New Build w/ $400 + Parts? Newbie here and I am just so stuck on this..

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ColinCC

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Dec 30, 2014
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Hello there everyone! My name is Colin and I'm new to TomsHardware, but glad to be here. 😀 I'm basically here to try and get some help from someone/anyone on picking some compatible parts to build a new machine. That is IF I have the means to do so. My budget is set and I probably wont be running into any extra $$ anytime soon due to my health and disability etc. etc. blah blah. I want to make this post as correct as I can by following the requested method provided by the OP's here.

So let me start off with why I want this upgrade/build. It's a long story, but I don't want to bore you to death so I'm going to make it very quick for ya. I had a decent custom system, Got Dragon Age Inquisition along with a new graphics card I was really excited about (For Christmas and my Birthday), broke my CPU (Long sad story), graphics card get's sent back to newegg and I get a new CyberpowerPC system for close to $400. Was that fast enough? hehe 😉

Ok, so I was going to put my crappy old Radeon HD 6850 into this new CyberpowerPC and take out the trash that came with it. Well it wouldn't fit. I also then noticed this new computer didn't have any dvd-rom/writer slots with it, or any room to add another hard drive or even upgrade anything else for that matter! Now Newegg will let me get a refund if I decide fast enough what I plan to do. The CyberpowerPC specs are can been seen by clicking on the word in this post. Also, let me go ahead and show you the specs I had in my custom computer before I go ahead and answer the questions provided by TomsHardware.

My Custom PC:
Windows 7 Home 64-bit
6GB of DDR2 ram 2x 2gb cards and 2x 1gb cards (I was going to go for an upgrade to 8GB until I thought about the graphics card and decided to get that, but as you know.. I had to send it back)
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 940 3Ghz (Socket AM2+) (Now broken and replaced with an old Phenom)
MB: MSI model: MS-7374 nForce 750a SLI
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 6850
Power Supply: Thermaltake TR2 RX-550
Case: It's a crappy Cyberpower case that looks like this. It only has those tiny vents in the front and all three fans are broken. The front one BARLEY has any room because the metal decks are in the way and would block any airflow anyway.
Note: After just recently tinkering around with this system, I can't get it to start for longer than 2 seconds all of a sudden. No matter what I try. So something could now be broken and not used if I build a new computer. Hopefully not the Power Supply though. The motherboard does get a solid orange light when plugged in. I don't think it's the old CPU I just put in because it worked before and it was loading widows before it started doing this.. just my luck I guess hah!

Alright so that's what I have. Oh, by the way.. let me show you what put this idea in my head.. go to this link I'm gonna post and look in the comments at the first set of computer parts the guy shows picked from pcpartpicker.com for just under $400! The price has changed since then, but they are always changing. Here is that link. Whatcha think?? Now I'm going to copy and paste the questions provided by this site and answer them for ya. The most important thing for me would be the graphics card I suppose. I would like to play new games at mid-level or so, but I can't be picky obviously. The reason I'm asking for other people to pick the parts for me are because I haven't messed with this stuff in over 10 years and I just don't understand all the specs to everything and why similar looking parts can be so different in price. Also, incompatibility with the parts would be hard for me to avoid. I've been reading, looking, researching and reading more, but now I'm just burnt out! :hot: lol Frankly I'd be nervous even building the thing, but I know there are guides on here to help me with that. Gee I feel like this is so much reading and work to put on you people. Just know that I thank you so much in advance for ANY comments, help or advice! Ok on to the form!!

IMPORTANT ADDED NOTE: After more researching, I realize this whole plan of mine might very well be unlikely. Although that sucks there is nothing I can do. Maybe in the worst case scenario, I could build a new computer and just have to use my old HD 6850 GPU most probably forever..it would be better than nothing. I don't know if it would even be compatible with modern motherboards though. Ok, just wanted to let you know I'm prepared for bad news.


Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: The closer the better

Budget Range: (e.g.: 300-400): $400 After Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Downloading and watching movies. listening to music, surfing and some good gaming (I usually have lots of small programs open when I'm not playing a game)

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: Mobo, CPU, GPU (Wishing), and RAM (Should be able to re-use my power supply if it will be compatible. That's the Thermaltake TR2 RX-550PP. Also the crap case if I have to but I'd need new fans)

Do you need to buy OS: OMG this just blew everything out of the water fore me!! 🙁 I tore the house apart looking for my OEM copy of windows 7 and found it. Now I just read the comment below! WoW.. So.. I guess Yes, I need another one if there is no way around it. I can't believe my windows was good for one install! Maaan, looks like I typed this whole thing and spent the day reading and researching for nothing. Unless there is some magical answer out there.. Gee
Please note that if you're using an OEM license of Windows, you will need a new one when buying a new motherboard.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com probably. pcpartpicker.com is helpful for finding rebates on things though.

Location: City, State/Region, Country - we need to know where these parts are being assembled and whether there are good store-only deals available: New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 USA

Parts Preferences: by brand or type: Probably AMD because it's cheaper

Overclocking: Don't know anything about it

SLI or Crossfire: Not important to me, I just want ONE good GPU before I can dream of two.

Your Monitor Resolution: 1024x768

Additional Comments: Naww that will be it for now.. pretty bummed about the windows license thing so I'm thinking I'm screwed again.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I think I covered that up top and probably way too much lol... I got a new game. Ordered a balling graphics card. While waiting like a kid for candy, I checked out my CPU because the temps were way to high and... it was stuck to the heatsink and got ripped out. Then the worst thing was, instead of spending more time trying to separate the two, I tried to jam it back on and broke a bunch of pins..🙁

WELL I guess that about does it! I thought I'd take about 15 min. to type this up, but it's been literally about 3 hours!! So I have to get some sleep. Thanks again to anyone who takes the time to read this and offer any advice/help. You're the best!!

Colin
 
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About to go to work =P so will try to awnser best i can. From what ive seen your psu should be good for the 270x. From whats ive seen the 270vs the 280 not a huge gap. And yea I would get a new case what style of case do you like?

Here is updated build with a decent case even has 3 pre-installed fans vs the normal 2 so you should get some nice cooling. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/N3WvvK $380 after mail-in rebates.
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here we go http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qf7jsY ive double checked everything it is all in stock. However the gpu is saying 189 on pc part picker but it is actually $169 and has a $20 dollar mail-in rebate so $149 after rebate. Total will be $414.75 before rebates. After the 30 dollars in rebates it is $386.74 tried to bring it back down to the $350 mark but couldnt.
 
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Wow you are fast! That's awesome man! The only different items are the case and the memory sticks right? Not a big deal. At first I looked at the build before I finished reading your post and saw the $426.74 and was pretty bummed lol. You did awesome. Now I just gotta get my father away from my mother and get him over here and order with me TODAY! lol I couldn't thank you enough. I'll be back when I check things out and let ya know what happens. I might be able to order this stuff this second!
 
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oooh only thing I'm worried about is I've been trying to get my computer working all day and I think I have a motherboard problem or a PSU problem. With MY luck it will be PSU. I'm gonna find a way to test it, but I'm ordering these parts anyway. Worst case scenario is I need to save for a PSU while I hold on to everything else. lol. I'll get back with ya!
 
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Hope its just the mobo but if its the psu they r 20-30 for a decent one.
 
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Oh cool atleast PSU's are cheap. I'll try using it, if it doesn't work then I know I need a new one. That is unless I find out before I get the parts. So Sir! I Have ordered everything!! NewEgg is going to be quick, but I think I'll be checking the mailbox for over a week for Amazons CPU lol. I thank you so much dude in northern Florida! Don't know what I'd end up with if it weren't for people like you, but it wouldn't be good! Now I just have to survive for a while with NO computer!! I always fall asleep to a movie or audio book lol. I'll live. Also I'll come back and let ya know how everything works out for sure. Time to lay down and relax now.. I'm giving my computer work a break! Thanks again man!

Colin
 
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Sh*t man. I think my PSU just happened to break out of NOWHERE! Just like my CPU breaking when I ordered a new graphics card. BAD BAD BAD luck! Have you heard of the paper clip test? I put one end in the green while and the other in the black and the computer turned on for a second and the power fan did not keep going. Grrrr. I guess I have one more favor to ask from you and that sux, but you think you could find me a PSU that will be compatible with that other stuff? I might skip some medicine or something lol. I'm not getting screwed like this. I gotta overcome the bad luck!! My my.. thanks as usual!!
 
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Heres this one which is what I would get http://pcpartpicker.com/mr/newegg/evga-power-supply-100w10500kr

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID= this one is cheaper after mail in rebate but I would not wanna get it as its only 430watts and the estimated system watts for the build is like 390 bit to close to my comfort lvl.
 
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NP I wouldnt bother trying to edit the order i dont belive newegg allows it and since both psu come with free shipping doesnt matter to much.
 
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Yeah we just did a separate order. With tax and all (actually I think only amazon taxed us) I owed and payed my father $41, now another $25 is owed. He's gonna have to wait for that lol. I can only handle so much bad luck at once. There are things that have happened with my computers within a week you wouldn't believe, for no apparent reasons.. so weird. Anyway it looks like the new total is about $416. Not bad considering all the parts will be new and are much better than what I had. I think it will be quite a nice system as well as upgradable. :) So go ahead and read my thank you speech again up above a couple messages =) Time for a good movie or something. I will let you know how things turn out for sure.

Colin
 
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Awsome glad it worked out for you. Shouldnt have to worry about upgrade for a few years since you got a decent 6 core cpu and a gpu that is able to run modern games at 1080p on high-ultra and get 60fps.
Need any build videos or you good?
 
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Nice deal hope it last for you. I dont recommend ebay for parts because have seen people burned and been burned myself a few times. By being burned I mean doa parts or parts that only last 1-2 years and then fail.
 
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You gave me a link to a YouTube video I'll probably use. Plus there is a guide on here so I should be good. I can always ask for help if I need it. I didn't think with this card I'd be able to run modern games on such high settings! This is gonna be better than I thought! :) Are frame rates pretty much the most important thing as far as running well. I'll use fraps. And I never use AA, now I probably can, and I think that makes things look smooth too. I can't wait to get going on this thing!!

Ohiou thanks for checking in on this thread to offer your help. There are so many great people out there willing to help. Budgetstudent has been a GREAT help. He pretty much did everything he could to get me the best stuff I could with the money I had. Hence his screen name I take it. =) How has your 7950 been?? Sounds like you got a great deal. I wonder how it compares with my incoming r9 270x. Probably pretty close huh?
 
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Unfortunately waiting on it. Was supposed to be delivered yesterday, but post office closed at noon but tried delivery at 6pm when nobody was available. Hopefully i get it tomorrow. The seller has 100% feedback though and says that it has a year warranty left. I may get another 120mm fan for the side of the case to feed it air and maybe a slot cooler fan. Good thing is though it's also one of the dual fan models, fans are supposedly both strong. I'll try to sell my 7850 for 50 or 60. Just got money at Christmas, and got the itch to upgrade. I figure this ought to hold me over for a year or so, then i can get a higher power card.

If you get a good card, sounds like there are some deals. I know i was seeing 7870's for like 80 bucks.
 
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Sorry for the late response, been busy here. Thank you for the links to those videos though! They make me way more eager to get this machine built! :bounce: I played Watch Dog dogs before and got sick of it pretty quick, but after seeing it being played while looking like that makes me think about giving it another shot. My problem though, is getting all the new games to where I have to many to play because I'm always wondering what the next one might be like. I need to be selective and just stick with one or two at a time. I'll definitely stay with Dragon Age though since I have waited forever for it:) I want to get far cry 4 (It kills me to skip 3 though) and still need to play the last mass effect lol. I don't know if your a gamer and know what I'm talking about, but I'm sure you're aware of those games either way. I actually wouldn't consider myself a "gamer" these days. I do lots of stuff with the computer, but when I like to play some games I want it looking bad ass! =) Thanks to you, it looks like that's gonna happen as long as nothing else goes wrong! Can't thank you enough.
 
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Too bad you missed out, but usually the best way to get games cheaply is during the steam holiday sales. I picked up Assassin's Creed 3 for example for 5 bucks. I think AC Black Flag was going for 23.99 and that you could get unity, the newest one for around 40. Also they had others, I think far cry 3 was like 17 at one point. Kind of nice too that you can pick up last year's game if it's a series relatively inexpensively before you buy the new 60 dollar game. They usually have summer sales as well so that will be here before you know it.
 
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Search on steam for a game called Heroes and Generals. It's a free to play MMO FPS. I've got almost 80 hours in that game. You start out as a regular infantry grunt in either the german or US army in WW2. You pick of course. You fight in wars, so what happens is people who've either paid or worked their way up to general, will command assault squads or units of men, they decide if you get planes, tanks, jeeps, etc(which you have to unlock to use if they make them available), and they deploy units to battles. Sometimes battles are very uneven as real war would be, because the germans might have tanks and US does not. Enterprising individuals like me who've unlocked anti tank mines, can mine roads, get bazookas, sticky grenades etc to help out. But for each point you help capture, kills, wounds etc, you earn points, which go toward unlocking new guns, vehicles etc and that also helps you advance toward your next ranks, the higher in ranks you go the faster you earn credits. That's how I've got so much time in playing bc I have a jeep, 3 different guns, 2 different kinds of mines, grenades, bazooka, etc.

If you get tired of playing with lower weapons, you can use real money to buy gold and unlock stuff, but it's fun to play to. You don't pay a dime if you don't want to. Lot of fun. Battles usually end up being 18 vs 18 in bigger battles, so battles are kind of like BF3 except WW2. When one side meets all the objectives and wins a war, then you can switch to being german etc. Depends on how you play. But I've had fun playing that game.
 
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Update, someone asked me how my 7950 was. Got it in today. Had about maybe 1/8 inch clearance between the hard drive cage and the back of the card in my Cooler Master Storm scout. But fit it, pretty happy.

Ran full 3dmark demo on it, everything looks fine. Did that after playing about 2-3 hours of Assassin's Creed Black Flag, had open hwmonitor monitoring the temp, the hottest it reported the GPU getting was 61 degrees celcius. So functionally the card is happy. Looks, it looks good, you can tell it's used, but as I said it functions fine, and I only paid 116. I'll sell my old card for hopefully 50 or 60 or more(Radeon 7850), so I basically got almost the equivalent of a 200 dollar card, since the r9 280 is essentially a rebranded 7950 boost edition, for 70-80 bucks. And the card is factory overclocked to 880mhz, so that makes it better still.
 
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Wow Ohio, you're lucky to have gotten that card in there! 1/8 of an inch is damn close lol. Glad to hear it worked out for you, sounds like an awesome deal :) Thanks for that info on that WWII game too, I like those kind of games. I'll be sure to check it out as soon as I get my system running. Which I can't wait for because right now I'm using a dinosaur laptop that takes a few min. to open IE on. heh.

On an other forum I use regularly people seemed to say they liked my build. Only one guy said something that I don't understand though: "The M5A78L-M LX PLUS has physical compatibility and can run the FX processors, but that's about it. I would swap it out for the GIGABYTE GA-970A-DS3P, which is a Gigabyte budget board. The ASUS M5A97 LE R2.0 would also make a good alternate. DDR3-1600 is also unnecessary. If you can't get a deal on DDR3-1600, DDR3-1333 would work just as well. Then again, if you already bought the equipment, you're stuck with what you've got." but I'm not worried about it, just thought I'd throw it up here. Thanks again. I'll be around as long as this laptop keeps going, or when my computer is built! =) I have to go ship the computer I've been using back before it's too late to do it today.
 
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Hes just trying to say how some parts would be slightly better "for more money".
 
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Hey guys!! Budget, you still around!? After I was last here, even my PHONE broke lol. And the old laptop was just way to slow to use for the internet, but I built the PC and am on the first run right now! Seems nice so far:) I'm uninstalling the old drivers and going to put the new graphics card in next. Looks like you picked all good parts man, thanks again sooo much! I honestly didn't expect it to work on the first try hehe.

I think I have one major problem though... Remember since I couldn't afford windows, I was just gonna boot off my old Hard Drive with Windows 7 on it? Well I did that and all was great, but the second I plugged in the ethernet cable Windows started claiming to be non Genuine and blocked my windows updates and who knows what else. At first I thought I'd probably be able to live with it like that for a while, but now it's saying I have 3 days to activate or... else? LoL what the hell are they gonna do? Really disable my windows?? They are sooo messed up! I can't believe they have it set up to always be searching for a way to void my license! They know I need Windows.. Argg! Anyway, that's gonna suck, but nothing I can do right this second, so I'm gonna put in my graphics card and come back on. See yas soon!
 
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