$1200 Build: Need Help Big Noob Here

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hawgleg

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Apr 8, 2008
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Okay, so I have a Dell 8400 that is coming up on the 3yr mark and its time to upgrade. I do not want to buy a box computer again so its time to build.

The only thing I will keep from my current rig is a new SATA drive I use to backup files, monitor and my video card that I still like (GeForce 6800). I also have DVD/CD drives that are "new"

What I would like help with is:

Case
CPU
CPU cooler
MoBo
Memory
Power
Video Card (unless my current one is okay: GeForce 6800 256mb)


I have researched everywhere and have inundated myself with so much information that I have no clue where to start.

I will mainly use this system for gaming and some non-intensive video editing.


I really need to keep the build at $1200 so if someone can help me out I would REALLY appreciate it.

Thanks!
 
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Silverion77

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At $1200 upgrade that crappy Video card....are u going to overclock?? Answer that and I can give u a straight list.

Also... XP or Vista, quiet case or cooling (again overclocking), dual core or quad?
 
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level101

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Jan 18, 2008
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Get a case that you like, I like the Antec Nine Hundred, you might not.

CPU:E8400, Q6600, Q9300, or Q9450
(Q6600 will run cheaper & easier to overclock, the Q9300 & Q9450 run cooler and faster at stock speeds) all are great choices

CPU Cooler: http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm#INTELHEATSINK
if your not overclocking then stock cooler should be fine(comes with retail CPU)

MOBO: P35 or X38 Chipset, ASUS or Gigabyte
GA-P35-DS3L is a great MOBO for $89 (Ultra Durable, All-Solid Capacitor Design)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147%201052416064&bop=And&CompareItemList=N82E16820145034%2CN82E16820146565

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010320058+50009830&name=PC+Power+%26+Cooling
S610EPS

I woudln't upgrade your video card until you need to. Why spend the money if it still suits you. Upgrade video when you have too IMO
 
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hawgleg

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Apr 8, 2008
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Not looking to overclock...have no clue how and I certainly dont want to screw up a new system.

XP for the OS and most likely dual core....unless there is a huge advantage to quad.





Haven't checked these out yet...planning to first thing in the AM

 
mihirkula

mihirkula

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Nov 27, 2007
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CPU: Intel E8400: ~200

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L : $86.67

RAM: 2gb ddr2 800 crucial ballastix : $29

GPU: 8800GTS 512mb: $220

PSU: Corsair 550vx : $58

Cooler: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 : $36.99

Total $627. All prices in newegg.com except for PSU and RAM (buy.com)

PS: If you're not planning to overclock you don't need to buy an aftermarket cooler, the stock intel cooler is just fine.
 
lunyone

lunyone

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Feb 22, 2006
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2nd that build. I'd probably stick with stock cooler, since he said he's not going to OC. That would save him $44 (with shipping). All he would need is a case. The OP could even go with a Antec Sonata III case/PSU combo that comes with a decent 500w Earthwatts PSU for around $120 or so. I'd probably go with the Cooler Master 690 case and the Corsair vx 550w PSU, because it has more upgrade room, but the Earthwatts PSU is good too. So to recap:

* Stick with stock CPU HSF that comes with which ever CPU you decide (maybe the e8400 if available).
* Antec Sonata III case/psu combo, if you want or get a Cooler Master 690 case w/Corsair vx 550w PSU.

Links to items mentioned:
Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
Newegg link, but I would'nt buy at their price of $145 w/shipping, just giving you link so you can read about it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024
link from Zipzoomfly for the same Sonata III case/psu combo, but much cheaper at about $110 shipped!!!
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005323

Corsair vx550w PSU link from Newegg, which again is overpriced, but use it for information. PSU has 5 yr. warranty and one of the better PSU's you can get in this price range!
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W Power Supply 90 - 264 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004
link from Buy.com that has the best deal on the same Corsair vx550w PSU! $85 - $15 MIR = $70!!!
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-vx-550w-atx-power-supply/q/loc/101/205852646.html

Cooler Master 690 Case. Again overpriced at Newegg, but use link for information. $108 shipped.
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
Zipzoomfly.com link for Cooler Master 690 case. $85 shipped!!!
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006342

 
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hawgleg

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Apr 8, 2008
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Okay, after looking at the reccomendations this is what I have come up with. All prices are from ZipZoomFly for one stop shopping convienence but will be purchasing from both ZZF and Newegg.

I changed the case and Mobo since I need IEEE for video editing. Also, I will continue to use my video card for now.
Let me know what you guys think!

Here we go:

Case
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Mid Tower Case
$74.99
Power Supply
Antec TruePower TRIO 550 550W Power
$79.99
Mobo
ASUS P5B-Plus Intel Core 2 Duo (Desktop) Socket 775 1066 MHz PC2-6400 (DDR2-800) ATX
$139.98
CPU
INTEL Core 2 Duo E8400 3.00 GHz 1333 MHz 775 6MB Desktop Processor
$210.80
Memory
Crucial Technology Ballistix BL2KIT12864AA804 2GB kit DDR2-800 PC2-6400
$65.90 (2x for total of $131.80)

Total is $637.56 plus shipping.
 
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litlrabi

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If you're not overclocking, go ahead and get cheaper RAM. The Ballistix is nice if you play with your settings, but just about any RAM will be fine out of the box.

Then again, after looking at your link, you'll be hard pressed to find that kind of deal on any other RAM.
 
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Sundog

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I'm looking to build a similar price range box and have been doing my research the last couple weeks.

Looking at your list, the memory is a bit much. You'd be better off getting a 4gb (2x2gb) kit for $60-80ish (after rebates). There are a lot of choices right now as far as brand in that price range.

Personally I'm leaning towards the Antec Sonata III case partially because of the reputable PSU that comes with it and it's relatively cheap for decent quality (I've seen it as low as $105 for case/psu/shipping), but it doesn't have a front side IEEE...

As far as the CPU goes, if you're planning on doing any kind of multitasking the quad cores will probably suit your needs better. The Q6600 can be found for $200 at microcenter stores (not online :p) and the q9450 is pretty scarce. An oem is available for $365 at ncixus.com right now, but I'm hoping to pick one up for around $300-325 once these things are more available... (might be wishful thinking at least short term)
 
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Silverion77

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Looks fine...couple things:

1) That Motherboard is out of date. You are paying extra money for older technology. Get the Gigabyte P35-DS3L as stated or if you want slightly higher end, Asus P5K-E

2) That specific Antec (TruPower Trio) are not the best out there. Go with that Corsair in the earlier post. Much better. If you want modular cables (take some off), then the Corsair 520HX is $90 on buy.com

3) U can get that Ballistix from Newegg atm for $36 for 2x1 so $70 for 4gigs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565
Or for cool LEDs http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148076-same price atm

4) In regards to a Q6600 to a Q9450....its hard to justify the price. A Q6600 will OC to 3.6 but that isnt the case for the Q9450 cause of the low multiplier. In most cases you might see 3.8 on that chip but its personal preference
 
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level101

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You don't want the ASUS P5B you need the ASUS P5K-E $137
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005280&prodlist=celebros
 
Shadow703793

Shadow703793

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Feb 3, 2007
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Agreed. That's some thing like what I would have recommended. Also look at Corsair PSUs too. If your graphics card is PCIe then you can continue to use it unless you plan to upgrade. For RAM get the Crucial Ballastix. If you do buy a P35-DS3L board PM me if you need any help.
 
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hawgleg

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It's PCIe. I will eventually upgrade to something better but right now it is fine.

 
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hawgleg

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Well I did some more tweaking and this is what I have come up with:

Case: *No change from original build*
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Mid Tower Case
$74.99
Power Supply: *New Item*
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W Active Power Supply
$78.90 after $10 MIR
Mobo: *New Item*
ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP Intel Core 2 Duo (Desktop) Socket 775 1333MHz PC2-8500 (DDR2-1066) ATX Motherboard
$137.00
CPU: *No change from original build*
INTEL Core 2 Duo E8400 3.00 GHz 1333 MHz 775 6MB Desktop Processor
$205.80
Memory:*No change from original build*
Crucial Technology Ballistix BL2KIT12864AA804 2GB kit DDR2-800 PC2-6400
$40.90 after $25 MIR(2x for total of $81.80)

Total is $577.69 with MIR
Shipping $27.33
Grand Total $605.02

Not too bad. Thoughts.
 
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LAAkuma

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Dec 9, 2007
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If you get the Gigabtyle board the P35 L board as mentioned above, you can Msg me your phone number, I will call you up and tell you how to "easily" overclock it in literally 5 minutes to at least 3400 MHZ with 0 sacrifice on reliability whatsoever.

I am willing to help you.

Every single person on the planet should overclock their computers if they build it themselves, its free and easy if they keep it conservative on the clock.

this is all good, except:
CPU: Intel E8400: ~200

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L : $86.67

RAM: 2gb ddr2 800 crucial ballastix : $29

GPU: 9800GTX 512mb: $289

PSU: Corsair 550vx : $58

Cooler: Collermaster Hyper TX2 : $24.99

HDD: Western Digital 160 GB: $48

DVD Rom burner combo: $29

2 extra 120 MM fans for case: $10

19" LCD: $200

Way under budget, and top of the line speed in gaming and processing.

LAAkuma
 
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hawgleg

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Apr 8, 2008
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I want to thank all of you for your input and advice.

I'm gonna start the ordering process after I post this msg! WOOT!
 
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cory1234

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Dec 26, 2005
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When did the $1200 build turn into a $600 build? lol
Honestly imo anyone that can learn to build their own computer can easily learn to overclock in minutes. I mean why buy quality parts only not to overclock? Also, building saves money in the same way that overclocking can prolong the life of your computer; in turn saving you money with a free performance increase.

Anyways my 2 cents.
 
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hawgleg

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Apr 8, 2008
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Logic Behind This:
Me:
Told the wife that I needed a new computer and the one from Dell was just under $2000
Her:
"Hell No!"
Me:
"Well I can build one for around $1200
Her:
"Okay but I would rather it be closer to $1000"
Me:
"Okay honey, thank you"

Then I show her its now at $600

Her:
"Gee honey, your great! I love you so much that you save another $600!"
Me:
"Well sweetie I try my best"
Her:
"So whats the catch?"

I'm still thinking of how I am going to answer that.

 
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chrisfromalbany

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Feb 20, 2008
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Well honey I decided I needed to play Crysis in 1920 by 1200 so I got a evga 9800GX2. Did I forget to mention the sammy 24' monitor.

;-)

Personally if I were you I add a 22 or 24 monitor to the list. The gift that keeps on giving to your eyes. Keep the old monitor and run dual.
 
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