Building a computer, suggestions pls!

[Snowman89]

Im building a computer for a friend. He will use it for browsing the internet. Sure the crappiest celeron could do that but i want to make something that atleast lasts a couple of years.

The parts i want is
Phenom II x2 550
Any 785G motherboard - Anyone to prefer?
2x2gb ddr3 1333mhz

Then im also looking for a cheap and silent psu to power the rigg. Since cheap and silent dont often come hand in hand, what brands should i stay away from and wich are good?

The "build" is open for any suggestions, thats why im making this thread. Are there anything that produces more performance/price ?

I also need a decent cooler for this build. Main prio is to keep it silent.

[perkam]

Unless you intend to unlock that PII 550, you're better off with the Athlon II 245. Awesome chip at a great price. ($25 cheaper than 550 on average)

For the mobo, I'd go with the Gigabyte 785G UD3H. This PSU is very silent: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151057 and has more than enough power to hand this rig, not to mention its modular :)

For the cooler, this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 plus this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103063 .

Perkam

[dengyong]

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=218744 :D

[B.E.E.F.]

Then im also looking for a cheap and silent psu to power the rigg. Since cheap and silent dont often come hand in hand, what brands should i stay away from and wich are good?

Sure they do. Get a PSU that's 80plus certified. More efficient ones need less cooling. Get something to match the computer. I wager you don't need more than 300W PSU.

The "build" is open for any suggestions, thats why im making this thread. Are there anything that produces more performance/price ?

Being his friend, I suggest mirrored raid. If this is a work computer, he will thank you if a hard drive fails. Otherwise, it may be YOUR problem if he loses his stuff. How computer savyy is he?

I also need a decent cooler for this build. Main prio is to keep it silent.

Let's work out the hardware before we work out the cooling for it.


Perkham: That Athlon II, is it the new core without L3 or is it a recycled Phenom?

[Snowman89]

Sure they do. Get a PSU that's 80plus certified. More efficient ones need less cooling. Get something to match the computer. I wager you don't need more than 300W PSU.



Being his friend, I suggest mirrored raid. If this is a work computer, he will thank you if a hard drive fails. Otherwise, it may be YOUR problem if he loses his stuff. How computer savyy is he?



Let's work out the hardware before we work out the cooling for it.


Perkham: That Athlon II, is it the new core without L3 or is it a recycled Phenom?
Well he says he wants to spend 600-700usd MAX. Thats alot of money for a computer to browse the internet with :rofl:

The athlon x2 is the one without any l3 cache, thats why i picked the Phenom II instead. I will try and unlock it but theres no big deal if it doesnt unlock so. Have there been any luck on the 785G motherboards?

When is the athlon x4 comming?

[B.E.E.F.]

Well he says he wants to spend 600-700usd MAX. Thats alot of money for a computer to browse the internet with :rofl:

Ok....

Here's what I suggest:

1. Silverstone 300W or less 80plus PSU.
2. Athlon X2, PhenomII... etc.
3. 4GB of DDR2/DDR3. Whichever is cheaper.
4. 780F or 785G chipset.
5. Western Digital Blue x2 (for mirror raid).

That's pretty much it. Then add in a Thermalright cooler and some nice fans. Maybe Nexus or Scythe or something else quiet. Noctuas are deadly silent, but expensive and don't put out much air flow.

[zanzabar]

the WD blues are weak ether get the blacks or the samung f1/3. and why use raid 1 just make a weekly backup and get raid0 it will be way better

[B.E.E.F.]

the WD blues are weak ether get the blacks or the samung f1/3. and why use raid 1 just make a weekly backup and get raid0 it will be way better

Blacks are barely faster for more money. The blues have excellent bang for buck, which is why you can get two of them for redundancy. Note I'm talking about the 640GB version.

[zanzabar]

u can get the single platter 500GB f3 for $55 instead of the $70 for the 640 (f3 is 9.09c/GB the WD is 9.15c/GB). and the f3 is fast, they are a little slow access but if u get 2 and stroke them it will be really fast.


http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=3977622&postcount=45

[wondergod]

this PSU is a little bit more expensive but its a 600watt and these things are dead silent. Plus if you need a case there are a few CM cases with a combo deal.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16817171036

[B.E.E.F.]

u can get the single platter 500GB f3 for $55 instead of the $70 for the 640 (f3 is 9.09c/GB the WD is 9.15c/GB). and the f3 is fast, they are a little slow access but if u get 2 and stroke them it will be really fast.

I stand corrected. Good find!

this PSU is a little bit more expensive but its a 600watt and these things are dead silent. Plus if you need a case there are a few CM cases with a combo deal.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16817171036

Why don't we move up to the kilowatt power supplies instead. He's got a whole ~120W system to power.


Anyways, back to reality. This seasonic is cheap, 350W and 80plus certified so its pretty cool. Notice the big 120mm fan that is quieter than the tiny 80mm hummers. Spins slower, so less noise.

Cheap, good power output, efficient, reliable (because its a seasonic) and quiet. I think it fits the bill. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151077

[zanzabar]

on psus i just got a 500W modX for my dad its great (quiet and stable while being cheap and modular)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016

and i think that the CM psus are generaly a step down from a seasonic or pcp&c (ocz now) or corsair or enermax

[wondergod]

Why don't we move up to the kilowatt power supplies instead. He's got a whole ~120W system to power.

just showing him some other options. Did I hurt your feelings or something?

My option was the same price as Perkams since its free shipping, and really only 25 bucks more than yours.

Plus its made to be dead silent, modular and it even comes with rubber mounts.

[Snowman89]

I bought a 550, gigabyte 785G-UD2H and a corsair 400w psu. The most performance/price here in sweden. I must say im not regretting it. The cpu unlocks and clocks like a beast.. almost 4.1ghz screen on a crappy air cooler.. http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=679180

Priming at 3.7ghz with 1.375v atm xD