My goal is to build an AMD desktop that can easily upgraded, play most or all newer games at high resolutions, and most importantly cost about $350. After much debate and research on where I can cut cost without sacrificing performance, this is what I have selected. I choose the GIGABYTE (GA-MA785GMT-UD2H) AMD 785G motherboard due to it's potential for upgrading and overclocking. With DDR3 1800 Memory, 2600MHz front side bus speeds, and AM3 socket type, it will be able to handle a new AM3 quad-core CPU when they drop in price. This particular GIGABYTE board is great, due to the dual bios feature, for unlocking additional cores and overclocking. The onboard Radeon HD 4200 graphics is adequate for older games, but I plan on purchasing a high end card when the prices drop. There are many options for cheap dedicated video cards that are more powerful then the onboard 4200 graphics, and I left this open for debate. The 785G chipset is also made to work with Windows 7 right out of the box. I went with the AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor for about $58 due to it's low cost and ability to overclock with little change in temperature, even with stock fan and cooler. As much as I would love to drop in a Black Edition Quad 3.4 GHz, the cost is still too high for me. G.Skill's DDR3 1600 PC3 12800 Ram (F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ) for $85.99 due to its great reviews, ability to overclocking versatility and lifetime warranty. Here is one place where I struggled with price vs. performance. While there are other models of 2 x 2GB PC3 12800 RAM for about $20-$30 cheaper, I couldn't bring myself to it. In keeping the cost down I choose a cheap and reliable hard drive and optical drive. The Western Digital Caviar Blue WD2500AAJS 250 GB HD for $44 ($10 more for the 500GB model) and SAMSUNG SH-S223B 22X SATA DVD Burner for $31. I find myself constantly hauling my desktop around, due to not having a laptop, so I picked up a $20 Rosewill MicroATX case that I am pleased with. The CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W Active Power Supply is another area where one could cut cost, but I would personally rather spend extra for a reliable and efficient one with some headroom for future upgrades. I included a $700 dollar version of this build that includes a full ATX case, 790GX board, Phenom II x 4 3.2 GHz, and 700 watt PSU with the ability to crossfire in the future. I am open to suggestions and thoughts about my build and unless someone can persuade me otherwise, I will be buying these parts and documenting my build for all to see (I'll take lots of pictures).
GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H AMD 785G AM3 $87.99 w/ Free Shipping at ZZF G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ $85.99 w/ Free Shipping at the Egg Western Digital Caviar Blue WD2500AAJS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $41.99/w free shipping at ZZF AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor $58.99 w/ Free Shipping at ZZF SAMSUNG SH-S223B 22X SATA DVD Burner Black Drive $24.99 w/ Coupon Code "ZZF102031" & FS at ZZF Rosewill R101-P-BK Micro ATX Mid Tower Case $19.99 w/ FS at the Egg CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W Active Power Supply $48.99 before $10 mail in rebate at ZZF with FS zipzoomfly: MOBO, PSU, DVD Drive, HDD, & CPU $262.95 w/ Free shipping, $252.95 after $10 mail in rebate.
$700 AMD Build AMD HDZ955FBGIBOX Phenom II x4, Black Edition 3.2Ghz Processor $159.99 w/ FS at ZZF G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ $85.99 w/ Free Shipping at the Egg Antec Two Hundred ATX Mid Case $49.99 w/ Free Shipping at the Egg GIGABYTE GA-MA790GPT-UD3H AMD 790GX AM3 Motherboard $114.99 w/ Combo & FS at ZZF SAMSUNG SH-S223B 22X SATA DVD Burner Black Drive $24.99 w/ Coupon Code "ZZF102031" & FS at ZZF Western Digital Caviar Blue WD2500AAJS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $41.99/w free shipping at ZZF GIGABYTE (GV-R577D5-1GD-B) Radeon HD 5770 Video Card $159.99 w $5.99 Shipping at the Egg OCZ OCZ700SXS 700W Active Power Supply $59 after MIR & FS at ZZF zipzoomfly: CPU, MOBO, Optical Drive, Hard Drive, & PSU $418.96 before $20 MIR & Free Shipping (FatWallet Deal Hunter staff posts are certified ad-free. No money, bribes, or candy have been accepted.) |
Members of our community may attach files to a post in accordance with the User Agreement. FatWallet is not responsible for the content, accuracy, completeness or validity of any information contained in any attached file. Files have *not* been scanned for viruses. Be especially wary of Excel files which may contain malicious content.
Cash Back is available from FatWallet!Newegg: 1.0% Cash Back » See offers, coupons, ratings, and applicable restrictions. (see conditions) ZipZoomfly.com: 1.0% Cash Back » See offers, coupons, ratings, and applicable restrictions.
posted: Oct. 22, 2009 @ 8:10p
Close
Disclaimer: By providing links to other sites, FatWallet.com does not guarantee, approve or endorse the information or products available at these sites, nor does a link indicate any association with or endorsement by the linked site to FatWallet.com. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
About Us |
Blog |
Site Map |
Contact Us |
Advertise |
Partnership |
Privacy |
User Agreement |
D.M.C.A. Notice |
Civil Process Policy
While FatWallet makes every effort to post correct information, offers are subject to change without notice. |
