Cheap fun build

Nfams

New member
Hi. I am thinking of building a cheap computer that still has a bit of fun in it.
I was looking on my local trading site and there were some systems with lga 775 core 2 quad cpu's and they seem to be ok.
Here is the current build if I get the parts I want for the right price.
HP XW4600 chassis with a unknown motherboard (hp factory I think) a core2 quad q9400 a 80+ bronze 475w psu. That is going for $100 NZD. There's a MSI GTX 560 for $50 or a GT 240 for $40 if the 560 fails. Then there's a few kits of 4gb ddr2 ram for auction $1~$35 (2x2gb). Then a ssd. I'm thinking a new 120gb for $100~ there's OCZ vertex 460, Crucial bx100 or a Samsung 840 evo. I can always add a 1tb for like $40.
I'm hoping I can the lot for around $280. Let me know your feedback and i'll keep you updated. Cheers
 
..... there's OCZ vertex 460

The make OCZ is not liked too much on here (due to some issues with reliability), I've had a few ssd's die myself personally (currently on the 5th drive returned from RMA as lost the receipt so couldn't get money back, the RMA's was direct to manufacturer. Currently got a Vertex 4 which so far has behaved as I'm keeping the firmware on it updated), others have had their own issues with the make, from PSU's, SSD's to memory etc.
 
The make OCZ is not liked too much on here (due to some issues with reliability), I've had a few ssd's die myself personally (currently on the 5th drive returned from RMA as lost the receipt so couldn't get money back, the RMA's was direct to manufacturer. Currently got a Vertex 4 which so far has behaved as I'm keeping the firmware on it updated), others have had their own issues with the make, from PSU's, SSD's to memory etc.

The new stuff (since they were bought out by Toshiba) is actually pretty solid for the most part. Mainly because the parts that were causing the reliability problems (namely the controllers I think) have been replaced by Toshiba's stuff that is much, much more reliable.
 
The new stuff (since they were bought out by Toshiba) is actually pretty solid for the most part. Mainly because the parts that were causing the reliability problems (namely the controllers I think) have been replaced by Toshiba's stuff that is much, much more reliable.

the latest line of SSDs that use the Toshiba flash chips and OCZ's controllers offer good performance and better reliability than before, but still can't be compared to Crucial, plextor, or the high end samsung stuff
 
the latest line of SSDs that use the Toshiba flash chips and OCZ's controllers offer good performance and better reliability than before, but still can't be compared to Crucial, plextor, or the high end samsung stuff

They're decent enough to be considered an option for budget builds now. Feels weird seeing the letters OCZ and not running for the hills, its the XFX thing all over again.
 
but the rest of this build looks solid? There was a note that this motherboard was not displaying with the video card and I've read from the xw4600 forums for a fix for this. The ssd is still undecided but the 460 has the best performance from what I've seen. I have had experience with a 840 evo before so that's still a solid recommendation.
 
Quick update for you guys. I have brought everything :) The specs are as follows
CPU - Intel Core2 Quad 9400 @ 2.44Ghz
GPU - MSI GTX 560 1GB
Storage - Samsung 850 EVO 120Gb and Seagate Barracuda 750GB
RAM - 4Gb 2x2GB
Case, PSU and (Grand)Motherboard are standard from the HP XW4600. (475W 80+Bronze)
Also my old Edimax wifi card

Booted well first time as I had heard that it may have video output problems on the board. Awaiting the SSD from the courier arriving monday. Total cost was a bit more than I originally intended but I do tend to get a bit carried away with things I do. If your building/fixing something, do it right the first time. I did have to get a 2 molex to 6pin PCI-E power adapter as the PSU only has 1 6 pin. I may get a quieter 92mm fan over the weekend and will post an update when I have the SSD and OS installed. Thinking windows 7 for now, make a iso of it fully updated with drivers and such, then jump onto the windows 10 wagon. Let me know your thoughts and I'll keep you informed.
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System is complete. It works great now with windows 10 preview. Just getting my head around it for now. I did have one issue with it on install day. Windows updates, it kept searching for like 2 hours. Found a solution and got it updated to the latest Windows 7 at 730pm that day. Now just enjoying my cheap build and telling other they should get something similar. Cheers and if you have any questions or advice feel free to leave it.
 
Yes here are some pictures of it.
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This case looks pretty slick
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Mostly clean interior but with the ssd now in the top hdd slot.
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Ta da :)
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