new computer - low budget

[stickytape]

Hey guys. Looking to build a new computer. Ironically, I can prospect high end computers, but i've no idea how to prospect for a budget, general purpose computer for application and internet (with a dash of GPU cred for ol' times sake) - $300 to $400AUD top budget. below are the specs so far. Please add, critique or comment on hardware - especially RAM. Thanks


MEMORY

$53.00 - Desktop DDR2 Ram 2GB (1x2048MB) PC6400 800MHz Kingston KVR800D2N6/2G
IT Estate (NSW) | http://www.itestate.com.au | updated: 22-08-2010


HDD

$69.00 - 1Tb WD10EARS SATA2 64Mb Cache HDD Western Digital Green Hard Drive IntelliP...
NetPlus (WA) | http://www.netplus.com.au | updated: 23-08-2010



MOTHERBOARD

$132.00 - NEW! Gigabyte GA-880GMA-UD2H MB - AMD 880G + AMD SB850, 4xDDR3, Integrated ...
Anypc (NSW) | http://www.anypc.com.au | updated: 22-08-2010


GPU

$69 - Sapphire HD4550 512MD3V/1GHM PCIE HDMI - gocomp.com.au

PSU

400Wt - already have.

[Major_A]

You selected DDR2 memory and that motherboard only supports DDR3. So one has to go.

CPU?
Case?
400W PSU brand?

Why not just buy a motherboard and use the onboard GPU? What games are you planning on playing?

[stickytape]

CPU - AMD, any.

PSU - Codegen 400w. Most likely generic.

CASE - generic, originally came with an intel pentium 4, but lots of space.

RAM - sorry, forgot to mention; I'm doubling up on the ram unless a better price-vs-quality is found. If i have to buy a 3gb stick, then i will.

In terms of gaming: old games, older FPS, half-life, doom3 etc. I figure If I'm going to get a good motherboard, i may as well get a graphics card to match. I'm generally an AMD/ATI guy, otherwise, the on board graphics card is fine if it is capable and reliable - at least it will definitely bring the price down.

[Major_A]

Codegen is garbage. The only Codegen I've ever use was to run my water cooling loop to check for leaks. Never seen the inside of PC.
Read this article on why cheap power supplies are cheap.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/ ... eview/1072

Did you see where I said you picked DDR2 memory and the motherboard only supports DDR3? They aren't compatible, so you will either need to get different RAM or pick out a new motherboard.

As far as the video card goes I think you would be better off with a nVidia GT 240 or ATi HD 5570. I own a HD 5450 and I'd compare it to HD 4550 and I can't play anything more than Pinball at my monitor's native resolution (1280x1024). Even games like F.E.A.R. struggle with this video card with the details turned up so it doesn't look like it belongs on a SNES.

[stickytape]

Yikes... there goes the graphics card. On board graphics it is - It's a tall step up on my budget. So, I'll buy a new 500W PSU - just name the brand. however, I'm still a little uncertain about the RAM aspect:

The MB only supports DDR3? Does that have to be a whole stick, or can I combine DDR3 kits? E.g. Kingston 3GB Kit (3x1GB) DDR3.

[Major_A]

DDR2 and DDR3 are two different RAM types. They each run at different frequencies and have different pins. Don't think of quantity just know that they will not work together. Your Gigabyte board shows supported RAM DDR3. You will have to use DDR3, unless you pick a different board that uses DDR2.

It's hard to recommend you anything, don't know what the conversion rate is to the USD. I also don't know where you would be buying from. I can give you a list with Newegg parts but that won't do you much good.

*EDIT*
Added newegg wishlist anyway to give you an idea.
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Publi ... r=20340688

[stickytape]

Bloody Hell. I did all day scouting specs, and they could all be found at the one American website? Sucks being an Aussie gamer.

I never thought prospecting a budget computer would be so hard; in the past I could always copy from someone's tactical nuclear Cyber Demon, but nobody ever seems to brag about their low budget office build .

Anyway thanks for providing me a compass. And your patience!