New Barebone Build

[03subie]

Looking for some advice on this build. The last build I did was 5 years ago and a lot has changed. Basically I want a cheap build that I can upgrade later if need be in the future.

So far I was looking at MB around 50-70 that supports AM3 CPU and DDR3,(4 slots would be nice for the future). A athlon II X2 for around 50-70. Might looking into a X3 for the right price. And some basic memory that is stable. Don't know if I need 2gigs or 4 right now. Also a basic case with a PS. I have gone through a couple different ways on newegg and price usually comes around 230 to 280 for this build. Being used mostly for some light gaming no Call of duty or anything, music, office work and internet.





Approximate Purchase Date: next 30 days


Budget Range: about 250 shipped


System Usage from Most to Least Important: internet, light gaming nothing too intense


Parts Not Required: Motherboard(has to be a AM3/ DDR3), cpu, 2 or 4 gigs of ram(not to sure if I need the 4 right now), and lastly a simple case with a PS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg

Country of Origin: US


Parts Preferences: Amd

Overclocking: Maybe later


SLI or Crossfire: No


Monitor Resolution: 1280x1024, and above. Acer 23inch lcd monitor

 

[ScrewySqrl]

whats the resolution of the 23-in monitor? I think we can get you a basic system that can do web/youtube/basic office for your $250 cost:

micro-ATX case with 1 120mm fan and AMD Athlon II X2 235 @2.9 GHz: $72.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514475

GSkill 4 GB DDR3 RAM: $66.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231394

Sea Sonic 80+ Bronze 300W PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151086

Samsung Spinpoint F3 320 GB HDD: $42.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152244

LG 24x DVD Burner: $16.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136177

$239.94 total

$13.64 shipping

$253.58 total.

 

[03subie]

I'm not to sure what the resolution is. I'm at work right now. I don't need a dvd or the HDD as of right now. Just a MB, memory, CPU, Case-PS. Anything wrong with a case like this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147010

Also something to keep in mind is the possibility of upgrades like a video card and better CPU is something to consider.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

I wouldn't reccommend that case at all.

for $39.99, I'd say the Rosewill Blackbone (with 2 120MM fans, and room for 2 more on teh sides) is a much better deal.

Most PSUs bundled in a cheap computer case are NOT reliable, and can destroy the entire rest of the computer, which is why I included the Sea Sonic PSU in my build. There are some exceptions, but it's a good general rule to follow

 

[Onus]

I agree about PSUs that come in cheap cases! Most of them are hardly fit to power light bulbs.
It's a little more out of pocket up front, but if you play the rebate game and win, it ends up cheaper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033 for $45, then there's a $10 MIR.
That 380W Earthwatts has a 6-pin PCIE power connector (the Seasonic doesn't), which would better anticipate a video card upgrade.

 

[Dougie Fresh]

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W 80 PLUS BRONZE PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514532
$59.98 AR

AMD Athlon II X2 260 Regor 3.2GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core ADX260OCGMBOX
ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.526720
$152.98

Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) CL7 1.5V KVR1066D3N7K2/4G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134718
$71.99

Total: $284.95 w/o tax & shipping
- or -

Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) CL7 1.5V KVR1066D3N7K2/2G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134492
$38.99

Total: $251.95 w/o tax & shipping

This might be (literally) a few dollars more expensive than something with a Rosewill case, Biostar motherboard, Mushkin memory, etc. but it seems worth it to have all top of the line, top rated components. Even if you decide to go a different mobo/CPU route I think it will be very hard to beat that case/PSU combination. I haven't seen an Antec deal like that in I don't know when.

 

[Onus]

That IS good deal. If I didn't have a spare case already, I'd probably order it myself.
If the budget will stretch a little, I'd prefer faster RAM (DDR3-1333), but that's still a nice budget build.

 

[03subie]

What do you guys think of these two MB's.

Lower end http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138179

And than a little more money http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130290

Also is it worth going for a athlon x3 over x2? It's only like 25 or so more

 

[Dougie Fresh]

I wouldn't pick either but if I had a choice it'd be the MSI one. You'll need to add a video card with either one.

 

[Dougie Fresh]

That IS good deal. If I didn't have a spare case already, I'd probably order it myself.
If the budget will stretch a little, I'd prefer faster RAM (DDR3-1333), but that's still a nice budget build.

Yeah, if it were my build I'd spend the $8 more and get this RAM:

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333 CL8 1.5V F3-10600CL8D-4GBHK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231180
$79.99

It's gone down over $20 since the last build I did with this RAM.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

don't get either of those motherboards. The AS Rock version of that board is $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157176

updates with USB3 and SATA3 connections, its $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157195

none of the 770s boards includes onboard video however.

 

[03subie]

ASRock M3A770DE AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard


Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811129042
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy



OCZ Signature 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3SR1333LV4GK
AMD Athlon II X3 445 Rana 3.1GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX445WFGMBOX


Subtotal: $276.95 with combo discounts


Minus 30 for rebate and brings everything down to below 250. Is there anyway I can bring it down more or is the lowest for these type of parts? I have a graphics card from my friend that I can use too.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

what kind of card?

this RAM is cheaper and more reliable than OCZ:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748
$66.99, $56.99 after rebate.

Depending on the GPU, you might consider the 780L, 785, or 880 motherboard, which has teh 3000, 4200, and 4250 built in.

the 780L is an older 760 updated with DDR3. It runs from about $65, and has the 3000 as the onboard video.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131619

the 785 also an older board updated with DDR3, it has a 4200 as the onboard, and runs about $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131595

The 880 is a new motherboard, and has the 4250 built in, it runs about $75 as well:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130295r, and more reliable than OCZ