About to build my first computer

[mayhem213]

my moms computer crapped out last yr and ive decided for the holidays i am going to build her a computer, ive never done this before so im looking for some advice

my mom only surfs the internet, uses itunes, and occasionally may watch a movie on it

here is what i have picked out so far

Intel Pentium G840 Sandy Bridge 2.8GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623G840
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116398

BIOSTAR H61MU3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138311

COOLER MASTER Elite 430 RC-430-KWN1 Black Steel / Plastic Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119227

COOLER MASTER GX 450W RS450-ACAAD3-US 450W ATX12V v2.31 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171060

Mercury EXTREME™ Pro 3G SSD 30GB
SATA 3.0Gb/s Solid State Drive
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/SSDMX030/

ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Kingston ValueRAM 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3K2/4GR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134792



i know the hardrive may seem small but my mom has 2 gb's of music and stores nothing on the computer so i went for speed over space

 

[slcmike]

How about a laptop, she can watch her movies anywhere! She'll put extra hot dogs in the mac n cheese if you get her one!!

 

[mayhem213]

How about a laptop, she can watch her movies anywhere! She'll put extra hot dogs in the mac n cheese if you get her one!!

she doesnt want a laptop

 

[vx53c]

for what your mom needs an HTPC will do nicely. The FM1 APUs from AMD offer adequate graphics far superior to intel's.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103955
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128517
the cheapest good brand 4giga or ram you can find, a smaller (mATX) case and about 300 good brand psu will do nicely. As for the ssd you put there, it is hardly enough and it is ssd. Just get a standard hdd from a local store that had them in stock before the floods or canibalize from another computer that doesn't need it or search on ebay/sales forum. Hope i've helped.

 

[geofelt]

I like the idea, but I think 30gb(and you will see less) is a bit too small . I have used 40gb on a laptop, and that seems like plenty. Also, I am not so enthused about the brand. I suggest an Intel 320 40gb drive for $97. You can depend on Intel reliability.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167044

The cpu might be stronger than you need. I think the G530 would do just as well. But anything stronger is ok too.

Why not get a really small cute case?
Look at the Antec ISK300-150 which takes a ITX motherboard and includes a adequate psu for $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129080

You can get any of the H61/H67 itx motherboards, depending on your preference for brands.
Here is the H61 biostar:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138327

Get a 4gbkit of 2 x 2gb ram. $23 from g.skil. No heat spreaders are necessary.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253

The real key to having a quick pc is the SSD. Good thinking there.

 

[mayhem213]

the 30gb would be the boot drive

id eventually grab a 500 gb or 1tb drive when prices drop again to use for storage

 

[mayhem213]

are all those parts i listed compatible?

 

[mayhem213]

how much better is this processor over the one listed in the first post

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115221

seems like a no brainer for 15 bucks more if its much better

 

[geofelt]

how much better is this processor over the one listed in the first post

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115221

seems like a no brainer for 15 bucks more if its much better

The i3-540 is an older generation that fits a 1156 socket.
It is slower on a clock for clock basis than the sandy bridge cpu's by about 20%, so it is not really a contender today.

 

[mayhem213]

is the power supply i chose adequate?

thats the one tricky part for me

 

[slcmike]

is the power supply i chose adequate?

thats the one tricky part for me

As it is your current build will draw aprox 200w under load. So you psu is adequate.

 

[fb39ca4]

Naw, closer to 100W

 

[mayhem213]

will a video card be neccesarry or will onboard suffice?

 

[mayhem213]

also is the ram right for this setup?

 

[mayhem213]

also was wondering about how many fans ill need

i know the case i chose comes with one but is that enough?

 

[geofelt]

will a video card be neccesarry or will onboard suffice?

also is the ram right for this setup?

also was wondering about how many fans ill need

i know the case i chose comes with one but is that enough?

1) The graphics is in the sandy bridge cpu. The G840 or any other sandy bridge has graphics suitable for most anything but fast action gaming. HD movies is fine.
You do not need anything extra.
2) The ram is fine.

3) You actually need NO fans. The stock intel cpu cooler is enough.

4) Do reconsider getting 30gb. 40gb should be the minimum.

 

[mayhem213]

1) The graphics is in the sandy bridge cpu. The G840 or any other sandy bridge has graphics suitable for most anything but fast action gaming. HD movies is fine.
You do not need anything extra.
2) The ram is fine.

3) You actually need NO fans. The stock intel cpu cooler is enough.

4) Do reconsider getting 30gb. 40gb should be the minimum.

will i need a usb wifi stick or does the motherboard have wifi

 

[geofelt]

will i need a usb wifi stick or does the motherboard have wifi

No, I see no wifi included.
If you can attach to the internet via lan cable, that is best, and all motherboards will have that.

If you need a wifi connection, there are some motherboards that offer it, but they are more expensive. Zotac makes one.
It is cheaper to get an add in card or a usb wifi unit.

 

[mayhem213]

No, I see no wifi included.
If you can attach to the internet via lan cable, that is best, and all motherboards will have that.

If you need a wifi connection, there are some motherboards that offer it, but they are more expensive. Zotac makes one.
It is cheaper to get an add in card or a usb wifi unit.

any recomendations on a cheap wifi card or is it best to just use a usb stick?

i currently have a netgear usb wifi laying around

 

[mayhem213]

would there be any problems switching out this processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116397

for the one in the first post

noticed its slightly faster and only 3 dollars more

 

[mayhem213]

anyone have a suggestion for a decent ssd under 100 from bestbuy

 

[mayhem213]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233177

is this ssd any good?

 

[geofelt]

Go ahead and use the wifi usb you have. You can always change it out later if you don't like it.

$3 more for a G850 is a good deal.

I would spend a bit more for the Intel 320 40gb drive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167044

Here's why:
http://www.behardware.com/articles/831-7/components-returns-rates.html

 

[mayhem213]

Go ahead and use the wifi usb you have. You can always change it out later if you don't like it.

$3 more for a G850 is a good deal.

I would spend a bit more for the Intel 320 40gb drive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167044

Here's why:
http://www.behardware.com/articles/831-7/components-returns-rates.html

i was thinking maybe the intel x25 40 gb

best buy by me has them clearenced out for 69.99

also was wondering if the motherboard is alrite for this build, from everything ive read yes but i was just wanna make sure

 

[geofelt]

Intel X25-V 40gb is very good. I have one in my laptop. It absolutely transformed it.

I see no problem with the motherboard.