[Answered] Free GTX 650 Build

[AlexStriz]

So my friend is upgrading from a 650 to a 970. He decided to give me his 650 for free. So, I'm gonna make a new build with it. I don't have much experience with lower end parts/systems, so I'm gonna turn to you guys! 

 

I want to make it either mATX or mITX since this will most likely be an HTPC. My biggest question is whether I should go 4gb or 8gb of ram. I am a slight tab monster, but I think I'd be using my main rig when I am browsing the internets. Then again, I may eventually upgrade the GPU and give this computer to my sister, and she would definitely utilize the whole 8 gigs. I know the 1866 Corsair is overkill, but its the cheapest single 8 gig stick.

 

Thoughts?

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($64.99 @ NCIX US) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($26.75 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($99.99 @ Amazon) 

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($54.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($44.00 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 650 1GB Video Card  ($0.00) 

Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($29.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $360.70

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-13 19:16 EST-0500

 

Also, what's the difference between these three optical drives? I have no idea what any of the specs mean.. 

https://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24b1stblkbas

https://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-optical-drive-sh224dbrsbs

https://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24f1st

[SparkySamZa]

8gb should be a minimum in imho  

[Jumper118]

 

 

Also, what's the difference between these three optical drives? I have no idea what any of the specs mean.. 

https://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24b1stblkbas

https://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-optical-drive-sh224dbrsbs

https://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24f1st

they are all the same. get the cheapest.

[AlexStriz]

8gb should be a minimum in imho

for a sub $400 build?

[LolSalad]

This build is pretty cool, i don't have an optical drive in my computer because i never use cds, but they should all be the same if your just installing stuff on to your computer, and you're probably not going to be using the drive a lot so i would go for the cheapest one. everything else looks good, i have the g3258 and its clocked at 4.2 and does fine on stock cooler unless you really want to have a cool machine you can drop the cpu cooler

[ddeuel]

I'd just go with a cheap ssd instead of that hard drive or if you're planning to store a lot of stuff just get a 1 or 2 tb hard drive, they aren't much more expensive at all.

[SparkySamZa]

for a sub $400 build?

yes i think 8gb for a tab horder and for gaming 8gb should be a min always. 4gb is just not enough anymore. 

edit: Maybe better to have dual channel rather than single for a build tbh

[AlexStriz]

yes i think 8gb for a tab horder and for gaming 8gb should be a min always. 4gb is just not enough anymore. 

edit: Maybe better to have dual channel rather than single for a build tbh

I was going to do dual channel, except dual channel is $30 more than the single stick

[SparkySamZa]

I was going to do dual channel, except dual channel is $30 more than the single stick

also do you need an optical drive? usbs are the future aha. But you could always buy one and save up for another at a later date, the big difference is bandwidth more stick you have the more bandwidth you can have between ram.

[Jumper118]

I was going to do dual channel, except dual channel is $30 more than the single stick

consider second hand ram. i got my 2400mhz ram for 1/2 price and it is great.

[AlexStriz]

consider second hand ram. i got my 2400mhz ram for 1/2 price and it is great.

I'll have to look into that. Thanks. 

 

2400mhz ram would make my 16gb of 1866mhz in my main rig feel jealous though 

[AlexStriz]

also do you need an optical drive? usbs are the future aha. But you could always buy one and save up for another at a later date, the big difference is bandwidth more stick you have the more bandwidth you can have between ram.

Yes, I would like an optical drive. We have a lot of movies (DVD) that we would watch on this. It is a home theatre pc after all 

[Jumper118]

I'll have to look into that. Thanks. 

 

2400mhz ram would make my 16gb of 1866mhz in my main rig feel jealous though 

i got 8gb of 2400 cl10 and now i want to put it in all my rigs. the apu in my htpc needs it, my main rig needs it and my pentium likes fast ram

[AlexStriz]

also do you need an optical drive? usbs are the future aha. But you could always buy one and save up for another at a later date, the big difference is bandwidth more stick you have the more bandwidth you can have between ram.

I'll take that into account. I think I'll do what Jumper118 said and look at some second hand ram. Hopefully dual channel 

 

 

 

Thanks for all your input guys

@Jumper118

@SparkySamZa

@ddeuel

@LolSalad

[JoaoPRSousa]

I want this build done!

Get a 2x4GB RAM kit if possible

[Speedyv]

I idle at around 2GB (out of 8) usage of RAM. I'd recommend 8GB. And there really is no noticeable difference between 1866 Mhz and 1600 Mhz when it comes down to real life performance.

You can look into Mushkin Silverline/Kingston Savage etc.

 

 

Just get the cheapest optical drive.