New Computer

[Reisooh]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Normally just email and Internet. Occasionally hardcore gaming - Call Of Duty 4, World in Conflict. HD video editing

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
Up to 2k - Preferably 1500-1700

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
U.S. of A.

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.

Intel, Samsung, MSI, Antec


5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Nope

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yep

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Default - Stability is #1 Priority

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
ASAP - Maybe this week (order in a day or two) - Again, maybe

----

This computer is for my grandma. She uses email and Internet, plus Solitaire. However, the grand-kids (including me) like to come over and play games on the computer. Also, we like to make movies with my Canon HDV camcorder (w/ Adobe Premiere Elements). Currently she has a Dell XPS Gen 3 (Pentium 4 - 6800gt) and doesn't like it at all. When she uses it the noise is tolerable but when we use it it sounds like a jet engine. It moves a ridiculous amount of air and can heat up the whole room in just a few minutes. She wants her new computer to be much quieter and run cooler. However, I know that running cooler probably isn't possible, but quieter is.

I have tried to select components which provide the best price to performance in the mid/high-end range. I tried to get a quiet case and cooler. I tried to get efficient components like an 80-Plus power supply. This comptuer will be running Vista.

My dad has a nvidia 680i with SLI 8800GT's and has some problems with the motherboard. That is why I am opting for a Intel chipset for this build.

Since I went with Intel I knew i could choose either a single Nvidia card or multiple ATI cards. The 4850 is just about as powerful as the 9800GTX but I could still add another card down the road. I think I will start with a single GPU and maybe add another down the road once games that need a little extra power come out.

This is my current list. (Did I forget anything, remember, I'm not reusing anything besides the surge protector.)

Do I need a sound card? What about a floppy drive?

1 ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T - Retail
$34.99

1 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$119.99

1 SAMSUNG 2253BW Black 22" 2ms(GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
$269.99

1 XIGMATEK MC NRP-MC751 750W ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V Ver. 2.92 Power Supply - Retail
$129.99

1 Logitech X-240 25 Watts 2.1 Speaker - Retail
$45.99

1 Saitek PZ30AUR Red USB Wired Slim Eclipse Keyboard - Retail
$34.99

1 RAZER RZ01-00050200 Anarchy Red 7 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Laser Copperhead Mouse - Retail
$59.99

1 SABRENT CRW-UINB 65-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Card Reader w/ USB 2.0 Port supports SDHC/VISTA - Retail
$13.99

1 mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996587 - Retail
$65

1 MSI P45 Platinum LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$189.99

1 ZEROtherm BTF90 with manual fan controller (BTF92) 92mm 2 ball UFO bearing CPU Cooler - Retail
$34.99

Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail

$349.98 Combo for Case and CPU


HIS Hightech H485F512P Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

HIS HIC1X4067 iClear Video Signal Noise Reduction Card - Retail

$199.99 For GPU and free "other thing"


Subtotal: $1,604.86
Shipping: $40.88

Grand Total: $1,645.74





How does it look? Advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Just a comment on heat/noise:

The one bad thing about current 4850 cards is they run hot and keep that heat inside the case (this will be fixed eventually with custom cooling designs). An 8800GTS or 9800XT has a dual-slot design to push its hot air outside of the case.

I'd also probably drop down to a cheaper motherboard ($190 seems excessive if not overclocking) and maybe an E8400, but I haven't shopped lately so I can't recommend a specific one.

 

[Reisooh]

I looked into what you said. I think the e8500 is probably better since its oem and therefore $50 off retail. Sorry for bad grammar I'm typeing this reply on my iPod Touch since computer is off. It only like $40 more than the e8400. Also, I searched motherboards with three criteria. 1. P45 2. Must have 2 PCI Express x16 slots for future expandibility. 3. Must have FireWire for hdv camcorder. - with these criteria three motherboards were shown. A gigabyte and MSI for $190. Another msi was shown but it was much more expensive.

I think the 4850 will be ok since it doesn't use too much power ( and therefore heat) when its idle... Right? I'll go read anands article again.

Any opinion about a sound card or floppy. We don't use floppy but I know that you can update BIOS with them.

Thanks for the quick reply.

 

[modoheo]

Probably no need for a sound card - the onboard sound on that board will likely keep you happy, and if not you can always install one later.

You could install a floppy/card reader combo if you want, but it's not mandatory since most mobo's will let you update the BIOS from a USB drive these days.

At that price point, I'd go with a higher quality PSU, like a Corsair or PC Power and Cooling unit. The Xigmatech is probably ok but doesn't have the same track record.

You may want to look into getting an X38 or X48 motherboard, since they support Crossfire at X16 speeds rather than X8 like the p45. Your Crossfire performance(if you eventually decide to go that route) will be better with X38 or X48.

It's very hard to justify getting a E8500 over a E8400 - they both overclock really well, and their stock speeds are so close that the difference is negligible.

That sure is a kickin' rig for Gramma!

 

[MarcVenice]

You better not be trolling, I've seen this thread before, a few months ago...

 

[Reisooh]

I did have a post about this before but I decided to wait for the next gen of graphics to come out. So I think I will be building this week. Then this subject is gone for good.

Newegg fixed the price on the oem e8500 so I am going with the e8400. I dont think I'm going to get a sound card or floppy. Anandtech reviewed the 650w Xigmatek and highly recommended it.

Do you think the Xigmatek will work fine or should I change it?

 

[Reisooh]

I did some more research and to get a X38/X48 motherboard that fits my requirements, it would be about $230 which isn't too bad.

I think I will change the motherboard to this... GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS4. (In my earlier thread [sorry] I had chosen a X38 Gigabyte DS4, they seem the best quality and price.)

Gigabyte has awesome BIOS flashing capabilities so I will just get a media reader and skip the floppy combo.

I'm also changing the power supply to this... CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX. It's a Corsair but I lose modular cabling which is alright since it's actually $10 less with rebate.

 

[MarcVenice]

Good, I was about to suggest getting the Corsair instead. I'd also change the CPU HSF to the zerotherm nirvana 120mm, 120mm means less noise. Good thing you changed to a e8400. And why not this motherboard instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813136045

Oh, and 150$ is pricey for a antec p182, don't solely rely on newegg, some stuff might be cheaper elsewhere.

 

[Reisooh]

Ok, I'll go with the Nirvana. I was debating about that anyway.

I'd prefer the Gigabyte since I'm not overclocking and I need Firewire for my HDV camcorder. I know I could add a card for firewire but built in is easy and I love the stability and reliability of the Gigabyte.

I looked around and newegg is the cheapest on the P182. Also, newegg has a combo deal for the p182 and the e8400 where you get $50 off. Add in free shipping and its pretty hard to beat. Basically it's $90.

Also, I added a HP D4650 since she has like the first HP inkjet ever made with a serial connector. It takes like a minute a page on draft quality.

I searched for the best prices on all of these items and found that newegg had the best prices or were within $1. Three day shipping also beats ground shipping. The only thing that was lower is the Corsair psu. It is $15 less with 2-day shipping from buy.com, but I'm not sure about ordering from them since they say "most computer parts ship same business day" in their shipping info but this psu is "usually ships 3-5 business days" <- sounds like it is out of stock.

I'm going to dinner with my grandparents tonight and I'm going to present this to them. This is my most recent list with a total of 1690.35 - 65 rebates = $1625.35 all from newegg.

Rosewill RCW-106 6ft. /USB 2.0 AM-BM Cable /Transparent - Retail
$1.49

ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T - Retail
$34.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$119.99

SAMSUNG 2253BW Black 22" 2ms(GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
$289.99 - $20 rebate = 269

HP Deskjet D4260 CB641A Up to 30 ppm Up to 4800 optimized dpi color and 1200 input dpi InkJet Personal Color Printer - Retail
$59.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply - Retail
$129.99 - $10 rebate = 119

Logitech X-240 25 Watts 2.1 Speaker - Retail
$45.99

Saitek PZ30AUR Red USB Wired Slim Eclipse Keyboard - Retail
$34.99

RAZER RZ01-00050200 Anarchy Red 7 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Laser Copperhead Mouse - Retail
$59.99

SABRENT CRW-UINB 65-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Card Reader w/ USB 2.0 Port supports SDHC/VISTA - Retail
$13.99

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996587 - Retail
$89.99 - $25 rebate = 65.99

GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$224.99

ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 120mm 2-ball UFO Bearing / Transparent CPU Cooler - Retail
$59.99 - $10 rebate = 49.99

Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail

$279.98 Combo for cpu + case

HIS Hightech H485F512P Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

HIS HIC1X4067 iClear Video Signal Noise Reduction Card - Retail

$199.99 combo for gpu and free iclear

Subtotal: $1,646.34
Shipping: $44.01


This may be my final list. Let me know if i should make any changes.

Thanks for your great input.

 

[Reisooh]

I just ordered it. I'll let you know how it works out.

 

[modoheo]

good luck. looks like a great build.

 

[Denithor]

And spend $50 and buy Gramma a new printer.

Sheesh!

 

[Reisooh]

Just an update.

Finished building it and installed Vista, Office 2007, some photo editing and video editing stuff, and COD4.

Hardware worked great. Software installed fine. Performance is awesome.

I would recommend every part that I used. The system is very quiet. Speakers sound great, but I'm no pro. The heatsink on the northbridge is just small enough so that the Nirvana can fit over it and blow out the rear exhaust. Power supply didn't require the removal the lower-center fan on the P182. No problems with the 4850. Printer is very fast and simple to use. Monitor looks amazing. Colors are great and brightness is uniform. No compatibility problems with the Gigabyte board. Get a Gigabyte DS4 series! They rock! I turned the Nirvana as low as it will go and after an hour of COD4 the cpu only got to the lower 40's. (On low the fan is silent)

Only 3 small issues.
1. The hole for the motherboard backpanel was slightly cut wrong in one corner but I just filed it out with a metal file and that fixed it.

2. The instructions on how to install the external 3.5 drive is very hard to understand and the mounting holes are in the wrong places on that card reader.

3. The hole where the power supply cables come out from the lower chamber is right on top of the front panel pins on most motherboards. You can still plug them in but it is just a little bit more difficult.

These were my only "problems" but they pretty easy to work around.


Overall, this was an extremely easy build and I had a lot of fun. If you want a great system and you are starting from scratch, try these parts.

 

[MarcVenice]

Pics ? Nice to hear you had such a good experience