Please critique my build.

[StealthGuardian]

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

My PC will be used for gaming, graphics design, coding, level design, video editing and so fourth. As far as gaming is concerned, my resolution will be no higher than 1650x1050 with all settings maxed. I just want to be able to play the latest games without compromising too much. I'm not interested in the best parts as much as I am with getting a good price to performance ratio.

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

$800 or less.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA

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.

No brand preference, just whatever is good at the moment.

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

I plan on using these parts from my current build:

-19 inch ViewSonic VX922 LCD monitor
-keyboard + mouse
-Altec lansing sound system
-FSP Group (Fortron Source) Blue Storm 500W ATX12V V2.0 power supply

My current PC is an athlon 64 3200+ and while it has served me well for three years, it can?t keep up with the newer games and applications.

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

I've read similar threads but everyone has different preferences.

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

I plan on doing minor overclocking, nothing too major, and or run it at default speeds if it suits me.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?

As soon as the parts arrive.

So without further ado, here are the parts:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Retail:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115017

I've decided to make the jump to quad since I will be running many processor intensive applications as well as gaming. Besides, I guess it makes my system somewhat "future-proof", if that word exists in the computer building world nowadays.

ASUS P5Q LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131295

This motherboard probably serves all my needs and more. If someone can recommend a cheaper brand then all the better.

SAPPHIRE 100243L Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102748

It was between this card and the 4850, tough choice but I want something that will last 1-2 years.

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122

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

SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827151154

Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16829102002

The total is $866; a little more than my original budget but I won't be upgrading again in a long time.

 

[JPB]

Sounds like you are in the same situation as I am.

I am currently running:

Athlon 64 3500+
A8R32-MVP
7900GTX

In a week or so, I will be purchasing:

Core 2 Quad 9450
Asus Maximus II Formula
4-GIG Mushkin
HD 4870

Almost identical to what I am doing.

Since you are on a budget, I would go with the Quad 6600 since anything faster than that is a considerable amount more.

In my opinion..for your resolution ( I game at 1920x1080 ) you should consider the HD 4850 and it will also save about $100 or so. It will play any game you want at that resolution. Unless you have your heart set on the HD 4870 ( Like I do )

Other than that, I think your build looks pretty good.

Sounds like you and I are going to have tremendous jumps in performance :shocked:

Have fun with it :thumbsup:

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Stick with the 4870 and don't slack on the mobo. Other than that, that's a great build :thumbsup:

I use the same lcd

 

[DSF]

If you're willing to file a mail-in rebate, I'd get this memory and save some money:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146731

On a 19" monitor, I would agree with JPB and disagree with BTRY B. A 4850 will be fine for at least a year on a display that size and will save you a decent chunk of change.

Considering that your PSU is old, I'd say it's on the borderline in terms of 12V amperage for a new system. It should work, but if you bought it three years ago or more, I'd probably go ahead and replace it.

Since you're looking to cut costs I would try onboard sound, and then upgrade later if that doesn't meet your needs.

 

[JPB]

Yep, and I agree with DSF on this one ^. The power supply may be long in the tooth by now, and *if* you go with the 4870 it may run it, it may not. Or, it may run it for a while then die.

But like I said, I would consider the 4850 and maybe use the $100 saved towards a new power supply.

 

[StealthGuardian]

Hey guys, thanks very much for the suggestions. I've taken some of them into consideration and have switched to the 4850 along with a new power supply. These parts include a $30 and $35 rebate respectively.

4850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121253

power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817341002

Other than those two, it seems I'm ready to order unless someone has something to say. The total amounts to $897.72 plus shipping but subtract $65 from the mail in rebates and it is $832.72, just slightly over my budget 8).

 

[StealthGuardian]

Originally posted by: JPB
Sounds like you are in the same situation as I am.

I am currently running:

Athlon 64 3500+
A8R32-MVP
7900GTX

In a week or so, I will be purchasing:

Core 2 Quad 9450
Asus Maximus II Formula
4-GIG Mushkin
HD 4870

Almost identical to what I am doing.

Since you are on a budget, I would go with the Quad 6600 since anything faster than that is a considerable amount more.

In my opinion..for your resolution ( I game at 1920x1080 ) you should consider the HD 4850 and it will also save about $100 or so. It will play any game you want at that resolution. Unless you have your heart set on the HD 4870 ( Like I do )

Other than that, I think your build looks pretty good.

Sounds like you and I are going to have tremendous jumps in performance :shocked:

Have fun with it :thumbsup:

Yes, I'm really looking forward to enjoying the full potential of UT3 and countless other games like Mass Effect!