Processor/Memory/Video Card for New System

[MG0Z]

First of I need to confess I have limited knowledge and would really appreciate some guidance. The second PC in my household has to go as it is not holding up well. I am thinking of making my present PC the number two PC and getting a new one built for me. I intend using existing peripherals. I would be hoping to get three years usage out of a new pc and do not mind paying a bit extra now to get it to fit into this timeframe.

Present usage is 20% Gaming, 15% internet, 10% photos/video, 15% watching movies and 40% work related that includes a lot of data processing in Excel and Access.

Current Machine – Built October 2006
Core 2 Duo processor E6600 (2.4GHhz)
2GB (2X1G) DDR2 SDRAM 667Mhz Memory
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 7900GS

Proposed Machine
Core i7-860 Processor (2.80GHz)
4GB (2X2GB) DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz Memory
1024MB NVIDIA GeForce GTS 240

Questions?

Opinions on the above combinations or what else I should consider?

Will I see a significant difference in the two machines?

Should I be looking at i7 or would i5/Quad Core suit me better?

Is the Video Card good enough?

Should I be looking at 6GB memory or is that overkill for me?

***********

Any words of wisdom would be gratefully appreciated!

Mark

 

[lunyone]

Here is what I'd consider:
CPU - i5 750
Mobo - One that has SATA 6/USB 3.0 ports (will allow for better upgrades later)
RAM - 4 gb's is fine for now, not sure 6/8 gb's is needed. It'll depend on the programs you use.
GPU - The GTS 240 isn't what I'd call a "gaming" GPU. I'd start at the 5770 (also depends on what resolution your monitor is at).

alternate build:
CPU - AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition ~30-40 less and 95% performance or possibly almost equal to i5 750 CPU. Also have possible better upgrade path over the s1156 based mobo's.
The rest of the build you can use the same parts as the i5 750 listed above. Your probably going to have additional savings on the AMD based mobo's over the Intel based mobo's, so that can be a factor.

Did you have a budget for this build??
What parts were you going to need with this build??

 

[MG0Z]

lunyone

Here is what I'd consider:
CPU - i5 750
Mobo - One that has SATA 6/USB 3.0 ports (will allow for better upgrades later)
RAM - 4 gb's is fine for now, not sure 6/8 gb's is needed. It'll depend on the programs you use.
GPU - The GTS 240 isn't what I'd call a "gaming" GPU. I'd start at the 5770 (also depends on what resolution your monitor is at).

alternate build:
CPU - AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition ~30-40 less and 95% performance or possibly almost equal to i5 750 CPU. Also have possible better upgrade path over the s1156 based mobo's.
The rest of the build you can use the same parts as the i5 750 listed above. Your probably going to have additional savings on the AMD based mobo's over the Intel based mobo's, so that can be a factor.

Did you have a budget for this build??
What parts were you going to need with this build??

Thanks lunyone!

I will probably take your advice above. I am not an extreme gamer but would like a decent GPU and if the i5 750 & 4GB ram will do the job.....

My budget is up to $2,000

Just some additional background. I will not be building this myself as I want it to work. Will be calling on my brother in law who is tech savy and has built in the past for family members for good outcomes. These are the parts I know of, was going to leave the rest to BIL but any advice appreciated (All BIL's builds have been for low usage users)

No monitor
No speakers
No mouse
2 (one for regular back-ups I need for work stuff) 500GB SATA 3.0GB Hard Drives
16XCD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) which is what is in my current machine
Creative PCI Express Sound Card was recommended to me
I am thinking of TV capability but not critical/have not made up mind

Thanks again

 

[MG0Z]

Oops, that $2,000 is Australian dollars which translates to around $1,800 US$.

 

[lunyone]

I think the i5 750 is a good chip that is faily economical and has good performance. I prefer the AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition over it, becasue it's easy to OC (Not really need to be too technical to OC it) and the price is cheaper than the i5 750. Just want you to know where I'm coming from.

So here's what I'd consider (I don't know where you'd be getting your parts from), so I'm going to show some parts from Newegg.com for example:

Price are obiviously in U.S. $'s
CPU - $200
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=i5_750-_-19-115-215-_-Product

Mobo - $143 shipped! Has the latest (USB 3.0 & SATA 3!!)!
GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412

RAM - $94 shipped! Runs at stock voltages (1.5v), so your temps will be down compared to higher voltage RAM (i.e. 1.6-1.65v).
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

GPU - $180 shipped! This is where I'd start on the low-end side of things. You can get less of a GPU, but as your screen size gets bigger (and resolution) you'll want a better GPU.
XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150447&cm_re=5770-_-14-150-447-_-Product

or

GPU - $298 shipped! Nice warranty (Lifetime!) and a solid GPU. I like the Double slotted configuration, because it'll blow out the hot air out of the case!!
VisionTek 900297 Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129141&cm_re=5850-_-14-129-141-_-Product

Case - $90 shipped! One of the better cases for $ that you can get. It has plenty of room and notches out in the mobo tray/case for cable routing!!
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137&cm_re=cooler_master_690-_-11-119-137-_-Product

This totals ~$827 w/the 5850 GPU!! Now that is well under your $1800 budget and you get a nice GPU to boot!! If you go down to the 5770 you save ~$118, so you'd be at ~$716!!

 

[MG0Z]

Thanks again for your time lunyone. Apologies for rushing in as a first time poster too eager to ask the questions and not using the template for information that I now realise would have nade things easier. I am now more comfortable about what to go for, it is good to be able to rule some things out and not worry if others are ok. My limit includes windows 7 and security but you have still left me well ahead.

 

[MG0Z]

Best answer selected by MG0Z.