Making a new build! Need recommendations!

[Slamit]

Okay, so I'm about to build my first computer, and I need help on what brands to pick, etc. Like should I use Intel, or an AMD processor. I need a good Quality/Price ratio. I'm looking to spend about $600 USD. I already know how to build, I have completely taken apart my crappy Dell Inspiron all the way to a bare case and put it back together several times. I'm going to use it for Gaming, and CAD. Not looking to have a crazy good pc. Any tips? Help me out here!

 

I kind of need more info to help you out. What exactly do you plan using this PC for?

 

[Slamit]

Gaming, and CAD. Sorry I forgot to mention that. Lol

 

Okay, so I'm about to build my first computer, and I need help on what brands to pick, etc. Like should I use Intel, or an AMD processor. I need a good Quality/Price ratio. I'm looking to spend about $600 USD. I already know how to build, I have completely taken apart my crappy Dell Inspiron all the way to a bare case and put it back together several times. I'm going to use it for Gaming, and CAD. Not looking to have a crazy good pc. Any tips? Help me out here!

At a $600 price point I'd recommend going with an AMD build. Go with a decent processor and then a graphics card that is just good enough to "get by" and consider upgrading later.

If you have any specific questions feel free to post them and I'd be glad to help you out.

 

[Slamit]

At a $600 price point I'd recommend going with an AMD build. Go with a decent processor and then a graphics card that is just good enough to "get by" and consider upgrading later.

If you have any specific questions feel free to post them and I'd be glad to help you out.

Well. I've looked at Graphics cards, and when I look at product descriptions and what not, I always get really confused. Because I don't know what's good and bad in relation to the "specs" of the card. Is there anything I should keep my eyes open for? I plan to spend about $100-$150 on a card. Any recommend cards?

 

Well. I've looked at Graphics cards, and when I look at product descriptions and what not, I always get really confused. Because I don't know what's good and bad in relation to the "specs" of the card. Is there anything I should keep my eyes open for? I plan to spend about $100-$150 on a card. Any recommend cards?

I'd personally go with a 650 ti 2gb edition. I know I recommended AMD cards but after re-thinking it I think that would be a better option. You could also go with a used/discounted 650 ti boost. At that price point for a computer though I'd try hard not to go over $150 on the gpu.

 

[Swan]

Read my post in this thread

http://www.sythe.org/technology/166...g-new-low-end-gaming-pc-about-600-budget.html

I would recommend building your own PC if you have the knowhow. Package deals are often a waste.

And here's why: See the processor on your "more expensive" one?
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+FX-4200+Quad-Core&id=2118

I'd go for at least an AMD FX-6300 if you wanted something cheap; you can find them for under AU$150 if you look properly and they have a better benchmark and a high value rating (CPUMark Score / Cost):
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+FX-6300+Six-Core

For graphics you can pick up an nVidia GeForce 650Ti 2GB OC edition for about the same price, which would bring you up to roughly AU$300.

For a case and PSU, fact of the matter is you won't be looking at the case half the time so just go for the cheaper ones. You could get a decent case and PSU for about AU$50. So far the total is $350.

Next, you need a motherboard. You need to make sure the CPU fits the socket on the motherboard. The AMD FX-6300 for example is an AM3+ CPU, and you can get an AM3+ motherboard for between $50-100, so on average AU$75, which will get you USB 3, 1xPCI-Express, a couple of PCI slots, 2xDDR3 slots, HDMI out etc. Brings the total to about AU$425

Next, RAM. I'd go with 4GB DDR3 1600MHz for starters and if you really need it upgrade to 8GB from there. Chances are 4GB will do just fine for a budget gaming PC, any more would just be over-speccing IMO. That's another AU$45 or so. Total AU$470 so far.

Add wireless card: AU$30 - Total: $500
Add DVD Drive: AU$30 - Total: $530
Edit: Forgot, Add 1TB HDD: AU$64 - total: AU $594


That makes, in US Dollars, $528, for something with quite a bit of grunt to it. Add any additional components and shipping and you should still be well under your budget.

Edit: Prices in that post are based on http://www.umart.com.au.

Case w/ 500W PSU: http://umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=1391&bid=3&sid=158432
Mobo: http://umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=182&bid=3&sid=157094
CPU: http://umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=14&bid=3&sid=156435
Video Card: http://umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=247&bid=3&sid=156010
HDD: http://umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=129&bid=3&sid=158678
RAM: http://umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=153&bid=3&sid=153397

2nd Edit: Another thing I forgot to mention was cooling; the case I listed doesn't seem to be that great as far as cooling is concerned, for example. I just picked parts at a glance as an example. You definitely don't want your computer to overheat as: 1. it can damage the system, 2. it will impact performance (At a guess, possibly because most metals have a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, i.e. electrical resistance increases with temperature).

 

[Slamit]

Thanks for the help you guys! Really appreciate it! I got what I needed!