I'm hoping to build a new tower. In this post I provide my working build, information requested on the "Please Tell Us" thread, and some questions. I would very much appreciate any feedback: all of the information I've read on the site and in comments has been IMMENSELY helpful, and I am very thankful.
Processor:
AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX
Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-MA770-UD3 AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
Videocard:
XFX HD-485X-YDFC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
Memory:
OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P10664GK
Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Optical Drive:
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30
Case:
COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Power Supply:
Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC
Q&A
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Primarily for gaming (Warcraft, Fallout 3, Mass Effect), surfing, and music. While gaming, the only multitasking during gaming would be surfing and/or listening to music. In the future I might be interested in audio recording/editing, but I don't need professional quality. I'm interested in getting the best build I can for around 5-600$.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread.
500-600 would be ideal. My current build presented here is 554$ plus around 30$ shipping on Newegg. My biggest goal with this build is to keep it under or around 600.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA. I intend to buy from Newegg.
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.
I definately want to go with AMD, but would go either way with the hard drive. I'm leaning toward Western Digital, but was happy with my last Seagate Barracuda 120GB.
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
I'm reusing my 19 inch CRT - I intend to upgrade to an LCD but am content for now. I have speakers and input devices as well, so I just need the tower.
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
I read the Anandtech Under 850 guide, which is the backbone of the build (I built my last computer using the under 1500$ guide a few years ago and was VERY happy with it - http://www.anandtech.com/guide...owdoc.aspx?i=3563&p=4). I read "Attention System Builders 2.0" (http://forums.anandtech.com/me...2283948&enterthread=y), which I used for tweaks/alternatives. I've also read "Planned new build, please comment... " (http://forums.anandtech.com/me...2313393&enterthread=y).
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I would like to overclock it a bit - just enough to tweak it without really risking instability.
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
ASAP. I intend to order it as soon as I get some good feedback and read more about my current choices and other options. I'd order the parts tonight if I were 100% comfortable with my build.
Questions I have:
A) Is that power supply sufficient?
B) I saw some controversy in the Under 850 Guide comments regarding the case - any recommendations?
C) Do I NEED to upgrade to Vista? I'd rather wait for Windows 7 if I could.
D) I have a code for Windows XP Home with installation disks - the computer that it was used for has been defunct for about 3 years - would it still work for a new build if it's not in use on another computer? The code was only used once on one computer.
Thank you very much for your input.
Processor:
AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX
Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-MA770-UD3 AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
Videocard:
XFX HD-485X-YDFC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
Memory:
OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P10664GK
Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Optical Drive:
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30
Case:
COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Power Supply:
Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC
Q&A
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Primarily for gaming (Warcraft, Fallout 3, Mass Effect), surfing, and music. While gaming, the only multitasking during gaming would be surfing and/or listening to music. In the future I might be interested in audio recording/editing, but I don't need professional quality. I'm interested in getting the best build I can for around 5-600$.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread.
500-600 would be ideal. My current build presented here is 554$ plus around 30$ shipping on Newegg. My biggest goal with this build is to keep it under or around 600.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA. I intend to buy from Newegg.
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.
I definately want to go with AMD, but would go either way with the hard drive. I'm leaning toward Western Digital, but was happy with my last Seagate Barracuda 120GB.
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
I'm reusing my 19 inch CRT - I intend to upgrade to an LCD but am content for now. I have speakers and input devices as well, so I just need the tower.
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
I read the Anandtech Under 850 guide, which is the backbone of the build (I built my last computer using the under 1500$ guide a few years ago and was VERY happy with it - http://www.anandtech.com/guide...owdoc.aspx?i=3563&p=4). I read "Attention System Builders 2.0" (http://forums.anandtech.com/me...2283948&enterthread=y), which I used for tweaks/alternatives. I've also read "Planned new build, please comment... " (http://forums.anandtech.com/me...2313393&enterthread=y).
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I would like to overclock it a bit - just enough to tweak it without really risking instability.
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
ASAP. I intend to order it as soon as I get some good feedback and read more about my current choices and other options. I'd order the parts tonight if I were 100% comfortable with my build.
Questions I have:
A) Is that power supply sufficient?
B) I saw some controversy in the Under 850 Guide comments regarding the case - any recommendations?
C) Do I NEED to upgrade to Vista? I'd rather wait for Windows 7 if I could.
D) I have a code for Windows XP Home with installation disks - the computer that it was used for has been defunct for about 3 years - would it still work for a new build if it's not in use on another computer? The code was only used once on one computer.
Thank you very much for your input.
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