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Thread ID: 113529 2010-10-24 09:00:00 New Budget Build? LynX (14542) Press F1
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1147310 2010-10-24 09:00:00 Hi all,

I'm thinking about building a budget computer, to replace my old P4 1 . 8 . I'm not going to do any overclocking, because I don't have a reason to do so, or core-unlocking (because people do this for fun instead of any "useful" reasons) .

Oh yes, I'm intending to handle some general office tasks with the computer (for university work, to be more accurate), and wanting some performance to last a few years . Though I won't be gaming at max resolution with DX11 .

I've got both an Intel and an AMD solution, and I don't know which one to choose . Can anyone please help me on this?

#1
Core i3 530 = 159 . 75
Asus P7H55-M LX = 142 . 97
A-Data DDR3 PC10600/1333MHz CL9 2GB (x2) = 144
MSI GeForce N250GTS Twin Frozr OC 1GB = 240 . 35
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 16MB 500GB = 59 . 72
Lite-On iHAS324 = 32
Foxconn TSAA891 (Black/Silver) = 45
Antec EarthWatts 380D Green 380W = 87 . 70
ViewSonic VX2433wm = 292 . 7

Total: 1204 . 19


#2
AMD Athlon II X4 635 = 152 . 35
Asus M4A88TD-M EVO/USB3 = 169 . 82
A-Data DDR3 PC10600/1333MHz CL9 2GB (x2) = 144
Gigabyte Radeon HD5750 OC HDMI Dual-DVI 1GB = 225 . 95
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 16MB 500GB = 59 . 72
Lite-On iHAS324 = 32
Foxconn TSAA891 (Black/Silver) = 45
Antec EarthWatts 380D Green 380W = 87 . 70
ViewSonic VX2433wm = 292 . 7

Total: 1209 . 07

Suggestions are Welcome .

Lynx
LynX (14542)
1147311 2010-10-24 09:06:00 Well I wouldnt call 1200 budget. You'll probably need something better (450W+) than 380W for an I3, and the AMD. Speedy Gonzales (78)
1147312 2010-10-24 09:07:00 and 64bit windows if your running 4GB ram and a 1GB gfx card GameJunkie (72)
1147313 2010-10-24 18:09:00 #1
Core i3 530 = 159.75
Asus P7H55-M LX = 142.97
A-Data DDR3 PC10600/1333MHz CL9 2GB (x2) = 144
MSI GeForce N250GTS Twin Frozr OC 1GB = 240.35
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 16MB 500GB = 59.72
Lite-On iHAS324 = 32
Foxconn TSAA891 (Black/Silver) = 45
Antec EarthWatts 380D Green 380W = 87.70
ViewSonic VX2433wm = 292.7

Total: 1204.19


#2
AMD Athlon II X4 635 = 152.35
Asus M4A88TD-M EVO/USB3 = 169.82
A-Data DDR3 PC10600/1333MHz CL9 2GB (x2) = 144
Gigabyte Radeon HD5750 OC HDMI Dual-DVI 1GB = 225.95
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 16MB 500GB = 59.72
Lite-On iHAS324 = 32
Foxconn TSAA891 (Black/Silver) = 45
Antec EarthWatts 380D Green 380W = 87.70
ViewSonic VX2433wm = 292.7

Total: 1209.07


#2 because it has the Gigabyte card and the other has MSI.
pctek (84)
1147314 2010-10-24 22:57:00 @Speedy: I didn't realise the price's a bit high until you've mentioned it . Guess I'll have to call it "Mainstream" now .

@pctec: the two cards cost roughly the same (Gigabyte one is actually cheaper, but more likely because it's a 5750 and MSI's one is GTS250) . What I'm more concerned is which of Intel or AMD platform should I choose?

Is the above platform an overkill for my usage? I'm not a gamer, neither am I doing video editing in Uni . I'm more into Commerce side of things . Would the below one be sufficiently powered?

AMD Athlon II X2 250 = 88 . 57
Asus P7H55-M LX = 142 . 97
A-Data DDR3 PC10600/1333MHz CL9 2GB = 72
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 16MB 500GB = 59 . 72
Lite-On iHAS324 = 32
Foxconn TSAA891 (Black/Silver) = 45
Antec EarthWatts 380D Green 380W = 87 . 70
ViewSonic VX2233wm = 255

(Downgraded CPU to X2 250, took out graphics card, reduced monitor by 2 inches)

Total:782 . 96 (Why is it still costing so much . . . )
LynX (14542)
1147315 2010-10-24 23:05:00 Total:782.96 (Why is it still costing so much...) What price do you expect ?

If you want cheaper, you WILL have to go lower Power, lower Spec's and end up with a heap of Rubbish that will be a pain to use. The LCD alone is roughly 1/4 of your price. (good brand though)


BTW - Just looking at your list Wheres the Operating System, the price for that is not included ?



I was at Harvey Normans yesterday, saw This heap of rubbish (www.harveynorman.co.nz) for $949 :lol: The spec's on it are disgusting. Anyone stupid enough to buy that would have a very slow PC.
wainuitech (129)
1147316 2010-10-24 23:32:00 Wait, I copied the wrong motherboard over! An Athlon can't work with a H55.

AMD Athlon II X2 250 = 88.57
Asus M4A88T-M = 148.70
A-Data DDR3 PC10600/1333MHz CL9 2GB = 72
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 16MB 500GB = 59.72
Lite-On iHAS324 = 32
Foxconn TSAA891 (Black/Silver) = 45
Antec EarthWatts 380D Green 380W = 87.70
ViewSonic VX2233wm = 255
Total: 788.69
Plus: Windows 7 Home Premium = 312.23
Total: 1100.92

(with the inclusion of Windows 7 Home Premium, the price of the other two will be pushed up to around $1500)

You know what, Wainuitech? I guess you're right. PC building IS about compromises.
LynX (14542)
1147317 2010-10-24 23:57:00 Exactly :thumbs: You juggle the parts around, as long as they are all compatible and put together what works for you.
You can get a lower capacity HDD, and put the money towards a bigger CPU.

One thing you want to be able to do is have enough power without going overboard. Having a low end CPU restricts upgrading in the future.

I dont know how many times I have sold PC's or seen people only wanted a CHEAP budget unit, then after a short time, they complain it wont play the latest High powered game that junior just brought.

When you tell them the PC is not a gaming machine (and they are told that before hand, but they say it will never be used for gaming) they can get all :mad: -- they were told.

I always say, go for the most power you can afford, esp in CPU, that way when you want more power, you have more chance of having it.

BTW: $312.23 is TO MUCH for W7 Home Pre, you can pick it up as OEM for around $180 (average price).
wainuitech (129)
1147318 2010-10-25 00:11:00 If your not going to be gaming why not give Linux a try, I'm currently trying both the latest Mint and Ubuntu in virtual box and both are surprisingly good, will give you an extra $180-200 to play with regards hardware gary67 (56)
1147319 2010-10-25 01:38:00 @pctec: the two cards cost roughly the same (Gigabyte one is actually cheaper, but more likely because it's a 5750 and MSI's one is GTS250) . What I'm more concerned is which of Intel or AMD platform should I choose?
?


The Intel then .
But don't get the MSI card whether its the 5750 or GTS250 . Get Gigabyte .
And it's not expensive . It is after all, the entire thing .
pctek (84)
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