First build core i7 1000$ budget

[allenmelon]

This is my first time building a computer, so please make suggestions, comments, advice. I am planning to keep this computer for a while.

Budget - 1000$ or less would be good, I can go a little over

Usage - Casual uses, some gaming

Parts

Asus P6T LGA 1366 Motherboard w/ Intel Core i7 920 Processor BX80601920 Bundle

XFX GS250XYDFC GeForce GTS 250 512 MB DDR3 PCI-E 2.0 Video Card

Corsair TR3X3G1600C9 XMS3 3 GB 3 X 1 GB PC3-12800 1600MHz 240-Pin DDR3 Tri-Channel Intel Core i7 Memory Kit (cannot change)

Seagate Barracuda ST31000528AS 7200.12 1TB SATA 32MB Cache Bulk/OEM Hard Drive

ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail, Free Zalman socket 1366 clip kit w/ purchase
OR
Xigmatek Dark Knight S1283V Black Nickel CPU Cooler with 120mm Rifle Bearing

RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case With 500W Power Supply - Retail
the reviews say that the psu is bad so im planning on getting a separate psu if the one i get turns out bad. please suggest a good power supply 500w.

Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM

I am planning to run on xp 32-bit

 

[jbakerlent]

Just a suggestion but I would recommend sites like tigerdirect.com or newegg.com over amazon. Yes definitely buy a different power supply such as this one: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4362115&CatId=2533. As far as cooling you really should just go with the stock coolers unless you plan on a lot of overclocking and save yourself some change... If you don't plan on playing a lot of intense games this card is excellent and will perform very well and efficiently: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150412. Hope this helps.

 

[allenmelon]

some clarification, i will overclock to 3.0Ghz at least, no SLI, and i will be playing intense games, but not too much. so should i get one of he two hsf? and if yes which one? and how much power supply is reccomended for my build? is 500w enough? thanks

 

[jbakerlent]

500W could work but I would recommend getting the 700W because a power supply is one of the few components that can be kept for several builds... I would get the Xigmatek. Finally, if you're playing intense games then you ought to upgrade you're graphics card to say a 4890... Is what I'm trying to say is that you're CPU has too much power compared to you're graphics card imo.

 

[not moose]

Corsair 650TX
Core i7 920 / ASUS P6T SE
Mushkin 3gb DDR3 1600
XFX 4890 (Xtreme)

Western Digital Caviar Black 640gb
LG Black 22x DVD+R

Current total: $947.43 | After rebates: $902.43

And your choice of case. You probably won't need a heatsink if you're only overclocking 0.4ghz but if you have high ambient temps it's probably worth it.

 

[allenmelon]

Thanks for all your suggestions. But I have one more question. Will I be able to run my bios without the memory? Because my memory runs at 1600, but my motherboard allows 1333, but it can run at 1600 overclocked.

 

[tecmo34]

Yes, your motherboard will either default it to 1333 or 1066 memory, even though your memory is 1600. You will need to go into the BIOS and adjust it to 1600 (overclocking your memory to it's default settings).

 

[allenmelon]

oh ok. i was unsure of that. thank you very much

 

[jonnyboyC]

I would have to agree with keeping your stock hsf if your only going for a 3.0ghz overclock and that would help save money for a better gpu. As your only doing casual work (aka barely straining your cpu) then your gpu might become a bottleneck when your gaming. And really a radeon hd 4870 or 4890/ or the nvidia route of gtx 260 or 275. I personally have a 275 and it plays pretty much anything at highest or close to highest. I would say this to be about the same as the 4890 and the 260 close to the 4870

 

[allenmelon]

ok, i will use the stock fan and not buy the xigmatek. so i calculated the new total without the fan, gpu, and the power supply and it is 750. so i have 250 to buy a power supply and gpu. would someone recommend a power supply 500-600w for 50-75$? and maybe a gpu depending on the price of the psu. thanks.

 

[jonnyboyC]

here are some options i think a pretty good
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017
OCZ 600watt PSU $79 $54 after mail in rebate.
I saw this and was impressed OCZ is a pretty nice company plus it's 600 watts and is semi modular which i think is great. you get a better price but then modular but your going to use some of the cables regardless so you'll use the attached ones then add what you need

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102830
hd 4890 $189
This seems like a nice deal good ratings

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801
hd 4870 $149
same but if you want to go cheaper

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434
gtx 260 $184
plus you get a free call of duty game and terminator game or movie idk haha. I personally have an evga gtx 275 and they are great. you'll get there support which is world class. and when i got my card I got the a free COD World at war from newegg plus i got another game from evga after i register

but of course you can i would say any of these would do just fine for playing games a nice resolution a pretty good settings

 

[allenmelon]

wow, i was looking at the same power supply, and i have a promo code for it for an extra 10$. and i decided to go with the gts 250, because i think it will be good enough, and if it isnt, i might just sli. so im going with the ocz psu and the gts 250 still. thanks for the reply.