Legit Reviews

Hello all,

I have NEVER built a system in my life, so I want some help from the experts.

I want to build a budget computer but I only need the mobo, cpu, and memory. I have an older computer (5 1/2 years old) that has some parts that I can already use to save some $$. Below is a list of what I do have:

- CD/DVD Burner
- Hard Drive (40 GB) - I will upgrade this soon, just not included in my budget
- Sound Card (Creative Labs Something-or-other)
- Video Card (gForce FX5600 256MB) - Don't think I need to upgrade this at this point
- Floppy Drive - Standard
- Operating System - Windows XP Professional

Below is what I think I need:

- Power Supply - I think I only have a 350-400 watt supply
- Motherboard - I have an ASUS AV7 (or something close) - Good in its day
- CPU - I have an AMD Thunderbird 900Mhz, OLD SCHOOL, but it was awesome in its day.
- Memory - I have CRAPPY PC133 now (640 MB)

I don't think I need a case since the one I have seems okay. Its just a general case with a futuristic look. I don't even know the brand but its blue all around and white in the front. Maybe I do need a new case.....

Anyway, Im looking to spend only around $500 for all that I need and I want to be able to play the new games on it with good performance.

I like AMD and in doing some research I have found that the mobo/cpu's are cheaper than Intel's.

I'm sure you guys/gals are tired of "cyber-building" computers by now, but I hope that one more won't be too much of a bother.

Thanks!!

dude those parts are totally OBSOLETE you realize? I'd personally recommend just building a whole new budget system.

It's not as obsolete as you think! I myself have an FX5500, and it does just fine on mid to low settings for many games. Unfortunately, if you really want to upgrade the mobo/processor, you'll have to discard the video card from this build.

The hard drive will do for a while, although I would get at least a 100 gig one later if you like to game. Sound card, meh, onboard is getting better, and unless I had the ears of an elephant, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between my onboard and my Live! 24-bit. OS is fine, and floppy drives are necessary for bios updates and sata hdd installs.

You'd be much better off buying only what you think you need (maybe a hdd too), then buying a whole new system.

Maybe:

mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813130071

processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819103749

memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820145566

psu:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817104954

Using a power usage calculator, I calculated this stuff plus what you could keep (and was a little generous on accessories and fans) and it only said you needed a 300w psu. What are the stats of the psu you have? Unless it's crappy or you plan on sli/crossfire, it might be adequate. In any case, the FSP one would be.

With the $25 rebate of the vid card, it's only around $525.

edit: Oh yeah, and hi to you too! Welcome!

I would ditch the video card because there is no point staying on an AGP system. AGP is obsolete.

CPU - 3800+ X2 Windsor (65W)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819103733
Memory - 1GB OCZ PC2 6400 Dual Channel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820227082
Mobo - Abit KN9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813127010
Video - EVGA 7600GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130062
PSU - 450W Forton
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817104954

$442 minus $30 of rebates

You can get a new Antec case with a power supply instead of just a PSU. The catch is there is a $50 rebate that brings it down from $100 to $50.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811129155

Hard drives, and DVD drives are pretty cheap too.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827152076
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822148148
So after the rebates for around $500 you can get everything new.

Great reply's on systems, I really like both of the above setups. The power supply I have now I don't really know anything about it, when I get home I will look at it and see if I can't figure out what it is. I want to say that its a 350W.

I like the idea of getting a new case as well, since the one I have doesn't really give you expandability as far as cooling. So I will also be looking into a new case as well.

InsolenceAndHeresy wrote:dude those parts are totally OBSOLETE you realize? I'd personally recommend just building a whole new budget system.

They may be obsolete for you, but for some people they don't need all that horsepower if there just surfing and writing papers