Budget System Build - Under $700

glasjoe

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: next couple weeks
BUDGET RANGE: US$500-750)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Photoshop editing, internet, emailing photos, uploading photos)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, DVD Drives

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com or Tigerdirect.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: No preference

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050 22"

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I used one of the recommended builds i found on the sticky thread but changed the Video Card to something a little cheaper but i have access to a Intel Q9550, should i go with the Intel Q9550 or the AMD below. IF i go with the Intel, which board should i go with?


CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649&Tpk=720be
MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166
HSF: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207004
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150337
DVD: USE STOCK IDE DRIVE
CASE: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

Budget: $726.98 Updated to a better RAM & HSF ... thanks shortstuff_mt


CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
HSF: Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2 - Retail
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail
GPU: SEE GPU LINK ABOVE
DVD: SEE DVD ABOVE, I HAVE AN IDE I'D LIKE TO KEEP TO KEEP COSTS DOWN
Case: COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Thermal Compound: Comes with heatsink.

I'd like to keep the build as cheap as possible, I just found out a friend has a Q9550, if i go with that i will have to get a different MOBO but won't have to buy the processor.

Looking for suggestions and recommendations.

ps. great forum! i've learned alot over the past couple days reading but my head is starting to spin!
 

glasjoe

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Ok so i decided against teh Intel CPU. I'd rather just buy new, i don't want to get it and have issues with it and then have to go buy another CPU.

The case has several fans. Will this be loud? I do need something fairly quiet, if at all possible.
 

glasjoe

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Hopefully the links work...I also went through bing and it says it's 10% CB.
Anyone see anything wrong with the build? I went with teh smaller HD, i've got an external 320GB as well i can use.



COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
$69.99

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
$49.99

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387
$109.99

XFX HD-485X-YDFC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150337
$109.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
$99.99 - $10 Mail in rebate

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166
$59.99

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649
$119.99

Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207004
$39.99

Subtotal: $659.92
 

skora

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If this is a graphics workstation and not a gaming machine, then we're going to take a completely different approach to what you have. The PSU, GPU, and mobo are way overkill. But its deficient where it counts in the CPU.

If youre not sure youre going to OC, then I'd say use the stock HSF. You can always add that later.

AMD 955 x4 and Asus 790GX mobo. On board graphics will be plenty for photo editing.
$306 - $15mir = $291
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.239849

4 gigs DDR3 1333 Cas 7 ram
$84
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220333

450w Corsair PSU (if you do decide to game, powerful enough to run a 4850 which is a good match for 1680x1050)
$60-$20mir = $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003

Coolermaster mid ATX Case
$40 (Free shippings saves about $20)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119161

500gb Spinpoint F3 HDD (much better performer than the cav blue)
$50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Windows Vista with win7 free upgrade
$110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677

Total: $650 - $35mir = $615
All free shipping

If you do game, you can add that 4850 for around $100, or $120 for the 1gb version. If you need to save a little money, you can get the AMD 945 instead of the 955 and still come in at budget.
 

glasjoe

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Thanks Skora.

I do like that AMD 955, it's gotten great reviews and it looks like you can really pull some power out of it IF i decide to overclock.

Thanks for the reminder on the OP system, kinda forgot about that.

Will the 450watt PSU be enough if i do decide to add the 4850 and a HSF to overclock?
 

skora

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The 955 will be a great performer without overclocking. Same with the 945. They are easy to OC, but not required to be a stellar chip.

450w is enough for the 4850 and OC the CPU. If you wanted to add a second one or get a 4870 instead, then I'd go at least a 550w. OCZ makes decent enough PSUs and are a little cheaper than the other big names. But unless you're gaming, the onboard graphics for the mobo will be enough for photo editing.
 

glasjoe

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No plans to game. I have an xbox360 that i play every now and then, that's about it.

I'm ordering the powersupply in the next day to takedvantage of the price/rebate. I think i'm going to just keep watching the components and try and gt them on sale when I can. Wife would rather have me put the money towards new tile for the bathroom!

Thanks for your help, i appreciate it.
 

glasjoe

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I think we have to buy a new car now, got in an accident today that deployed both airbags so i'm guessing they are going to total the car.

Everyone is ok thank god but the build just got put on the backburner.

BUT...

I just found a deal for an i7 920 for $200. Do you think that is worth jumping on over the AMD 955?
 

skora

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I'm glad everyone is all right.

The 920 would be the best editing processor performance wise and at $200, for the price too. Microcenter? The down side is the motherboards are more expensive. Cheapest one listed is $160 but I don't know anything about Jetway. On top of that, you'd have to buy a vid card too as there are no integrated graphics on the X58. It can be any GPU, even the under $40, but thats still $40. I don't think you could do the whole system in that $700 budget. Unless you are sure you're buying now, I'd hold off. An i5 might be a better fit (released on Tuesday) and more inline with your budget. Or, if you can still get that Q9550 from your friend for free, that's a very capable processor. Trades blows with the 955, but once the life of the CPU is over, you'll have to build from scratch. Granted, that CPU will last 4 years or so. We can build a system very cost effective with the free Q9550. Might be your best bet if you have to buy a car. If the CPU does fail on you and you live near a micro center, they are very reasonable for how much power they offer at $170. Unless the friend abused the CPU, it should work fine for a long time.
 

glasjoe

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Thanks for the reply skora. I'm going to hold off for now. I appreciate your help. I need to figure out what is going to happen with the car and all that first, then it will be time to build.
I did indeed find the i7 at microcenter. I live couple hours from the closest Microcenter but i have a friend who lives in chicago and he's home all the time so that won't be an issue. Thanks again and i'll revisit this in a few weeks.
 

glasjoe

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Skora

Thanks again for the help last year. I'm back to the process again and have configured a build l'd like help with. I'm sure most is overkill for our needs but i'm planning for future use/expandability

 

glasjoe

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Here is the build - I do plan on overclocking the AMD CPU, afterall that is why people buy it right?? :D

49.99 COOLER MASTER ELITE 335 RC-335-KKN1-GP Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119161

99.99 AR GIGABYTE GA-880GA-UD3H AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128444

49.99 AR OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022

63.99 AR Patriot G Series ‘Sector 5’ Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model PGV34G1600ELK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220436
I did just read that with AMD Chips/Boards there is no need to go over 1333mhz on Memory??

159.99 AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727
I might consider the x4 970 as well. I do plan to OC and just read some reviews on the 970 being stable at 4.2

179.98 Western Digital Caviar Black WD6402AAEX 640GB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive COMBO with Windows 7 Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.544787.22-136-544


No need for Graphics Card right now as we don't game, i watch movies on occasion and she uses it for doing excel/word and Photoshop use and I can upgrade later.

I have a SATA DVD Burner i got last year that i can plug in. The motherboard might be overkill and I could drop to a 3.0GB/s HD but since i have the 6.0GB/s SATA on the MB i thought i should utilize them.

Any suggestions from anyone??
 

glasjoe

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With this being a mATX should i go with a smaller case or will that matter much? I think that's why i didn't go with the ASROCK to begin with, couldnt find a an ATX board with onboard video for under 100
 

glasjoe

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good point on the case. It's not a clear favorite as i'm still trying to find one that's appealing to the eye as well but not a major concern.

Thanks for the input aznshinobi