Building first computer [$500 - $700 budget]

[dmillerw]

Basically, I'm looking to get a new computer, and build it myself. If only for the satisfaction.

While I'm by no means a computer "noob," when it comes to actually picking parts that go together, I'm rather clueless.

I couldn't really say what I'd be using the computer for really, probably gaming, movies, potential video editing, that sort of thing.

I was recommended this motherboard...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131701R&cm_re=p8p67_deluxe-_-13-131-701R-_-Product

I'm hoping the kind people of the Ubuntu Community could suggest some parts, or at the very least, point me in the right direction.

[Bucky Ball]

You might like to check out the 'Building an energy efficient box' link in my signature for ideas and general reading (not all about energy efficiency).

All I would really say is: Get a good quality power supply!!! It is the heart of the beast and a generic silver box won't cut it. Don't waste time putting together your computing pride and joy only to watch as it sizzles and crackles (and takes out most of your hardware) because you scrimped on the PSU. (By good quality PSU I don't mean spending hundreds of $s - you don't need to).

85+% energy efficiency (as opposed to -70% on most generic silver box PSUs) is becoming standard. Go there. Good luck. Make a plan. You need to have a clearer idea of what you are going to do with the machine and this will dictate what hardware you get. What hardware you get will dictate what size power supply you are going to need. Don't go for overkill!!! Help the planet and save some money: if you are surfing the net and checking emails you DON'T need a 700watt PSU. (My desktop uses 500watt, 85+% Antec EarthWatts and is used for A/V production.)

If you have old parts sitting around, have a good look. If you can practice seating a processor in an old motherboard that will help. Get familiar with your new hardware before you start putting it all together. See how it all fits and in what order. Know how you are going to go about it.

If you put in some work pre-build it should be easy-peasy ... ;)

[dmillerw]

I'll definitely take all that into consideration. Might changhe some things around.

Any opinions on my current part list? Any problems you notice that I could run into? Linux compatibility?

EVGA 01G-P3-N959-TR GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130395
$69.99
$4.99 Shipping

Acer X223WDbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 250 cd/m2 ACM 50000:1(1000:1)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009212
$129.99

AMD Athlon II X4 640 Propus 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor ADX640WFGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871
$99.99

MSI 890FXA-GD70 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130274
$184.99
$7.87 Shipping

Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model KHX1333C9D3B1K2/4G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104206
$49.99

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
$59.45

Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030
$54.99
$2.99 Shipping

SONY Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1681S-0B - OEM
$16.99
$6.98 Shipping

Western Digital Caviar Green WD10000CSRTL 1TB 5400 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136236
$64.99

Total: $696.22

[Bucky Ball]

I am running two Acer monitors, Antec power supplies in the two desktops, and three Western Digital Green Power (Caviar Greens) drives so I can vouch for them (drives run very cool and use up to 20% less energy than standard).

It is really motherboard and processor you should be most concerned with. Generally, stuff like hard drives, CD/DVD, RAM, etc aren't an issue.

I would triple check these:


EVGA 01G-P3-N959-TR GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

AMD Athlon II X4 640 Propus 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor ADX640WFGMBOX

MSI 890FXA-GD70 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
... as they are most likely to cause any problems.

PS: Antec PSU? Good choice and the wattage is fine for your setup. Think about the 85 plus; you might get one for a comparable price.

[dmillerw]

True, and from what I can tell, the CPU and Motherboard should work together no problem.

EDIT: Based on the motherboard specs, both the CPU and graphics card should work together, no problem. Power supply should be more then enough.

[dmillerw]

Acer X223WDbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 250 cd/m2 ACM 50000:1(1000:1)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009212
$129.99

Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model KHX1333C9D3B1K2/4G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820104206
$49.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4EG HD155UI 1.5TB 5400 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152287&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo
$59.99

SONY Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1681S-0B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118031
$16.99
$6.98 Shipping

COOLER MASTER GX Series RS650-ACAAE3-US 650W ATX12V v2.31 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.662146
$109.98

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.661562
$193.98

MSI N440GT-MD1GD3/LP GeForce GT 440 (Fermi) 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127571&cm_re=NVIDIA_GeForce_GT_440-_-14-127-571-_-Product
$79.99
$6.98 Shipping

Total: $650


Anything wrong with this build? Any improvements I could make? Budget is $700.

EDIT: Thanks to mod for merge. Forgot about first thread. xD

[Zero2Nine]

At first I thought the price was a little high but then I saw it includes a monitor. Seems like an OK setup to me. Have you checked for Ubuntu/Linux compatibility with the graphics card?

[Bucky Ball]

PSU overkill.

[dmillerw]

At first I thought the price was a little high but then I saw it includes a monitor. Seems like an OK setup to me. Have you checked for Ubuntu/Linux compatibility with the graphics card?

Not quite sure what a good, reliable resource to check that would be...

...and maybe the PSU is a little overkill, but it's a good deal, comes with the case, knocked the price down a bit.

EDIT: Just gonna use an NVIDIA card, had good experience with them. NVIDIA GeForce GT 440 any good?

[Elfy]

merged

[LowSky]

nvidia gtx 460 is probably the best card for that series when you compare price to performance.

[dmillerw]

nvidia gtx 460 is probably the best card for that series when you compare price to performance.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130591
So, something like this?

EDIT: Actually, due to my current budget, how is this in comparison?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130573

[wizard10000]

Anything wrong with this build? Any improvements I could make? Budget is $700.

Without starting an AMD vs. Intel slugfest a Core i5-2500K costs about $30 more than the listed AMD chip and will run circles around it :D

[dmillerw]

Without starting an AMD vs. Intel slugfest a Core i5-2500K costs about $30 more than the listed AMD chip and will run circles around it :D

Yeah, that may be so, but the current motherboard and CPU come together, and seem to be a lot cheaper then a separate intel CPU and supporting motherboard.

If I'm wrong, and there's something that matches the current price, please, let me know. xD

[wizard10000]

Yeah, that may be so, but the current motherboard and CPU come together, and seem to be a lot cheaper then a separate intel CPU and supporting motherboard.

If I'm wrong, and there's something that matches the current price, please, let me know. xD

There are *many* LGA1155 motherboards on newegg for < $100.

[dmillerw]

Probably have to take a look then...

[wizard10000]

On a budget this would be my first choice -

ASUS P8H67-M LX (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 SATA 6Gb/s Micro ATX Intel Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131713) - $88.99

Processor link is here - $219.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

[dmillerw]

Doesn't fit my budget in the slightest. I think I'll just stick with what I have for now. Thanks anyway!

[wizard10000]

Doesn't fit my budget in the slightest. I think I'll just stick with what I have for now. Thanks anyway!

Ah - I didn't see your processor was bundled with a motherboard. Oh, well.

cheers -