System Build $400

**KarmaKiller** · November 5th, 2007, 11:24 PM

Hi all.
I'm putting together a budget PC for a friend. He has $400 to work with, and a old HP that I can pull parts from also. Which really, the DVD drive is about the only thing I plan on using, since it's pretty old.
But I threw together a list of parts, and I wanted some input on a couple things.
First the parts list:

Case:$19 + s/h
Rosewell El Cheapo

Mobo: $100 +s/h
Biostar T-Force

CPU: $82.99
Intel E2160

RAM: $52.99 + s/h
Wintec AmpX

PSU: From
Antec 500 Basiq

Now my main question is with the RAM. I've never used Wintec Brand before, and was curious if you guys had any experience with them.

The system is mainly for WoW and internet browsing. I plan on using the onboard graphics and sound.

Thanks in advance!

**SoloCamo** · November 5th, 2007, 11:52 PM

For WoW, even though it's hardly graphics intensive, I'd still go for a dedicated gpu.

**KarmaKiller** · November 6th, 2007, 12:09 AM

I'm still thinking about it. I just can't find one that would even be decent for WoW and still land $40 under budget.(amount for the PSU I'm selling him.)
I'm open to suggestions though.

**SoloCamo** · November 6th, 2007, 12:17 AM

This isn't a good card by any stretch of the imagination, but it's got to be better than onboard. Plus (as i'm sure you know) it will take some load off the cpu.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121059

It's about the best you can do for that price. It also "sports"

128bit vs 64bit of the really budget gpu's.

**KarmaKiller** · November 6th, 2007, 12:25 AM

I was looking at the IceQ version of that card before.

I may see if I can fit that in budget

Thanks

**RicheemxX** · November 6th, 2007, 12:26 AM

If you aren't planning on oc'ing, and your not going for anything else high end why not throw a lower end mobo in there and beef up the video card a bit more?

**KarmaKiller** · November 6th, 2007, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by RicheemxX

If you aren't planning on oc'ing, and your not going for anything else high end why not throw a lower end mobo in there and beef up the video card a bit more?

I was gonna try to get a little OC out of it. I've read numerous reports about how you can get those chips to 3.0Ghz on stock cooling. I was gonna check that out, and see what happend.

My other thought of all this is maybe going for a x2 setup. I could maybe come out a little cheaper with the board and ram, and that would give me some more to work with on the gpu..

EDIT:
But I'm ordering parts weds, so I hopefully get them in Monday, which give me 3 1/2 days to build and install OS. So I got plenty of time..

**KarmaKiller** · November 6th, 2007, 12:33 AM

Is the 945GC chipset decent?
I skipped that hole generation of chipsets..

But I'm looking at this now..

Motherboard: $53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128058

CPU: $83
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116036

RAM: $49
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145098

GPU: $59
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102084

Case: $19
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147073

HDD: $48
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148161

PSU: $40
Antec Basiq 500watt

TOTAL- $302 without shipping
$386.46 with shipping.

I think I'm gonna try to spend the extra money on a little bit better of a case.

What do you guys think?

**FlyinHawaiian** · November 6th, 2007, 01:00 AM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119068 - Get this case, FREE SHIPPING, and it will be about 5 bucks more since your case shipping is expensive.

So the rest of the money can go to upgrades in other places.

**drjekel_mrhyde** · November 6th, 2007, 03:58 AM

They have a MB and AMD sempron bundle for 80ish and they work great for simple web browsing and burning DVD's
http://microcenter.com/specials/cata...roadsheet.html

**Foggy** · November 6th, 2007, 12:36 PM

I don't think your shipping will be $84 if you order all at once.

**KarmaKiller** · November 6th, 2007, 12:41 PM

Yeah, I'm hoping not...Thus why I like the Egg.

As for the other replies, thanks for the help.
Flyin, I may use that case instead, It seems like a better case all around.
Jekyl, I'd feel really bad giving him and semperon. This should be able to last him for a couple of years. Being that he's just now moving up for a 1Ghz P3.

Thanks all for the suggestions!

**samwichse** · November 6th, 2007, 01:38 PM

If you're going budget, AMD is the way to go. Look at the AM2 4000+ Brisbane core. $66, a good overclocker, equivalent performance to the E2160 you're looking at.

AM2 M/B with PCI express X16, 4 DDR2-800 slots, and nVidia 6100 onboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813186105
$40 AR

You can go cheaper, but then you get only 2 RAM slots, which isn't worth it to me. But the price differences get you $30 more for the video card, which is your real limitation for gaming anyway.

Sam

**KarmaKiller** · November 6th, 2007, 01:45 PM

The reason why I picked out the 2160, is it can OC to 3.0Ghz STABLE on stock. I've read about 100 reviews saying this. So if I factor in the OC, then it'll blow anything AMD out of the water at the pricing point. But I am making a list of AMD parts also to email to him. See what he thinks about the options. I'm trying to get a little stronger of a GPU for him, but I am trying to talk him into upping his budget another $50 or so. That would make it easy on me almost, and give him a pretty nice performer for the money.

Have you used any Foxconn Mobo's before?
I personally haven't, but have heard that their not the best name brand out. If it's gonna be a solid runner, then I'll pick that up. But again my experience is swaying me towards Gigabyte or ASUS.