My Final Build - $1400 Gaming/Video Editing Rig

[Hobonicus]

This computer will focus mostly on gaming and video editing (Adobe Premiere, After Effects, and Photoshop). I previously posted a similar build for feedback on other message boards, and the suggestions offered were extremely helpful. My budget is about $1500, but do to shipping and tax (damn California taxes) my computer should cost about $1400.

If there is anything else to critique, I am still very open to suggestions. I'd rather not upgrade something without downgrading another because of budget issues, but if there is a significant change I should make please tell me. I appreciate all the fantastic help.

I have no brand preference, will not be using any parts from an old computer, and do not plan on overclocking. I am about ready to make the purchase and decided to get a few more opinions before I do so.


Case: Antec Nine Hundred
http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-...loc/101/202997579.html
$99.24

Seems like a pretty solid case with lots of cooling. It was suggested that I get a NZXT Tempest instead but I've heard it's more expensive and flimsier than the Antec Nine Hundred.


Motherboard: ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131299
$139.99 plus $20 mail-in rebate


CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115036
$189.99

Probably one of my biggest problems in deciding what to put into this build. After bouncing back and forth, I eventually chose the e8500 as frames per second are more important than the amount of time it takes to render something.


Graphics Card: SAPPHIRE 100243-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102795


RAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145197
$139.99 plus $40 mail-in rebate


Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817703009
$144.99 plus $25 mail-in rebate


Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136218
$79.99


Optical Drive: LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827136153
$28.99


OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16832116488
$99.99


Monitor: Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824009094
$194.99

It was suggested that I get a better quality monitor, though I am rarely able to notice such tiny differences between pictures, and this monitor had many great reviews and a great price.


Mouse: Logitech MX518 2-Tone 8 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB + PS/2 Wired Optical Gaming-Grade Mouse
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16826104178
$34.99

Never had a mouse with more than three buttons before...

 

[disports]

RAM: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC 6400) is more than enough especially since you're not overclocking ($59.99 wow, the price is so low now it's absolutely ridiculous!)
PSU: Corsair 750TX ($109.99 after $20 mail in rebate)
MOBO: Gigabyte P45-DS3L if you want to save a little bit ($84.99 after $15 mail in rebate)

 

[Hobonicus]

Originally posted by: smithrwon
RAM: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC 6400) is more than enough especially since you're not overclocking ($59.99 wow, the price is so low now it's absolutely ridiculous!)
PSU: Corsair 750TX ($109.99 after $20 mail in rebate)
MOBO: Gigabyte P45-DS3L if you want to save a little bit ($84.99 after $15 mail in rebate)

And by the way, your links don't work.

Thanks for the quick and helpful response

Concerning the RAM, I was told that 1066 made a noticeable difference. Are you saying it wouldn't be noticeable unless I overclocked? I'm all for saving money but if 1066 is significant over 800 I'll go with the former.

Also, thanks for pointing out my links. I had pasted the links from a different message board I posted in, forgot they had been condensed, thanks for pointing that out.

 

[disports]

You're welcome. I wouldn't know how much of a significant difference it would make between 800 and 1066, but it's honestly your choice. Your computer should be fast enough anyways

 

[Hobonicus]

Originally posted by: smithrwon
You're welcome. I wouldn't know how much of a significant difference it would make between 800 and 1066, but it's honestly your choice. Your computer should be fast enough anyways

I did some research on it and it seems like 1066 is mostly only useful if I were overclocking my system, which I'm not. So I may use the money you've saved me to splurge on a nice keyboard.

 

[jae]

You dont need 750W power supply for the system

 

[FalseChristian]

Originally posted by: jae
You dont need 750W power supply for the system

He's right. My 600w in my sig powers an E8400 overclocked to 3.91GHz, and 2 8800GTs in SLI mode overclocked to 660/1620/1900.

But a 750w will be a litlle better for the future if you ever get the overclocking urge which I know you will hanging around these forums. LOL! Enjoy your kick-ass system!:thumbsup:

 

[disports]

LOL yeah, I spent like $815 originally on my computer only spend like another $400 on it ><.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: Hobonicus

Originally posted by: smithrwon
RAM: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC 6400) is more than enough especially since you're not overclocking ($59.99 wow, the price is so low now it's absolutely ridiculous!)
PSU: Corsair 750TX ($109.99 after $20 mail in rebate)
MOBO: Gigabyte P45-DS3L if you want to save a little bit ($84.99 after $15 mail in rebate)

And by the way, your links don't work.

Thanks for the quick and helpful response

Concerning the RAM, I was told that 1066 made a noticeable difference. Are you saying it wouldn't be noticeable unless I overclocked? I'm all for saving money but if 1066 is significant over 800 I'll go with the former.

Also, thanks for pointing out my links. I had pasted the links from a different message board I posted in, forgot they had been condensed, thanks for pointing that out.

Unless you're overclocking, your memory, whether DDR2-800, DDR2-1000 or DDR2-1066 will all run at the same speed: DDR2-667.

If you want a little headroom for overclocking, the DDR2-800 smithrwon suggested is still good.

Memory was the only thing that stuck out, all the rest of that looks like a great build, except maybe the power supply being overkill. Check out the 650TX instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139005
And only $90 AR too .

 

[disports]

I would have suggested the 650TX also, but who knows another upgrade could be in order

 

[Hobonicus]

Thanks everyone for the wonderful feedback, I really appreciate all the help.

I think I'll stay with the 750W as it isn't too much more expensive, and I hope to keep this computer for a while, which will involve upgrading. I've thought about and made most of the changes suggested.

Again, thanks for all the help.