Components for a New Build

[UMfanatic]

I have been using a laptop for 3 years now and I want to revert back to a Desktop. I have building my own desktops for over a decade. There is just so much out there now, I need recommendations on what I should put in it. Budget is 1000 to 2000, would prefer and Intel build and either Crossfire or SLI. All suggestions welcome!!!

 

[krnmastersgt]

Uhm, didn't you just make a thread on this very matter? If you'd be so kind as to answer Blain's sticky by copy and pasting it here and putting your responses, I'd be glad to help with some component choices, and I suggest you do it quickly before people flame you

 

[UMfanatic]

I did, but nobody seemed interested in responding to it, I got one response about stickies as if I was new to the game, I am only out of date, but by no means new

 

[krnmastersgt]

The sticky I'm referring to isn't about what components do etc. I mean the 7 question sticky, such as: What will this system be used for? etc. It's a lot easier to recommend components once you give us all the information the questions in the sticky give you.

 

[UMfanatic]

PLEASE when you POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing. Games, Movie Watching, Music, Homework, Etc

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread 1500 to 2000

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, etc, etc, you get the picture. I use to be all about AMD because of cost and speed, but I would definitely like to get back into Intel parts, I have no preference as to ATI or nVIDIA I have used both, I prefer seagate HDDs because of the warranty and my experience with them in the past. I like thermal take armor cases as they are great for keeping heat down, I used a thermal take full tower armor case on my last PC, as for the rest I have no preference for manufacturer

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. no current parts will be used

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads. I have, but I like fresh ideas

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. I haven't overclocked since my Athlon 2500+ barton, but I would be willing to dable again

8. WHEN do you plan to build it? as soon as possible, tax return funding venture.

 

[krnmastersgt]

CPU: Intel E8400 - Retail $165
Motherboard: Asus P5Q SE Plus $97 ($82 after rebate) + shipping
Ram: Corsair 4GB set $60 ($30 after rebate)
Video Card: MSI 4870 1GB $230 ($205 after rebate) + shipping
PSU: PCP&C 500w Silencer $70 ($50 after rebate)
Hard drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 750GB $90
Case/Monitor/Mouse/Keyboard/Speakers: These are more personal choice than anything else, or you give me more specific guidelines in what you're looking for. Case you should pick, I can find a decent monitor if you give me the size/resolution you want. Others are purely your call, I can't really help but recommend things.

Total: $712 + shipping on some things + (sales tax if you're unlucky enough) - 90 in rebates.
So after rebates and with shipping you're probably looking at around $650 to $700, I would hope the $300-1300 you have left in your budget is enough for your choice of monitor + case + keyboard/mouse + speaker system

 

[UMfanatic]

Well I would like a good speaker system something 5.1 or above, Should I get a sound card? I know what case i would use and that would be a thermal take armor (they are huge and weigh a ton but allow for good working space and good airflow) as for the monitor I would like 24 inch perhaps a little bigger, with good res and possible HD. I will probably use logitech for the keyboard and mouse

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: UMfanatic
Well I would like a good speaker system something 5.1 or above, Should I get a sound card?

How good of speakers are you going to get to be able to hear the difference a soundcard makes? They better be good which means more than $200.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: UMfanatic
Well I would like a good speaker system something 5.1 or above, Should I get a sound card? I know what case i would use and that would be a thermal take armor (they are huge and weigh a ton but allow for good working space and good airflow) as for the monitor I would like 24 inch perhaps a little bigger, with good res and possible HD. I will probably use logitech for the keyboard and mouse

Acer 24" 2ms LCD Monitor: $340 + free shipping

Acer 24" 2ms 16:9 1080P LCD Monitor: $320 + $20 shipping

I think that works out to $340 either way

Intel quad price cuts next week to compete with the Phenom II 940/920 (which has some great looking combo deals like this). Might be a bad time to turn to Chipzilla - LOL

Antec Nine Hundred Computer Case $80 with Promo Code EMCABBDAC + $19 shipping

If you have a receiver might be hard to top the Polk Audio 5.1CH Home Theater Speaker System with free shipping for $220 with Promo Code EMCABBDDD. (I hate prewired computer speaker components - the surround speakers never have enough length).

Onboard sound chips on mobos are 'just dandy' these days unless you are a real 'phille.