alexgroove

OK, I am total newbie to this so please bare with me. just got laid off so this will have to a BIG TIME BUDGET BUILD, as i am working with very little cash. im trying to keep it as close to $300 as possible (Tough, I know). im not a gamer nor do i intend to be, im not going to use it as a TV either. i will be using the system mainly to download videos, music, make home movies with camcorder footage and school work, nothing too hardcore. OH, and I'll be running XP on it. now dont get me wrong id like to have something as fast as i can get away with given my budget. the computer i currently have now is too embarrassing to even mention, it bares nothing of any value that i can apply towards this build, in other words i am essentially starting from scratch here, minus the hard drive, dvd-rw, and monitor since i am already covered there.

SO FAR after some snooping around ive come up with a rough draft build, PLEASE feel free to make any suggestions that could help me out. a better item for my cause, if i am missing anything, if i could find the same items cheaper elsewhere, or whether adding or subtracting a few bucks here or there would add any benefit. BTW, i live very close to frys and microcenter.

CPU: Intel E5200 69.99+ fs @ newegg. id like to O/C to about 3.5 GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116072

MoBo: GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L Micro ATX @ newegg 52.99+fs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...20GA-G31M-ES2L

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - 54.99 @ newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166

TOWER/Case: Rosewill TU-155 Black Steel ATX Black 0.8mm SGCC Steel Mid Tower 59.99@ newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147001

= $238.00 so far ...

questions:
1) would the stock cooler allow me to go to about 3.5 GHz ? or would i need a new one?
2) are separate video cards needed ONLY if i plan on gaming or watching movies? in other words, would the integrated video be more then adequate for my needs?
3) will the stock PSU that comes with my case make do, or will i have to get another one?

mcastaneda68

1. I don't think so, you want to include something reasonable
2. Most of the newer onboard graphics will display movies. Only a few onboard will play blu-ray. If you do not intend to game or watch blu-ray, no need for a dedicated graphics in my opinion.
3. That will depend on who's case you buy. This one will do for case and PSU together

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chavez885

No the Rosewill PSU will not work (for long), don't get too cheap on your PSU or your 300 dollars you spent might go down the toilet. Here's what I would do if buying new, if I were you I'd look in the for sale section and try to find a good deal on parts as well...

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