First time building a PC! Help?

LPHeadstrong · 05-02-2011 11:14PM #1

I want a machine that is highly upgradable (2-3 PCI slots, 2-3 PCIe slots, USB 3.0, SATA-600) but not very expensive! I know! Oxymoron, but I've selected a number of components that seem OK but compatibility is where I struggle. It's mainly for internet and videos/music! Powerful enough to handle full HD videos & Blu-ray (Mainly for backing up files/BD-ROM). Basic enough games like The SIMS and such!

The only requirements are USB 3.0, HDMi and VGA output. Preferably integrated in the mobo but not essential! Here's what I'm thinking so far (Using Dabs.ie):

Mobo: Gigabyte AM3 AMD 880G DDR3 ATX
CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 640 3.0GHz AM3 2MB L2
Case: Best Value EW07 Midi ATX Black 500W PSU
Fans: Xilence Red Wing 120mm Quiet Fan
Hard drive: Western Digital 320GB Caviar Blue 7200RPM SATA-600 3.5" 32MB for OS (maybe 2) and software
Hard drive: Western Digital 1TB Caviar Blue 3.5" SATA-600 32MB 7200RPM for general files
Memory: Kingston 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3-1375 Non ECC DIMM Unbuffered
Disc Drive: Samsung Internal 22x DVD Writer Drive SATA Lightscribe
Card Reader: Best Value Internal Card Reader with SIM Slot
Wireless card: Edimax 300Mbps Wireless 802.11b/g/n PCI Express Adapter

I'm new to this so everything might be terrible but judging by individual specs these all caught my eye! Budget being around 500 (excl. software)!

I plan on using Windows 7 64bit as the main operating system! With some Linux based one on another partition.

I'm using a 17" non HD CRT monitor at the moment but will be upgrading to 1080p ~22" LCD eventually. Again, not really for games so things like that aren't an issue!

Please let me know if these seem ok or what I should change. Appreciate any help!

Monotype · 06-02-2011 03:55PM

Cheaper, better RAM:
http://www.dabs.ie/products/kingston-hyperx-4gb--2-x-2gb--ddr3-1600mhz-non-ecc-dimm-cl9--limited-edition--779X.html

Or go to memoryc and you can save another €3 or so.
http://www.memoryc.com/products/description/4GB_GeIL_PC3_12800_1600MHz_Value_Plus_CL9_Dual_Channel_kit-2x2GB_/index.html

PSU: A 500W PSU in a €30 case is not going to be good. Dabs don't have a great selection of (good quality) PSUs for the lower budget. The StealthXStream II 500W would be much better. Downside is only 3 SATA cables (and the €57 cost). You don't need a 500W PSU for your system but this would allow some expansion room and there's nothing cheaper that's much good. Maybe the 430W antec basiq for €43.

Hard drives: I would just go for a fast 1TB and partition it whatever way. If you really need extra storage or backup, the slower green/low power drives are slightly cheaper.

IrishMetalhead · 06-02-2011 08:42PM

i shall post a good specced comp later when im on my comp (im posting on my phone atm) might go with a triple core proc rather than a quad core to make a budget for a good cheap dedicated graphics card (cause i know for a fact that the sims 3 runs terribly on onboard graphics =\) plus it would free up some system memory

IrishMetalhead · 07-02-2011 05:47AM

Heres a far better set up thats just as upgradable:

plus monotype is right just get one 1tb hdd and partition it plus never trust a cheap psu and case.

LPHeadstrong · 07-02-2011 11:36AM

I think I read somewhere about pre-installed PSUs all right! Thanks. Also would it be worth it getting an SSD? I've lost a lot of stuff from external HDs breaking down but not with internal yet!
Storage isn't a big issue anyway it's more for software and multiple operating systems! The rest of the files are regularly backed up! So with that would a 320GB drive be enough? I'm still not 100% on Windows 7 so shopping around with Linux! Vista's my main OS though!

IrishMetalhead · 07-02-2011 02:39PM

stay clear of ssd's if your on a budget, they are amazing dont get me wrong but personally i dont think there not worth the premium yet

Zapho · 09-02-2011 03:22PM

Hey IrishMetalhead, what website did you get that shopping list from? Its well within my budget!

IrishMetalhead · 09-02-2011 03:27PM

dabs.ie
dunno if it's the cheapest for that set up pixmania might be cheaper still have to compare it

Monotype · 09-02-2011 05:39PM

Building upon IrishMetalhead's build, I'd recommend the 5750 over the 5670 for €5 more (if the budget allows).
http://www.dabs.ie/products/sapphire-technology-ati-radeon-5750-hd-1gb-pci-express-2-0-x16-hdmi-7932.html

Also Zapho, if you can afford it, you should consider a PSU upgrade as the CX series are very basic and allows no room for upgrades.

Zapho · 09-02-2011 06:06PM

Monotype wrote: »

Building upon IrishMetalhead's build, I'd recommend the 5750 over the 5670 for €5 more (if the budget allows).
http://www.dabs.ie/products/sapphire-technology-ati-radeon-5750-hd-1gb-pci-express-2-0-x16-hdmi-7932.html

Also Zapho, if you can afford it, you should consider a PSU upgrade as the CX series are very basic and allows no room for upgrades.

Thanks for the tip - I've had awful trouble with power supplies in the past so I'll be focusing a lot of attention on them this time.

First time building a PC! Help?

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