Need Feedback on First Time Build

[wirm]

After reading a bunch of threads and getting advice, I still need a bit of help.

This computer is primarily for web browsing, word processing, the occasional movie and games. I’d like to be able to play something like Crysis or Left 4 Dead 2. However, I don’t need a million frames per second. I can live with 30 FPS. I do not do video or photo editing/encoding, and I don’t have any plans to overclock. This would be my first build, so I don’t want to make it explode.

I've picked out the following components:

Cooler Master Elite RC-310-BWN1-GP ATX Mid Tower Case - $39.99
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W - $79.99 (+$20 MIR)
CPU – need help
Motherboard – need help
Video Card – need help
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) - $99.99
SAMSUNG F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM Hard Drive - $69.99
Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner SATA Model - OEM - $19.99
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit - OEM - $99.99
Dell E2011H 20" LED BackLight Widescreen - $119.99
or
HP S2031 20" Diagonal HD Ready Widescreen LCD Monitor - $109.19

Can you help suggest a CPU, motherboard and video card? I'd like to spend around $350 on the three items. Mfenn suggested Phenom II X4 955 + GA-880A-UD3H, which looks like it would perform well. However, I notice that it takes a lot of power. I rather enjoy saving money on the electric bill . Is there a comparable Intel motherboard + CPU combo that uses less power? I don’t mind spending less on this if the video card is more important.

What’s the current bang for your buck in video cards? I understand the GTX 460 768 MB is good. Will a 550W power supply be enough?

I'm not married to any particular part, but was curious about the RAM. Is it overkill to get 8 GB rather than 4 GB? And is that the correct version of Windows?

 

[fffblackmage]

Can you help suggest a CPU, motherboard and video card? I'd like to spend around $350 on the three items. Mfenn suggested Phenom II X4 955 + GA-880A-UD3H, which looks like it would perform well. However, I notice that it takes a lot of power. I rather enjoy saving money on the electric bill . Is there a comparable Intel motherboard + CPU combo that uses less power? I don’t mind spending less on this if the video card is more important.

I think the i5-760 uses less power, but you'd be spending a bit more on an i5-760 + P55 mobo.

PhII X4 955 + Gigabyte 880GMA-UD2H $215

i5-760 $170
ASUS P7P55 LX $100
CPU+mobo total = $270

It'll be a very long time until you recover $55 in power savings.

What’s the current bang for your buck in video cards? I understand the GTX 460 768 MB is good. Will a 550W power supply be enough?

This Antec NEO ECO 520C is $55 ($40 AR). I'm not quite sure how it compares to the Corsair VX, but the specs are pretty similar. I have the 400W model myself and reviews were pretty good.

I'm not married to any particular part, but was curious about the RAM. Is it overkill to get 8 GB rather than 4 GB? And is that the correct version of Windows?

If you stick with 4GB ram (it's enough), you could probably bump the video card up to a 6850 or 6870 or a GTX 460 1GB. A 500W PSU should be able to support any of those.

Summary of build:

Cooler Master Elite RC-310-BWN1-GP ATX Mid Tower Case - $39.99
Antec Neo Eco 520C - $55 ($40 AR)
Phenom II X4 955 + GIGABYTE GA-880GMA-UD2H - $215
XFX 6870 - $240 ($230 AR)
G.SKILL NS 2x2GB DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) - $48
SAMSUNG F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM Hard Drive - $69.99
Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner SATA Model - OEM - $19.99
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit - OEM - $99.99
Total = $670 ($645 AR)

If possible, get a 1080p monitor.

 

[wirm]

Good to know about the RAM and CPU/Motherboard.

I've gone on a couple of online power supply calculators, and they indicate that the computer would probably take upwards of 600 watts at full load and 30% capacitor aging. Is this realistic?

 

[mfenn]

I agree with blackmage about AMD vs. Intel in this case. In fact, his build looks pretty damn good to me!

The 520C will be plenty to power the 6870. A fully loaded system with a 6870 and an overclocked i7 only draws on the order of 275W at the wall.

One final comment, do not buy a 20" widescreen monitor. Those things are tiny.Use the savings gained by going with AMD to get at least a 23" 1080P monitor like this ASUS.

 

[wirm]

Hi folks, in an effort to save money, I've decided to skimp on the processor and leave a little room for the future. Please don't take this as me ignoring your advice. I'm just excited about the prospect of being able to upgrade in the next couple of years.

Please let me know if these parts will work together or if I'm cutting too many corners. I'm going to get the video card later, and will be looking at monitors this weekend.

Cooler Master Case - $40
Athlon II X2 260 - $69
Sony DVD Drive - $20
GIGABYTE GA-880GA-UD3H AM3 AMD 880G - $110 (with $10 rebate)
Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W - $55 (with $15 rebate)
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1333 - $100
Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit - $100

 

[mfenn]

Bad idea.

Think about it this way: Let's say you plan to upgrade to a Phenom II X4 955. Now, a 955 looks like a pretty good deal at $145. You'll actually be paying $145 + $69 = $214 when you decide to upgrade. Not such a great deal.

Also, I can't imaging any task that would require 8GB of memory that wouldn't choke a dual core. In fact, that $50 extra that you're paying for 8GB vs. 4GB of memory can get you at least an Athlon II X4 640. It's a better idea to plan on upgrading your memory since you won't have to swap out parts like you would with the CPU.