Critique my build

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neondream

Junior Member
Feb 9, 2011
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Hey everyone,

I'm planning to build a new system in the next few weeks. I've already been looking through some threads here, especially the system builders thread for ideas.

I've decided to go with an Intel-based system (last build was Athlon 64 based) for mostly Internet surfing, video watching, just basic usage. Might do a little light gaming, mostly RTS like Starcraft 2.

My budget is going to be $500-$600, but I will be reusing some parts from my last build; namely, the case (Sonata I), NEC DVD drive, Seagate 250GB hard drive, CPU cooler Xigmatek hdt-sd964. Sticking with my 19" LCD monitor as well, max res. of 1280x1024. Also have speakers, KB, mouse.

This is what I've picked out to use for the build:

Intel Core i3-550 Clarkdale 3.2GHz
GIGABYTE GA-H55-USB3 ATX motherboard
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
XFX HD-567X-YNF3 Radeon HD 5670 512MB
Antec earthwatts EA500 500W PSU

I picked these based on suggestions in the threads, what I thought would go good together and price. My tech level is average-above average I'd guess.

Edit: I'll be buying from Newegg most likely, in the US.

So I'd appreciate a good critique from the forum here, so I can buy parts soon and build. Thanks in advance!
 
Last edited:
postmortemIA

postmortemIA

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2006
7,721
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you should change monitor and your hard drive first, otherwise such build is pointless. 1280x1024 does not need more than mid range graphics; your hard drive is also few generations old.
 
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mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
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www.mfenn.com
rockyjohn

rockyjohn

Member
Dec 4, 2009
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I think you have selected excellent components for your new system and I can understand your approach to first purchase the items that would be more expensive or difficult to replace later.

What model is your hard drive? New models are a lot faster, so if yours is older it would be nice if you could upgrade now. For about $50 you can get a current model 500 GB HD. But if not in the budget that is not difficult to updgrade later. On my last build I upgrade from a Seagate 7200.8 which was fast in its day to 7200.11 for a substantial increase in performance, although for your uses the difference would probably only be noticeable a little when loading Windows and in game play.

The monitor can be upgraded later when budget permits. I went from a Dell 17" to a Dell 22" and am very pleased with the added real estate - even just for running multiple applications for general purpose use. Now I can't image going back to the small screen.

The Antec EA500 is the PSU I have as well.

You did not list the memory model. Have you confirmed with the mobo approved list or at the G.Skill site that it is compatible with your mobo?

You did not list an optical drive - perhaps because you are reusing the old or it is inconsequential. Just thought I would mention it to complete the list of components.
 
N

neondream

Junior Member
Feb 9, 2011
2
0
0
Thanks for the replies.

Yeah I have an older Seagate 7200.8 250gb model. It does seem like a good idea to get a faster one. Should I get the Seagate 7200.12 500gb or something similar?

The optical drive I have is a NEC 3520A dvd+/-RW. It uses old PATA interface. I could get a new one with SATA interface, but was trying to re-use whatever I could. Would a new one be much faster?

The model of the G.Skill RAM is F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK and according to the Gigabyte website it is compatible. I picked this one because it seems to be fast with decent timings. I'm sure there are faster modules with lower timings but this is also cheap ($46.99 at Newegg).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824005196
After it was suggested to get a new upgrade, I spotted this one, a LG 23" LED HD monitor. Would this be a good one to use with the Radeon HD5670? Or should I get the Radeon HD4850 1GB DDR3? It seems to be a better card for gaming than the 5670, but it only supports DX10. I don't really game much though, so it might be pointless except from the value standpoint.
 
mnewsham

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
neondream said:
Thanks for the replies.

Yeah I have an older Seagate 7200.8 250gb model. It does seem like a good idea to get a faster one. Should I get the Seagate 7200.12 500gb or something similar?

The optical drive I have is a NEC 3520A dvd+/-RW. It uses old PATA interface. I could get a new one with SATA interface, but was trying to re-use whatever I could. Would a new one be much faster?

The model of the G.Skill RAM is F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK and according to the Gigabyte website it is compatible. I picked this one because it seems to be fast with decent timings. I'm sure there are faster modules with lower timings but this is also cheap ($46.99 at Newegg).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824005196
After it was suggested to get a new upgrade, I spotted this one, a LG 23" LED HD monitor. Would this be a good one to use with the Radeon HD5670? Or should I get the Radeon HD4850 1GB DDR3? It seems to be a better card for gaming than the 5670, but it only supports DX10. I don't really game much though, so it might be pointless except from the value standpoint.
Click to expand...

For HDD i would recommend the Samsung F3 1TB or 500GB

For your optical drive you would need to make sure you had a motherboard that had a PATA connection for your drive, if not any $18 drive should work, asus, lg, samsung, lite-on, w/e

RAM timings really dont matter anymore, hell Dual channel vs. single channel is only a 1-2% performance gain! Get the cheapest RAM you can find from a respectable company (gskill, crucial, etc.) I usually recommend CL9 1333Mhz 2x4GB

As for the GPU i would go with the 4850 as it is better performance, the 5670 is newer, and supports DX11 but with that kind of card you wont be playing anything that uses DX11 with playable framerates anyway.
 
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