First Time (BUDGET) Builder

[bcurtis208]

Hi Everyone,

The computer I purchased from BestBuy recently broke (Blue Screen of Death) and is out of warranty as it was a refurbished model. I figured this is a better time than any to make an attempt at building my own computer as It's something I've wanted to do for a long time. I consider myself moderately tech savvy but am limited in terms of hardware.

Below is a list of items I decided on - if someone could look at the compatibility of it all I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm hoping the Power Supply is sufficient enough; I plan on obtaining a Graphics Card a couple months down the road.

I'd also accept any suggestions for changes especially if It's something that would save me money or if It's for an item that would supply more ease of setting things up. However, I'm pretty set on the Total Price listed below - or at least close to it.

**UPDATE** 03/06/2012 Below is my final result 8-) Thanks everyone who helped me pick everything out.

Case:
Cooler Master - HAF912 Mid-Tower Chassis
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Cooler+Master+-+HAF912+Mid-Tower+Chassis/2305176.p?id=1218320074469&skuId=2305176&cmp=RMX&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=2305176
Price: $50.98

Power Supply:
CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027
Price: $59.99

Motherboard:
ASUS P8H67-M PRO/CSM (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131711
Price: $114.99

Processor:
Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I52400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074
Price: $189.99

Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Hard%20Drives-_-Western%20Digital-_-22136284&AID=10440897&PID=3338496&SID=
Price: $129.99

RAM:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBNQ
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231190
Price: $27.99

Optical:
Sony Optiarc 24X DVD Burner, Bulk Package 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model AD-7280S-0B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118067
Price: $17.99

Operating System:
MS Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
Price: $99.99

Shipping Promo via NewEgg:
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/3291/freeshipping2.png
Note: BestBuy I believe is free for the Case as I'll be picking it up at the local store.

Total Cost w/ FREE Shipping: $691.91

(adding later on)

Optical:
LITE-ON 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM 8X BD-ROM 8MB Cache SATA Blu-ray Burner with 3D Playback iHBS212-08
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106348
Price: $109.99
Shipping: $2.99

Graphics Card:
MSI R7750-PMD1GD5/OC Radeon HD 7750 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127665
Price: Now: $119.99

[Bryon]

500W will cover your current build. As long as you don't get a crazy highend graphics card that will do.

This is a nice HD as well:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Hard%20Drives-_-Western%20Digital-_-22136284&AID=10440897&PID=3338496&SID=

Your going all out on your optical drive, are you going to use the Blu-ray Burner with 3D Playback?

What kind of CPU heatsink are you going to go with?

Looks like a good build.

Bryon

[RickyTick]

I agree with Bryon, the 500 watt psu should be just fine. The Samsung or the WD hard drive are also excellent choices.
As for the Blu-ray, I know LG has a less expensive model that could save you about $25.

If you're going with the i5-2400, it will come with it's own heatsink and fan, and since you can't overclock it, there really isn't much reason for an aftermarket cooler.

When it comes time to get a video card, you might want to consider the new Radeon HD 7850.

Overall, looks like an excellent build.

[bcurtis208]

500W will cover your current build. As long as you don't get a crazy highend graphics card that will do.

This is a nice HD as well:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Hard%20Drives-_-Western%20Digital-_-22136284&AID=10440897&PID=3338496&SID=

Your going all out on your optical drive, are you going to use the Blu-ray Burner with 3D Playback?

What kind of CPU heatsink are you going to go with?

Looks like a good build.

Bryon

@Bryon.

I updated the Hard Drive you recommended in my list, saved me $10.00!

I'm going to use the Blu-ray Burner but am not intending it to be used for 3D Playback at all. If you have any suggestions for something cheaper that would be great.


I agree with Bryon, the 500 watt psu should be just fine. The Samsung or the WD hard drive are also excellent choices.
As for the Blu-ray, I know LG has a less expensive model that could save you about $25.

If you're going with the i5-2400, it will come with it's own heatsink and fan, and since you can't overclock it, there really isn't much reason for an aftermarket cooler.

When it comes time to get a video card, you might want to consider the new Radeon HD 7850.

Overall, looks like an excellent build.

@RickyTick

If you have any LG model as a cheaper alternative I'll greatly appreciate it!

So since I'm getting i5-2400 I don't need to buy a separate heatsink/fan etc?

Radeon HD 7850 is what I was interested in as well. The most extensive thing I do really is play World of Warcraft; it would still be nice to have a dedicated graphics card a couple months later. Does my mother board or processor have an on-board graphics card that will hold me over?

Note: I'm very open to suggestions for the Case; even a Case+PSU Combo would be great (seems easier to setup).

**UPDATE** 03/05/2012 I decided to move the Blu-Ray Burner to be added later on and to include just the DVD Burner for now. Still need recommendations on Graphics Cards; CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP is what I'm looking for (It's just for World of Warcraft).

SHIPPING PROMO INQUIRY
This is what shows on NewEgg.com; does anyone know if this will include Free Shipping on all of my items or just one?

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4044/freeshippingp.jpg

[Bryon]

So since I'm getting i5-2400 I don't need to buy a separate heatsink/fan etc?

Sorry about that, I forgot that it would come with one, You wont need to buy a seperate one =]


Does my mother board or processor have an on-board graphics card that will hold me over?


Yes it does: Intel HD Graphics 2000
Here is an article on those graphics and WOW.
http://smidgenpc.com/2011/04/09/will-intel-hd-graphics-work-with-world-of-warcraft-and-other-games/

Not sure how well this will copy, but here is a list of 8 cases that come with a 500W Power Supply.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007583%20600029807%20600006302%20600006352%20 600006377&IsNodeId=1&Description=tower%20case&name=500W&ShowDeactivatedMark=False

I have not seen that sjipping deal, So I am not sure, My guess would be yes.

Bryon

[bcurtis208]

Sorry about that, I forgot that it would come with one, You wont need to buy a seperate one =]


Yes it does: Intel HD Graphics 2000
Here is an article on those graphics and WOW.
http://smidgenpc.com/2011/04/09/will-intel-hd-graphics-work-with-world-of-warcraft-and-other-games/

Not sure how well this will copy, but here is a list of 8 cases that come with a 500W Power Supply.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007583%20600029807%20600006302%20600006352%20 600006377&IsNodeId=1&Description=tower%20case&name=500W&ShowDeactivatedMark=False

I have not seen that sjipping deal, So I am not sure, My guess would be yes.

Bryon

I'll probably stick with the Intel HD for a while then I selected 500W but do you have any recommendations for something cheaper? I'm looking for something just as quiet, 80 PLUS Certified, and compatible with everything I listed above and maybe a couple of extra - it will help the cost for this and also my electric bill :)

I'm also wanting to see if this will be compatible with everything I selected above or if you have a recommendation for something with better performance around the same price:

Graphics Card:
GIGABYTE GV-N440D3-1GI 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=N82E16814125366
Price: $79.99
Shipping: $6.98

[zburns]

Thought I had better inject this comment:
Not sure how well this will copy, but here is a list of 8 cases that come with a 500W Power Supply.

Take a closer look at these cases, meaning the power supplies. Look for specification sheets that 'completely detail' every important spec. For comparision, look at the Antec Products page under power supplies and compare the Earthwatts 500 watt, 750 watt -- this is just to get you some spec sheets that describe the features you need to protect the power supply and THE COMPUTER COMPONENTS.

Your power supply protects all the computer components. In round figures the psu in the range $ 50 to $120 PROTECTS $ 400 to $ 900 of other computer components.

[ARchamps]

That's an outdated GPU. Take a look at the GTX 560 or the 6850. It's a little more $$, but you'll thank yourself in the long run. Also, don't expect much from the Intel HD either.

Good luck! Everything else looks fine.

[RickyTick]

This is the Blu-ray drive I was thinking about.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136241&Tpk=N82E16827136241

Also, if your gaming only consists of WOW, then you really don't need to dump a bunch a money into a video card. A 7850 is way more than you need. Maybe look at a Radeon 6850 or an Nvidia GTX550 Ti, or even a Radeon 7750.

[bcurtis208]

Thought I had better inject this comment:

Take a closer look at these cases, meaning the power supplies. Look for specification sheets that 'completely detail' every important spec. For comparision, look at the Antec Products page under power supplies and compare the Earthwatts 500 watt, 750 watt -- this is just to get you some spec sheets that describe the features you need to protect the power supply and THE COMPUTER COMPONENTS.

Your power supply protects all the computer components. In round figures the psu in the range $ 50 to $120 PROTECTS $ 400 to $ 900 of other computer components.

I looked and I think I'm going to stick with the Cooler Master - HAF912 Mid-Tower Chassis & CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC. I wouldn't be saving much if I got the Case + PSU Combo it seems and CORSAIR appears reliable.


That's an outdated GPU. Take a look at the GTX 560 or the 6850. It's a little more $$, but you'll thank yourself in the long run. Also, don't expect much from the Intel HD either.

Good luck! Everything else looks fine.

The GTX 560 & 6850 are kind of out of my price range. I'm looking for -$100.00.


This is the Blu-ray drive I was thinking about.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136241&Tpk=N82E16827136241

Also, if your gaming only consists of WOW, then you really don't need to dump a bunch a money into a video card. A 7850 is way more than you need. Maybe look at a Radeon 6850 or an Nvidia GTX550 Ti, or even a Radeon 7750.

The Radeon 7750 is right within my price range. However, all the models I see say It's PCI Express 3.0 when my motherboard only states:

1 x PCIe 2.0 x16
1 x PCIe 2.0 x4

In regards to the Blu-Ray Burner you suggested, It's listed as an OEM model which based on the comments I've seen it doesn't include any manual, or SATA cables (which I unfortunately do not have laying around).

Oh and the Graphics Card I was under the impression that if I was to be using a Blu-Ray Burner (some encoding, etc copying) that it would be beneficial to have a Graphics Card.

So, it seems like all I need left is the Graphics Card (around $100 w/ VGA, HDMI, and HTPC or w/e compatibility) 8-) and the money after two more paychecks. Maybe switch Blu-Ray if we can find something cheaper that includes SATA cables etc.

[RickyTick]

All the sata cables will come with the motherboard. And the PCI express 3.0 is backwards compatible with your motherboard.

This card does HDMI and has a dual slot cooler. Stick it in and rock on. :)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127665

[bcurtis208]

All the sata cables will come with the motherboard. And the PCI express 3.0 is backwards compatible with your motherboard.

Good to know, added to my list 8-)


This card does HDMI and has a dual slot cooler. Stick it in and rock on.

What's a dual slot cooler? OH I WILL! xD

Final Questions:

1. Compatibility - from the best of your knowledge @RickyTick everything I've listed on my initial post (and edited) is compatible??? Including the additions later on such as Blu-Ray Burner etc and Power Supply. I know I've asked this before... just double checking lol

2. Power Supply Unit (PSU) - It's 500W, if my setup doesn't necessarily use a full 500W or close to it does it scale it down to a lower amount? I'm just curious if using a 500W PSU now compared to what I had before if it will increase my power/electric bill.

3. Supplies - Do I have everything I need to put this all together? Figured I'd need a screw driver and the thing that grounds me to prevent shock.

4. Cooling - Is the heat sink and fans included with all of those items enough and are they upgradable down the road? Do you recommend upgrading? *sigh* I've had overheating issues in the past.

5. Tutorial - I'm going to bookmark your guide for setting up a computer. However, do you have any YouTube video tutorials you would recommend? I learn things visually better :D

That's it! Appreciate everyone's input and taking the time to help me out I'm excited with building my first computer and look forward to posting follow-up on my progress once I order everything. This is my last post until i get everything probably and start building.

[RickyTick]

What's a dual slot cooler?
Traditionally, the card would take up only one pci slot, but for the past few years card manufacturers have been adding extra cooling fans and heatsinks to the video card and its now takes up 2 pci slots. This allows heat from the video card to be exhausted out through the back of the computer case.



1. Compatibility - from the best of your knowledge @RickyTick everything I've listed on my initial post (and edited) is compatible??? Including the additions later on such as Blu-Ray Burner etc and Power Supply. I know I've asked this before... just double checking lol
I've looked it over carefully and I don't see any compatibility issues.



2. Power Supply Unit (PSU) - It's 500W, if my setup doesn't necessarily use a full 500W or close to it does it scale it down to a lower amount? I'm just curious if using a 500W PSU now compared to what I had before if it will increase my power/electric bill.
500 watt is more than enough for your build. Just don't go with a cheapo unit. Stay with proven brands like Seasonic, Corsair, and Antec. And yes, the psu will only generate the power needed. It's not going to run up your electric bill. It's really very insignificant, plus power the pc down at night or any time when you're not using it.



3. Supplies - Do I have everything I need to put this all together? Figured I'd need a screw driver and the thing that grounds me to prevent shock.
Screwdriver, wire cutters for cutting zip ties, needle nose pliers, small flashlight, maybe an extendable magnet (be careful with this), and for God's sake get the anti-static wrist thing or Zburns will have a stroke and die and then haunt you for the rest of your life. :)



4. Cooling - Is the heat sink and fans included with all of those items enough and are they upgradable down the road? Do you recommend upgrading? *sigh* I've had overheating issues in the past.
The Intel heatsink and cooler is more than adequate. They don't want their cpu over-heating any more than you do. Put it on right and forget about it.



5. Tutorial - I'm going to bookmark your guide for setting up a computer. However, do you have any YouTube video tutorials you would recommend? I learn things visually better :D
Rob's guide will walk you through the entire process. If you need more, take a look at this. http://techreport.com/articles.x/13671