Need help building a computer

[Spix]

Ok so i am gonna be building a computer here within the next few months and i need help. Money is only somewhat of an issue, i want to get the best comp i can for not an outrageous amount. Does $700, not including the graphix card, sound like a reasonable budget, of course i am only talking about the actual computer, not the monitor keyboard and all that stuff.
I have the usual question, intel or amd? I have only had intels so i dunno what amds are like. And i need help w/ choosing well everything, mobo, processor, case, power supply, and i guess the ram too, although i have bought and installed ram before, same w/ hdd's. So if anybody could help me out that would be great.
Thnx.

[crazyea]

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 or Q6600 $170
ASUS P5Q Deluxe $200
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK $50
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 Power Supply $115
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB $85
Antec Nine Hundred $110
Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner DVR-116DBK $30

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Can be had for around $760 at newegg and would cover all bases.

Video cards to consider:

ATI 4850 $180
ATI 4870 $290

[adamsleath]

antec 300 case is cheaper if you need to scrimp on cost; just something i was mulling over the other day

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0246524
antec 900 90$
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0283272
antec 300 60$

[crazyea]

I have both. The 900 just cools a bit better, and comes with all the fans. 2 front, rear and top. The 300 only comes with the top and rear fan. The 900 is worth the extra $30, but the 300 is nice as well.

[adamsleath]

fair enuf; extra fans justify the cost of 900 imo, plus extra size, side window etc.

[B.E.E.F.]

Antec Sonata III 500

Quiet case, and it comes with an 80plus 500W PSU. I got mine for $100. It's not fancy but its got an eSATA port on the front. Its also very solid.

The antec 900/300 require a PSU.


You want an Intel CPU. AMD hasn't been doing well with that lately. The Radeon GPU series is awesome though. I'd recommend a HD4850 for your budget.

2GB of DDR2 at least. I'd go with an E8400/E8500. No point in quad core. Most apps are optimized for duals, so its better to get a fast dual core.


WD SE16. Either the 320GB or the 640GB. Very fast for a 7200rpm. Good storage and very affordable.


Mobo you can go for a P43 or P45. Depends how much you want to OC, or not.

[crazyea]

I agree, the antec sonata 3 is a good choice if you want a quiet system, while the 900 is better for cooling.

As for quad vs dual core, I recommend either the e8400 or q6600 as stated. Both are excellent values. Whether or not you need 4 cores is for you to decide.

[B.E.E.F.]

I agree, the antec sonata 3 is a good choice if you want a quiet system, while the 900 is better for cooling.

Quiet is a bonus. It should come out a little cheaper once you consider the 500W PSU thrown in.

[crazyea]

Both are good choices, however he did say best for the money. My vote goes for the 520hx, 900 combo. But I agree your suggestion would get him under the cap. :D

[B.E.E.F.]

however he did say best for the money.

best for the money will take him way over the $700.00 budget

I'd go for a Antec 300 then.

[crazyea]

best he can get for around $700. the guy hasnt even returned to the thread so its all a wash anyway........

[Spix]

no im still here, ive just been really busy w/ work and school, and unfortunately i am just gonna have to put this off for a few months.