My First Build

[kintaldirk]

Hello OC Forums!

This is my first computer build. I intend to use this system mostly for gaming, but it’s a budget-system (~$600) so I’m not expecting something like all-max-settings BF3. But I do want the biggest bang for my buck if that’s possible.

Items already covered (do not figure into the bill):

Peripherals are something I already have (that is, a mouse, keyboard, monitor). I also do not need to worry about the cost of a Microsoft OS.

As a note, a friend said something about a new video card coming out soon, but he can’t remember where he saw it. He has suggested that I wait until it comes out and brings comparative video card prices down, if his memory doesn’t fail him anyway.

CPU:

AMD Athlon II X4 640 Propus 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor ADX640WFGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871
$100

CASE:

?? – issues finding one.

POWER SUPPLY (520 watts enough?):

SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151093
$90 (including S&H)

RAM:

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311
$40

MOTHERBOARD:

ASUS M5A97 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131767
$100

HARD DRIVE:

Having trouble – most hard drives I’m finding are in the ~$100 range, yet I’m seeing SSDs for a fair bit less when I’m looking at most threads or equal – such as

OCZ Vertex Plus OCZSSD2-1VTXPL60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227738

DVD Drive/Burner:

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
$25 (including S&H)

Video Card:

SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948
$172

OS:

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional

Current Price Tag: $527 (without a case or hard drive)

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[raident30]

add 20 or 30 more bucks and get a phenom II x4 955 BE... its a lot better than athlon ii x4 640 and it comes with a unlocked multiplier.
yes thats PSU is enough and has some more room for upgrades.
sorry but its currently out of stock, but i tell you that its a lot better than your choice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

here's a case. a pretty good one for only 50 bucks
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129074

 

[Knufire]

If you can stretch your budget another $30 for a 6870, I believe it'd be worth it.

 

[Daleon]

Wouldn't the HIS 6870 and CX600 come out to $210?

 

[Knufire]

Oh wait, forgot about the promo code on the PSU. So yes, Daleon is right.

 

[jiggamanjb]

Check out Toms Hardware $600 build.

It will destroy that AMD build in gaming.

I'd skimp somewhere and get a SSD and 8GB of RAM though, maybe a lower clocked i5 and video card to free up some $$$

 

[Knufire]

Yes, it has a more powerful CPU.

But,
1. You can't OC that CPU, the extra 900MHz will help narrow the gap between Thuban and Sandy Bridge. (The 960T actually isn't a Deneb AFAIK, it's a Thuban with two cores disabled, so it's ALSO a potential hexa).
2. H61 motherboard? That's completely cheaping out.
3. Off-brand RAM that I've never really heard of.
4. Cheapo case.
5. Really low wattage (thank god it's good quality though) PSU.

Sorry, but personally I'm not a fan of buying cheap everything just to squeeze out as much performance as possible. I'd rather take quality components, no matter what the budget.

 

[jiggamanjb]

Yes, it has a more powerful CPU.

But,
1. You can't OC that CPU, the extra 900MHz will help narrow the gap between Thuban and Sandy Bridge. (The 960T actually isn't a Deneb AFAIK, it's a Thuban with two cores disabled, so it's ALSO a potential hexa).
2. H61 motherboard? That's completely cheaping out.
3. Off-brand RAM that I've never really heard of.
4. Cheapo case.
5. Really low wattage (thank god it's good quality though) PSU.

Sorry, but personally I'm not a fan of buying cheap everything just to squeeze out as much performance as possible. I'd rather take quality components, no matter what the budget.

1. i5 will still kill that chip even when you overclock it
2. If you don't need the features then don't pay for them.
3. You can substitute name brand RAM for that price.
4. You can substitute any case for that price.
5. You can substitute a higher wattage PSU for like $10 more.

Sorry, but just because you didn't pick the parts doesn't mean you have to be rude. All of those components will last just as long as anything you posted.

 

[kintaldirk]

Hello OCForums,

Thanks for all of your input!

Overclocking is a little over my head.

I’m looking for the most economical build that doesn’t involve overclocking.