I need help building a computer. 400-600

[DamiKen]

I've built one before, and it's entirely fried due to water damage.

I don't have a lot of money right now so I'm looking to spend 400-600. Try to keep it in between if possible.
-----

Okay so, I need help building a computer. What I have is:

A VGA monitor, CRC. I play my games at 1024x768, or 800x600.

I don't use anti aliasing.

I don't use anisotropic filtering.

So please, before you say " IT CAN'T RUN NEW AGE GAMES. "
I play source games so.. Yeah.

Think about this:

I ran GTA IV, and even L4D2, Counter strike source, and other games with the ATI x1600 512 MB PCIe pro, with 1.5 GB ram, and a single core 3.2GHZ proccesor over 30 FPS at 1024/768 resolution. All settings on gta IV medium, l4d2 medium, CS:S high with 4X MSAA at 49 FPS average.

What I want this computer to run is:

L4D2/CS:S/Half Life 2/All of Orange box basically

I don't play games like Crysis or COD5+.

I play SOURCE engine based games. I'm a huge fan of valve.

I don't multi task, I only have the game running and nothing else.

I don't edit videos or graphics.

I want to run my games at around 40-60 FPS average.

I want duo core, I actually have one in mind:

I do not plan on unlocking the two cores, so please don't amp up the PSU because of the ability.

Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX

I only want 2GB of ram. 4GB if you can make it cost 450/600 dollars.

My video card? I don't want anything pricey. I want something simple, you know, 512 MB 3.0 pixel shader, if it's possible for 500 a 1GB card.
( Or 550, but show me what I can get with 500. )
Hopefully the sound card is integrated, if no, I'll take a really cheap one.
I don't care if the case is ugly or just a simple box.



To sum it all out:

Duo core @ 2.0 GHZ or greater.

512 MB video card VGA compatible ( I can get a converter cord) , or anything good enough to run SOURCE games at 30+ FPS.

2GB RAM ( If possible 4GB. )

Integrated sound. ( If not possible because of the above items, a 50-30 dollar sound card. )

Power supply is going to have to meet the requirements, so at least a 650W-750 power supply.

I don't want a power supply that is more than what I need for the build.

What I already have:

A monitor (VGA.)

A USB keyboard.

A USB mouse.

A headset.

Speakers.

Windows XP professional SP2 ( I have a SATA hard drive with 60GB with it already installed. But if it's possible I'd like to get at least 100GB or more, and windows 7. For at least under 600, if not then just a 100+ GB hard drive, as I have a windows XP PRO disk. )

My internet is ETHERNET.

Keep it under 600! 600 if it's going to have windows 7, or a REALLY good video card.

Also: I'm going to need some instructions as far as putting all this together.
Such as the thermal compound, testing hardware, and setting up anything else system wise ( BIOS upgrade, etc.

I live in Texas, so tiger-direct, and newegg are the websites for me. I'll be ordering the computer next month ( Okay, so I'll deal with the shipping fees. I really just want to get back to gaming. ) , possible Christmas for the shipping. Because of this I might increase my budget to 700, but that won't be said until I do a little bit of thinking. If anyone could persuade me on what I could get out of 550/600 and what I could get out of 700.

[Whir]

HP® - Laptops, Desktop, Printers, Servers, and more

[RicheemxX]

I'll be ordering the computer around Christmas or February, possible Christmas for the shipping.

Then your best bet is to come back when you are ready to order because between now and then any list made today will be outdated!

[DamiKen]

I could do that. If I wanted something overpriced, that I could get for 300 dollars. Or I could build a 600 dollar build that works better than HP's 1500 dollar systems.

[DamiKen]

Then your best bet is to come back when you are ready to order because between now and then any list made today will be outdated!

I could order it next month, but I was thinking Christmas because of the, what 70-120 shipping fees? I'll order it the following month then, because I really want to get back to playing my games. :L

[RicheemxX]

where do you get the idea that you'd save on shipping by waiting? Newegg and TD both offer free shipping on the majority of items I'm just saying if you plant to wait its pointless to make a list now as new parts will be out by then, and parts that are out of your budget now will be cheaper and therefore in your budget at that time.

[DamiKen]

where do you get the idea that you'd save on shipping by waiting? Newegg and TD both offer free shipping on the majority of items I'm just saying if you plant to wait its pointless to make a list now as new parts will be out by then, and parts that are out of your budget now will be cheaper and therefore in your budget at that time.

TD charged me 70 dollars shipping a year ago when I ordered a mobo and a case. :[ ( Was air delivery, but even ground would cost some money right? )

[RicheemxX]

Well hey we've got lots of threads with nice builds in your budget but since I'm bored - Shy posted this awhile back

$18 Newegg.com - LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 5X DVD-RAM 12X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA 22X DVD Burner - Bulk - CD / DVD Burners

$40 Newegg.com - APEX Vortex 3620 SGCC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case

$70 Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3750528AS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

$90 Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-1140-TR GeForce GTS 250 512MB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card (note I dropped the card and you could go lower since you don't game high end games)

$30 Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 460 RS-460-PSAR-J3 460W ATX12V V2.31 Power Supply

$83 Newegg.com - GeIL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model GV34GB1066C7DC

$80 Newegg.com - BIOSTAR H55A+ LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI ATX Intel Motherboard

$115 Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3530

$100 Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - Operating Systems


About $620 or so before shipping.

No TD has changed their shipping policy, both TD and Newegg have tons of stuff with free ship you just have to shop it around. Either way as I said its pointless to create a list unless you are ready to buy. Prices drop constantly therefore you want to wait until you are ready and have the cash in hand

[JPMiller]

Thats just mean whir...

Why in the name of all thats holy would you wait?
And yes if you wait, the list changes drastically..
And why would shipping be any better any other time of year?

Well I can honestly say I'm impressed with your query..
I personally am a huge fan of bottom barrel buyers like you who know their limitations and have realistic goals...
I say make a contest of finding the best bang for buck UNDER $500!!!

Stick with XP since its free and is a perfect compliment to your hardware.
You say your current rig is fried... What kind of case does it have and what type of optical drive?

Here is a preliminary list to start you off..

Newegg.com - Open Box: ASRock G41M-S LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $33
Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E5300 Wolfdale 2.6GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80571E5300 $67
Newegg.com - PQI TURBO 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PQI26400-4GDB $76
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131359R[/url] $72
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154098[/url] $40 shipped
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 460 RS-460-PSAR-J3 460W ATX12V V2.31 Power Supply $30 shipped
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3320613AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $45
Under $400 +plus around $35 for shipping

[DamiKen]

Thats just mean whir...

Well I can honestly say I'm impressed with your query..
I personally am a huge fan of bottom barrel buyers like you who know their limitations and have realistic goals...
I say make a contest of finding the best bang for buck UNDER $500!!!

Stick with XP since its free and is a perfect compliment to your hardware.
You say your current rig is fried... What kind of case does it have and what type of optical drive?

Here is a preliminary list to start you off..

Newegg.com - Open Box: ASRock G41M-S LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $33
Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E5300 Wolfdale 2.6GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80571E5300 $67
Newegg.com - PQI TURBO 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PQI26400-4GDB $76
Newegg.com - ASUS EAH4350 SILENT/DI/512MD2(LP) Radeon HD 4350 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card $35
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154098[/url] $40 shipped
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 460 RS-460-PSAR-J3 460W ATX12V V2.31 Power Supply $30 shipped
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3320613AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $45
Only $350 +plus around $30 for shipping

The case is a mid-tower, inside it's sticky and full of ants. I had the case open so I could clean it out. Stupidly, I had a drink. I've always been careful and I've never even damaged a computer physically. You can guess what happened.( I clean my cases every two months, I keep it in a cabinet on my desk near a window. It's usually open on the second floor of the house, so dust is predictable. I can clean the case, but I want a bigger case. I'm willing to throw in some money for cooling, as it's been hot lately. Even in the winter it was warm. ( Lowest here was 30-20F. February it's around the 50s, then in the summer we've had 95F+, and at night we still get around 79. With the cooling it's around 60 in the house, and an air conditioner is next to my desk.)

The case is an APEX 375.

///EDIT:

I really, really like what you're showing me here.
Okay, so never mind. My case won't work with this mobo, can you help me find a cheap case?

[JPMiller]

I have revised the list, I was being a bit cheap...
Yeah forget the case, and why not throw in a good DVDRW for $18

Newegg.com - Open Box: ASRock G41M-S LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $38
Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E5300 Wolfdale 2.6GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80571E5300 $67
Newegg.com - PQI TURBO 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PQI26400-4GDB $76
Newegg.com - Open Box: PowerColor PCS+ AX5670 512MD5-PPDH Radeon HD 5670 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card $72
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3320613AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $45
Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - CD / DVD Burners
Newegg.com - APEX Vortex 3620 SGCC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case $40
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 460 RS-460-PSAR-J3 460W ATX12V V2.31 Power Supply $30


My cart says the shipping would only be around $10 for 3 day...
half the order is free shipping

[DamiKen]

Never mind. >: Thank you, give me a second to review it completely.

Only $390.29, nice.
It is ATI. :L I've never heard of this card before.

@750 GB, cheaper but I've never even downloaded close to 400GB.

[JPMiller]

Just for reference, I have built several of these level of machines using alot of refurb parts and lesser video cards, they are snappy little performers and are day & night above what your were using...


Heres a few options...
I have 4 of these in my main rig, all purchased over the last year from geeks..
No issues yet and they get alot of use
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 750GB SATA/300 7200RPM 16MB Hard Drive Seagate ST3750630AS

Heck, you saved yourself so much money you can splurge on new peripherals...
Dillyeo - Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 V2 Wireless Keyboard - Computers & Accessories

Cooler Master R4-S2S-124K-GP 4-Pack 120mm Low Noise Case Fans 44.73CFM 19.3dBA at SVC.com
These are awsome fans...
Quiet, cheap, and move lots of air

The first thing you do when you get the case is get a pair of tin snips or dremel and cut out the fan grill behind the front panel and behind the back fan...

[DamiKen]

Above post explains why I'm not getting that.

This is a really cheap rig, now is a quad core/ duo core with 3.0 GHZ/ AMD processor worth the upgrade?

If I can get this out of 400, what can I get out of 500?

Also, the local shops around here are all refurbished items, some new.
Is this setup enough to keep everything at a manageable temperature or should I invest in fans?

[JPMiller]

Above post explains why I'm not getting that.

Huh?

Are the local shops prices cheaper than what I'm linking?

You can always upgrade, but is it worth it if instead you could buy a new LCD with what you save?
Newegg.com - eMachines E191WDbm 19'' 5ms 1440X900 WideScreen LCD monitor 250 cd/m2 1000:1

Sidenote!!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO
We bumped that damn "Is It JustMe?" for hot discussion!!!!

[DamiKen]

Huh?

Are the local shops prices cheaper than what I'm linking?

You can always upgrade, but is it worth it if instead you could buy a new LCD with what you save?
Newegg.com - eMachines E191WDbm 19'' 5ms 1440X900 WideScreen LCD monitor 250 cd/m2 1000:1

Very nice. Read the post above yours, I never ever go over 400 GB. The monitor is nice, really nice. I'll have to consider this, but this video card has no videos, reviews, or benchmarks. What are the shader model and vertex specs? There are videos of the 1GB version doing 95 FPS on crysis warhead with X8 AA.

Local shops don't have good computers, I'm saying the fans aren't that great. Again:
Is the build you've given me solid temperature wise?

[JPMiller]

A. just because you havent gone over 400 gigs so far means nothing, the 750 is generally faster and having the extra room allows you to partition, make backups, store things you might hesitate to store due to size etc.
Why NOT?

B. what do you mean the video card has no "videos, reviews, or benchmarks"?

C. I linked a good case with good ventilation, a PSU with a large 120mm fan, and extra 120mm case fans to boot..
Other than getting a big honkin CPU HSF, I'm not sure it gets much better

[DamiKen]

A. just because you havent gone over 400 gigs so far means nothing, the 750 is generally faster and having the extra room allows you to partition, make backups, store things you might hesitate to store due to size etc.
Why NOT?

B. what do you mean the video card has no "videos, reviews, or benchmarks"?

C. I linked a good case with good ventilation, a PSU with a large 120mm fan, and extra 120mm case fans to boot..
Beside a big honkin CPU HSF, I'm not sure it gets much better

Yes, C is true. I just noticed the fans, I thought there was just one.


@A You pose a very good point but do they have this 720 on newegg? I don't feel safe ordering from two different sites.

@B There aren't any videos on youtube of gameplay or even reviews on the performance on games. No benchmarks of any type of game ANYWHERE. Are we sure this card can run source engine games and GTA IV?
EDIT: And then I read a review understand how amazing this video card is.


Also, on the hard disk drive:
* No SATA cables included

I'll have to buy thermal fluid, SATA cables.

So far this is a really really nice build, I give you props. I've decided I'm probably going to buy the monitor for it's sleek design. I have a little thing for space, I like to keep my desktop clean and very spacey.

I have a logitech G19, no need for a silly HP keyboard.

AH YOU HAVE THOUGHT OF MY SITUATION SO MUCH.

Thank you, I'm going to order this within the next four weeks. This is a very nice setup for it's price, and I most certain I will be extremely pleased by this.

[JPMiller]

OK last post...
Newegg sucks for the small stuff like fans, You always overpay...

Why isnt it "safe" to buy from more than one place?
just check it against ressellerratings ... I buy from there all the time... or did you mean Geeks?
Either is reliable and "safe"
(probably more so than those local shops)

Theres no guaranty that the open box mobo will come with the extra cables, but those are insanely cheap as well...
Newegg.com - OKGEAR 10" SATA 6Gbps Cable, Right Angle to Right Angle W/ Metal Latch, Black, Backward Compatible 3 Gbps and 1.5 Gbps

The retail CPU comes with a preapplied thermal paste that works just fine, no need for extras

The card will come with a DVI to VGA adapter... OR...
Newegg.com - Rexus DVI-VGA DVI Male Dual-link to VGA Female Adapter

But you should forget that emachines monitor anyway...
No DVI...
Newegg.com - SCEPTRE X195W-Naga Black 18.5" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DCR(10000:1) 1000:1

[DamiKen]

Thank you, you've really helped me.
I am definitely going to buy this build.
Thanks for saving me the money, that monitor is much more comfortable. Can't wait to order it, I'll send you a message letting you know how everything turned out if you don't mind.