Help! My first inexpensive build

[slinx102]

Approximate Purchase Date: Next week


Budget Range: 350 after tax, before rebates


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Low setting gaming rig, everyday use


Parts Not Required: keyboard/mouse, monitor, OS, speakers, optical drive, video card (I have a Sapphire Radeon HD 4670 1 GB)


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com


Country of Origin: United States


Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: No


SLI or Crossfire: No


Monitor Resolution: 1024x768, 1280x1024


Additional Comments: I'm building this rig to play most games on low settings, I'm not planning to max out graphics.


HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

PSU: COOLER MASTER Elite 460 RS-460-PSAR-J3 460W ATX12V V2.31 Power Supply

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

Motherboard: BIOSTAR H61ML LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU: Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz 2 x 256KB L2 Cache 3MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I32100

Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, option Fans-2x Side 120mm Fan

I need help determining if the parts are compatible with each other before I go on purchasing the parts. I appreciate the different kinds of feedback guys

 

[danraies]

It should all be compatible. You don't have to change anything but some things do come to mind.

You can get a 1TB hard drive for about $15 more:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697

Your motherboard doesn't list 1600 memory as supported - it only lists 1066 and 1333. Also you can find 2x2GB kits in the $25-$30 range especially for 1333. Don't get me wrong, the ram you chose is good, but I don't know if they'll be compatible and you can save a few dollars. Maybe email Biostar about the compatibility.

From the listed components it doesn't look like you plan on upgrading in the future and since you're not overclocking you don't have to worry so much about airflow. Those things being said, maybe a smaller htpc case might be nice? It won't save you any money and the Challenger is a good mid tower for $50, but a small case might save you some desk space or look better in your entertainment center.

 

[danraies]

For $40 (with promo code EMCKBJH74) there's a 72-hour sale on a very good 430W psu:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026
There's also free shipping and a rebate on the item.

 

[zooted]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817815007&Tpk=xigmatek%20400w This is also a good deal for a psu. 80+ bronze

 

[aznshinobi]

i5 2300 + A-Data 4GB DDR3 1333 $196
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.695723
Asrock H61M-VS $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157241
Xigmatek 400w $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817815007&Tpk=Xigmatek%20400w
Seagate 500GB $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767
Xigmatek Asgard II $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811815005
Total: $361
This build would be a lot better in performance, but if it's out of your reach then. Oh well.

 

[tsnor]

fwiw : I am now a fan of fast disk drives. Consider upgrade to black rather than blue WD or the spinpoint f3 (1tb = $60). (I went with 1tb wd green drives in two builds for some reason and have regretted it ever since when i see side by side with similar PC running seagate barracuda gen12 drive.)

Aznshinobi build could also be used with i3 instead of i5. I'd go with the i5.

Neither build uses much power. If the system that gave you the 4670, optical drives etc can donate a PSU that would save a few $$. Power supplies that came in OEM PCs like HP, Sony, etc. tend to be good for their rated power vs. cheap aftermarket. You'd need 200 watts or less until you upgrade video (video less than 75w, cpu less than 65w). Sticker on PSU will give you rated power. If you currently have a cheap aftermarket PSU then strongly agree with getting a new one.

 

[danraies]

If you're using microATX then here's a couple smaller $30 cases from rosewill:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147073
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147112
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147111

 

[aznshinobi]

^ Those cost the same as the Asgard, but they would restrict him from the ability to upgrade to an ATX board if he ever wanted.

 

[slinx102]

Best answer selected by slinx102.