Beggin for your help - Building ~$1000 System!

[SvenBoogie]

Okay, I'm sure there are countless threads just like mine on the forum, and I apologize profusely if this is more redundant filler, but I really need some guidance here...

I'll make this as short and simple as possible, I'm wanting to build a new system for roughly (ideally under rather than over) $1000 bucks. I'm aiming for a system that will support gaming, but also be usable for editing video if at all possible (I have an HD camcorder I'd like to work with...)

To push the money a bit further, I already have a couple components I could cannibalize from my current system if they could be used... namely

Lian-Li PC-1000 case
A decent (if old) sound card...
And a full edition Windows Vista Ultimate...

Any advice, recommendations, etc etc you can share would be more than greatly appreciated...

Thanks in advance...

 

[amd_fanboi]

q6600 (q6700 if you don't want to OC), 8800GTS 512, perhaps a Gigabyte P35 DS3L. that ought to be a good starting point

 

[SvenBoogie]

q6600 (q6700 if you don't want to OC), 8800GTS 512, perhaps a Gigabyte P35 DS3L. that ought to be a good starting point

I appreciate the info, will take a look, I've built my own systems in the past but I've been out of the loop for a while as I haven't had the funds to build anything for a bit.

 

[oushi]

Not sure about your exact needs, but here's a good system from which to start:

CPU: Q6600 - $239.99 + free shipping
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L - $89.99 + $7 shipping
GPU: MSI 8800GTS - $194.99 (after $30 rebate) + free shipping
Memory: G.skill 4GB DDR2 800 - $74.99 + free shipping
PSU: Corsair 550VX - $84.99 + free shipping (-$10 if you use GCO)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB - $99.99 + free shipping
Optical: Samsung 20X DVD±RW - $29.99 + free shipping
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: $844.93 - $30 rebate + $7 shipping = $821.93 before tax if applicable

Gives you some room to upgrade the parts a bit further or add in a nice, new monitor if you need one. Are you planning to get multiple hard drives and set them up in RAID? Any other special considerations we should know about?

 

[SvenBoogie]

No other special considerations I can think of really, I was looking over your suggestions, I'm curious what you'd reccomend as far as cooling? (for both the CPU and GPU)

 

[SvenBoogie]

hmmm...

 

[litlrabi]

Are you planning on overclocking your system? If not, don't worry about a CPU cooler. The MSI card has built in cooling, using 2 slots to vent out of the case. You don't need anything else for it.

If yes, the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 works wonderfully, and is very easy to install.

 

[SvenBoogie]

Are you planning on overclocking your system? If not, don't worry about a CPU cooler. The MSI card has built in cooling, using 2 slots to vent out of the case. You don't need anything else for it.

If yes, the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 works wonderfully, and is very easy to install.

I haven't really ventured into overclocking in the past, but I'm wondering if I should try it with this build... my only concern is the potential reduced lifespan of the parts, but I suppose as long as I'm careful it shouldn't be that much of an issue...

As far as GPU cooling, my last/current system has a 6800 ultra that has always run hotter than I'd like, so perhaps I'm just a bit paranoid...

 

[Shadow703793]

If OCing on the P35-DS3L check out: GUIDE: Overclocking On P35-DS3L v1.1

I second the Xigmatek HDT-S1283.

CPU: Q6600 - $239.99 + free shipping
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L - $89.99 + $7 shipping
GPU: MSI 8800GTS - $194.99 (after $30 rebate) + free shipping
Memory: G.skill 4GB DDR2 800 - $74.99 + free shipping
PSU: Corsair 550VX - $84.99 + free shipping (-$10 if you use GCO)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB - $99.99 + free shipping
Optical: Samsung 20X DVD±RW - $29.99 + free shipping

Every thing looks good on above list. Nice choice on PSU, CPU, Motherboard.

 

[SvenBoogie]

Hmm, reading some of the reviews of that CPU, I get the impression getting an aftermarket cooler is a good idea, even WITHOUT overclocking...

Sounds like the stock fan is craptacular...

 

[amd_fanboi]

on a quad? most certainly.

 

[litlrabi]

If your case has room, installing the Xigmatek is as easy as the stock cooler, and works better. It is rather tall, and you'll want to practice putting on the fan a couple of time before putting it in your case, but I love it.

 

[SvenBoogie]

Hmm, the case I have (Lian-Li PC-1000) has an odd setup... I wonder if that cooler will fit properly...

 

[SvenBoogie]

I'm actually wondering now if I should just buy a new case, the PC-1000 case is pretty and shiny and all that nonsense, but from my experience, isn't all it could be in the cooling and ease of use department...

I could be wrong though...

 

[Shadow703793]

You can checkout the review for that case here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/15-case-power-tower-round,821-33.html
(I think it's the correct one)

 

[SvenBoogie]

Thanks for the link, that article is rather sprawling and a lot to sort through, but it seems like overall they liked the case.

I also realized, I could convert it into the updated version (Lian-Li PC-1000 Plus II) by just buying the replacement side panel with the vent hole, and buying the fan unit...

 

[SvenBoogie]

Sorry to dig this up from the dead, but I'm curious why people are recommending a quad core over a dual core...

My understanding was a good dual core will give better performance than a quad at the moment...

 

[oushi]

Sorry to dig this up from the dead, but I'm curious why people are recommending a quad core over a dual core...

I'm aiming for a system that will support gaming, but also be usable for editing video if at all possible (I have an HD camcorder I'd like to work with...)

A higher clocked duo is better for gaming at the moment, but quads are best when it comes to encoding video. That's the main reason for the quad recommendation.

 

[Shadow703793]

^Agreed.

 

[SvenBoogie]

Appreciate the clarification, thats about what I figured.

With the major changes that seem to be on the horizon, I'm now second-guessing the wisdom of building this system right now... vs waiting a few months or so...

Hmmm...

 

[litlrabi]

There are changes on the horizon, but they will most likely be beyond your budget. The newest hardware has premium pricing, and you'll be part of the group giving the hardware its primary shakedown. Early adoption is for people who need the latest and greatest, or who have the money to not worry about it.

Waiting a couple of months could give you an improved system, because current tech will become cheaper. However, that will also be true in a few months, and it is an endless cycle. If you're ready to buy, go for it. Price/performance is at an excellent level at the moment, and time for a new system is ripe.

Hmm...can I add more cliches to this post?

 

[Beechmunky]

Dont know much about the brand but theres a new low price king on the 8800GTS (g92) front.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814134037

219.99 - 50.00 MIR = 169.99

 

[Shadow703793]

^Not the best brand but can't beat the price. I still recommend ppl. stick to EVGA or BFG.