$1200 system...purchasing very soon

[le_roy66]

All,

I have been monitoring the forums for a while and have been thoroughly impressed with the responsiveness of the community here. Having watched this board for a while I have build up the courage to try and go for my first build and and have looked forward to posting this since it would mean my purchase is imminent ...so please feel free to criticize or give suggestions on this as much as possible.

Here we go:

Budget: around 1,200-1,400 with monitor

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week...probably today or tomorrow

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming (both graphic heavy games but also games that may not put the most pressure on graphics, but more the ram...e.g. Football Manager 2010, which I have in the past found to be restricted by available RAM), surfing the internet and work. Once I have the machine I am also keen to expand the uses...possibly do some more media-heavy work on it

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse - not sure I will need speakers for now

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, microcenter (have one near me) - but also open to anything with good value in the US COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe, probably
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not right now, but later perhaps

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Open to suggestions...

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I have followed the build suggestions here as much as I can - I think the major areas I am still uncertain on are the following
- Whether to get more RAM and what that would cost
- case selection
- head phone selection
- monitor selection

If possible would also like a quiet running build

One additional questions is whether it is more complicated to install a HSF later after the build is completed and hence why I should just go ahead and do it now in case I want to do over-clocking later (which I probably will...if nothing else, just out of sheer curiosity).

Here is what I have currently:

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard w/ USB 3.0 & SATA 6 Gb/s - Retail - $185 (Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128409&Tpk=Gigabyte%20GA-P55A-UD4P

CPU: Intel Core i5-750 - $161 (Micro Center with sales tax)
http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0317379

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100283-2L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail - $155 (Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102864
Think I would stick with this rather than jump to the 5850 straight away...thought that might come later

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH - Retail - $100 (Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276
Should I get more?

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail - $110 (Newegg after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Case: Antec Three Hundred ATX Case - $55 (Microcenter with sales tax)
http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0283272
Is this the right Antec 300 case everybody recommends?

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM - $105 (Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&cm_re=windows_7_home-_-32-116-754-_-Product

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB - $85 (Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=Samsung%20Spinpoint%20F3%201%20TB

Monitor: ASUS VW246H Glossy Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ASCR 20000:1 (1000:1) Built-in Speakers - Retail - $228 (Newegg shipped)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049
Would like to another screen later as well...I am guessing that wont be a problem with this, but let me know if there are any problems with this

DVD: SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM - $37 (Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187

Total price: c.1,240

Optional:

Headphones: Open to suggestions...

HSF: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail - $30 (Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Thermal Paste: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

Thank you greatly in advance!

 

[Niklas_13]

For that rez i would look into the HD 5850 or 5870

The ram if you want to OC i would go with some 1600 ram http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231279

The case is good but a few better ones Antec 900 or CM 922 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129058 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

Other then that i like it

Better to install the HSF now even if you don't OC right away its in and you wont have to mess with it latter

headsets whatever sounds good to your ears ( I cant hear for *** anyways to many jack hammers at work ) so you dont want my opinion on what sounds good lol

 

[klunuts]

if you get that monitor (or any other monitor with that res. or higher) you're gonna wanna get a 5850 instead of the 5770. it'll be worth the extra money and won't go out of your budget range either

 

[le_roy66]

Like I said in my intro...this board is pretty awesome

so Niklas, is this kinda of case you are referring to:

http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0246524

Seems like a better price than Newegg if it is the same product

Klunutz and Niklas - 5850 is very interesting. Could you give me a currently example of how it will make a difference?

 

[klunuts]

well it's more powerful than the 5770... go look up some benchmarks of the 5850 and compare it with the 5770 at that resolution... you'll notice a pretty large gain in performance with the 5850

 

[le_roy66]

Ok, I was more thinking of specific instances of games or applications that this would really help - but I understand the general point that it would help significantly especially with the other components I have picked. It has been a while since I last was into PC gaming and so the raw FPS measures dont necessarily paint the picture for me of what it would do for the gaming experience. Nonetheless, it seems you are both in agreement on the 5850, so I think that is a definite change.

Any thoughts from others on the RAM or the monitor selection?

Thanks again for the help

 

[banthracis]

Monitor you can save a little by going with the Hanns G 23.6" instead $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254044

Specs are about the same, though it's a tiny bit smaller. Hanns G actually makes the LCD's for Dell monitors, so it's not some random no name company =D

Mobo wise you're better off with the ASUS P7P55D-E Pro $189.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621

Unlike the GB board, it has true USB 3.0 /SATA 6.0.

The GB board can run USB3/SATA 6 and 1 PCIE x8 slot, or no USB 3/SATA 6 and 2 PCIE x8.

The Asus runs USB 3/SATA 6 all the time, with 1 PCIE x16 slot or 2 PCIE x 8 slots.

Its a minor difference with 1 GPU, but if you plan on SLI/xfire down the road, then you'll need it since the GB baord can't xfire w/o disabling USB 3/SATA 6.

 

[banthracis]

Oh, the 5770 doesn't need anywhere near a 750watt PSU. I just build a xfire 5770 system for a friend over Christmas running on a 550TX. Also had a PII x4 BE OC to 4.0 ghz which uses quite a bit more power than an i5 equally OC'ed.

Get the 5850 (which you can xfire fine with a 650TX if you wanna drop down and save some money that way), though I'm not sure how you're gonna fit it into your budget.

5850 is $155 more and only easy savings I see are $40 from monitor change, $7 for a cheaper Optical Drive, and $20 for a 650TX. Anything else and we have to start cutting performance.

 

[MadAdmiral]

A middle ground on the PSU is the OCZ StealthXStream 700W for $50 after rebate. OCZ also makes excellent PSUs, and the price can't be beat for that size (or many smaller ones for that matter).

The HAF 922 is also offering a rebate right now, putting the prices at $80.

I second the Asus board, especially since it's only a few bucks more.

Instead of that optical, get a Samsung 22x SATA DVD Burner. It's $27 with free shipping on Newegg.

On the different speeds of RAM, there are some G.Skill 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 sticks that are a little cheaper that would be just as good. I think it ranges from $110 up.

You definitely want a 5850.

So the updates should look like this:

Monitor: Hanns G -$38

Case: HAF 922 +$25

RAM: 1600 mhz CL 7 (look around on Newegg for the $100 ones) +$10

PSU: OCZ StealthXStream 700W -$60

GPU: HD 5850 +$100

Mobo: ASUS P7P55D-E +$5

New total: $1,282

 

[banthracis]

A middle ground on the PSU is the OCZ StealthXStream 700W for $50 after rebate. OCZ also makes excellent PSUs, and the price can't be beat for that size (or many smaller ones for that matter).

The HAF 922 is also offering a rebate right now, putting the prices at $80.

I second the Asus board, especially since it's only a few bucks more.

Instead of that optical, get a Samsung 22x SATA DVD Burner. It's $27 with free shipping on Newegg.

On the different speeds of RAM, there are some G.Skill 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 sticks that are a little cheaper that would be just as good. I think it ranges from $110 up.

You definitely want a 5850.

So the updates should look like this:

Monitor: Hanns G -$38

Case: HAF 922 +$25

RAM: 1600 mhz CL 7 (look around on Newegg for the $100 ones) +$10

PSU: OCZ StealthXStream 700W -$60

GPU: HD 5850 +$100

Mobo: ASUS P7P55D-E +$5

New total: $1,282

it's actually $150 more for a 5850 $309.99 is cheapest atm.
The 5770 OP linked is actually $164.99, but power cooler one is $145 after MIR, $155 before.
He also saves $10 with the optical drive change you suggested.


Makes his total actually $1317 after MIR, which is a bit over the $1200 budget he gave. That was my little connudrum since there really isn't anywhere left to shave off some money>.<

 

[MadAdmiral]

Whoops. Wonder what I was thinking the change was?

Either way it doesn't matter. The budget in the post says $1,200 to $1,400, which both are under that...

 

[banthracis]

Whoops. Wonder what I was thinking the change was?

Either way it doesn't matter. The budget in the post says $1,200 to $1,400, which both are under that...

Ppl need to put the same budget in their title as their OP >.< Here I was thinking we only had $1200 to play with!

In that case stick with the 750TX, you'll be good to just plug in a second 5850 down the road w/o worrying about purchasing a molex to 6 pin converter cables for the second GPU. Add Mad's changes and it'll be $1,367 after MIR which should put the entire system at less than $1,400 after shipping.

 

[le_roy66]

Thank you all,

I just bought the components and took all the advice you guys gave here - thank you again to the people who helped me here.

Looking forward to building it now

Thanks

 

[Niklas_13]

Like I said in my intro...this board is pretty awesome

so Niklas, is this kinda of case you are referring to:

http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0246524

Seems like a better price than Newegg if it is the same product

Klunutz and Niklas - 5850 is very interesting. Could you give me a currently example of how it will make a difference?

I guess i am a little late work thing and all

Anyways some benchmarks of the HD 5850 http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3650

And on the case that one you post above is the old Antec 900 the one i posted is a Antec 900 two both will be very good no worry's

 

[le_roy66]

Just a quick update on the system

Assembled it yesterday and installed the OS. The assembly went pretty well with two hitches, which I dont know whether or not are significant:
1. When trying to affix the back plate of the Hyper 212, I stupidly forget the back plate at first...which means I was tightening the nut to the screw straight to the MB, instead of having the back plate in between - the effect was small round white lines on the back of MB where the nut was being tighten to - not sure what damage was, but it didnt stop the system from booting at least.
2. The amount of thermal paste I found hard to control - I applied it at first and figured it might be too little which it seemed it was when I took off the HS and realized not much of the CPU was covered - then I applied a little more thermal paste. Hopefully the double application does not hurt anything?
3. At first the system wouldnt boot - which I discover was because I had plugged one of the power cables into the Chassis Fan plug on the MB (I assumed the 4-pin connector went with the 4 pin plug) and when I switched that plug to the 3 PWR connector, it booted fine and I could install the SO just fine. Previously, the LED on the MB come on, but when I tried to power on, it would flash a few lights for a nano second but then not start.

Any take on whether any of these will cause problems later?

Thank you all for you help and advice during the process

 

[banthracis]

The easiest way for a beginner to apply thermal paste is to put a dab in the middle of the cooler and then use a razor blade to spread a very thin even coat over the block. The Direct Heat pipe makes it a bit harder as you also need to fill in the holes btwn the pipes.

Nothing seems problematic.

 

[restatement3dofted]

Monitor you can save a little by going with the Hanns G 23.6" instead $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254044

Specs are about the same, though it's a tiny bit smaller. Hanns G actually makes the LCD's for Dell monitors, so it's not some random no name company =D

Where are you getting your information? Hanns.G exclusively uses Hannstar panels in their LCDs, while Dell uses a lot of LG Phillips and Samsung panels, and also sometimes uses panels by AU Optronics and Chi Mei Optoelectronics. I have never heard of Dell using Hannstar panels.

 

[banthracis]

Where are you getting your information? Hanns.G exclusively uses Hannstar panels in their LCDs, while Dell uses a lot of LG Phillips and Samsung panels, and also sometimes uses panels by AU Optronics and Chi Mei Optoelectronics. I have never heard of Dell using Hannstar panels.

Not the original source i got info from, but here's one article

http://www.digitimes.com/displays/a20060922A6034.html

edit: Never said they were exclusive makers

 

[restatement3dofted]

Not the original source i got info from, but here's one article

http://www.digitimes.com/displays/a20060922A6034.html

edit: Never said they were exclusive makers

Cool, thanks - I was just curious. Currently looking at the same two monitors this guy was considering (ASUS vs. Hanns.G) and had been leaning towards the ASUS since I couldn't find a lot of information about manufacturers using Hannstar panels. I feel better about their displays generally knowing that at least some sizes are approved by Dell.

 

[banthracis]

Yea, I've used Hanns G for a long time now as they are probably the best cost/feature ratio company. Stands a kinda cheap and featureless (ie no 90 rotation, height change, etc), but then again, my current asus is even less adjustable than my old Hanns G lol.

 

[restatement3dofted]

Yea, I've used Hanns G for a long time now as they are probably the best cost/feature ratio company. Stands a kinda cheap and featureless (ie no 90 rotation, height change, etc), but then again, my current asus is even less adjustable than my old Hanns G lol.

Yeah, features and weird button placement won't really change my opinion about a monitor - all I care about at the end of the day is the quality of the image on the screen while I'm using it.

Also, researching LCDs suuuuuucks.