be the most reliable source for information anyways Wrt the core unlocking, I read the article mailpup provided and found this part interesting:

The Phenom II X2 555 was the standout processor in its respective price range in both of our recently published budget CPU round-ups, however neither article explored how the Phenom II X2 555 performed once the extra cores were unlocked, we simply discussed the possibility.

Now with the hard facts on hand, we can attest how the $100 Phenom II X2 555 processor can be turned into a Phenom II X4 955 with total ease. On the gaming front, the unlocked Phenom II X2 555 matched the Phenom II X6 1090T, a $300 processor. Then we had our budget CPU and motherboard combo matching and even beating the Core i5 750 in more serious tasks such as video encoding.

It is exciting because I was thinking, at most I'd only be able to OC the processor if the core unlocking didn't work. BUT, the above increases my hopes that this will be even more possible than I had thought.

The part about the Ph II x 2 unlocked matching the Ph II x6 is interesting, although this might attributed to the fact that most games only use 2 to 3 cores max. This may be a different picture in the future, but interesting nonetheless.