Sub-300$ mATX build

[dimre01]

Hey guys,
my sister is in need of a cheap build that can handle games like Sims 3 and Zoo Tycoon 2.
I've picked out some parts, do you guys have any suggestions on them?
CPU: Sempron 140 2.7GHZ (link)
Mobo: Gigabyte AM3 Mobo (link)
Case+PSU: Apex TX-373 mATX+400w PSU (link) (I don't normally buy PSU+Case combo's, but it's a must here since we're on a tight budget)
GPU:Powercolor Radeon 512MB (link) (Will this be enough to play the games I mentioned above?)
DVD: LG 22X DVD Writer (link)
HDD: Barracuda 250GB (link)
RAM:2GB Kingston (link)

I've heard that it is possible to unlock the Sempron's 2nd core. Would that be possible with my mobo?

Thanks
dimre

[jcmaz]

No you need teh mobos with the 710 southbridge ie
Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P ATX AM3 DDR3 AMD770 PCI-E16 4PCI-E1 2PCI SATA GBLAN Motherboard

[dimre01]

Do you have any reccomendations for DDR2 southridge 710 mobos? The one you showed me looks good but it only supports DDR3.

[dimre01]

Found a SB710 DDR2 mobo with decent integrated graphics, so I'm ditching the HD3650. Link to mobo here.

[subliminal]

I think it'll make it easier for everyone if you just paste the link straight into the reply box instead of using the link function since it automatically pulls the title of the page into the link.

At the moment, I have to click on every link because I don't find your specs descriptive enough.

Instead of this:

Originally Posted by dimre01

CPU: Sempron 140 2.7GHZ (link)
Mobo: Gigabyte AM3 Mobo (link)
Case+PSU: Apex TX-373 mATX+400w PSU (link) (I don't normally buy PSU+Case combo's, but it's a must here since we're on a tight budget)
GPU:Powercolor Radeon 512MB (link) (Will this be enough to play the games I mentioned above?)
DVD: LG 22X DVD Writer (link)
HDD: Barracuda 250GB (link)
RAM:2GB Kingston (link)

You could have this:

Originally Posted by dimre01

CPU: AMD Sempron 140 Processor 2.7GHZ Socket AM3 1MB L2 Cache 45W Retail Box - DirectCanada
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2 AMD740G mATX AM2+/AM3 1PCI-EX 2PCI SATA2 RAID VGA Sound GLAN DVI Motherboard - DirectCanada
Case: Apex TX-373 mATX Mini Tower Case Black 2X5.25 1X3.5 4X3.5INT 400W W/ Front USB & Audio - DirectCanada
GPU: Powercolor Radeon HD 3650 600MHZ 512MB 667MHZ DDR2 PCI-E DVI VGA TV Out Video Card - DirectCanada
DVD: LG GH22NS50 Black 22X SATA DVD Writer OEM - DirectCanada
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 250GB Hard Drive SATA 7200RPM 8MB - DirectCanada
RAM: 2GB 800MHZ DDR2 NON ECC CL6 DIMM KIT OF 2 - DirectCanada

It's actually easier on your part too. (less typing.)

[somecanadianguy]

For around $30 more you could get a dual-core...

NCIX.com - Buy AMD Athlon II X2 240 Dual Core Processor Socket AM3 2.8GHZ 2MB Cache 65W Retail Box - ADX240OCGQBOX In Canada.

Could probably pricematch that for a little less too.

[Dyckyj]

A 500gb hard drive is about 6 dollars more... And that psu/case looks alright but are you sure it wouldn't be worth it to find some really cheap Matx case and a low end antec, corsair or ocz power supply?