Hello, i am a new computer builder but am anxious to try building my own. I have made a list of components that i would like to have some feedback on. I am trying not to break the bank on this one so i am trying to shop around for deals. So far, this is what i have. Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128443 Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Power: RAIDMAX RX-500AF 500W ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Power Memory: CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Video Card: MSI R5670-PD512 Radeon HD 5670 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKX 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive Optical Drive: SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L Light Scribe Support - OEM Feel free to make suggestions,(that's why I'm here). I'm also curious about compatibility issues, if any.
Or should i just buy this computer and add a video card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883241028
CPU: 8/10 - A good CPU for low-end systems. Inefficient, but a cheap quad core is all you often need. M/B: 9/10 - Good brand, decent specification. Not suitable for overclocking the X4, however, I will point out. Case: 5/10 - Sufficient for the system but poor build quality and cooling. The bare minimum required, nothing more. PSU: 0/10 - Deathtrap. To be avoided at all costs. Recommended replacement: Antec Earthwatts Green 380W. [380W is ample for your system I assure you] RAM: 8/10 - OK, but for the minimal extra cost you may as well go with 1600mhz. GPU: 10/10 - Cheap but moderately capable, decent brand. HDD: 8/10 - Good brand, but very small drive. A 500GB is almost the same price, and obviously much bigger. 320GB is very easily filled these days. ODD: 8/10 - Samsung burners aren't to the liking of disc burning fanatics, but they're fine for normal users. You should absolutely not buy the prebuilt system with intent to upgrade. Doing so is rarely advisable for several reasons.
So what would you suggest for the case and the optical drives? Also, not trying to be arrogant, but why would buying the prebuilt be a bad idea? Also would there be any capatability issues with the hardware i have listed above (and the changes i will make)?
Something like an Antec Three Hundred or Coolermaster Elite will do fine. They obviously aren't as cheap, but they're much better cases. I personally recommend LG optical drives, but honestly, if you aren't a DVD fanatic forever messing around with custom edited discs and ripping your own discs to digital files on the PC, then honestly, you will never notice the difference between the Samsung and any other brand. There are no compatibility issues with what you've listed, or with the changes I've suggested you make. The reason why upgrading the prebuilt system is bad is because not only will you will end up paying more but you will also experience problems with insufficient power and cooling. Such systems typically use low quality components too so they're less reliable even if you aren't modify them. Lastly, upgrading systems like that voids the warranty, which is the only real reason for buying them in the first place.
