First Build $850-975, gaiming/multi-tasking

[trumpet_king]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: I suspect I'll be buying withing the next 3 weeks. Probably in the next two weeks.
BUDGET RANGE: Between $850-975 including monitor cost.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, multi-tasking(internet, musics, programming)
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, OS.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: I perfer intel cpu's and nividia graphics card

OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: To be determined but probably around ->1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, or 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: This will be my first build. I would perfer it to be relatively quite, but that shouldn't be a major factor in the decision.


After doing some research here is what my current build would be.

Motherboard0- GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128380 $80

CPU- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor -Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041 $219.99

RAM- Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 Desktop Memory Model KHX8500D2K2/4G - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104073 $49.99

Graphics Card- ASUS ENGTS250 DK/HTDI/1GD3 GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121309 $149.99 $25 mail-in rebate

Hard

 

[trumpet_king]

Sorry I accidently posted too soon. Continue here.

Hard Drive- Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218&Tpk=WD6400AAKS $59.99

Case- - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 $59.95

Power Supplies-OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341019 $72.49 $20 mail-in rebate

CD/DVD reader/burner- Sony Optiarc DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model AD-7241S-0B LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118032 $31.99

Monitor- ???? I don't know probably spend about 130-180. Want atleast a 20'' but no bigger than 22''

Total cost assuming $150 monitor -- $874.38 --- 829.38 with rebates.


My major concerns.
1) Is my power supplies good enought for high end graphics cards. The more I research this the more confused I get. Seems like if you get something like a Nividia's GTX260 you're going to need a $140 power supplies. That seems carzy.
2) Should I upgrade the motherboard and go with DDR3 memory??
3) I want to be able to upgrade to dual monitors in the future. Probably dualing 22'' screens at 1920x1200 resolution.


Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[trumpet_king]

Hi everyone, I'm not sure why I haven't got any replies yet. Am I missing any information? If you have questions feel free to ask. I've seen a lot a good information floating around these forums and would really appreciate any advice you have for me.

Thanks.

 

[snurp85]

hey so i agree with your processor and motherboard.

For memory youd be better getting DDR2-800Mhz with a low CAS rating at the same price. Either Corsair or Mushkin would be good.

Graphics card i would go with a GTX 260 from EVGA. You can get it for the same price as the 250.

Your power supply is overkill. For your current build, a 500-550 watt would be sufficient. Something by Antec, OCZ, or Corsair would be good

Case, Hard Drive, and Burner are fine.

If you have the money I would get a GTX 275 for $25 more. I might consider getting a newer gigabyte motherboard, maybe the EP45-UD3P.

As far as your power concerns, the recommended wattages are the max they might use. search the articles on this website, somewhere is one that compares wattages of the new graphics cards. i think newegg has a basic wattage calculator somewhere on the site also.

Hope this helps

 

[snurp85]

oh and dont forget to get an aftermarket heatsink/fan for your processor, along with arctic silver thermal compound

 

[trumpet_king]

Thanks snurp85! I have a question though.
If I went with the EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 the specifications state "Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 36 Amps" Will my power supplies, OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS, handel that even though it has 18Amps per rail? The card does have 2 x 6 pin PCIe connections so I could use 2 rails right? But Still don't know if I'll get full Amps out of two rails at once.

36Amps still seems rediculous. I tried using the newegg wattage calculator but it's way out of date. I'm still looking around this site for more information but I figured I'd ask just incase anyone knows the answer.

Also, still looking for more recomendations.

 

[trumpet_king]

Ok so I'm rethinking ram and was looking at the mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996580 - Retail It has lower latency and still is only $49.99

I would like some recomendations on a nice monitor I can get between $120-175.

Also, is an aftermarket heatsink really needed? I would figure the stock would do fine. I only plan on overclocking the processor to ~3.4GHz and I heard it can easily run 24/7 stable at 3.8GHz. I'm not sure if it was using stock fan or not, sorta doubt it. If I do need an aftermark heatsink I could use some recomendations that are cost effective (aka cheap).

 

[trumpet_king]

bump =D Please, more comments. snurp85 has been a great help, but I want a diverse view here. I know you guys are out there.

 

[trumpet_king]

bump

 

[xxzabxx]

Sorry I accidently posted too soon. Continue here.

Hard Drive- Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218&Tpk=WD6400AAKS $59.99

Case- - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 $59.95

Power Supplies-OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341019 $72.49 $20 mail-in rebate

CD/DVD reader/burner- Sony Optiarc DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model AD-7241S-0B LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118032 $31.99

Monitor- ???? I don't know probably spend about 130-180. Want atleast a 20'' but no bigger than 22''

Total cost assuming $150 monitor -- $874.38 --- 829.38 with rebates.


My major concerns.
1) Is my power supplies good enought for high end graphics cards. The more I research this the more confused I get. Seems like if you get something like a Nividia's GTX260 you're going to need a $140 power supplies. That seems carzy.
2) Should I upgrade the motherboard and go with DDR3 memory??
3) I want to be able to upgrade to dual monitors in the future. Probably dualing 22'' screens at 1920x1200 resolution.


Thanks in advance for any help.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320 Would be my choice for the HD. That or the next step up. The extra MB cache is worth it.

Also check out my current thread of my build. My price points close to yours. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/268751-31-first-build-list-1100-budget-feedback-appreciated#t1965283

 

[trumpet_king]

Thanks for the additional info xxzabxx. I do like the idea of the extra cache. Only 10 more dollars.

Unfortunately this build is being put on hold. My laptop of nearly 5 years has had a bad week and now is without a working backlight. I'm currently spending some time considering a new laptop instead a desktop. I'm always moving my laptop around my house, and not sure if I could constrain myself to just my desk for all computer uses.