Build review for overhaul

[chadomaly]

Thanks everyone for looking at this, I am doing my first major overhaul since around 2004. Going to use the tax check for this, so purchase date is early February. Hopefully the Phenom II will be driving prices down between then and now, but this is what I have so far:

1. This PC will be used for Music (converting, encoding, playing). It will output 1080p to a television, so the video card must have dual DVI. I do play games occasionally, so I would like it to be able to play new titles for a few years (as this one has done up until 2008). I will also be doing some photo editing (basic at this point, but I want the system to have the capability to do somewhat more advanced tasks down the road as I learn more).

2. I'd like to keep the cost below $700, but this can be bumped a bit if well justified. With the peripherals already in place, this should be well attainable.

3. I will be purchasing from the US... most likely as much as possible from Newegg.com

4. I have no brand preference, I take whatever is best at the time for my budget.

5. Part to reuse: Acer AL2223W LCD, Creative Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro, Keyboard/Mouse, Lian-Li mid-tower. Maybe PSU - see below, hard drives/optical drives to carry over.

6. I have read a handful of threads here lately to make decisions on what I have planned out at this point.

7. I will not be overclocking the system until necessary (This build will be lasting as long as the last, probably 4-5 years).

8. Purchase/build date is in early-mid Feb.

You can find what I have chosen at this point at:
http://secure.newegg.com/WishL...WishListNumber=7760654

A few notes:

I would really like the PSU to be modular, but I could not find any modular PSU's that had the 8-pin CPU connector. The latest Anandtech guide made the decision for me on the issue of motherboard, and they recommended an 8-pin CPU connector. I'll take that as non-negotiable. I currently have an Enermax EG-651p-VE, which has a 4-pin connector, thus I am looking at replacing it for this build.

The justification for the little Rosewill ESATA card is due to the fact that I will be using external drives, and need at least one E-SATA port... and the motherboard doesn't seem to have one on it.

Let me know what you think is good, bad, and utterly ridiculous, it has been years since I've researched an actual build beyond just reading the news on the Anandtech frontpage. I think this is pretty well solid, but any advice (with justification) for changes is appreciated. I'm not interested in changing something to save $20 on a part, so I'm looking for justified changes to be based on performance or other valid foundation.

Thanks everyone, I look forward to your feedback.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: crleap
2. I'd like to keep the cost below $700, but this can be bumped a bit if well justified. With the peripherals already in place, this should be well attainable.

5. Part to reuse: Acer AL2223W LCD,

6. I have read a handful of threads here lately to make decisions on what I have planned out at this point.

7. I will not be overclocking the system until necessary (This build will be lasting as long as the last, probably 4-5 years).

You can find what I have chosen at this point at:
* SAPPHIRE 100258-1GL Radeon HD 4850 1GB @ $157 (after rebate) + Shipping
* OCZ 4GB (2.1v) PC2-8500
* Q6600 2.4GHz (65nm)

Let me know what you think is good, bad, and utterly ridiculous, it has been years since I've researched an actual build beyond just reading the news on the Anandtech frontpage. I think this is pretty well solid, but any advice (with justification) for changes is appreciated. I'm not interested in changing something to save $20 on a part, so I'm looking for justified changes to be based on performance or other valid foundation.

Since you're going with a 4850 version instead of a 4870, you can drop down to 512MB and save some bucks.
There's very little, if any justification in paying more for the 1GB version.

Since you won't be OCing until 2013 or 2014, you can drop the higher volted OCZ PC2-8500 in favor of the Corsair 4GB (1.9v) PC2-6400.
There's no justification for running the OCZ memory listed if you're not OCing HEAVY right now.

Lastly, I would opt for the Q8200 2.33GHz (45nm). It's the same price as the older Q6600, but is built on a smaller die therefore runs cooler, uses less power and will OC better in 2013.
And no, losing 2MB's of L2 cache and 70MHz total processor speed won't hurt you.
The Q8200 runs on a 1333MHz FSB vs the Q6600's 1066MHz. That FSB difference does justify the the other compromises.

 

[chadomaly]

Thanks for the quick feedback Blain. I was somewhat iffy on the processor choice, seeing as how the Q8200 and Q6600 are the same price. The articles/threads I read debating the two left me pretty undecided. Thanks for the advice on that, I have updated the build to reflect the Q8200. As for the RAM, I decided to stay with the OCZ, as the price isn't different between it and the Corsair, and when I do need to OC I will already be prepared for it. I don't really mind running a bit more voltage in the meantime. Also with the video card, I was also iffy on the 512 vs 1024 issue... as the price difference between the 1gb card I chose is not huge between the 512mb... ~$20. That's basically the reason I went with the 1gb, I figured it would be slightly more future proof, because $20 isn't that big a deal if it makes it a little better in terms of future-ready in the long run.

Again thanks for the reply

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: crleap
As for the RAM, I decided to stay with the OCZ, as the price isn't different between it and the Corsair, and when I do need to OC I will already be prepared for it.
I don't really mind running a bit more voltage in the meantime.

Also with the video card, I was also iffy on the 512 vs 1024 issue... as the price difference between the 1gb card I chose is not huge between the 512mb... ~$20. That's basically the reason I went with the 1gb, I figured it would be slightly more future proof, because $20 isn't that big a deal if it makes it a little better in terms of future-ready in the long run.

The Corsair is less than 1/2 the price of the OCZ, after you consider the rebate and free shipping.
Higher voltage = shorter memory lifespan. It may not make it to 2013 or 2014.

The linked Sapphire 4850/512 is about $30 cheaper after you consider the rebate and free shipping.

 

[DSF]

The Corsair 520HX and 620HX are modular PSUs with 8-pin connectors and I'm sure they're not the only ones.

 

[chadomaly]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: crleap
As for the RAM, I decided to stay with the OCZ, as the price isn't different between it and the Corsair, and when I do need to OC I will already be prepared for it.
I don't really mind running a bit more voltage in the meantime.

Also with the video card, I was also iffy on the 512 vs 1024 issue... as the price difference between the 1gb card I chose is not huge between the 512mb... ~$20. That's basically the reason I went with the 1gb, I figured it would be slightly more future proof, because $20 isn't that big a deal if it makes it a little better in terms of future-ready in the long run.

The Corsair is less than 1/2 the price of the OCZ, after you consider the rebate and free shipping.
Higher voltage = shorter memory lifespan. It may not make it to 2013 or 2014.

The linked Sapphire 4850/512 is about $30 cheaper after you consider the rebate and free shipping.

Right, but the rebates will be expiring before the purchase date. The corsair RAM rebate expires on 1/16, and the video card one expires on the 31st, which will probably be before the tax rebate gets to me