~$2,000 System Build Feedback

[zambonithug]

Hi all. I'd like some feedback about this potential build. I've carefully read Tom's reviews and the feedback from Newegg, and have picked this list of parts for my future computer:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=18841628

Here's some specific help I'd like from the community here:

1) Is there a cheaper/better monitor I can get? I want a hi-def experience with no less than 23".

2) Are there any obvious flaws or shortcomings?

3) Can I get this shipped from another website cheaper? I live in Hawaii and S&H can be a real ripoff.

4) Also, on that note, my home is very hot! I live on a tropical island with no refrigerated air. Obviously cooling this computer will be very important - but I don't have the budget for an expensive liquid cooling system (nor do I like the idea).

5) Is there a sound card anyone can recommend? Though I'd prefer not to spend too much more...

And finally, this computer will live a balanced life. I use my computer for a lot more than gaming. I use my computer for studying, spreadsheets, web browsing, and music half the time. The other half will be spent playing World of Warcraft and Starcraft (and surely other games as they come along).

Thanks for the help!

 

[Mr Pizza]

x1000000000000 times better cooler.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018&Tpk=nh-d14

Nice, cheap, fast ram.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231230

Better motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131665&cm_re=sabertooth_x58-_-13-131-665-_-Product

Faster Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&cm_re=spinpoint_f3-_-22-152-185-_-Product

Windows 7 home premium (isn't any worse than ultimate for your needs...)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&cm_re=windows_7_home_premium_oem_64-bit-_-32-116-754-_-Product

I wouldn't get an i7. For your needs the i7 is a complete waste.

) Is there a cheaper/better monitor I can get? I want a hi-def experience with no less than 23".
Ask someone other than me

2) Are there any obvious flaws or shortcomings?
The H50 cooler is not good PERIOD.

3) Can I get this shipped from another website cheaper? I live in Hawaii and S&H can be a real ripoff.
I don't know of any

4) Also, on that note, my home is very hot! I live on a tropical island with no refrigerated air. Obviously cooling this computer will be very important - but I don't have the budget for an expensive liquid cooling system (nor do I like the idea).
The NH-D14 will work charms!

5) Is there a sound card anyone can recommend? Though I'd prefer not to spend too much more...
You don't need one.

 

[Mr Pizza]

i5 Build

i5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067&cm_re=i5-_-19-115-067-_-Product

Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130259&cm_re=1156-_-13-130-259-_-Product

GTX 480
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130551&cm_re=gtx_480-_-14-130-551-_-Product

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321

HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&cm_re=spinpoint_f3-_-22-152-185-_-Product

PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007&Tpk=hx%201000

Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018&Tpk=nh-d14

Add case, OS and monitor. Instead of the GTX 480 I would get something like a 6770 and GTX 460.. (it's a hydra board.. AMD and NVIDIA can work together with limitations... 6770 and GTX 460 may not work.)

 

[zambonithug]

Thanks for the help.

I had considered the Noctua as a cooler, but opted away because I just thought it was ugly! But seeing it paired with the ASUS Motherboard -- well, they kinda match. And somehow I'm ok with that.

But I don't like the idea of downgrading to the i5. World of Warcraft and Starcraft alike can put extreme pressure on a cpu -- in particular, they really want a high clock (mostly due to bad/outdated coding on Blizz's part). Especially because any money I might save would be lost on that extremely overpriced motherboard.

Lastly, why is that HDD faster than the Caviar Black? I've heard other people say the same thing in product comments -- but I just don't see how when you compare the stats.

Oh, and why a 1000W PSU? Even a 480 can get by on much less.

 

[obsidian86]

how is this just a few changes
your ssd solld out
psu just as good as the hx850 but cheaper
faster ram
and one of the best air coolers