I've been researching my first build for a few months now and after several sample builds I think I'm close to my final version. I'd like some feedback on the following:
1. Parts selection -> Did I choose a decent combination of parts for my price range (600 to 700) or could I have done better?
2. Compatibility of all parts in build
3. Could I get somewhat similar performance in the $500-$600 range?
4. Bang for the buck -> Is my overall cost good for the expected quality/performance of the build?
*UPDATE* As of today (11/17/2010) the overall price of the build in my newegg.com shopping cart is $673.89 (that includes $97 instant savings + $74 in Combo discounts) and $30 in mail-in-rebates which I wont get back for at least 3 weeks I guess.
Approximate Purchase Date: Within 2 weeks
Budget Range: $600 to $700 after rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: General use, gaming, surfing the internet, amateur Java/PHP/SQL programming
Parts Not Required: RW-DVD drives, Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, external HD
Preferred Website(s) for Parts (from most to leat preferred): newegg.com, microcenter.com, ebay.com, overstock.com, amazon.com
Country of Origin: Maryland, US
Parts Preferences: Solid state drive, AMD CPU & ATI Radeon HD GPU (I've noticed AMD+ATI result in comparable performace for less cost...care to comment?), and a Mid-size ATX case
Overclocking: If someone makes a good case for it, yes. (eg. get a cheaper chipset, and with some simple OC will get better performance for less $$$ )
SLI or Crossfire: Not now, but I want the capability to Crossfire in the future (eg. dual card slots)
Monitor Resolution: Should run smoothly in a 24" monitor...not sure what's the propper resolution cuz I haven't bought it yet
Additional Comments: After performance the priorities are cool & QUIET (I wanna be able to set it in my bedroom and leaving it on all night if need-be without having it sound like there's a buffalo-in-heat hanging out in my room) ... and no blinking/glowing/shining parts or fans please.
I hope all my research helps others starting a build with a similar criteria. I dind't just put this toghether, I did a lot of research mostly on the pricing and quality and feedback. It's my first build so I can't say the same for the more technical compatibility matters I might be missing. Here's the fruit of my newegg.com hunting/research so far:
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX
Mother Board: (combo deal with Memory) ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard
Graphics Card: (combo deal with power supply) XFX HD-583X-ZAFV Radeon HD 5830 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity
Memory: (combo deal with Mother Board) A-DATA Gaming Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333G (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model AX3U1333GB2G8-2G
Hard Drive: A-DATA S596 Turbo AS596TB-64GM-C 2.5" 64GB USB 2.0 & SATAII Internal / External Solid State Drive (SSD)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Power Supply: (combo deal with Graphics Card) XFX P1-650X-CAH9 650W ATX12V v2.2 / ESP12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power
OVERALL PRICE OF BUILD: $673.89 - $30 Mail in Rebates + $4.84 Shipping = $648.73
1. Parts selection -> Did I choose a decent combination of parts for my price range (600 to 700) or could I have done better?
2. Compatibility of all parts in build
3. Could I get somewhat similar performance in the $500-$600 range?
4. Bang for the buck -> Is my overall cost good for the expected quality/performance of the build?
*UPDATE* As of today (11/17/2010) the overall price of the build in my newegg.com shopping cart is $673.89 (that includes $97 instant savings + $74 in Combo discounts) and $30 in mail-in-rebates which I wont get back for at least 3 weeks I guess.
Approximate Purchase Date: Within 2 weeks
Budget Range: $600 to $700 after rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: General use, gaming, surfing the internet, amateur Java/PHP/SQL programming
Parts Not Required: RW-DVD drives, Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, external HD
Preferred Website(s) for Parts (from most to leat preferred): newegg.com, microcenter.com, ebay.com, overstock.com, amazon.com
Country of Origin: Maryland, US
Parts Preferences: Solid state drive, AMD CPU & ATI Radeon HD GPU (I've noticed AMD+ATI result in comparable performace for less cost...care to comment?), and a Mid-size ATX case
Overclocking: If someone makes a good case for it, yes. (eg. get a cheaper chipset, and with some simple OC will get better performance for less $$$ )
SLI or Crossfire: Not now, but I want the capability to Crossfire in the future (eg. dual card slots)
Monitor Resolution: Should run smoothly in a 24" monitor...not sure what's the propper resolution cuz I haven't bought it yet
Additional Comments: After performance the priorities are cool & QUIET (I wanna be able to set it in my bedroom and leaving it on all night if need-be without having it sound like there's a buffalo-in-heat hanging out in my room) ... and no blinking/glowing/shining parts or fans please.
I hope all my research helps others starting a build with a similar criteria. I dind't just put this toghether, I did a lot of research mostly on the pricing and quality and feedback. It's my first build so I can't say the same for the more technical compatibility matters I might be missing. Here's the fruit of my newegg.com hunting/research so far:
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX
Mother Board: (combo deal with Memory) ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard
Graphics Card: (combo deal with power supply) XFX HD-583X-ZAFV Radeon HD 5830 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity
Memory: (combo deal with Mother Board) A-DATA Gaming Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333G (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model AX3U1333GB2G8-2G
Hard Drive: A-DATA S596 Turbo AS596TB-64GM-C 2.5" 64GB USB 2.0 & SATAII Internal / External Solid State Drive (SSD)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Power Supply: (combo deal with Graphics Card) XFX P1-650X-CAH9 650W ATX12V v2.2 / ESP12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power
OVERALL PRICE OF BUILD: $673.89 - $30 Mail in Rebates + $4.84 Shipping = $648.73