Look at these parts and tell me if there's anything extremely wrong D=
tl;dr: click the links in this thread and tell me if all those parts work together, maybe also consider the sections of the list without a link which mention what I already own.
Otherwise just read it. Not
all that long :(
I'd use the computer for pretty much anything but extensive gaming. I don't play very many PC games (Starcraft II is the main one I want to play, if these specs allow) and when I do I don't care so much about high FPS. My main priority is money and avoiding unreliable parts. The primary reason I'm building this is so I actually have a computer to myself rather than sharing one with my entire family, with higher specs being a secondary reason. I care a little about all devices having Linux drivers, but not so much. Also I probably will keep this as my main computer for like at least 5 years so I'll fall even more behind on specs in that time. Upgradability would be nice but it's kinda hard to give it very much of that when I'm trying to stay as cheap as I can.
- Monitor: using some bulky old CRT I already have (1280x1024) because I'll wait a bit longer before upgrading this. I'd like to eventually try dual-monitors, but with using a LCD with my CRT I might not have enough desk space and two LCDs would cost twice as much.
- HDD: using a 500GB SATA drive and 80GB IDE drive, both of which I already own. I will boot off of the IDE drive and I use the 500GB for plain storage of things like anime and torrents. It might be nice to eventually replace this IDE drive with a slightly larger SATA one for higher speed and more space for the OS components, but that can wait.
- Input devices: I have extra mice and my current best mouse is great. As for keyboard, I'd rather buy one at a physical store where I can feel the way it is against my hand.
- Speakers: I have a bunch of these lying around so I'll just use one. I have absolutely no intention of using fancy things like surround; even stereo is stretching it for me.
- Network: using a perfectly fine PCI Wi-Fi card I already have. Don't care about stuff like Wireless-N so much yet.
- OS: I'll start off with an XP I already have, finding out a way to get around the copyrights stuff to let me install it on a second PC. I'll eventually upgrade to Windows 7 Home (probably x86) after it's of course released and hopefully at an actually decent price. I'd rather not completely pirate an operating system. Also I'll probably want to dual-boot with Ubuntu.
- $40 - Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811153077): Although it bundles a power supply, I like the case itself better than any PSU-free ones within its price range. Fitting all I want of 1~2 external 5.25" bays, 1~2 3.5" bays, at least 2 front USB, can fit more than 2 internal HDDs, seemingly sturdy according to reviews, MicroATX mini tower, and has a simple design.
- $50 - Power Supply (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008): I wasn't entirely sure why you all say that $35 one is junk, but this one has really great reviews. Corsair brand. Also it has all the connectors I need.
- $60 - CPU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688): Athlon II X2. It's cheap (the cheapest dual-core AMD newegg currently has, even) and looks pretty good by my low standards.
- $55 - Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157153): Not much to say on this one after listing the other parts. 2 DDR2 RAM slots, 6 SATA connectors, 2 PCI slots, 1 PCIe x16 slot, 1 PCIe x1 slot, 6 USB ports, VGA and DVI video-out, standard stereo line-in/speaker/mic sound, AM2+ CPU slot foward-compatible with AM3, and MicroATX size.
- $30 - RAM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134636): A single 2GB chip. Not much else to it. I might buy a second to upgrade to 4GB sometime in the future but even the 1.5GB I have now is more than I believe I've needed.
- $30 - DVD drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030): It's just a SATA DVD+-RW drive.
- $57 - Video card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161271): A somewhat cheap card. I don't know if there's anything else to look at other than the memory (1GB), GPU model (GeForce 9400 GT), and connectors (2x DVI + 1x 7-pin S-vid, though I won't ever need the second DVI). This might not even be part of the initial build because I have another (much worse) video card currently so I can wait for other cards and/or for prices to fall.
- $10 - Memory card reader (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820609298): The cheapest and most optional part yet. Useful features of this one to me are that it has SDHC support, features both full-size SDHC and MicroSDHC slots, and fits internally in a 3.5" drive area.
- Video capture/TV tuner: I want one of these, but will wait a while before getting one. I'd prefer it to be internal and those seem to tend to be PCIe 1x. I don't care about audio input so much because the motherboard has line-in and I don't care at all about receiving direct TV channels. I mainly want to record video and screenshots from game systems using S-video. I have plenty of composite adapters lying around so it doesn't need that. I'd prefer it to be completely usable with Media Player Classic instead of bundled software and (not nearly as important) compatible with Linux.
YPbPr component input for at least 480p would be nice but not worth spending a bundle more on; supporting higher resolutions would be nice assuming it lasts me out to the 8th gen but don't matter so much because I'm a nintendofag who actually doesn't plan on getting a 360 nor PS3.
These all add up to an initial cost of... $270. Adding on that video card would make it $327. The monitor and TV tuner would raise it further.
I'm not sure if I'm missing anything important, particularly additional CPU cooling. The descriptions of the CPU and case seem to include heatsink and fan.
Most CPU's come with a heatsink and fan combo; the OEM processors do not. Unless you're overclocking they're good enough anyway (and you can get away with some overclocking anyway if you don't mind the higher temps).
I already gave you most of my opinions in the irc room; I'd go with Intel over AMD. As for the case, You might be better off going for a case without a power supply and getting a seperate one.
If you're building a budget system, it's fine.
But:
-If the GeForce is labeled as needing a minimum of 300W, you're going to want a higher rated supply (350-400), because power supply capacity does degrade over time.
-If you install the discrete graphics card, make sure that you disable the integrated graphics in the BIOS first so that your system doesn't have a heart attack.
-I'd recommend a Radeon HD4650 instead of a GeForce; they're at the same price point, but you get GDDR3 with a Radeon instead of DDR2 memory. Here's one. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161271)
-If you do decide on the Radeon, get this motherboard (integrated Radeon graphics) instead; best not to mix integrated GeForce with a discrete Radeon card. Bad things can happen, even if you disable the original integrated one in the BIOS. Same price, don't worry.
Here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157153)
-Always make sure that the motherboard has been tested with the CPU and memory that you're going to stick in. (Checked the CPU for you, looks fine.)
Here's a compatible memory stick (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134636&Tpk=KVR800D2N6%2f2G)
Never knew about possibe issues of mixing a Intergrated card from 1 brand with a discrete of another; I'll keep that in mind for myself.
Post edited for the three items PY suggested. Power supply, video card, and motherboard. Funny that the latter two's descriptions and prices are exactly the same even with the different product.
Four. RAM is just $5 higher and apparently on the manufacturer's list of tested brands.
Anyways, should I have any additional cooling? I think all I have in this list is the heatsink and fan included in the CPU and of course the PSU's fan. I think there's also stuff like thermal compound, HDD fans, and side fans.
I stopped reading at Rosewill Power Supply.
Seriously, don't do that unless you want your computer to catch fire. Get an OCZ one.
>$35 PSU
DO NOT GET A CHEAP POWER SUPPLY
DO NOT OR IT WILL LIKELY GIVE YOU MANY PROBLEMS DOWN THE LINE.
</cruisecontrol>
Exactly what silver said. if you're going to go cheap on something, don't make it the psu.
you could fry your whole computer.
edit: also sorry py but that gpu is terribad. you won't be playing any 3d games with it. get a 9600 if you wanna be cheap.
The cheap power supply is a bit iffy.
I bought like a $16 one that had free shipping, and it works perfectly perfect. I did a bit of research though.
your going to want to do a bit of research with the PSU if you do want a cheap one. I would defiantly recommend mine.
I believe mine was a clearance item also.
Rosswell has a rep of being a bad computer parts company.
Also for RAM, dont get caught up int he DDR2 and DDR3
DDR2 is cheaper and the standard right now. You can get more DDR2 ram for the same price as less DDR3.
Also have to make sure your MOBO can support DDR3
Quote from: Tsumaru on August 29, 2009, 08:33:34 AM
I stopped reading at Rosewill Power Supply.
Seriously, don't do that unless you want your computer to catch fire. Get an OCZ one.
The OCZ 400W ones I see are not only about $20 more expensive, but also have worse reviews.
Is Corsair good? I found this with good reviews for $50: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008
Quote from: Bluaki on August 29, 2009, 11:58:05 AM
The OCZ 400W ones I see are not only about $20 more expensive, but also have worse reviews.
Is Corsair good? I found this with good reviews for $50: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008
Corsair is generally a good company.
Eh, I might want more opinions on the video card and motherboard.
Initially, I chose this GeForce 9400 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130390) and also this motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157160).
PY told me in chat last night that he'd recommend ATI instead and found me this Radeon 4650 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161271). He also said that it'd be better to use a motherboard that has integrated graphics of the same brand as the video card, so he found this motherboard of the same price and brand and nearly everything else as the one I chose in the first place (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157153).
Will it be better to go with x86 or x64 when I upgrade to Windows 7 and/or install Linux for dual-boot? I know x64 gives me more upgradability, but does it have notable issues in terms of software compatibility or efficiency at dealing with the 2GB RAM I'm initially starting with?
As for the card reader which nobody has said anything about yet, does it put any additional requirements on the motherboard that these might not meet?
Are there any size issues about power supplies and MicroATX cases? I think I read a tiny bit of review on newegg that implies that but I can't really tell.
Quote from: Psilocybin on August 29, 2009, 11:28:53 AM
Exactly what silver said. if you're going to go cheap on something, don't make it the psu.
you could fry your whole computer.
edit: also sorry py but that gpu is terribad. you won't be playing any 3d games with it. get a 9600 if you wanna be cheap.
Disregard this. The 4670 is a mid-tier graphics card, and will play anything out right now at medium-high settings.
Forget aout the card reader, buy it, but pretend it doesn't exist.
it doesn't matter in the slightest.
I just remembered that Intel has good overclocking processors; so why not go for a Pentium Dual Core and overclock the thing if you find yourself needing more power?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157144 - This MoBo even supports HD video playback with the onboard card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072 - Cheapest Pentium Dual Core newegg has.
I will say if you go this route, pick up another heatsink for it, these are nice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200024 . It should fit in your case just fine.
And always the Thermal Paste: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
Quote from: Tsumaru on August 29, 2009, 01:01:32 PM
Disregard this. The 4670 is a mid-tier graphics card, and will play anything out right now at medium-high settings.
I recommended a 4650, which is really just a gimped version of the 4670. Trust me, Blu, if all you want to do is play Starcraft on mid at 1024x768, it'll be just fine.
Quote from: バシャーモ-せんぱい on August 29, 2009, 07:27:03 PM
I just remembered that Intel has good overclocking processors; so why not go for a Pentium Dual Core and overclock the thing if you find yourself needing more power?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157144 - This MoBo even supports HD video playback with the onboard card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072 - Cheapest Pentium Dual Core newegg has.
I will say if you go this route, pick up another heatsink for it, these are nice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200024 . It should fit in your case just fine.
And always the Thermal Paste: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
I really don't see the point behind overclocking unless you're looking for e-penis. The only thing that CPU clock really influences is video encoding, and an aftermarket heatsink is going to put Blu another $30 bucks in the hole at the very least.
Not to mention that the AMD is already starting off at a higher clock for the same price. Yes, you can make the case that Core 2s have a bit better architecture than the original Athlons, but all of the new Athlons are actually just gimped Phenom IIs, which compete pretty much head-to-head with the Core 2.
Not to mention that Intel is filled with pricks, but that's more of a personal judgment than anything else.
Quote from: Silverhawk79 on August 29, 2009, 12:18:29 PM
Corsair is generally a good company.
Seconded, and I'd jump on that Corsair PSU that you found ASAP; you almost never find them that cheap.
I sometimes just want to pass people on to my brother, since I usually go to him when I need advice...
Well, this is going to be coming from me since my brother is currently out bowling
Cheap PSU, bad idea, but, going somewhat against PY, you don't NEED a PSU that's under powered for a GPU, you'll just get funny things like this (http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/sords4/PSU%20unable%20to%20power%20GPU/) but if that goes too long you'll get a BSoD. And that is also pushing my GPU to the point it's doing screen tearing so if you don't use the full power of the GPU an under powered PSU should be fine.(loooonger than I wanted to type)
I was going to comment on the case size, but you might be good with a small
And if you want Ubuntu you miiiiiiiiiiight want to go with a Nvidia graphics card. You should know that.(The link and your description don't match btw)
Quote from: PsychoYoshi on August 29, 2009, 07:32:28 PM
Not to mention that Intel is filled with pricks, but that's more of a personal judgment than anything else.
Hey prefer intel but I'm not a prick :x
But I can agree with overclocking, there's not much to notice if you're not doing anything that uses a cpu clock-for-clock. The option is there if its needed though.
Quote from: Ryu on August 29, 2009, 07:53:10 PM
And if you want Ubuntu you miiiiiiiiiiight want to go with a Nvidia graphics card. You should know that.(The link and your description don't match btw)
Oh, I forgot to edit that part when I changed the video card's link. Look a couple posts back, where I linked two video cards and asked for a comparison between them.
Also, I won't be able to jump on that PSU. I probably can't order the parts for another couple weeks and the deal ($15 instant savings) expires tomorrow.
Quote from: バシャーモ-せんぱい on August 29, 2009, 08:13:47 PM
Hey prefer intel but I'm not a prick :x
But I can agree with overclocking, there's not much to notice if you're not doing anything that uses a cpu clock-for-clock. The option is there if its needed though.
I didn't say Intel
fans were pricks, just Intel
corporate members.