Forced to be Froogle. First build.

[bcblair]

In the past, I would have just bought a good one. I have become disabled and live on the cheap. Prior, I set up an HTPC and it is crapping(skipping) out. My other PC is weak, but fine for the web. I depend on them to pass time, more and more.

My HTPC.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00877022&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&site=null&lang=en&key=null&product=3377255

I am not a gamer, but I am getting very bored, and may have to start. I am putting together a PC build, that will have architecture that won't overly limit me. I bought a case (Antec 902) on Craigslist for $50.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129097

I was going to buy the Intel core I7 950($199) from Microcenter, but it is gone or just out of stock. What is the new best option?

My first uses will be HD Home Theatre(at times), and possibly video editing. I think those are the items that should drive my architecture. If I get into gaming, it will be just me or over the web. I don't see much in house competition(I guess that is what crossfire is for).

If I go Intel, it will be the I7, I'll bite the bullet. I guess AMD would be an X6. Maybe you can tell me a reason to do different. I want this to not be obsolete for a while. Build it right and be good for a while.

I have seen some Intel motherboards with HD integrated graphics. Are any of those decent? I would like to save money that way and if I start gaming, I can go to a separate Video Card. Can someone point me in the right direction? Choice of motherboard seems the most confus

Please recommend items I don't have. TIA

Case, I already have

Cpu

Motherboard-this is most confusing to me. Is there a good guide to compatibility vs CPUs?

Memory

Power Supply

I have plenty of Hard Drives or can buy later

DVD RW i Have already.

Video Card(integrated, if it is a viable option) Can add later. I currently have a couple that might work. one is a
Visiontek ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro 512mb PCI-E

and one is a Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4550

 

[ghnader hsmithot]

Hi,
Welcome Welcome!!
We are always glad to have you here!
My advice would be you should get the intel i5 2500k there is the i7 2600k but its only difference is hyperthreading and 2mb of cache.

And motherboards depends on the user.Best get a z68 motherboard.
Hope you have a nice day.

 

[HEXiT]

there is a cheaper option. the 2300k it will oc to give similar performance to a stock 2500k
add in a z68 motherboard and you can use its onboard gfx the whole setup would cost around $600 less if you cannibalize parts form an old build.

you may have to wait a couple of weeks b4 its generally available on sites like newegg

 

[bcblair]

there is a cheaper option. the 2300k it will oc to give similar performance to a stock 2500k
add in a z68 motherboard and you can use its onboard gfx the whole setup would cost around $600 less if you cannibalize parts form an old build.

you may have to wait a couple of weeks b4 its generally available on sites like newegg

Can you link one of those motherboards? When I search newegg, it says no omboard grafix chipsets.

 

[jimmysmitty]

there is a cheaper option. the 2300k it will oc to give similar performance to a stock 2500k
add in a z68 motherboard and you can use its onboard gfx the whole setup would cost around $600 less if you cannibalize parts form an old build.

you may have to wait a couple of weeks b4 its generally available on sites like newegg

I would like to see this 2300K. No place I know has it listed. Maybe its a new one coming out?

I did find this:

http://www.pixmania.be/be/nl/8314868/art/intel/core-i5-2300k-3-3-ghz-cac.html

But thats the exact same specks as a i5 2500K:

http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=52210&processor=i5-2500K&spec-codes=SR008

Still the best option is the 2500K and a Asus P8Z67 mobo. Add that in with a HD6850 and it would be a decent machine.

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

The integrated graphics is in the CPU, not the mainboard. That's why it says that.

And there is no 2300K CPU. There's a regular 2300 though.

If you want to use the integrated graphics, I suggest getting a 2500K or 2600K processor, as those two have the more powerful version of the graphics.

My recommendation:
Intel i5-2500K processor w/ HD 3000 graphics $225
ASRock Z68 Pro3 mainboard $130
G.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3-1333 CL9 memory kit $44
Corsair TX650 V2 power supply $90

You'll be set for quite some time (five years or more) with this setup and a good discrete graphics card for when you start gaming. That 2600 Pro won't do it -- you'll probably want to spend $250 or so on the card.

 

[saratj1]

Keep your eye out on Craigslist there are great deals to be had like your antec 902, Last year I got a new I7 920 for 165usd, and an amd PII 940 for 70, I built both of those systems and sold them for a small profit and bought new 2600k and ati6950, piece by piece looking for deals. Ebay and CL are your friends if your on the cheap.

 

[dalauder]

i7-950 is the old generation. You want newer the i7-2600. In case you decide to overclock down the line (so that your computer is faster for free to stave of obsolescence), go with a "K" series CPU. Overclocking a K series is easy even for a new overclocker.

He wants to do video editing. Did anyone else read that? That means Z68 for Quicksync since he also said he might want to play games. Z68 (with Lucid Virtu) is the best motherboard chipset for you because it allows the use of Intel's Quicksync, a discrete PCI-e graphics card, and overclocking. The other chipsets (H61/H67 and P67) do not allow quicksync and graphics cards and P67 does not allow Quicksync at all.
Quicksync review (for video transcoding): http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/9

He said he wants i7 unless we can give him a reason not to...well if you're on a budget the i5-2500K will do almost everything just as fast as an i7-2600K. Video/graphical work could see benefits of an i7, but I doubt it's worth the cost.

If you're not sure about gaming, then start with the i5-2500K's integrated graphics (Intel HD 3000) or your Radeon 2600. You will not get good graphics with either of these, but you can determine whether an upgrade is worth it to you, then come back to ask for suggestions.
Intel HD 3000 Review: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/sandy-bridge-core-i7-2600k-core-i5-2500k,review-32090-7.html

Build to come...

EDIT: Some people brought up Z68 after I started writing my post.

 

[dalauder]

CPU: $225 i5-2500K http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Mobo: $130 GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128502
It has Lucid Virtu http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3856#ov

RAM: $48 4GB (2x2GB) 1600CL8 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144436
or $76 8GB (2x4GB) 1600CL9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

PSU: $60 Antec 650W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015
or $40 OCZ 600W http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6491962&CatId=1483
or $95 Corsair TX750W v2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021
All three are very good PSUs. More than the 600W OCZ is overkill if you don't do multiple video cards. (Although this OCZ is also overkill for most single cards).

$443 total if you go with the 4GB RAM & OCZ (my preferred picks).
If you don't trust OCZ with PSUs here's some reviews:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/OCZ-StealthXStream-2-600-W-Power-Supply-Review/1058/10
http://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/ocz-stealthxstream-2-600-w-power-supply-review/4/

You'll also want to pick up a Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB Hard Drive sometime.

 

[m-audio]

New egg has a good psu on sale Its 36.95 after Mail in rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139019

 

[dalauder]

That's a decent PSU, but it's not as good as the OCZ I linked, which is below the Antec & Corsair.
That CX600 is more like a 520W PSU.
The OCZ SXS2 is like a 700W unit (same specs as OCZ's StealthXStream 2 700W).
The Antec EA650 and Corsair TX750 v2 are both great units, especially the newer TX750.

 

[bcblair]

New egg has a good psu on sale Its 36.95 after Mail in rebate.

That]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139019

That actually prompted this thread. I wasn't sure whether or not to pull the trigger. I posted here, to get a good build list going, so I can closely watch the Newegg Shell Shocker deals and feel good about pullimg that trigger. I think I missed that one, but I will know next time.

Today they have the 500W version for $2 less. I figure, I will collect deals over the next 6 months, then finish the build. Probably $200 every couple of months, will be the quickest I can afford. I'll probably see some good deals over that time frame. I just need to keep the money held back.

 

[Wisecracker]

That actually prompted this thread. I wasn't sure whether or not to pull the trigger. I posted here, to get a good build list going, so I can closely watch the Newegg Shell Shocker deals and feel good about pullimg that trigger. I think I missed that one, but I will know next time.

Today they have the 500W version for $2 less. I figure, I will collect deals over the next 6 months, then finish the build. Probably $200 every couple of months, will be the quickest I can afford. I'll probably see some good deals over that time frame. I just need to keep the money held back.

Better off to save up to the total amount you wish to spend --- then go shopping.

Tech is always less expensive "down the road,' and more capable, too. The only exception would be product going EOL that fits your needs (like, I suspect, the PhII 955BE will not be around much longer at $120 -- it's priced to move out).

 

[gametstr]

wait if ur going to get the components in a 6 month period. I wouldn't do it like that.
Just collect all the cash together and get everything all at once 4 or 5 months from now. Thers AMD Bulldozer coming out next month or so. It 'd be a good idea to wait.

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

I would also advise piling up the cash reserves first, then buying all at once. It doesn't make sense to buy at today's prices and assemble the thing for use months from now.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been moved from the section CPU & Components to section Systems by Mousemonkey

 

[dalauder]

Buy at once over the course of two weeks--find the best deals over that time span because two weeks almost always will give you a Newegg sale within that span. It'll let you get the 15% off RAM, $20 off some graphics card, $55 Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB, $50 great PSU, etc.

The CX500 is much weaker than the CX600 and is the worst of the CX line, in my opinion.

Don't buy tech over 6 months because it gets old and you waste your money. Save up and do it in two weeks. Buying a case, HDD, or PSU early doesn't hurt though since you can use them with your old build.

Take a look at this thread for some info to consider for a new build: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[bcblair]

Sounds like I should just get about $600 together and then grab the best Mother board/integrated video/CPU combination at that time. Then find a deal on the PSU and memory. I was going to make a build list and watch for deals, but it sounds like the technology is changing too rapidly. Thanks for the help.

 

[dalauder]

It'll change in a matter of half a year, but not a couple weeks. So you can still look for deals when the time comes.

$443 will get the job done though. You don't need $600. Although...8GB of RAM is good for graphical/video work and an i7 is pointless fun overkill, but that would bring your total up to $600.

 

[bcblair]

It'll change in a matter of half a year, but not a couple weeks. So you can still look for deals when the time comes.

$443 will get the job done though. You don't need $600. Although...8GB of RAM is good for graphical/video work and an i7 is pointless fun overkill, but that would bring your total up to $600.

Thanks for all the replies. I will see, how quickly I can get the $443 an then decide for sure. Thanks again.

 

[bcblair]

I think I am hitting Micro Center today. Here is what I think I will buy.

$279 I7 2600K
$59 Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 LGA 1155 Z68 mATX Intel Motherboard After disc rebates

Here is a link to the mobo. Are there any problems with this working with the system I described.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?sku=484964&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=E1089%20Computer%20Parts%20LP%2020110708&utm_source=ACT_BYO&

Not sure about power supply yet, if I pick it up at Micro Center also.

Should I buy a Solid State Drive? Is it helpful for Video editing. If I should how big do I need. What Brand? I use Windows 7 and will use Adobe creative Suites 5. I have also been contacted about doing autocad work from home. Will that change my system needs much. I have seen systems

 

[bcblair]

Best answer selected by bcblair.