Help A newbie with first build

[alexgroove]

OK, I am total newbie to this so please bare with me. just got laid off so this will have to a BIG TIME BUDGET BUILD, as i am working with very little cash. im trying to keep it as close to $300 as possible (Tough, I know). im not a gamer nor do i intend to be, im not going to use it as a TV either. i will be using the system mainly to download videos, music, make home movies with camcorder footage and school work, nothing too hardcore. OH, and I'll be running XP on it. now dont get me wrong id like to have something as fast as i can get away with given my budget. the computer i currently have now is too embarrassing to even mention, only things i can apply towards this build are the hard drive, dvd-rw and monitor.

SO FAR after some snooping around ive come up with a rough draft build, PLEASE feel free to make any suggestions that could help me out. a better item for my cause, if i am missing anything, whether adding or subtracting a few bucks here or there would add any benefit. OH, i live quite close to a frys and microcenter BTW.

CPU: Intel E5200 69.99+ fs @ newegg. id like to O/C to about 3.5 GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

MoBo: GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L Micro ATX @ newegg 52.99+fs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128357&Tpk=GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - 54.99 @ newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

TOWER/Case: Rosewill TU-155 Black Steel ATX Black 0.8mm SGCC Steel Mid Tower 59.99@ newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147001

= $238.00 so far ...

questions:
1) would the stock cooler allow me to go to about 3.5 GHz ? or would i need a new one?
2) are separate video cards needed ONLY if i plan on gaming or watching movies? in other words, would the integrated video be more then adequate for my needs?
3) will the stock PSU that come with my case make do, or will i have to get another one?

 

[unibrow1990]

How about this:

CPU => http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103300

Motherboard => http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157154

RAM => http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227178

PSU => http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341020

Case => http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147110

Total: $245.95 plus shipping

This has a better PSU and the motherboard has plenty of onboard video power to do what you want. For colling i would look at any of xigmatek's offerings, just make sure it will fit into whatever case you get.

 

[PaulieG]

My suggestion is DO NOT skimp on the power supply. It's the foundation to your system, and psu's that are bundled with a case are notoriously bad.

 

[DonInKansas]

If you're not a gamer, onboard should be fine. Can I ask how you can spend 300 bucks on a computer in the first place if you got laid off?

Your setup should meet your needs for the money, but I'd agree to try and find a PSU that's a little better known.

 

[PaulieG]

Unibrow's build would suit you just fine, though I'd spend a few dollars more and get a real psu.

 

[ShadowFold]

Speaking from experience, the Kuma is as fast/a little faster than the low end Core2's. I see unibrow has some good links for it already. That and a 780G will get you a very solid, upgradable gaming machine.

 

[Darren]

alexgroove,

If you are overclocking throw away the E5200 and put in a Phenom II X3 720 BE, and find a cheap AM3 ready motherboard - You will be better off in the long run getting a run from the faster architecture, further overclock, and third core for longevity, also with those changes its still within our $300 budget.


...but if this is a work PC overclocking is soo overkill.


1.) its definitely possible to overclock the Phenom II to around 3.7 GHz on stock cooling. E5200 you'll get around 3-3.2 GHz on stock cooling.
2.) integrated video is fine for watching movies, if you are playing games then you need a dedicated video card, and they are cheap these days too.
3.) the Stock PSU should be fine, but we are enthusiasts so these people will make you spend more on a PSU than you have to