Hi, I'm new to building computers, and looking for suggestions on anything from compatibility and tutorials to parts and suppliers. I am looking to build a decent computer on a limited budget, something that I can improve on in the future.



APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: next few months; BUDGET RANGE: ~700 max

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: surfing the internet, watching movies, gaming (not cutting edge), ms office

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: mouse, speakers, OS? (I have a burned copy XP home that I use for reformating)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: no preferences

PARTS PREFERENCES: no preferences

OVERCLOCKING: No; SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: no preference (I'm currently using laptop with 1024x768)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Just looking to upgrade from my 4 year old laptop; looking for decent performance, not running 3D games on highest res



Case/PSU:
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case + Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDet...st=Combo.208561

CPU/Motherboard:
AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core + ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDet...st=Combo.205337

Memory:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820231193

Graphics:
built in

HD:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319

Optical:
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16827151188

Monitor:
Hanns·G HW-191DPB Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824254005

Keyboard:
Logitech Deluxe 250 Black 104 Normal Keys USB Standard Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16823126013

I also need an internal wireless adapter. Any suggestions?

No matter what you do, don't use an "on-board" graphics card. If you need to, cut back on the CPU, RAM or motherboard to make up the price difference. For $50 you could get a decent video card that will do wonders for your system.

Also, unless you have a RETAIL version of Microsoft Windows XP Home, and you have removed the previous installation from the computer it was installed on, you can not legally install it on another computer. If you have an OEM version it can go one computer and that is where it stays, period. Even if you could get around it, it would be considered piracy, and if you want a fully supported, and legally licensed operating system you are going to need to purchase one for that computer. As far as I know, Microsoft is still offering vouchers if you pre-order Windows 7 you can get it 50% off. So, you can buy Windows 7 premium for $50. But, you have to wait until October to get it.

My last comment is about the monitor. I could be wrong here, but I have yet to see a Hanns monitor actually in use. This is like the no-name generic brand you can buy. A decent monitor with good picure quality for the price is Acer. I stand by them because they are very affordable and offer a really nice picture.

How is this?

Graphics:
SAPPHIRE 100253DDR3L Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814102838

Monitor:
Acer V173 b Black 17" 5ms LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 2000:1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16824009136

Wireless:
EDIMAX EW-7128G IEEE 802.11b/g PCI Wireless Card Up to 54Mbps Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16833315041

I also plan on going to Fry's to look at prices

When it comes to video cards, avoid any cards with small fans such as the one you linked to. Either get a card that has a large, fanless heatsink. Or, get a card that has a large fan. Those small fans always fail! They spin at high speeds and fail soon. They are terrible.

The Acer monitor looks nice, but most people are using widescreen now a days. This one isn't widescreen I don't think.

The wireless adapter is another brand I have never really heard of, but it has a lot of good reviews so I would say it is ok.

I'll go over all the parts you linked to later on and give any further opinions.

Since the items I linked are going to change in price, I am looking more for comments on my choices in brand and specs, so I can build up my knowledge of the parts before actually finding the right one to buy. Thanks for your advice on the monitor and graphics card.
Would this be a bigger fan?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814161262
Is the triple core a good choice?

I don't see many with a large fan available unless they are expensive cards.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814127396

I have used the above card a couple of times. It has a built in HDMI port and a jumper cable that runs to the digital audio output on the motherboard so you can hook this puppy direct to your HD tv with sound.

It is that type of "fanless" card I am talking about. The above card is a very nice card for the money.

I am partial to Nvidia cards so I don't know what compares with ATI. A 9400GT w/512MB of RAM should perform very well for you.

The case you have chosen looks nice. I have an issue with it though. The combo you linked to (w/ the power supply) is quite expensive. This case has an "inverted" design where the power supply is on the bottom. The power supply "sucks" heat out of the case. If it is on the bottom, and heat rises, well, you get the picture. I can't see how there could possibly be any benefit in this case to have the power supply on the bottom other than to look neat. You also need to buy extra fans to aid in cooling. This case comes with one fan, but has several more spots for fans. You should have one fan blowing in from the side because that will blow directly over your video card and towards your CPU, it will help on heat a lot. You probably also want one in the front of the case to blow over your hard drive(s) to keep them cooler. Look for low decibel cooling fans so your case doesn't get really noisey. But, the secret here is to buy BIG fans (120mm). It looks like that Antec case uses 120mm fans, except I can't tell what the side uses. 80mm fans are much noisier than 120mm fans because 120mm fans can spin slower and move more air. So, a case that uses all 120mm fans is a plus - cooler & quieter.

There are a lot of different choices for cases. But, I think you can find a suitable one w/ a power supply for cheaper than what you are looking at that may benefit your circumstances better. It will probably even come with more fans already.

Its up to you on that one. Its a nice case, you just need to buy a power supply and fans for it.

I'm not sure why that motherboard is so expensive. If you are going to buy a video card you don't need that onboard stuff, which means choosing a more suitable MB. This motherboard is very expensive and I don't see anything obvious as to why it is so much. I don't have a lot of time at the moment so I'll take a closer look at it and the CPU later.

Thanks for you help!
my current setup is this


Case: 60
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811129042

PSU: 59
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817341016

CPU/Motherboard: 205
AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core + ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.205337

Memory: 65
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231193

Graphics: 75
BFG Tech BFGE96512GTOCBE GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814143161

Hard Drive: 64
WESTERN DIGITAL CAVIAR GREEN 750GB SERIAL ATA/300 32MB
http://www.frys.com/product/5954944

Optical: 25
SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model SH-S222A - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16827151175

Monitor: 110
Acer X193Wb Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 2000:1 ACM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16824009151

Keyboard: 10
Logitech Classic Keyboard 200 (USB)
http://www.frys.com/product/5300998?site=s...CH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Wireless: 28
EDIMAX EW-7128G IEEE 802.11b/g PCI Wireless Card Up to 54Mbps Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16833315041




Total Price: ~790 including shipping

I was advised to keep the phenom build. Is there any way I can trim it while still maintaining good performance? (btw I am planning on running L4D on this)

This post has been edited by decipherfreak: Jul 20 2009, 07:53 PM

How much longer before you intend on purchasing? It's likely there will be some revisions made as parts change, possibly major revisions making the work done in this thread so far irrelevant.

Let us know when you are ready to purchase and we'll help you then.

Troy