Hey guys, I’ve never built a computer before, but I’ve been doing my homework. The primary purpose of this post is to get feedback, ideas, and advice.
PRICE: I want to spend ~750$ on this, though I would go over that if switching out for a different component(s) gave a huge value boost in return for paying slightly more.
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: I don’t have a particular deadline since I’m still riding dirty on my old school Dell, but if I get some assurance that this will be a good build, I don’t see why I shouldn’t order them immediately. I’m all about the best value; I don’t care if the inside of my tower looks like the wreckage from a battle in Road Warrior - as long as it’s fast, cool, and quiet, I’m good.
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: I will be using this computer primarily to video edit (Sony Vegas, After Effects)>photo edit (PShop, Illus.)>game (Supreme C, Crysis, minesweeper)>watch movies>type furiously on the keyboard and then say “I’m in.”>browse the internets> word process?>belittle exclusive Mac users
Preferred Stores: I love newegg, but I’m in California which means the 8.25% sales tax puts only a minority of their products at the lowest purchase point. Tigerdirect generally has good prices, though they don’t seem to have quite the selection of newegg. Basically I’m looking to compromise between store credibility and product bottom dollar. Also, I HATE rebates. Whichever business man thought of them should get be given a medal then shot.
OVERCLOCKING: I intend to OC my CPU, and perhaps my graphics card/RAM if I can figure it out, though I feel I will be fine if I just leave it at just my CPU (I am new to OCing.)
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: All I need is the tower and internal components; I have all peripherals except for one of those cool USB powered Nerf turrets. I run dual monitors; 17 and a 22 inch.
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Here is my proposed Build. Prices are final and include shipping and tax except for components I haven’t decided on.
Case
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&Tpk=antec%20300
$59.48
Graphics Card
Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 Video Card - 1024MB
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4459651&sku=A271-4878
$191.98
I could go with the 512 MB version, but I’d like to pay a bit extra and hopefully future proof myself a bit longer in the name of gaming.
CPU
Tigerdirect had the Q8300 Core 2 Quad just about week ago for $189, but now they’ve listed it as Unavailable. Either way, I want an Intel core 2 quad I can safely OC to ~3.0 GHz for under $200.
Open to suggestions. I’d like the quad b/c I’ll be using many programs which actually utilize 4 cores, and I’d like ~3.0GHz in order to get good FPS for games.
Mobo
GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=MB-43-UD3L&c=fr&pid=61dfb0aa4fe3efd18208dcc85862fc46793b68d0e75c490796c9d3b3964def63
$81.35 (is ewiz reliable, or do they ewiz on their customers?)
Is this ok? Am I missing something important (compatibility check?)
Power Supply
Ultra LS500 Lifetime Series 500W Power Supply
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3255392&CatId=1079
$65.09 (I think it’s a bit less for shipping if I order other things with it)
Open to suggestions here under $100. I don’t want to skimp out on quiet reliable power. I also don’t need anything over 550W according to my calculations. Depending on how much the 4870 1GB card uses, I would think I could safely use a good quality 500W.
RAM
Open to suggestions. I’d like DDR2 2x2048MB 1066MHz less than or equal to $50
Hard Drive
The biggest most reliable 7200 rpm drive I could get for $70 or less
CPU Cooler
MASSCOOL 8WA741 92mm Ball CPU Cooler – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150082
Not my 1st choice, but b/c it got so good reviews at Newegg I’m considering it.
$27.56, plus $10 or so for Arctic Silver thermal paste
Thanks,
-John-
PRICE: I want to spend ~750$ on this, though I would go over that if switching out for a different component(s) gave a huge value boost in return for paying slightly more.
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: I don’t have a particular deadline since I’m still riding dirty on my old school Dell, but if I get some assurance that this will be a good build, I don’t see why I shouldn’t order them immediately. I’m all about the best value; I don’t care if the inside of my tower looks like the wreckage from a battle in Road Warrior - as long as it’s fast, cool, and quiet, I’m good.
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: I will be using this computer primarily to video edit (Sony Vegas, After Effects)>photo edit (PShop, Illus.)>game (Supreme C, Crysis, minesweeper)>watch movies>type furiously on the keyboard and then say “I’m in.”>browse the internets> word process?>belittle exclusive Mac users
Preferred Stores: I love newegg, but I’m in California which means the 8.25% sales tax puts only a minority of their products at the lowest purchase point. Tigerdirect generally has good prices, though they don’t seem to have quite the selection of newegg. Basically I’m looking to compromise between store credibility and product bottom dollar. Also, I HATE rebates. Whichever business man thought of them should get be given a medal then shot.
OVERCLOCKING: I intend to OC my CPU, and perhaps my graphics card/RAM if I can figure it out, though I feel I will be fine if I just leave it at just my CPU (I am new to OCing.)
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: All I need is the tower and internal components; I have all peripherals except for one of those cool USB powered Nerf turrets. I run dual monitors; 17 and a 22 inch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is my proposed Build. Prices are final and include shipping and tax except for components I haven’t decided on.
Case
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&Tpk=antec%20300
$59.48
Graphics Card
Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 Video Card - 1024MB
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4459651&sku=A271-4878
$191.98
I could go with the 512 MB version, but I’d like to pay a bit extra and hopefully future proof myself a bit longer in the name of gaming.
CPU
Tigerdirect had the Q8300 Core 2 Quad just about week ago for $189, but now they’ve listed it as Unavailable. Either way, I want an Intel core 2 quad I can safely OC to ~3.0 GHz for under $200.
Open to suggestions. I’d like the quad b/c I’ll be using many programs which actually utilize 4 cores, and I’d like ~3.0GHz in order to get good FPS for games.
Mobo
GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=MB-43-UD3L&c=fr&pid=61dfb0aa4fe3efd18208dcc85862fc46793b68d0e75c490796c9d3b3964def63
$81.35 (is ewiz reliable, or do they ewiz on their customers?)
Is this ok? Am I missing something important (compatibility check?)
Power Supply
Ultra LS500 Lifetime Series 500W Power Supply
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3255392&CatId=1079
$65.09 (I think it’s a bit less for shipping if I order other things with it)
Open to suggestions here under $100. I don’t want to skimp out on quiet reliable power. I also don’t need anything over 550W according to my calculations. Depending on how much the 4870 1GB card uses, I would think I could safely use a good quality 500W.
RAM
Open to suggestions. I’d like DDR2 2x2048MB 1066MHz less than or equal to $50
Hard Drive
The biggest most reliable 7200 rpm drive I could get for $70 or less
CPU Cooler
MASSCOOL 8WA741 92mm Ball CPU Cooler – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150082
Not my 1st choice, but b/c it got so good reviews at Newegg I’m considering it.
$27.56, plus $10 or so for Arctic Silver thermal paste
Thanks,
-John-
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