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Building a Cheap PC Rig from Scratch--Need advice
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<blockquote data-quote="Jaygray" data-source="post: 1201787" data-attributes="member: 50033"><p>I've always been more into software than hardware, but lately I've been wanting to build a PC from scratch--just because I've never done it. I don't want to spend more than $300 (after rebates), but I don't expect a lot either. Once it's built I plan to give it to my parents to replace their 7 year old XP Dell. </p><p></p><p>I like bargain hunting, and am thinking of building it entirely from new parts purchased with mail in rebates attached to them. I don't really care how long it takes. I'm looking at these items which are on sale this week...</p><p></p><p>CompUSA has a bundle with this motherboard and CPU for $99.</p><p><a href="http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5019773&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#productresources" target="_blank">CompUSA.com | 785GTM-E45 | MSI 785GTM-E45 Motherboard</a></p><p><a href="http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4082332&csid=_25" target="_blank">CompUSA.com | HD9850XAJ4BGH | AMD Phenom X4 9850 Quad Core Processor</a></p><p></p><p>NewEgg has this MicroATX case including 500 watt power supply for $30.</p><p><a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144224&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3705318&SID=skim1043X499650Xac89566ee4444c33e1a3b7ee55b2c032" target="_blank">Newegg.com - APEVIA X-QBOII X-QBOII-NW-BK/500 Black SECC Steel MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply</a></p><p></p><p>I'll hunt down 4gb of RAM for $30, a 500gb drive for another $35, $20 for a DVD drive, and I just bought a friend a 500mb PCIe video card for $15 (after $50 rebate) that he loves. Hopefully I can find another one--if I'm not happy with the on-board video. (I don't expect much, but the board actually has an HDMI out built in)</p><p></p><p>By comparison, I have a Core2Quad Dell w/ 4gb DDR3 that runs Windows 7 flawlessly. I don't use it for games, but for everyday tasks, I consider it lightning quick. </p><p></p><p>Here are my questions...</p><p></p><p>Will I regret the micro ATX board? (1) PCIe, (2) PCI slots. Definitely limited, but I'm not sure my parents are ever going to need a 3rd PCI slot for anything. If necessary, many PCI add ons are also available in USB versions. </p><p></p><p>Will the Phenom x4 run Windows 7 relatively fast? Everyday tasks only. No games. Not a lot of multitasking.</p><p></p><p>How would a Phenom x4 w/ 4gb DDR2 compare to my 2 year old Core2Quad 4gb DDR3?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Jaygray, post: 1201787, member: 50033"] I've always been more into software than hardware, but lately I've been wanting to build a PC from scratch--just because I've never done it. I don't want to spend more than $300 (after rebates), but I don't expect a lot either. Once it's built I plan to give it to my parents to replace their 7 year old XP Dell. I like bargain hunting, and am thinking of building it entirely from new parts purchased with mail in rebates attached to them. I don't really care how long it takes. I'm looking at these items which are on sale this week... CompUSA has a bundle with this motherboard and CPU for $99. [url=http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5019773&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#productresources]CompUSA.com | 785GTM-E45 | MSI 785GTM-E45 Motherboard[/url] [url=http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4082332&csid=_25]CompUSA.com | HD9850XAJ4BGH | AMD Phenom X4 9850 Quad Core Processor[/url] NewEgg has this MicroATX case including 500 watt power supply for $30. [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144224&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3705318&SID=skim1043X499650Xac89566ee4444c33e1a3b7ee55b2c032]Newegg.com - APEVIA X-QBOII X-QBOII-NW-BK/500 Black SECC Steel MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply[/url] I'll hunt down 4gb of RAM for $30, a 500gb drive for another $35, $20 for a DVD drive, and I just bought a friend a 500mb PCIe video card for $15 (after $50 rebate) that he loves. Hopefully I can find another one--if I'm not happy with the on-board video. (I don't expect much, but the board actually has an HDMI out built in) By comparison, I have a Core2Quad Dell w/ 4gb DDR3 that runs Windows 7 flawlessly. I don't use it for games, but for everyday tasks, I consider it lightning quick. Here are my questions... Will I regret the micro ATX board? (1) PCIe, (2) PCI slots. Definitely limited, but I'm not sure my parents are ever going to need a 3rd PCI slot for anything. If necessary, many PCI add ons are also available in USB versions. Will the Phenom x4 run Windows 7 relatively fast? Everyday tasks only. No games. Not a lot of multitasking. How would a Phenom x4 w/ 4gb DDR2 compare to my 2 year old Core2Quad 4gb DDR3? [/QUOTE]
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