Overclock.net banner
Cancel

Building a Custom Computer

563 Views 17 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  Chozart, 
A
My friend is looking for a custom computer, and I was giving him a few tips. However, I don't know much about PSU's or Video Cards, so maybe you guys could find a better combination? Here's the basic layout (he doesn't need a Disk Drive or Hard drive)

Mobo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813127008
CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103029
(mobo and CPU are a bundle deal)
Video Card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150128
Memory - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820161029
PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153023

Note: Please keep this total under $500 (right now it's at $422.50 w/ shipping) Thanks.
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
E
Looks like you have a good budget rig there. What does your friend want to use the computer for? If it is day to day use with moderate gaming that will be a decent setup. If gaming is the priority you will want to look at a better graphics card and perhaps a 2x1GB kit as opposed to the 2x512MB kit.

If your friend plans on overclocking at all then the 3000+ would be a good option too, they overclock nicely. If your friend plans on running stock then that 3800 will be a nice option too. If your friend intends to overclock then you might need a little better PSU though, but in a stock setup that will do him/her nicely.
Reply
Save
Like
FlaKing
Its CPU. Central Processing Unit

I would get a 3000+. They overclock like crazy. I've seen some hit 3Ghz, and his money would be better spent on a 2x1GB kit or put some more money toward a 7600GT.
Reply
Save
Like
B
3200+ $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103031

MSI K9N Platinum $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130049

BUFFALO Firestix 1GB $123
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820150053

FSP Group FSP400-60THN-R $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104935

BIOSTAR 7600GT $126
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814141044

About $478 in total but with shipping it might be thrown over $500 =/
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
svtfmook
what is your friend looking to do with the computer? that will have the determining factor on which cpu and video card he should go with.
Reply
Save
Like
A
Quote:


Originally Posted by svtfmook
View Post

what is your friend looking to do with the computer? that will have the determining factor on which cpu and video card he should go with.

I just asked him and he says "normal use with light to moderate gaming". In my opinion, judging by what he's telling me to go with, moderate gaming and extensive use. He wants a fast computer, in other words. So I figured a Socket AM2 Athlon 64x2 would suit him nicely, and again, I don't know really how to judge a good psu and graphics card. I'm not entirely sure he knows how to overclock, but I could teach him without a problem, it's basic stuff.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
THEoBZ
cpu - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103735
video - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102068
mobo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813136015
psu - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817709004
memory - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141211 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141210

Thats around 560.00 without shipping.
I would recommend getting a 2 gig kit though. If you decide to get the 2 gig kit it will be around 650.00, still its cheap for a very nice computer.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
T
Yes, I'm the mysterious friend who is wanting a new computer. What I plan to do with the computer is moderate computer usage, and light gaming, I'm going to have many programs running at once, photoshop, a free online game, a few web pages, AIM, mIRC, and MSN messenger is what comes to mine immedietly, which means there will be more than said list.

Mainly, I'm just tired of my computer lagging out due to me breathing on it, anymore.

I'm a noob for this kind of thing, that's why I had my friend post this for me. But this is what we've revamped the PC to:

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Windsor 2.0GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - OEM

Mobo: ABIT KN9 ULTRA Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard

(Motherboard and Processor come as a packaged deal for 213.99)

Video Card: XFX PVT72GWANG GeForce 7300GS 256MB Onboard (512MB TurboCache Supported) 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Low Profile Video Card â€" Retail ($70.98)

Memory: pqi TURBO 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory - Retail ($86.99 with rebate)

PSU: Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC ATX 430W Power Supply 115/230 V - Retail ($39.99)

All of those links should be correct, if not the names are at least. Everything came/is coming from newegg.

Which comes to a total of $422.75 with rebate and shipping.

Remember I want to keep this below 500 and preferably below 450. This computer suits all my needs (if it functions properly that is).

Yay or nay?
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
THEoBZ
Looks good, but get a the power supply I recommended.
Reply
Save
Like
C
I am not too happy about the Sunbeam NUUO. I know it's popular here, but it's efficiency is horrid, and the current on the 12V rails is not that good either.

Having that said, Thermaltake is not that good either. Nice cases, but their PSUs.. not really hitting the spot.

I'd take a look at the 450W FSP for $53.99. More than enough power for that build, and a good brand.

And I assume you mean VERY light gaming, since a 7300GS is enough...
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
Acoma_Andy
Do yourself a huge favor and go with something else instead of the 7300GS, like the 7300GT (make sure it has DDR3!) that would be better. Or else a 7600GS... but really if you are willing to spend a little more get the 7600GT.
Reply
Save
Like
THEoBZ
I disagree with you Chozart.
450w will not be sufficient for him. If he ever plans on upgrading again he will then have to buy another power supply.
The NUUO however will do fine for a non-overclocking rig.
I even use one in my x2 3800+ rig, overclocked. Ive used that rig for over almost a year now and have had no problems.
Reply
Save
Like
C
Err... there is a whole Ampere of difference between the 450W FSP and the 550W NUUO on the 12V rails (29A for the FSP and 30A for the NUUO).

You'er not going to tell me that 1 amp makes that much difference??

Do note that 450W is nVidia's recommendation for a rig based on the 8800GTX, and that in reviews a full rig with the 8800GTX draws less than 350W power under full load!

450W is enough. Plenty even. The power requirements for computers are often exaggerated. And Watts is often not the most important thing to look at; the current on the 12V rails is also important.

He can put an 8800GTX in that rig later and the 450W FSP will still run it quite easily. I'd likely pick the FSP over the NUUO if I had only those two PSUs to pick from, regardless of what my rig was. I just don't like the NUUO's horrid efficiency (not to mention that a few members had theirs fail after a while).
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
THEoBZ
Say what you will.
Ive had good luck, so im going to recommend it.
Reply
Save
Like
T
Quote:

Originally Posted by Tekken View Post
Yes, I'm the mysterious friend who is wanting a new computer. What I plan to do with the computer is moderate computer usage, and light gaming, I'm going to have many programs running at once, photoshop, a free online game, a few web pages, AIM, mIRC, and MSN messenger is what comes to mine immedietly, which means there will be more than said list.

Mainly, I'm just tired of my computer lagging out due to me breathing on it, anymore.

I'm a noob for this kind of thing, that's why I had my friend post this for me. But this is what we've revamped the PC to:

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Windsor 2.0GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - OEM

Mobo: ABIT KN9 ULTRA Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard

(Motherboard and Processor come as a packaged deal for 213.99)

Video Card: ZOGIS Geforce 7600GS 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail ($89.99 with rebate)

Memory: pqi TURBO 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory - Retail ($86.99 with rebate)

PSU: FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN, 12cm FAN, version 2.0, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 450W Power Supply - Retail 53.99

All of those links should be correct, if not the names are at least. Everything came/is coming from newegg.

That comes to 444.96 WITHOUT SHIPPING.

Yay or nay?
Fixed?
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
A
Yeah, that's what I was missing last night when I was browsing through psu's for your rig. The amount of amperes that can run on the 12V rails, oy I feel so dumb. Anyway, personally I agree with Chozart that the FSP is better. Note: Since I couldn't think of what to look for, we went with the best rated/most popular psu. Which was that one with something like 998 ratings, and the average being a full 5 eggs. Also the reasoning for me coming here looking for a better. =P

Anyway, I'll look into the 7600GS or 7300GT, but I'm not entirely expecting him to need them, and it saves on the price, so I went with the 7300GS. Thanks for the pointers, everyone.
Reply
Save
Like
G
Don't skimp on the power supply, it is the worst place to save money.Even if you aren't overclocking poor power supply is at the root of 50% of problems. If ocing its 90%.
Reply
Save
Like
C
Agreed. Hence my advice for the 450W FSP. An excellent PSU that does not cost too much, and can power quite a rig actually (29 A max load on the 12V rails).

It's not directly revealed in the Watts, but it packs quite a punch.
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Overclock.net
A forum community dedicated to overclocking enthusiasts and testing the limits of computing. Come join the discussion about computing, builds, collections, displays, models, styles, scales, specifications, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Hardware News Intel CPUs PC Gaming NVIDIA Water Cooling
Top