$500 Build

proagony · 06-22-2009, 02:25 PM

Trying to keep it under $500.

Light gaming, mostly web browsing.
Games: World Of Warcraft, Half-Life: 2

Any suggestions?

I'm not sure about cpu, motherboard.

Power Supply -$100.00 (Tried to get a good one for further upgrades)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

Graphics Card - $70.00 (Can run games I play good)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161252

CPU - $70.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103678

Mobo - $70.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128376

RAM - $47.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122

Harddrive - $52.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148262

Case - $50.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119068

DVD Drive - $25.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827140040

TOTAL: $480

**Tyree** · 06-22-2009, 03:27 PM

Change the HP DVDRW for LG or Lite-On.
Seagate has suffered some problems as of late so I'm suggesting WD Hdd's for now.

Phædrus2401 · 06-22-2009, 07:59 PM

Try this:

Budget $500 home computer

The last list of specs on there, only replace the case with an Antec Three Hundred (the one listed is kind of shoddy). Should be a very good, quality mid-range computer and with the Antec case comes to about $515. I was going to make it for my dad for father's day, but I checked with him before I started and he flatly refused it, said he was happy with his old P4 machine. In any case, the one I specced by the end is a pretty solid build that will do internet, video, light gaming, just about anything a normal user would do and I recommend it.

proagony · 06-25-2009, 04:24 AM

@ Phædrus2401, the CPU you posted was a Pentium Dual-Core, and the motherboard you posted said "CPU Type: Core 2 Quad / Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Duo"

Not sure, but will the Pentium Dual-Core still work with that motherboard?

@ Tyree , Thanks for the suggestions :D I'll change those out. Also tyree, what do you think about the CPU and Mobo on Phædrus2401's post? Will they work together? Wasn't sure on that.

Ibizer · 06-25-2009, 04:31 AM

Help me. I am in need of money. I know this is not proper but you all will not understand my problems. I am looking for help by all means necessary. Please i beg of you, the God you serve will reward you. Please i beg of you. Please. Thank you very much.

**Tyree** · 06-25-2009, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by proagony

@ Tyree , Thanks for the suggestions :D I'll change those out. Also tyree, what do you think about the CPU and Mobo on Phædrus2401's post? Will they work together? Wasn't sure on that.

Yes, they will work together. I've sold several E6300's w/this Mobo;
ASUS P5KPL-CM $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131288
Not that I in any way suggest OC'ing (voids CPU warranty) but the 6300 will OC very nicely.

proagony · 06-25-2009, 07:40 AM

Ok here is an update. Will all of this work together without problems? Any more suggestions?

CORSAIR 650W ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified -$100.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

HIS Radeon HD 4670 IceQ Turbo 128-bit GDDR3 512MB - $70.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161252

Intel Pentium E6300 - $82.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116091

ASUS P5KPL-CM LGA 775 Motherboard - $54.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131288

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) - $47.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166

Western Digital Caviar SE 320GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache - $50.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136098

Case Antec 300 - $60.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

LG Black DVD Burner - $25.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136167

Total: $488

**Tyree** · 06-25-2009, 07:53 AM

Change the RAM to DDR2800 PC6400.
Look for Hdd with a 16 or 32MB Cache. The few extra dollars will be worth it.

Phædrus2401 · 06-25-2009, 08:07 AM

The Pentium Dual Core line of CPUs is basically the budget Core 2 Duo line. Main difference is lower clock speeds on most models and less L2 cache (meaning a little less punch, clock-for-clock), but it's the same architecture. Compare the Pentium DC E2200 with the C2D E4500: same clock speed, all specs the same, only difference is the E2200 has less L2 cache, and thus about 5% less performance. If a mobo supports Core 2 Duo it supports Pentium Dual Core.

Unless you're going to be overclocking get 800MHz RAM. All RAM runs default at 800MHz or lower anyway, you have to overclock to get to the higher frequencies. 1066MHz just means the RAM is proven stable overclocked at that frequency.

proagony · 06-25-2009, 08:52 AM

Ok another update. Also, I've never used SATA before. Is it as simple as plugging in the cables?

Another thing, is this build upgrade friendly? Can it run a Quad Core fine whenever I decide to upgrade? Or will I have to have a better motherboard?

CORSAIR 650W ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified -$100.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

HIS Radeon HD 4670 IceQ Turbo 128-bit GDDR3 512MB - $70.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161252

Intel Pentium E6300 - $82.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116091

ASUS P5KPL-CM LGA 775 Motherboard - $54.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131288

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $47.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122

Western Digital Caviar Green 500GB 32MB SATA 3.0Gb/s - $60.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136358

Case Antec 300 - $60.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

LG Black DVD Burner - $25.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136167

Phædrus2401 · 06-25-2009, 09:16 AM

"CPU Socket Type LGA 775
CPU Type Core 2 Quad / Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Duo
FSB 1600/1333MHz"

So yes, it can run a quad core. The most powerful thing on the market now it could run is the Core 2 Extreme QX9775, and I expect Intel to release one more line of quad core CPUs for LGA775 before switching entirely to LGA1366 (though not for a year at the least). Though I may be wrong on that. But yeah, that build is very upgradable in the processor department. The upgrade bottleneck: it only supports maximum of 4GB DDR2 800 RAM. That's fine for now, since you don't really need any more than that, but in the future it could be a problem.

Phædrus2401 · 06-25-2009, 10:09 AM

Sorry, correction on my earlier post, you couldn't use the QX9775, the highest you could use is the Q9650.

Also, you set up SATA basically the same way you do IDE, only it has its own power cables instead of Molex and the data cables are different shapes.

Anyway, looks like a good build.

**Tyree** · 06-25-2009, 11:17 AM

Very good budget build with upgrade ability though I doubt you'll have the need.

proagony · 06-25-2009, 11:27 AM

My current system runs what i do fine with 2GB, so 4GB will be plenty. This one would be impossible to upgrade, so I decided to get a new one for a budget and upgrade as i go.

Thanks for the help guys =D

**Tyree** · 06-25-2009, 11:45 AM

4GB of RAM will be more than sufficient. 2GB is usually plenty but RAM is cheap now it's good to take advantage of the low prices. I'm sure the prices will start to climb when/if DDR3 gets stable.

06-22-2009, 02:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
proagony Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Texas, US Posts: 80 OS: Windows XP SP2 x64	$500 Build Trying to keep it under $500. Light gaming, mostly web browsing. Games: World Of Warcraft, Half-Life: 2 Any suggestions? I'm not sure about cpu, motherboard. Power Supply -$100.00 (Tried to get a good one for further upgrades) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005 Graphics Card - $70.00 (Can run games I play good) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161252 CPU - $70.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103678 Mobo - $70.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128376 RAM - $47.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122 Harddrive - $52.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148262 Case - $50.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119068 DVD Drive - $25.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827140040 TOTAL: $480 Last edited by proagony; 06-22-2009 at 02:27 PM.

06-22-2009, 03:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,769 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: $500 Build Change the HP DVDRW for LG or Lite-On. Seagate has suffered some problems as of late so I'm suggesting WD Hdd's for now. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

06-22-2009, 07:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,360 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: $500 Build Try this: Budget $500 home computer The last list of specs on there, only replace the case with an Antec Three Hundred (the one listed is kind of shoddy). Should be a very good, quality mid-range computer and with the Antec case comes to about $515. I was going to make it for my dad for father's day, but I checked with him before I started and he flatly refused it, said he was happy with his old P4 machine. In any case, the one I specced by the end is a pretty solid build that will do internet, video, light gaming, just about anything a normal user would do and I recommend it. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

06-25-2009, 04:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
proagony Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Texas, US Posts: 80 OS: Windows XP SP2 x64	Re: $500 Build @ Phædrus2401, the CPU you posted was a Pentium Dual-Core, and the motherboard you posted said "CPU Type: Core 2 Quad / Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Duo" Not sure, but will the Pentium Dual-Core still work with that motherboard? @ Tyree , Thanks for the suggestions :D I'll change those out. Also tyree, what do you think about the CPU and Mobo on Phædrus2401's post? Will they work together? Wasn't sure on that.

06-25-2009, 04:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ibizer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1 OS: Winxp	Re: $500 Build Help me. I am in need of money. I know this is not proper but you all will not understand my problems. I am looking for help by all means necessary. Please i beg of you, the God you serve will reward you. Please i beg of you. Please. Thank you very much.

06-25-2009, 07:40 AM	#7 (permalink)
proagony Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Texas, US Posts: 80 OS: Windows XP SP2 x64	Re: $500 Build Ok here is an update. Will all of this work together without problems? Any more suggestions? CORSAIR 650W ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified -$100.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005 HIS Radeon HD 4670 IceQ Turbo 128-bit GDDR3 512MB - $70.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161252 Intel Pentium E6300 - $82.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116091 ASUS P5KPL-CM LGA 775 Motherboard - $54.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131288 G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) - $47.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166 Western Digital Caviar SE 320GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache - $50.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136098 Case Antec 300 - $60.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042 LG Black DVD Burner - $25.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136167 Total: $488 Last edited by proagony; 06-25-2009 at 07:46 AM.

06-25-2009, 07:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,769 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: $500 Build Change the RAM to DDR2800 PC6400. Look for Hdd with a 16 or 32MB Cache. The few extra dollars will be worth it. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

06-25-2009, 08:07 AM	#9 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,360 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: $500 Build The Pentium Dual Core line of CPUs is basically the budget Core 2 Duo line. Main difference is lower clock speeds on most models and less L2 cache (meaning a little less punch, clock-for-clock), but it's the same architecture. Compare the Pentium DC E2200 with the C2D E4500: same clock speed, all specs the same, only difference is the E2200 has less L2 cache, and thus about 5% less performance. If a mobo supports Core 2 Duo it supports Pentium Dual Core. Unless you're going to be overclocking get 800MHz RAM. All RAM runs default at 800MHz or lower anyway, you have to overclock to get to the higher frequencies. 1066MHz just means the RAM is proven stable overclocked at that frequency. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for. Last edited by Phædrus2401; 06-25-2009 at 08:14 AM.

06-25-2009, 08:52 AM	#10 (permalink)
proagony Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Texas, US Posts: 80 OS: Windows XP SP2 x64	Re: $500 Build Ok another update. Also, I've never used SATA before. Is it as simple as plugging in the cables? Another thing, is this build upgrade friendly? Can it run a Quad Core fine whenever I decide to upgrade? Or will I have to have a better motherboard? CORSAIR 650W ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified -$100.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005 HIS Radeon HD 4670 IceQ Turbo 128-bit GDDR3 512MB - $70.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161252 Intel Pentium E6300 - $82.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116091 ASUS P5KPL-CM LGA 775 Motherboard - $54.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131288 G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $47.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122 Western Digital Caviar Green 500GB 32MB SATA 3.0Gb/s - $60.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136358 Case Antec 300 - $60.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042 LG Black DVD Burner - $25.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136167 Last edited by proagony; 06-25-2009 at 08:54 AM.

06-25-2009, 09:16 AM	#11 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,360 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: $500 Build "CPU Socket Type LGA 775 CPU Type Core 2 Quad / Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Duo FSB 1600/1333MHz" So yes, it can run a quad core. The most powerful thing on the market now it could run is the Core 2 Extreme QX9775, and I expect Intel to release one more line of quad core CPUs for LGA775 before switching entirely to LGA1366 (though not for a year at the least). Though I may be wrong on that. But yeah, that build is very upgradable in the processor department. The upgrade bottleneck: it only supports maximum of 4GB DDR2 800 RAM. That's fine for now, since you don't really need any more than that, but in the future it could be a problem. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for. Last edited by Phædrus2401; 06-25-2009 at 09:18 AM.

06-25-2009, 10:09 AM	#12 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,360 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: $500 Build Sorry, correction on my earlier post, you couldn't use the QX9775, the highest you could use is the Q9650. Also, you set up SATA basically the same way you do IDE, only it has its own power cables instead of Molex and the data cables are different shapes. Anyway, looks like a good build. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

06-25-2009, 11:17 AM	#13 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,769 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: $500 Build Very good budget build with upgrade ability though I doubt you'll have the need. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

06-25-2009, 11:27 AM	#14 (permalink)
proagony Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Texas, US Posts: 80 OS: Windows XP SP2 x64	Re: $500 Build My current system runs what i do fine with 2GB, so 4GB will be plenty. This one would be impossible to upgrade, so I decided to get a new one for a budget and upgrade as i go. Thanks for the help guys =D

06-25-2009, 11:45 AM	#15 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,769 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: $500 Build 4GB of RAM will be more than sufficient. 2GB is usually plenty but RAM is cheap now it's good to take advantage of the low prices. I'm sure the prices will start to climb when/if DDR3 gets stable. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently. Last edited by Tyree; 06-25-2009 at 11:47 AM.