New Computer Build for a Friend

[TorturedChaos]

I have worked up a computer build for a friend. She needs to keep the total under $500. Wants to be able to run Oblivion & other games for now, and Diablo 3 when it comes out, with the possibility of a minor upgrade at that time. She needs the PC itself and a monitor. Said she will take care of the keyboard/mouse & other peripherals herself.

This is what I have worked up.

Case:

RAIDMAX APEX ATX-802B Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower

Video Card:

ASUS EN9600GSO/DI/512MD3/V2 GeForce 9600 GSO 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16

CPU

AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor

MoBo

GIGABYTE GA-MA770-UD3 AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

Power Supply

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V

** The Mobo and PSU have a combo price right now that saves $10.00

RAM


OCZ Fatal1ty Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit

CD/DVD Drive

LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner

*This drive is out of stock right now, so if they don't get more in by the time she is ready to order I will pick something else similar.

Monitor:

SUS VW195T Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 2000 :1 (ASCR) Built in Speakers

Unfortunately I don't really know much about monitors. So input would be very much appriciated on the monitor part.

There was one other option I was thinking about, to saver her some money would be use this Mobo:

ECS BLACK SERIES A780GM-A AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard Which has a built in ATI Radeon HD 3200 video card & don't include a video card. But since I'm under $500 with this build I don't think I want to.

Also, I picked everything from newegg for 2 reasons: ordering all at once seems to give me better shipping & I have had good experiences with them.

Anyways, whatever input I can get from people who are more knowledgeable that me would be grate, especially on the monitor part.

Thanks

 

[Ritwik7]

The 9600GSO is not a good option. I understand that there is a budget constraint but maybe you could think of a better one. At least the HD4850. However, Oblivion should run fine enough on the system.

If it wasn't because of getting a new monitor, you'd have a nice setup for about 500-550$.

 

[TorturedChaos]

The 9600GSO is not a good option. I understand that there is a budget constraint but maybe you could think of a better one. At least the HD4850. However, Oblivion should run fine enough on the system.

If it wasn't because of getting a new monitor, you'd have a nice setup for about 500-550$.

Ok, ill check out the HD4850 I have a GeForce 9800GT in mine, but don't think there is room in her budget.

Yah I wish she didn't need a monitor. offered to sell her a used CRT 20" monitor for $20.00, but she wants a flatscreen

EDIT:

HD4850 look like they are going for the $90+ range, don't really have the money in the build for the unfortunately

Is there a particular reason the 9600 isn't a good option in your opinion?

 

[klepto12]

first of all thats an AM3 cpu it wont work in an AM2/AM2 + bored sorry.

 

[klepto12]

well might try this
COOLER MASTER Elite 330 case $39.99
Seagate Barracuda 7200 $59.99
GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 AM3/AM2+/AM2 $54.99
SAPPHIRE 100245HDMI Radeon HD 4850 512MB $94.99 Free Shipping
Antec earthwatts EA500 500W $69.99
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $53.99
AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz $62.99

all that for $436.93 im pretty sure it will all work together might ask some of the guys but the build you had wouldnt i know for sure.

 

[AndrestheBean]

AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103687
$67.99

MSI 785GTM-E45 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130237
$69.99

SAPPHIRE 100245HDMI Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824
$94.99

OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227298
$51.99

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016
$59.99 -20 dollar rebate

APEX PC-389-C Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154095
$23.99

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218
$69.99

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187
$29.99

Hanns·G HH-181APB Black 18.5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254042
$99.99

totaling to $559.91

with a Lcd monitor and a dvd-drive

thats the best i could do.

 

[klepto12]

i think my build is the better option over all and you can replace the 4gb ram with Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $36.99 Free Shipping
and use the case you had posted and the price drops to $409.93 before shipping that without a monitor though

 

[red1776]

first of all thats an AM3 cpu it wont work in an AM2/AM2 + bored sorry.

actually Klepto AM3 CPU's do work in AM2+ mobos including this one

from the GIGABYTE GA-MA770-UD3 AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
support list
AMD Athlon II X2 250 3000Mhz 2MB N/A Regor 45nm C2 65W 4000 F6
AMD Athlon II X2 245 2900Mhz 2MB N/A Regor 45nm C2 65W 4000 F6
AMD Athlon II X2 240 2800Mhz 2MB N/A Regor 45nm C2 65W 4000 F6
AMD Athlon II X2 240e 2800Mhz 2MB N/A Regor 45nm C2 45W 4000 -
AMD Athlon II X2 235e 2700Mhz 2MB N/A Regor 45nm C2 45W 4000 -
AMD Sempron 140 2700Mhz 1024KB Sargas 45nm C2 45W 4000 F8

its the other way around, you cant put a AM2+ cpu in a AM3 mobo

 

[klepto12]

yeah but if it is an am3 bored than the upgrade path is a little better like the MB i picked for him. umm nvm i was confused about the AM3 compatible MBs thanks for clearing that up red.

 

[AndrestheBean]

Seagate Barracuda 7200 $59.99

this hardrive is known to be faulty

GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 AM3/AM2+/AM2 $54.99

this mobo does not have a PCI-Express 2.0 slot

 

[red1776]

yeah but if it is an am3 bored than the upgrade path is a little better like the MB i picked for him. umm nvm i was confused about the AM3 compatible MBs thanks for clearing that up red.

agreed like Klepto said, do yourself a favor and get the AM3 board if you can, leave yourself a much more flexible upgrade for the next gen.

 

[red1776]

this hardrive is known to be faulty

Andres, your confusing the 11th generation of barracuda's 7000.11. they had some issues. the 12th gen 7000.12 (the one Klepto recommended) are fantastic performers.

 

[AndrestheBean]

@TorturedChaos

is he/she considering the OS too?
(operating system)

 

[red1776]

Quote:
Originally Posted by klepto12 View Post
GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 AM3/AM2+/AM2 $54.99

this mobo does not have a PCI-Express 2.0 slot

That is a v2.0 pcie slot

 

[klepto12]

lol i was like huh it does have a pcie 2.0 slot lol

 

[AndrestheBean]

Quote:
Originally Posted by klepto12 View Post
GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 AM3/AM2+/AM2 $54.99

That is a v2.0 pcie slot

lol i was like huh it does have a pcie 2.0 slot lol

LOL my bad

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Try this build:

• AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail - $67.99 + free shipping
• Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2 AMD 740G mATX Motherboard - Retail - $52.99 + free shipping
• Kingston HyperX 2GB(2x1GB) DDR2 1066MHz Dual-Channel Kit - Retail - $36.99 + free shipping
• XFX Radeon HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 PCI-Express 2.0 Graphics Card - Retail - $109.99
• Corsair CMPSU-400CX 400W PSU with Active PFC - Retail - $54.99 ($34.99 after $20 rebate) + free shipping
• Acer X193Wb 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail - $99.99 + free shipping

Grand Total = $430 approximately, not including rebates & the shipping charge on the video card; everything else ships free. The DVD drive, HDD & case are upto you.

 

[TorturedChaos]

@TorturedChaos

is he/she considering the OS too?
(operating system)

My friend says she has the OS taken care off. Not sure if I could build it for under $500 with an OS .

Also she is very adamant about the $500.00 price point. First build I pitch to her was about $570 with shipping and everything, and she said she can only work $500 into her budget so... ./sigh.

When I have more free time I will take a look at all your suggestions and re-post the build I Come up with.

And I thank everyone for there input. I haven't done this in a while and kinda lost track of things.

Also, I don't hold much stock in rebates, don't know if I have ever seen a single one back, so I look at all prices before Mail in rebates.