First build - Cheap, but upgradeable

**Ty44ler** · February 10th, 2010, 01:50 PM

My company was going to sell an Optiplex 760 for cheap ($250 or so) and I've been wanting to buy a desktop for a few reasons:

1. Folding. Always saw the threads on here, now I'd like to join in!
2. Tinker around with... I'd like it to be easily upgradeable to make it a badass rig later on.
3. Play/download movies... kind of like my own media center to connect to my tv.
4. Video editing/ Design, I'd like to later upgrade to be able to edit video easily. Not necessary right now though...

I found out that it might not be the best to upgrade the Dell Optiplex later since I'd most likely have to buy a different motherboard for it.

That got me to thinking to build my own! Of course, if you still think the Optiplex is a good deal, then I'll scrap the whole idea of starting from scratch and just look to upgrade the dell.

I was looking at some DIY kits on newegg, but there are a lot on there and I've seen you guys whip up some nice rigs for cheap.

So, I come to you for all knowing power of building a rig.

Not needed:
-OS
-Monitor
-Keyboard/Mouse
-Speakers

Things I'd like:
-64-bit compatible
-HDMI outputs
-Large HDD (~1TB)

Budget: ~$300... doesn't have to run crysis or anything, just respectable for now, then I'll upgrade it all as time goes on. Thanks in advance!

**Ty44ler** · February 10th, 2010, 04:12 PM

I kind of got a little over the budget, but here's my shot at it:

DVD R/W:
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - OEM $19.99

Case:
RAIDMAX Tornado ATX-238WG Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $39.99

HDD (500GB 7200RPM):
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM $55.99

Motherboard:
ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $79.99

Processor:
AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail $56.99

Power Supply (550W):

BFG Tech GS-550 550W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V V2.8 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply $49.99

RAM (2GB):
Crucial Vostro 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $41.99

Subtotal: $343.93

What do you think?

**KarmaKiller** · February 10th, 2010, 04:44 PM

Actually your list is pretty nice. But your missing the CPU.

It's gonna be hard doing what your trying to do, but I think it's possible if you spend your money wisely.
First off, I understand cases are one of those things that are totally personal preference, but I can't see the point in spending $70 out of a $300 budget on a case. That money could be used in other places that would make a better impact on performance.
If I had your budget, this is probably what I'd get.
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
You'll have to add a power supply and a case, but that's a very solid start to a nice system.

**Ty44ler** · February 10th, 2010, 04:56 PM

Wow, that was so weird. I had just noticed that I was missing the CPU so I was going back and editing it. So I went to find a processor when that deal came up and I made the changes to my previous post, then I see you mentioned the missing processor and the exact bundle I was looking at!

Ok, maybe it wasn't that cool, but still kind of freaky.

Yeah, I may go back and get a different case. I liked that one because well, I'll admit it, it looks cool. It also opens up easily and had a ton of great reviews so I thought it seemed pretty good for the price.

**nickslick74** · February 10th, 2010, 05:03 PM

Also, if you get that particular cpu, you will need a cooler for it. For $4 more I'd get the boxed version of the same cpu.

Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

**Ty44ler** · February 10th, 2010, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by nickslick74

Also, if you get that particular cpu, you will need a cooler for it. For $4 more I'd get the boxed version of the same cpu.

Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

This is why I came to you guys! Thanks.

I also updated with a cheaper case and the processor with a cooler, but it's still around $400.

Is there anything that I could go lower on or have I reached the bottom?

**JPMiller** · February 11th, 2010, 02:05 PM

Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Half the size is half the price... 500 is plenty of space to start with...

You can shave another $15 with this case with free shipping..
Newegg.com - RAIDMAX Hurricane ATX-248WB Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
Its exactly the same case with a different face.
It also doesnt lock you into a color theme..

It's a mistake to split up the 2 gigs, it will make it harder to upgrade later...
Newegg.com - Crucial Vostro 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model CTVOS2GBD2S806C - Desktop Memory
It's also cheaper

You can even save $7 by upgrading that LG to a Samsung...(maximum PC's best of the best)
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

**Ty44ler** · February 12th, 2010, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Ty44ler

I kind of got a little over the budget, but here's my shot at it:

DVD R/W:
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - OEM $19.99

Case:
RAIDMAX Tornado ATX-238WG Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $39.99

HDD (500GB 7200RPM):
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM $55.99

Motherboard:
ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $49.99

Processor:
AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail $56.99

Power Supply (550W):
Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU 500W ATX 12V 2.0 Power Supply $41.99

RAM (2GB):
Crucial Vostro 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $41.99

Subtotal: $306.93

JP, thanks a bunch. Saved me $50 bills, with some upgrades!

I particularly am not a big fan of Seagate so I decided to pay the extra $1 and go with the brand I know in Western Digital. Small price to pay for comfort.

Down to $306.99

I'm starting to think this is about as low it can go without making sacrifices to performance...

...but I'd still love to hear you're thoughts!

**JPMiller** · February 12th, 2010, 05:24 PM

Here is something to consider...
Open Box items from newegg are extremely reliable...
I have been buying them for years... were talking hundreds of parts, mostly motherboards and video cards..
Newegg, or the manufacturer test these parts and resell them MUCH cheaper...
90% of the time I get ALL the retail extras, and in all this time I've only recieved 2-3 DOA items, (that may have been damaged in transit)
I've never had a bad motherboard...
Most of these were never even opened or used by the buyer...
Often people buy items without doing their homework, and order the wrong parts or find a better deal, so they RMA the item..
here are some options
This is your current mobo open boxed...
I personally would opt. for a full ATX board, simply because it will be less crowded and they have to do less corner cutting on ATX boards...
Newegg.com - Open Box: ASUS M4A77D AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
Newegg.com - Open Box: MSI 770-C45 AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
Newegg.com - Open Box: BIOSTAR TForce TA770A2+SE AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

here is another little Gem...
Here is a better power supply for only $36
OCZ OCZ600GXSSLI GameXStream 600W SLI ATX12V 2.2 Power Supply - Recertified*at SVC.com
Nearly double the +12V Amperage
I've boaught 6 already and havent had an issue yet...
PC Power and Cooling has strict quality control over refurbished units and they have all been as perfect as new.

**Ty44ler** · February 12th, 2010, 08:27 PM

wow, you're hooking it up with some awesome finds. How did you find out about these? Are there any other types of things I should be aware of, like the open box items?

**JPMiller** · February 13th, 2010, 12:48 AM

I ALWAYS look in the open box and refurbished/recertified sections of the better retailers...
here is the Newegg section with open box and recert areas...
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Newegg is where I buy my main components, but SVC is where I buy all the little stuff, fans, cables, bling, etc,,...

**Ty44ler** · February 13th, 2010, 10:25 AM

DVD R/W:
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - OEM $19.99

Case:
RAIDMAX Tornado ATX-238WG Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $39.99

HDD (500GB 7200RPM):
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM $55.99

Motherboard:
ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $49.99

Processor:
AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail $56.99

Power Supply (600W):
OCZ OCZ600GXSSLI GameXStream 600W SLI ATX12V 2.2 Power Supply - Recertified $35.99

RAM (2GB):
Crucial Vostro 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $41.99

Subtotal: $300.93

Wow, got me all the way down to $300! I didn't think that would really be possible.

Well if this looks good, I might go ahead and order it.

Anyone got final thoughts on the list? I'll wait for a few days to gather some responses...

**DeanL** · February 13th, 2010, 01:51 PM

does anyone know of a website like newegg for england? or does newegg ship internationally? a lot cheaper than any other website i have managed to find. typical overpriced england

**Ty44ler** · February 17th, 2010, 11:19 AM

Which is the better deal?

Option A:
Case:
Raidmax ATX-238WRP

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H

Processor:
AMD ADX240OCK23GQ

HDD (500GB 7200RPM):
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 7200 RPM

Processor Fan
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler

RAM (2GB):
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ

DVD R/W:
LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X

Total: $300

OR

Option B:
Case:
RAIDMAX Tornado ATX-238WG Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

HDD (500GB 7200RPM):
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM

Motherboard:
ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

Processor:
AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

Power Supply (600W):
OCZ OCZ600GXSSLI GameXStream 600W SLI ATX12V 2.2 Power Supply - Recertified

RAM (2GB):
Crucial Vostro 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

DVD R/W:
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - OEM

Total: $300

Both lists contain the same essentials, but are included differently: like the power supply comes with the case in option A and a fan is included with the processor on option B, but if they weren't in a package I added them separately to make up for the difference.

**Ty44ler** · February 17th, 2010, 11:27 AM

Here's what I think are the Pros/Cons of each

Option A:
Pros:
1. Better Motherboard
2. Better CPU fan
3. Newegg Bundle so it should be compatible, warranties etc...

Cons:
1. Not fond of the case
2. Weak Power Supply

Option B
Pros:
1. Better Case
2. Better Power Supply

Cons:
1. Motherboard not as good
2. Power Supply and Motherboard are open box... no manufacturer warranty

I'm kinda stuck thinking of which to get

**JPMiller** · February 19th, 2010, 12:54 AM

That PSU included is garbage... an overblown 21A on the +12V?
thats pretty weak even for a generic
Buyer beware... PSU are nothing to skimp on
Those mobos are nearly identical and are both from very good manufacturers..
Open box is more reliable than "brand new" in most cases anyway...
and who told you they are covered by a warranty?
Asus will send you a new board if its defective just as if it was new...
I've done it at work more than once

unless your hardcore overclocking, the retail fan is more than adequate...