arkie

First: I am NOT a gamer, but I would like this computer to be strong enough to play videos and run dual monitors (23-24" range). 99% of the time, this computer will be used for internet browsing, entertainment (movies/music), and powerpoints/worddocs. I'd like to run a moderately quick athlon 64x2, a big HD (1TB range), not sure how much memory I need (assuming 2-4gb), ATX case + motherboard (allowing plenty of room for additional storage in the future), DVDRW, ~4-500W PSU (do I really need 80+?), and a budget dual DVI video card. Do not care what it looks like as long as it works. Keep it as CHEAP as possible while using reliable parts. Will probably be running XP 32bit for now, but would like to be able to upgrade to Windows 7 whenever a reliable version appears on TPB. :P I'd like to buy it all on newegg.

So far, this is what I've come up with:

CASE: Cooler Master Elite RC-310 -- $39.99
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119203)
MOTHERBOARD: ASUS M4A78 Plus (open box) -- $53.99
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813131381R)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 Kuma 2.7GHz -- $64.99
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103300)
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB -- $99.99
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136284)
RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM 800 (PC2 6400) -- $34.99 (after rebate)
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145241)
DVDRW: LG -- $24.99
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136144)
PSU: Thermaltake Purepower 500W -- $34.99 (after mail-in rebate)
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153052)
VGU: POWERCOLOR 4650 1GB Radeon (open box) -- $41.99
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16814131138R)

TOTAL: $395.92

I'd like to keep the price as near to $300 as possible. If you see any component that might be overkill or could be replaced w/ something cheaper, let me know. Also, if you see any components that aren't going to work together (from personal experience or forum hearsay), please let me know. I'm kinda new to all this and this is my first build. Also, feel free to "build" me a new system from scratch providing newegg links. Thanks guys.

Afrodisiac

Looks good. Don't worry about Win7, it is reliable enough. I have build 7100 and it's perfect. If you're getting 4 gigs of RAM, you'd better get a 64-bit OS with it as 32-bit OSes have limitations with anything more than 3.25GB RAM. So just download the Win7 64-bit RC ISO and enjoy.

As for power supply, it's always a good idea to get a decent quality model and that TT looks "decent" enough. I would suggest you spend more but for $35 that one should do just fine with the parts you picked.

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tofumonster

Yeah.. you're not gonna get much more with your budget. Everything looks decent, I'd say.

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mitties

Windows 7 32bit does recognize 4gigs of ram. The real limitation is that 32bit programs can only use a maximum of 3.25 I believe. I don't use any of those programs though. I've seen some benchmarks from 32 bit to 64 bit a long time ago for windows vista and 64 bit was a few % better than 32 bit in some things. It may not even still be true to this day. My Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit shows 4 gigs of ram. You can see this from my attached picture. I would get 64bit just to be future proof though, and so when you upgrade to more ram you will be able to use it.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Jnesses

sold out ram in your build, and your video card is deactivated
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.206854
you can choose whether you want a 1gb. card instead of 512mb., but with your budget and what you can save i would go with that combo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.204558

you have to get a cpu fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186030

i heard bad things about open box items, but if you are fine with it so am i

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