First time computer build

[andrewdodd39]

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

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
*$900 to $1100

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
*The United States

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.
*Hmmm, never built a computer before, but I'm going to side with the AMD camp.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
*I have no parts to use.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
*I had a previous thread, this one is updated and more pertinent. The last dealt with pre-built and went off on a tangent.

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

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
*1600x900

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
*I would hope soonish, but I have yet to purchase and I have AP Exam and then Finals.

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.
*Alright, but I'll be prone to argue my build without reason.

Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131647

Graphics Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814162058

Processor (Edit: This is one I may have to give up because of facts )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103849

Solid State Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227551

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233141

Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001438

DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151175

Windows 7 Home Premium
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116986


Still need keyboard, mouse, and speakers. Subtotal BEFORE rebates: $1,114.86
Subtotal after rebates: $1024.86

 

[aphelion02]

For a gaming cpu, you have a few options that make sense:

1. Get a super cheap mobo + cpu combo at a price range where AMD shines.
2. Get an Intel Sandy Bridge for a mainstream price.
3. Wait 1 month for AMD's latest generation CPU, Bulldozer to come out.

AMD simply is horribly uncompetitive at the $150+ price range right now. Buying that 1090 means you are buying a worse, cpu that is not suited to your purposes, and you will have the pleasure of knowing that you are investing in a CPU architecture that can't even compete with Intel's last generation, let alone the latest.

 

[andrewdodd39]

For a gaming cpu, you have a few options that make sense:

1. Get a super cheap mobo + cpu combo at a price range where AMD shines.
2. Get an Intel Sandy Bridge for a mainstream price.
3. Wait 1 month for AMD's latest generation CPU, Bulldozer to come out.

AMD simply is horribly uncompetitive at the $150+ price range right now. Buying that 1090 means you are buying a worse, cpu that is not suited to your purposes, and you will have the pleasure of knowing that you are investing in a CPU architecture that can't even compete with Intel's last generation, let alone the latest.

Alright, I'll go back to the drawing board for the CPU/mobo. Does everything else seem satisfactory though? There's not much RAM but I plan to upgrade later.

 

[aphelion02]

Some comments:

1. PSU is a good brand, but 650W is overkill for your system. Your system won't even draw 400W assuming you get a 95W PSU. For your rather tight budget, I recommend this Corsair cx430, a cheap PSU but reliable and very well reviewed.

2. Graphics card: Very good deal, and indeed the best card for that range. However, I recommend going a little higher so you can play at higher resolutions. That of course, requires more money. This brings me to my next point....

3. Ditch the SSD. Don't get me wrong, SSDs are great. In fact, the one you chose is exactly the one I have - and its fantastic. However, getting an SSD now means you will have to compromise on other, core components. Save this as an upgrade for later. An SSD upgrade is easy, simple, and doesn't require you to replace any existing components. So do it later, and spend the money now on...

4. A better, higher resolution monitor. You know those iphone and iMac screens that look gorgeous and super bright? They use the same IPS panels as this one. IPS panels have much better viewing angles and color reproduction, and this one comes at a very cheap price for an IPS monitor. A monitor is something you will use for a long time, I recommend spending a bit more on it. It is also LED backlit, saving you a bit on power expenses.

5. Also, RAM is overpriced for just fancy heatspreaders, and doesn't use the dual channels you have. Get 2x4gb or 2x2gb that is the right voltage (1.5V) and the cheapest. Assuming you go sandy bridge, RAM speed doesn't affect computer performance much at all.

 

[andrewdodd39]

I've been looking, and the new Sandy Bridge processors are fairly expensive. I saw the quad core AMD units are fairly low in price ($140) compared with the Intel processors. Is the performance really that much better with Intel at this point (not counting the new AMD processors next month)? Also, could a dual core i3 be good enough for this rig?

 

[aphelion02]

Not all cores are built equal. Check out the benchmarks between the AMD hexacore and the i5 2500k.

Dualcore is fine, but then it won't have the same longevity as the i5 2500k. Skip the SSD, and invest a little more in your CPU - that should last you several upgrade cycles.

 

[aphelion02]

i5-2500k + Gigabyte P67A-UD3

PNY 8gb RAM

Asus HD 6850

Samsung Spinpoint F3

Antec Three Hundred

Corsair CX 430

Sony Optiarc DVD Drive

Asus ML239H IPS Screen LED backlit Monitor

Total: $1,082.86 - $60MIR = $1022.86

You should have enough money left for keyboard + mouse + speakers.

If you are looking to cut costs I'd consider the following, in this order:

1. Get 2x2gb RAM and shave another $20 or so off the cost.


2. Getting an i5-2400 and an H67 motherboard should shave about $40 off the cost.

3. Getting the GTX 460 768mb you posted earlier can shave another $45 off the cost. (Debatable whether you should go with 3 or 2 first. The CPU will last you longer, so you might want to spend more on that, but the GPU will have the most impact on immediate gaming performance. It depends on your priorities and how likely you think you are to upgrade. If you think you will upgrade the graphics card rather regularly (ie, 12-18 months), you should consider cutting down the graphics card first.

4. Getting a cheaper case, can maybe save $20 if you get something cheap.


Edit: If you have a .edu student email, you should see if you qualify for this Microsoft Windows 7 Student Discount

 

[mfenn]

i5-2500k + Gigabyte P67A-UD3

PNY 8gb RAM

Asus HD 6850

Samsung Spinpoint F3

Antec Three Hundred

Corsair CX 430

Sony Optiarc DVD Drive

Asus ML239H IPS Screen LED backlit Monitor

Total: $1,082.86 - $60MIR = $1022.86

You should have enough money left for keyboard + mouse + speakers.

:thumbsup: Very good build IMHO. I especially like the fact that you were able to squeeze an LED backlit IPS panel in there.

 

[andrewdodd39]

i5-2500k + Gigabyte P67A-UD3

PNY 8gb RAM

Asus HD 6850

Samsung Spinpoint F3

Antec Three Hundred

Corsair CX 430

Sony Optiarc DVD Drive

Asus ML239H IPS Screen LED backlit Monitor

Total: $1,082.86 - $60MIR = $1022.86

You should have enough money left for keyboard + mouse + speakers.

If you are looking to cut costs I'd consider the following, in this order:

1. Get 2x2gb RAM and shave another $20 or so off the cost.


2. Getting an i5-2400 and an H67 motherboard should shave about $40 off the cost.

3. Getting the GTX 460 768mb you posted earlier can shave another $45 off the cost. (Debatable whether you should go with 3 or 2 first. The CPU will last you longer, so you might want to spend more on that, but the GPU will have the most impact on immediate gaming performance. It depends on your priorities and how likely you think you are to upgrade. If you think you will upgrade the graphics card rather regularly (ie, 12-18 months), you should consider cutting down the graphics card first.

4. Getting a cheaper case, can maybe save $20 if you get something cheap.


Edit: If you have a .edu student email, you should see if you qualify for this Microsoft Windows 7 Student Discount

Thanks for the input. I'll shaft the SSD for now and get the HDD, they really are much cheaper and the performance improvement for my needs are debatable. I'll go with the i5 and motherboard combo you listed, and for now I'll stick with the 768 mb graphics card (I plan for that to be the most frequent upgrade). I'll change my wishlist and see how the price comes out.

 

[andrewdodd39]

Thanks for the input. I'll shaft the SSD for now and get the HDD, they really are much cheaper and the performance improvement for my needs are debatable. I'll go with the i5 and motherboard combo you listed, and for now I'll stick with the 768 mb graphics card (I plan for that to be the most frequent upgrade). I'll change my wishlist and see how the price comes out.

Sorry about the double post, but does the 2x2 GB RAM really make that much of a difference over a 4x1? Also, I see that the HDD is bare. Will I need to buy any cables extra?

Edit: So the 430 watt power supply will definitely be enough? Or would 550 be a better choice?

 

[aphelion02]

430W will definitely be enough, the 6850 is quite power efficient. As for 2x2gb vs 4x1gb, its probably not that big a of a deal, but it'd bug me a lot to pay for dual channel ram and not be able to use it.

Plus, the 8gb in my sig is only $20 more, I'd just spring for it and not worry about it.