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Help a Beginer with his first build!

1K views 39 replies 12 participants last post by  james325 
#1 ·
Hello ever body let me just start off by saying how thankful i am to have found theses forums, they have been a great help!.I have been reading and looking into building a gaming rig for a while now and would like some opinions on it.. I don't have much money to sink into it and i am not looking for the for the fastest pc ever but i would like a pc that can run skyrim on at least the medium settings without having any trouble.i am trying to keep the rig cost to < $400 not including monitior/os/kb/mouse. i read a thread on here about a guy who made a $340 gaming machine and i am following his guidliunes, but i have a few questions. first let me show the build

Ram-Corsair Vengeance 4GB DDR3 -$25

psu-Cooler Master Elite Series 460 Watts -$40

GPU- a used xfx radeon hd 4850-$50 (150 new)

mobo- asus m4a87td/usb3-$105

cpu- amd athlon II x4 quad core 2.8ghz-$90

case- just click here-25

hdd- a used western caviar blue 160gb-$36

cpu cooler-COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO-40

is it ok to buy the GPU used? it will save me $100. also will the CPU be fast enough to meet my needs? i began wit the phenom x4 but it was $125, so that will save me a nice chunk. Would there be any cheaper motherboard options that would not effect my gaming but would be cheaper? have any suggestions or thought?
i am typing this using a 2002 dell dimension 9100 so anything is a upgrade from this.
 
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#3 ·
looks good so far for what your wanting, Depends on who and where you buy used parts from, most games only require a dual core CPU, I wouldn't try to cheap out to much on a MB the one you picked is fine, You might look on the For sale forums here and see what yo can find sometimes you can find a cheap CPU/MB combo for around 150.00 from members that upgrade LOL monthly.

the case will work fine until you can mod it alittle to allow more airflow
 
#5 ·
all is fine
i would recommend getting this memory for example
many people are using corsair memory, but in my several encounters with corsair memory, it caused nothing but trouble
g.skill 4gb 1333mhz 20 USD on newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231421

the motherboard you are looking at is pretty good, so stick with it unless you get a good deal on something else then think about it and ask away:)
all in all that motherboard is great

the power supply will do
there are a lot better ones but this will suffice

cpu cooler is good, but this one is better and i recommend it over hyper 212
zalman performa 36 usd on newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118059

hdd- i can understand it, it is small but it costs more for something better
it will probably be the thing that lessens your overall experience working on a pc
it will do for first hand - i recomment new hdd to be your next upgrade:)

used 4850 is also good, the cpu you are getting can handle lot better cards, so later down the road you can change that 4850 with a more powerfull one if and when you feel the need to:)
do not get new 4850 now days it makes no sense it is overpriced new in store

Quote:
Originally Posted by james325 View Post

thanks for the imput I think i am going to swap out the mobo/ cpu for this though
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.841789
also is there a psu that is around the price range of my current one that would be better?
i actually think that is the lesser choice over the amd mbo and cpu you listed first

also forgot to say-the case will probably annoy you pretty much if it doesn't have space for graphics card, but if you want a nice case that has a enough of room you would have to pay quite a bit more than for this one, so here is to hoping it is spacy enough (it probably has just enough room for medium length cards, but something like gtx 260 which is quite a bit long probably would have issues fitting in there)
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deathclaw View Post

all is fine
i would recommend getting this memory for example
many people are using corsair memory, but in my several encounters with corsair memory, it caused nothing but trouble
g.skill 4gb 1333mhz 20 USD on newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231421
the motherboard you are looking at is pretty good, so stick with it unless you get a good deal on something else then think about it and ask away:)
all in all that motherboard is great
the power supply will do
there are a lot better ones but this will suffice
cpu cooler is good, but this one is better and i recommend it over hyper 212
zalman performa 36 usd on newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118059
hdd- i can understand it, it is small but it costs more for something better
it will probably be the thing that lessens your overall experience working on a pc
it will do for first hand - i recomment new hdd to be your next upgrade:)
used 4850 is also good, the cpu you are getting can handle lot better cards, so later down the road you can change that 4850 with a more powerfull one if and when you feel the need to:)
do not get new 4850 now days it makes no sense it is overpriced new in store
i actually think that is the lesser choice over the amd mbo and cpu you listed first
also forgot to say-the case will probably annoy you pretty much if it doesn't have space for graphics card, but if you want a nice case that has a enough of room you would have to pay quite a bit more than for this one, so here is to hoping it is spacy enough (it probably has just enough room for medium length cards, but something like gtx 260 which is quite a bit long probably would have issues fitting in there)
yeah i went with that case because it was so cheap. could you explain why the first mobo/cpu would be better? is it due to it being quad core?
 
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by james325 View Post

thanks for the imput I think i am going to swap out the mobo/ cpu for this though
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.841789
also is there a psu that is around the price range of my current one that would be better?
Quote:
Originally Posted by james325 View Post

yeah i went with that case because it was so cheap. could you explain why the first mobo/cpu would be better? is it due to it being quad core?
yes, because it probably will be better all round

but honestly
if you want really great thing i would go for cheaper mbo like this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157176
and get beast of a cpu
like this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103995

the mbo i listed doesn't have usb 3.0 if you care about that, and cannot fit the newest am3+ processors from amd (but they suck anyway so you don't care:))

edit:
and that is much much much better choice than any of the above
and if you have luck you might even unlock that cpu to 6 core (allthough don't count on it for sure since it is only up to luck)

edit2:
don't know what would be your pricerange on mbo and cpu, so you could choose a more expensive/better mbo, allthough this would be my choice if i wanted to save some cash on mbo
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deathclaw View Post

yes, because it probably will be better all round
but honestly
if you want really great thing i would go for cheaper mbo like this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157176
and get beast of a cpu
like this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103995
the mbo i listed doesn't have usb 3.0 if you care about that, and cannot fit the newest am3+ processors from amd (but they suck anyway so you don't care:))
neither of those bother me and that sounds like a good idea.will even shave some off my total

EDIT: that mobo has gotten some awfull reviews
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by james325 View Post

neither of those bother me and that sounds like a good idea.will even shave some off my total
thumb.gif

as for the case i don't know what to say, it will fit 4850 and some larger cards, but you don't know till you have it and see for yourself
and if you don't care about the case, and have some basic skills in wielding a chainsaw you can put even the largest cards in there
devil.gif
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deathclaw View Post

thumb.gif

as for the case i don't know what to say, it will fit 4850 and some larger cards, but you don't know till you have it and see for yourself
and if you don't care about the case, and have some basic skills in wielding a chainsaw you can put even the largest cards in there
devil.gif
hahah yeah it will probably be a long time before i upgrade the graphics card,honestly i would use a cardboard box for the case if it did the job
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by james325 View Post

hahah yeah it will probably be a long time before i upgrade the graphics card,honestly i would use a cardboard box for the case if it did the job
then this case will do just that, DO:)

i still recommend that motherboard i linked

and why would it be some time before you upgrade your graphics card?
let's say you buy it now for $50, in a year you sell it for $40 and add a bit to get another one
smile.gif
 
#15 ·
I don't know i just figured i would use it as long as i can.I more than likely will not be playing a lot of new games, and if i do i don't have to have them at the highest settings.I will probably still use the motherboard you linked because my original one had its complaints to, and it seems like the biggest bang for my buck.
 
#16 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by james325 View Post

I don't know i just figured i would use it as long as i can.I more than likely will not be playing a lot of new games, and if i do i don't have to have them at the highest settings.I will probably still use the motherboard you linked because my original one had its complaints to, and it seems like the biggest bang for my buck.
every motherboard should work perfectly with specified features it has, each has its complaints though, if you google for example asus crosshair IV you will find bunch of complaints on it, and that mbo new cost was over $300.
I recommended this asrock motherboard as i have heard a lot of good things about it too, but cannot say for myself since i did not have it, but if i was choosing for myself and was tight on cash that would be my choice (or i would look for used better one for the same price:))
 
#17 ·
d00d..get a decent mobo..and whatever cpu and clock the snot out of it
I.e. m4a89gtd-pro,sabertooth..m5a99x..or m4a89td-evo..maybe an athlon 2 x4 XXX
you will be happy..and have an upgrade path..If you can swing it..the zosma is fantastic, IMO
$124 dang..$50 less than the 965 be i bought
rolleyes.gif

and a lot better
 
#19 ·
#20 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by james325 View Post

i just pulled the trigger and bought everything! i suplemented in all of deathclaws suggestions though.
now to learn how to put it togather
Good for you. All I can say is take your time working with the internal components and try not to touch things directly. It's a lot easier to do a build today than it was when I first started having to mess with jumpers on the board. Post some pics when you're done. Good luck.
thumb.gif
 
#21 ·
$40 for a Hyper 212 EVO is not impressive; that's overpriced. There are better heatsinks like the Enermax ETS-T40 TB Silence for less.
 
#22 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deathclaw View Post

all is fine
i would recommend getting this memory for example
many people are using corsair memory, but in my several encounters with corsair memory, it caused nothing but trouble
g.skill 4gb 1333mhz 20 USD on newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231421
the motherboard you are looking at is pretty good, so stick with it unless you get a good deal on something else then think about it and ask away:)
all in all that motherboard is great
the power supply will do
there are a lot better ones but this will suffice
cpu cooler is good, but this one is better and i recommend it over hyper 212
zalman performa 36 usd on newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118059
hdd- i can understand it, it is small but it costs more for something better
it will probably be the thing that lessens your overall experience working on a pc
it will do for first hand - i recomment new hdd to be your next upgrade:)
used 4850 is also good, the cpu you are getting can handle lot better cards, so later down the road you can change that 4850 with a more powerfull one if and when you feel the need to:)
do not get new 4850 now days it makes no sense it is overpriced new in store
i actually think that is the lesser choice over the amd mbo and cpu you listed first
also forgot to say-the case will probably annoy you pretty much if it doesn't have space for graphics card, but if you want a nice case that has a enough of room you would have to pay quite a bit more than for this one, so here is to hoping it is spacy enough (it probably has just enough room for medium length cards, but something like gtx 260 which is quite a bit long probably would have issues fitting in there)
Quote:
Originally Posted by james325 View Post

i just pulled the trigger and bought everything! i suplemented in all of deathclaws suggestions though.
now to learn how to put it togather
Oh boy... Spend a few extra bucks on a decent case you'll thank yourself later.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352009
http://www.amazon.com/Technologies-Source-210-Computer-Black/dp/B005869A7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330974925&sr=8-1

Why a single stick of ram?
This dual channel set for same $

This set if your overclocking (newest tech, best OC'ing sticks for the $ right now

212+ for less than the zalman:
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=41337&vpn=RR-B10-212P-G1&manufacture=COOLERMASTER&promoid=1009

A better PSU for $17 !!!!!!!!! AMIR and promo


Good mobo on the CHeap $75


Better mobo for a few bucks more $90

Best budget AMD proc currently


GPU for $78

If you dont plan to overclock that AMD processor though, then you will be MUCH happier with this i3 2100 setup:

http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=58339&vpn=BX80623I32100&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1009

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157233

For LESS money it outperforms the AMD setup @ stock settings quite handily, and you wont need an aftermarket cooler since these chips run so cool. (saved another $25)
 
#23 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by james325 View Post

Ram-Corsair Vengeance 4GB DDR3 -$25
go with a ton better RAM at cheaper rate
SAMSUNG 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
or if you want 2 modules then
SAMSUNG 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 26$
Quote:
psu-Cooler Master Elite Series 460 Watts -$40
dont go with CM PSU they are trash go with a
CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 V2
Quote:
mobo- asus m487td/usb3-$105
that is a way way out dated Motherboard you can go with a ton better motherboard like
ASUS M5A97 95$ SHIPPED
or
GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3 110$
Quote:
cpu- amd athlon II x4 quad core 2.8ghz-$90
if you can go with 960T which is for 115$ on ncix click here to see
Quote:
case- just click here-25
go with it and if you dont mind then Coolermaster Elite 370 33$
Quote:
hdd- a used western caviar blue 160gb-$36
you can get a new HDD in 48.21$ HERE if you are good with used then fine
Quote:
cpu cooler-COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO-40
save ur cash and go for a 212+@23$

Hope that helped
thumb.gif
 
#24 ·
#26 ·
lol i ordered it guys but thanks anyways. I dont have to have the absolute best and i think what i got will do what i want just fine. i will more than likely overclock at a later date after i learn a bit more about it. any suggestions any ideas on a good monitor to get? im trying to keep monitor price for under $110 so any suggestions on what would be the best bang for my buck would help.
 
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