[samjohnson]

I am putting together a build for a friend. It is a budget build. Trying not to do something way over the top because they don't need one over the top.
So tell me what you all think and if I should change anything. I just put this together tonight and kind of skimmed through allot of things, like the motherboards, so anything you think could be changed post it. Oh and I am going with AMD, so don't go saying I should go with intel. I know they are better right now but I am trying to keep it cheap as I said earlier.

Processor -- Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ 2.4GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor - CPUs / Processors
I have this same one and it works great so I will most likely stick with this one as its cheap and a good processor.

Motherboard -- Newegg.com - BIOSTAR A770 A2+ AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

Memory -- Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory


PSU -- Newegg.com - Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC ATX 430W Power Supply 115/ 230 V - Power Supplies
This one looks good and this build doesn't need a monster PSU. And the 1700+ reviews on it makes it "attractive". There mostly good reviews to. So a good cheap reliable PSU.


HD -- Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Graphics -- Newegg.com - EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards


CD/DVD Drive -- Newegg.com - Pioneer Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 10X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-R 32X CD-RW 40X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners


Case -- Newegg.com - Sunbeam IC-SS-US-SVBK Silver/Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450W Power Supply - Computer Cases
I really like the fan in the middle of the case. Its kind of neat. And tool less is also a plus.

[bushwhacker]

Good choice.

[samjohnson]

The only thing I am worried about is the PSU not having enough AMPS on the 12V rail. Its only 18 and I am not if this will do it. I think it will be alright but if anybody can confirm for me.

[Albert Lionheart]

You could run the PSU calculator which is on eXtreme Power Supply Calculator Lite v2.5
so see if the one you have chosen is enough. A good maxim is to add 100 watts to whatever you think you need!
I like your choice of case - really neat - not sure we can get those in UKkers.
cheers

[samjohnson]

Cool thanks for that Albert. It recomends 301W at 90% load, and 334W at 100% load. So that Thermaltake should do the trick.
I agree the case is really nice. I wish I had something similar. But I don't think that a 8800GT is gonna fit in there with that bracket in the middle. Maybe it would though.

[Daveskater]

Nice budget build there mate, similar to what I hope to get hehe.

The only things that I think need mentioning are:

The Thermaltake PSU only has one +12V rail @18A, and the 8600GT requires at least 20A. If you can get one with two rails, or one with a higher current, then it'll be fine.

The HDD is OEM so remember to get a cable, same with the optical drive so get two.

And last but not least, that case comes with a PSU

[samjohnson]

Ok I will look at some better PSUs then. The motherboard comes with the cables. And even if it didn't I got plenty to spare. And as for the PSU that comes with the case, I don't trust it. I rather get something that is gonna be good.

[Daveskater]

the PSU that comes with the case, I don't trust it

That's the right answer haha

I'm off for the night now mate, but look around at Zalman, OCZ and Coolermaster.

[samjohnson]

I might even look at the dreaded Rosewills. mine runs great and for not a power hungry PC it would probably work fine. I think coolermaster was in the not recommended list on the unofficial power supply list. But so is Rosewill and mine works great. lol

[Taima]

Pretty nice build, like Dave said, best to get a dif PSU. Maybe a bigger HDD depending on what the dude is gonna do with it? (although it really isn't necessary, merely a suggestion) Other than that, good stuff.

I don't like the case though but that's just me.

[samjohnson]

Nah I think they will be fine with the 160GB HD. Ya I am gonna look for a different PSU. Something a little more beefy. I thought that was one of the better cases I found. Everybody has a different opinion though.

Alright so here is a Rosewill I found. Newegg.com - Rosewill Stallion Series Dual Ball Bearing Fan RD500-2-DB ATX V2.2 500W Power Supply 115V/230V CSA, UL, TUV, FCC - Power Supplies
Looks good to me.

[Daveskater]

I reckon that will be alright mate.

There's very few cases that I actually like, and most of the time they're really expensive ones hehe, but mine was £30 and it's quite nice, so I'm happy Doesn't look as good in pics as it does irl, but you know how it goes Plus my old one was some sort of stupidly short thing so the top of the PSU and mobo were in line, and when I got my old Enermax PSU, it half covered my CPU fan, which resulted in high temps!

[samjohnson]

There aren't really many I like either. and as you said Dave the more expensive ones are the nice ones. I decided to find a different case to, the fan in the middle of it started to bother me. I figured it might get in the way when trying to put in the motherboard or something. So I was like ahh heck with it. lol here is the other one I found. Doesn't look half bad either.

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

[Daveskater]

Looks like a nice case to me mate

I just thought, if you're making it for a friend, maybe they'd like to take a look at the case too. You don't want to buy one and them hate it

[samjohnson]

lol ya I will most likely show them. I doubt they will mind what it looks like though.
This will be their first custom computer. So anything is better looking than a dell case. lol

[link590o]

I've only got one worry really. It probably won't hurt the build much but it's still in my mind. And correct me if I'm wrong. But didn't AMD drop the 64 x2 series now? My impression was that they said they'd move away from the dual cores and focus more on quads and tri-cores. And since they dropped them, then the dual cores no longer any support from them. This was a little while ago, so things may have changed, or I misremember things.

Personally I think it might be better to get the P-35 chipset and an Intel Pentium dual core. It's about the same price for the processor and only minimally more expensive for the mobo, and it offers ddr2 and ddr3 support, and has the LGA 775 slot for if they ever felt like upgrading to another core. It's not out of fanboyism or anything like that. It won't be over the top and offers the most features to make it more future proof.

That's really my only take on things. Everything else looks solid. As far as Rosewill cases go, I have no idea if they're bad or good. I just know the power supplies are no good. Who knows? Maybe their cases are solid. It's kind of hard to screw up a case anyhow.

Anyway, happy building. For the most part, it has my blessing.

[samjohnson]

The reason I am going with the Rosewill PSU (and as you know I have one) is cuse mine has worked great for me so I thought ahh why the heck not. I will try them again.

To tell you the truth I have never herd anything about AMD dropping the dual cores. I will look at some of the intel stuff and see what the price comes to though. I would love to get them a Core 2 duo but that pushes the price to far up. They don't really need one either. Thanks for the input Link.

Oh and if AMD did drop the dual cores thats not to good for me as I have one!

[alan2273]

Although you are not from the UK and I do not know if you can buy this where you are, but the Coolermaster 330 is the best value for money in the UK IMO.
Coolermaster Elite 330 Black Case With CM eXtreme Power 460W PSU *SPECIAL OFFER* - Ebuyer

[Albert Lionheart]

I have just built two systems with these and was most impressed with the quality and solid feel of the things - very good value too at that price.

[samjohnson]

Actually I have seen that case one newegg. I think. Ill have look see for it.

I thought I had seen it before on newegg. Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite RC-330-KKR1 Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply - Computer Cases

Ill show both cases I found to the people that are wanting the computer and see which one they like better. I do like the Elite 330 case. Its nice looking, screwless, and cheap!