Build for aunt and cousin - Budget 350 max

[a_ump]

well i have the monitor picked out already Acer 20", though don't get where this 1600x900 res came from, its on like all monitors 20"-22". but that doesn't matter. Game needs to be able to just Play tf2 as my lil cous has seen me play it n wants to so there it is. Just general web browsin n mild gaming by my cous. $350 tower build that'll work that magic. It'll be theirs n i'll be in college so overclockability isn't a real factor. Though if it can i will be here for a bit to tweak some so.

show what ya gots people

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

This thread might interest you.

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=127812

He is building with a $300 budget, similar to yours. You might be able to get some ideas from that thread.

 

[a_ump]

hmmm well this is what i came up with

Once You Know, You Newegg

Its round $507 with shipping. i could drop the x3 for an x2 but i know that tf2 is cpu intensive so i figure that extra core will def help, but then i could save round 20 bucks by going x2. This is my aunts money and i wanna save her what i can so lemme know if there's any combo's or anything you guys stumble on to lower the current price of my build.

 

[a_ump]

come on TPU, assist me or at least say my build is bout what you would put together so i kno i'm not missing anything to replace or anything.

 

[Timonthy]

Heres a Combo, ASUS and comes out to be $5 cheaper.

Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, L...

 

[Soylent Joe]

hmmm well this is what i came up with

Once You Know, You Newegg

Its round $507 with shipping. i could drop the x3 for an x2 but i know that tf2 is cpu intensive so i figure that extra core will def help, but then i could save round 20 bucks by going x2. This is my aunts money and i wanna save her what i can so lemme know if there's any combo's or anything you guys stumble on to lower the current price of my build.

First off, I would drop the x3 which only has 1.5MB of L2 and go for the x2 245 which is roughly $20 less while giving you a bit more cache. For TF2 with that 4670, I doubt you'd feel a difference between that x3 and the x2, so you might as well save some money.

Secondly, for $5 more get a 640GB WD Black drive, using the code EMCYWYP32 for $20 off. It will be faster and you'll have twice the amount of room for $5 more.

Case handles are always nice. Get this case which has a nice handle on top for only $5 more.

Lastly for about the same price, go AM3. Foxconn 690G + 2GB 1600MHz DDR3. The motherboard only goes up to 1333 but you will definitely feel the difference between the 800MHz DDR2 in the original build and this DDR3 1333.

Other than those things, the GPU, DVD drive, and PSU look fine

Total with my proposed changes after shipping and promo code is right at $500.

 

[a_ump]

woot , with soylent joe n tim's so say price dropped to 560 with better parts. thank ya fella's

 

[a_ump]

Once You Know, You Newegg

okay that's my final build. My question is what do you guys think of cooler master for PSU's? it def looks solid, total of 36amps on the 12v line. now i'm going to get a 9600GSO, which only requires 24amps? i believe so i'm technically good. MSI calculator with my build said around 326watts, now i am curious as to how much do you all feel i could safely overclock the CPU with this PSU? as i know CPU's start sucking up the juice when overclocked.

 

[Soylent Joe]

Once You Know, You Newegg

okay that's my final build. My question is what do you guys think of cooler master for PSU's? it def looks solid, total of 36amps on the 12v line. now i'm going to get a 9600GSO, which only requires 24amps? i believe so i'm technically good. MSI calculator with my build said around 326watts, now i am curious as to how much do you all feel i could safely overclock the CPU with this PSU? as i know CPU's start sucking up the juice when overclocked.

I think it will be fine for what it will be powering. You could probably OC the CPU to as high as it will go without voltage change and still be in the green (which would be around 3.6GHz). But, if this is going to be for your aunt and cousin I highly recommend leaving everything at stock for the maximum system stability.

 

[mdsx1950]

I suggested this build for another person with the same budget.

Total amount is $410.

Though you can remove the 5750 and swap in a 5670. The 5670 should be able to max out TF2. Or better yet get a 9600GT. It's still one great performing card with a really good price tag. You should be able to get this build for about $350 if you put in a 9600GT.

 

[a_ump]

I think it will be fine for what it will be powering. You could probably OC the CPU to as high as it will go without voltage change and still be in the green (which would be around 3.6GHz). But, if this is going to be for your aunt and cousin I highly recommend leaving everything at stock for the maximum system stability.

yea i too had thought bout that, but in honesty i've had my q6600 now for 3 n half yrs. I know the voltages it needs for 3, 3.2, n 3.4 ghz n it hasn't changed. I'm def gonna see what the cpu can do for kicks but in the long run it depends on how the build with a GSO run's TF2. Tho i will probly go with stock since my aunt wants this pc to last bout 3-5yrs.

To the above build, i had dam near same build but then decided to up to 4gb ram n tri-core bc as i said aunt wants this to last 3-5yrs so figured what's excessive now for web-browsing, multi-tasking and mild gaming for my lil cous, will be sufficient in the future and easier on aunt not having to worry bout getting more ram or anything ...she's not computer savy lol