$900 build

[vitalstatistix]

i've been forum trawling for a while, but this is my first post. i have built and maintained 3 computers before, but as this is the first one that will cost over $300, i figured i could use some input to make sure everything will work together.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

light/moderate gaming and bioinformatics work (cpu intensive)


2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

$900

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

none

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

1 terabyte caviar green drive for backups and storage, everything else is new

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

yes

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

mild overclock at best (stock fan and stock voltage)

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

1080p

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

within 2 weeks



I have not ordered anything yet, but this is what i am currently looking at. i will use the cashback at tigerdirect, which is why i want to do most of my shopping there, but if the egg or somewhere else (like microcenter) has far superior savings that i missed, please let me know

Processor: core i7 860- $200 at microcenter

[Updated] Mobo: Gigabyte GA-P55A $130 after MIR at newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412
Don't plan on getting a multi-gpu setup, so a single x16 pcix slot is fine. want usb 3.0, suggestions welcome (won't do a major upgrade for another 4-5 years unless something breaks in the meanwhile)

[updated]Power supply: corsair 400W $30 after MIR at the egg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008&cm_mmc=LMCDBanner-_-CPC-_-NA-_-NA

Memory: Corsair 4 gb PC1066 DDR3- $100 at tiger
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...4&sku=C13-8220

[updated] Video Card: xfx 5770 stock cooler $132 at tiger after code
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...ffiliateID=lw9MynSeamY-_Uqnx8yWr_vY8BNBA9z_DQ

hard drive: WD caviar black 1 tb- $95 at tiger
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...sku=TSD-1000WD
is http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2077952 a good drive?

[updated] Case: antec 300 $30 after code and MIR at newegg

accessories all at tiger-

i want to play with using the box as a dvr, so i will get a cheap tv tuner, suggesstions would be great. -$50

also will get the xbox 360 wired controller, $30

dvd burner (no need for blu ray, have a stand-alone player already), $20

altec lansing speakers- $50,
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?EdpNo=4815418

cheap webcam for skype -$30
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...4&Sku=L23-0107


works out to about $900 after bing cashback ($840 at tiger - $100 cashback + $200 for processor at microcenter = $940)

thanks in advance

 

[Zap]

Hello vitalstatistix, and welcome to being a posting member of Anandtech forums.

The Xion Vantage is all flash and not much substance. I'd say you would be better off going for a low end Antec or Cooler Master as they are solid cases.

The Radeon 5830 is kind of like a red headed stepchild. From what I've read, it does not have the performance to live up to the $220-250 price point. I'd just say go for a 5770 (check Hot Deals for one at $132).

Do not get the Ultra LSP550. You might have to shop around for a deal and there has been several awesome deals lately such as the $40 Antec True Power New 550W this past Monday, or the $30 Corsair 400W, or $55 Antec Eco 620W. I think all those deals are dead, but that should give you an idea of what to aim for. Those PSUs are all a lot better than any in the Ultra LSP series. There are a lot of good PSUs out there, but the Ultra LSP series ain't any of them.

 

[mfenn]

I second everything Zap said and would like to note that Newegg has the GA-P55A-UD3 which is basically the same as the ASUS you picked out (single PCIe, USB 3.0, SATA 6Gb/s) is $120 after MIR and free shipping.

EDIT: Oh and the Corsair 400CX is still $30 after MIR and free shipping at Newegg.

 

[vitalstatistix]

thanks for the suggestions

updated list:

antec 300- $30 from the egg after MIR

corsair 400CX 400W PSU- $30 from the egg after MIR

gigabyte GA-P55A mobo- $130 from the egg after MIR

video card- xfx 5770 stock cooler from tiger $132 after promo code

will probably buy the stuff from the egg (mobo, psu and case) today as the case deal expires today


oh, and is the seagate 7200.12 1tb a good drive (as opposed to the WD black)? there is a hot deal on tiger for $35
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2077952

 

[mfenn]

Normally I would avoid Seagate, but for $35 I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[vitalstatistix]

in that case, i think i will stick with the WD drive

 

[vitalstatistix]

alright, just pulled the trigger for everything. thanks for all your help

 

[mfenn]

Sounds good, I know you will enjoy it!