Budget Rig

[kornfan71]

So, this computer that I'm thinking about started out cheap, but has gotten a little more expensive over time. This is the first build I will be attempting, so this is pretty cool for me. After having multiple computers from places like Dell, I've decided to just build my own. This computer will be used for a range of things, including some gaming (stuff like Tomb Raider: Legend), Internet, Music/Video, School, and so on. Here is what I have so far (just looking at Newegg right now):

- Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case -- $99.99
- GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard -- $79.99
- Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Wolfdale 2.8GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor -- $ 119.99
- Rosewill RC-204 IDE to SATA Mini Vertical Bridge (for IDE device) -- $14.99 (I have 3 IDE drives and 1 port (2 devices) on the mobo)
- Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU 500W ATX 12V 2.0 Power Supply -- $59.99, $39.99 after rebate
- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL6D-4GBNQ -- $47.99
- SAPPHIRE 100225L Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card -- $74.99, $64.99 after rebate

Totaling: $467.93

I am using from my old computer:
- 120 GB Seagate SATA HDD
- 120 GB WD Caviar IDE HDD
- D-Link WDA-2320 PCI Wireless Card
- Some Hauppage TV tuner (I don't remember the model)
- 2 DVD RW drives (Pioneer and TEAC)
- The amazing Dell e773c CRT monitor (I'll upgrade later)

So, how's this look? Based on some reviews, I'm a little worried about the PSU. Does anyone have experience with it? I'm open to change anything here except...no AMD please...I'm an Intel guy. Also, I may be doing a little overclocking later on, but it may be a while down the road.

By the way, are anti-static wristbands needed? (Keeping in mind that this is my first build.)

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Try this as an alternative build:

• AMD Phenom II X2 550 Callisto 3.1GHz Black Edition 6MB L3 Cache CPU - Retail - $102 + free shipping
• ASUS M3A76-CM AM2+/AM2 AMD 760G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail - $59.99
• OCZ Fatal1ty Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit - Retail - $49.99 ($39.99 after $10 rebate) + free shipping
• XFX GeForce 9800GTX+ 512MB PCI-Express 2.0 Graphics Card - Retail - $89.99
• BFG LS-550 550W PSU with Active PFC - Retail - $68.49 + free shipping
• Antec Nine Hundred Mid-Tower Gaming Case - Retail - $111.22 + free shipping

You can go with the Corsair 400CX instead of the BFG PSU if the latter is out of your budget.

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

So, how's this look? Based on some reviews, I'm a little worried about the PSU. Does anyone have experience with it? I'm open to change anything here except...no AMD please...I'm an Intel guy. Also, I may be doing a little overclocking later on, but it may be a while down the road.

By the way, are anti-static wristbands needed? (Keeping in mind that this is my first build.)

I vote on the AMD build above.
No you don't really need a wristband, but the price is neglectably small, you can go with one anyway.

 

[red1776]

I will third that build by Rage.
to add to what HK said, if you dont purchase a wrist strap, intermittently touch metal on the case to discharge static electricity before handling the components. here is a review of the cpu Rage recommended up against the E8400
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/pii550/