[MoMann]

I want to build my little sister a computer for her birthday. Nothing too fancy as since she will just be doing homework and maybe playng a few games like the sims, gta 4 (she just drives aroud lol), dirt 3, and maybe the new sim city. Below is what I do and dont have So, I also figured that I will get an AMD CPU since those are cheaper. But now I have no clue about AMD CPU's and dont know where to start. So my main question is what motherboard and cpu should I get her?

This is what I need to buy:

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 640 -$80
Case/PSU : APEVIA X-TROOPER - $50
GPU: Radeon HD 5770 - $65
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-USB3 - $65
RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 4GB - $35

This is what I have:

Monitor 1600x900
HDD: 320GB Seagate
Keyboard and Mouse

Total Cost: $295

 

[huzzug]

You could go for an AMD A10-5800K as your processor. Based on FM2 socket, you could go for this motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157333

As for your Graphics, you could either go for the onboard graphics or if you want, you could hybrid crossfire it with an HD6670

 

[MoMann]

Could I use this mobo instead since its cheaper?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157332

 

[MoMann]

And for the cpu when it says cpu+gpu does that mean I cant add a gpu, or I just dont need one?

 

[huzzug]

you could add an GPU but it should be HD6670 or anything lower. Otherwise, it would switch off the iGPU of the processor. Also, if you want to go for that motherboard, you can sure go for it.

 

[MoMann]

What about this CPU would it be good too? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168191132836

 

[huzzug]

You could go for this processor if you wish to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113281, as this is the best sub $120 proc.

as for the motherboard, the key difference between the A55 and the A75 is that the later has the USB 3.0 & SATA6GB support

 

[MoMann]

There is nothing really cheaper than that for my needs?

 

[ComputerRestore]

Since you already have the GPU

AMD

Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157305

CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113287

Intel

CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116775

Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131835

RAM - a cheap DDR3 1600Mhz (2X2)GB kit - probably GSkills or Samsung Green 30nm $40 range

It's important to know what kind of case you will be using too, because there are different sizes of motherboards mini-ATX, ATX etc.

You could probably get a i3 2100 and a really cheap 1155 socket motherboard for real cheap too.

 

[MoMann]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComputerRestore

Since you already have the GPU

AMD

Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157305

CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113287

Intel

CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116775

Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131835

RAM - a cheap DDR3 1600Mhz (2X2)GB kit - probably GSkills or Samsung Green 30nm $40 range

It's important to know what kind of case you will be using too, because there are different sizes of motherboards mini-ATX, ATX etc.

Oh no I dont have the gpu I just edited the OP. I also dont have the case. Though I did find one that seemed OK, Also comes with a PSU. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144270

 

[AlaskaFox]

what is your over all budget?

the above reccomendations are good ones cause they offer good performance for value and they can be combined with an entry level amd 6xxx gpu to "crossfire" for combined performance

 

[MoMann]

I would say 300 max. Though cheaper is preferred. She mainly will just be playing sims, dirt 3, gta IV (and 5 if it comes to PC). She will also be getting Simcity 5. The games do not need to be maxed, maybe just medium or high.

 

[MoMann]

How about a 5770 for the GPU?

 

[AlaskaFox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoMann

How about a 5770 for the GPU?

if you are plannning on buying a gpu that high, dont get an amd APU.

go for an athlon quadcore maybe.

how much are you planning on paying for the 5770?

 

[MoMann]

I found it in the OCN marketplace for $65

 

[kyfire]

If yopu're going the APU (AMD A4 or any A series) You should go fo 8 gig of 1866Mhz ram. Reason being the on chip video uses system ram and the A series chips like faster ram.

 

[MoMann]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103953

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135315

would that be better?

 

[MoMann]

The main thing im unsure about is my mobo and cpu.

 

[MoMann]

Or maybe this CPU since its quad core?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871

Ughhh im so confused with AMD.

 

[AlaskaFox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoMann

Or maybe this CPU since its quad core?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871

Ughhh im so confused with AMD.

Dont worry ill help

are you able to fit this into your budget with that cpu?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128565

i found that one cause it has heatsinked VRMs. you could overclock it a bit to help with her games (amd seems to benifit greatly from overclocks in gaming)

just a thought.

that would allow you (if my math is correct) about 150$ to find a case, psu, ram and maybe a hyper 212 cooler