Budget Computer Build Refining?

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Andy-Buddy wrote on 2011-08-08 10:13

Here's what I have so far...

Processor:
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor

Motherboard:
MSI 785GT-E63 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

Case:
Xigmatek ASGARD II B/B CPC-T45UC-U01

Graphics:
SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16

Memory:
Team Elite 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model TED38192M1333HC9DC

Storage:
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Power:
Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Optical:
LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM

Expectations: A computer that can max out Vindictus, Team Fortress 2; Do well in Just Cause 2 and Starcraft 2.

All for under $500, but the cheaper the better.

This should come to a total of about $476.94.

Are there any other changes I should make?
TA wrote on 2011-08-08 11:26

I've had nothing but bad experiences with MSI - I do not recommend them. Asus or Gigabyte would be ideal.

Also, Sapphire is not a good brand. I'd recommend another if you can find similar/same from another brand like eVGA.

I won't comment on the rest, others are probably more knowledgeable.
System wrote on 2011-08-08 11:56

I honestly say just go with gigabyte.

Even if it's a little more expensive.

Unsure about Sapphire, but I do wholeheartedly agree about ATI. (ATI all the way)
Shirayuki wrote on 2011-08-08 12:06

Apparently the stock cooler that comes with the AMD processor that you chose is terribad(loud and fails to cool well). I can personally say that AMD stock cooling is ****, so invest in a different fan.

Also I don't see a power source on that list, but I don't have my glasses on so it might just be my mistake.
TA wrote on 2011-08-08 12:19

He didn't list a power supply or a cd/dvd/bluray drive. You can get a cheap $20 LG cd drive or something.
BobYoMeowMeow wrote on 2011-08-08 12:29

you need a power supply
and a good quality one too since its the life of your computer

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016
The one the cat wanted to recommend was out of stock (because it was good for $10 but this should work well)
TA wrote on 2011-08-08 14:04

I'm not an expert or anything, but here would be my recommendations...

cpu cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106123
better brand vid card and cheaper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150516

The video card requires 600W or higher PSU... Here's a pretty good one that's on sale: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

I also learned from experience you don't wanna do bad brand RAM (pick one)...
crucial - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148347
corsair - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145315

For motherboard, try maybe...
Gigabyte - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128485
Asus - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131699&Tpk=ASUS%20M4A87T

If you're not sold on the case, you may wanna try something more well known...
Cooler Master HAF 912 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
Antec 300 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

And you're probably gonna want some 120mm fans unless you want your computer to overheat...
Shirayuki wrote on 2011-08-08 14:18

Quote from TA;544368:
I'm not an expert or anything, but here would be my recommendations...

cpu cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106123
better brand vid card and cheaper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150516

The video card requires 600W or higher PSU... Here's a pretty good one that's on sale: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

I also learned from experience you don't wanna do bad brand RAM (pick one)...
crucial - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148347
corsair - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145315

For motherboard, try maybe...
Gigabyte - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128485
Asus - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131699&Tpk=ASUS%20M4A87T

If you're not sold on the case, you may wanna try something more well known...
Cooler Master HAF 912 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
Antec 300 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

And you're probably gonna want some 120mm fans unless you want your computer to overheat...

@bolded

[Image: http://massmultiverse.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/not_sure_if_serious.jpg]
Andy-Buddy wrote on 2011-08-09 04:15

I put up the Optical and PSU I plan to use. I was looking at some power readings, and under load, with an overclocked GPU under load, the power consumption hadn't broken 310W.
Yoorah wrote on 2011-08-09 05:22

PSU choice... Bad idea.

First of all, the power rating on PSUs combines all their different outputs into one reading--each output only provides a portion of the total rated power. Without taking this into account, your power requirements projection could fail badly.
Second, PSUs age and provide less power as they get older.
Third, PSUs provide less power as they run hotter.
Fourth, running a PSU close to its rated limit is generally a bad idea. It'll increase heat, noise and decrease lifespan.
I might be forgetting something else, too. xd

But basically, this is why you want to stick close to the requirement listed with the graphics card. There's no need to go beyond that requirement "just in case," which most noobs think is a good idea.. but at the same time, you shouldn't go that low beyond the recommendation, either.
I think the cat found a nice PSU there. Cheap and modular, to boot! Modular PSUs are <3.

The rest of the build looks fine, but a couple things you should consider:
First of all, do you intend to overclock? If yes, then going AMD is the right choice. If not, I'd consider switching to an i3-2100, since it beats the 955 BE in gaming at stock clock. If you overclock the AMD, though, it could come close to the i3's performance (you should research how high you could overclock the AMD, and if that would beat an i3 at stock), but you'd need to spend money on a CPU cooler.. so that kinda goes against your cost cutting theme!
Second, did you consider going with a Micro ATX board? They're cheaper and they're usually good enough for the vast majority of people. Like this i3 board, for $60. There's even this one for $50, which actually has more slots than the other one. O.o Likewise, the AMD equivalent mATX boards will be cheaper.
TA wrote on 2011-08-09 09:17

Quote from Shirayuki;544376:
@bolded

[Image: http://massmultiverse.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/not_sure_if_serious.jpg]

Well, yeah. Some airflow is important. At least one drawing air in and another pushing air out. Ideally at least 2 drawing air in (maybe at the front?) and then 2 pushing air out, like maybe 1 on the side and 1 at the back. That'd be some pretty nice airflow and would prevent a lot of heat problems you might otherwise see... especially if you get a midtower case or something that doesn't have much room and just traps all that heat in there. Components aren't gonna be happy... it'll severely shorten the computer life.
Yoorah wrote on 2011-08-09 19:13

That's not really true. Airflow is important indeed, but with a good case, just having a 120mm exhaust fan at the back is sufficient. There's also the PSU fan which helps draw hot air out. Side vents actually decrease the cooling efficiency of a case, as they circumvent the ideal front-to-back airflow. Think of it as a wind tunnel.

The only time you want more fans is when you're running a heavily OC'd CPU with a multi-GPU setup.. with GPU coolers that dump hot air into the case. That, or if you think fans are just cool to have (no pun intended).
Andy-Buddy wrote on 2011-08-10 21:24

I do plan on overclocking it, and if it comes down to it, I'll find an OEM version of that CPU, and use the money I save for a better heatsink/fan for it.

Good idea?

And I'll probably go for a higher PSU, and look at some of the ones in the thread, thanks.
animeshadows wrote on 2011-08-10 23:34

nnn... If you're buying a graphics card on a budget, just be careful. Below are pictures of my system on a budget "refurbished" card. Had to pay for ANOTHER.

[Image: http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_li6kqphegd1qaouc1o1_500.jpg]

[Image: http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_li6ko6JFUj1qaouc1o1_500.jpg]

[Image: http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_li6krbj54V1qaouc1o1_500.jpg]
Andy-Buddy wrote on 2011-08-11 01:38

I'm looking at this power supply, for only $5 more. It has great reviews, a perfect 5 eggs, but I see no efficiency certification. Should that be a worry?

(I mean the 80 Plus Bronze, Silver, and Gold. It seems to be pretty rare to find a good budget PSU with these certifications, though.)

APEX AL-D500EXP 500W ATX12V Power Supply

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