First time build, approx $1500

[m0o]

This will be my first build and it will be used to gaming and school work. My budget is around 1500 for the case, a little over is ok. Also, i wont be purchasing for another month, so i'm sure prices will change but i thought i would get a good idea of what i should get. I've been doing some research and here is what i have come up with:


Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail - $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068


CPU: I will most likely OC.
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9450 - Retail - $329.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115042


Cooler: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail - $36.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail - $6.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019


Motherboard: I'm torn between the x38 and p45, i was thinking x38 if i decide to CF

ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $224.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219

ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299


Ram: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail - $86.50 - $66.50 after mail-in
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184


Graphics: I'm waiting for reviews, but something in the 48xx series, possibly CF. I wont be buying for another month, will the 4870x2 be out?


PSU: I'm sure this will change depending on what vid card i get, and if i go CF.
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply - Retail - $129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006


HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148288


OS: Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM - $94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116204


Total $955.42 with P45
$1030.42 with x38

So this leaves me with 500-600 for vid card, or two. Also, i will be using a 22" monitor.

 

[ilovebarny]

i like your build man. i would suggest sticking with the x38. you should be fine with the psu and you can always upgrade later.

 

[johnnymac13]

just finished a new build of my own with a Q9450, you'll love it.

Couple of things to look out for that I ran into.

Space: Make sure you have enough room in your case for your Xigmatek and dual video cards, while still having enough space for decent airflow and cable management. If you go 2 video cards you'll be pumping out some heat in that case so you may want to make sure you have at least 3 case fans. I dropped $200 on my case, some thought I was crazy but I didnt' want to put $1500 in a cheap case.

Motherboard Clearance: Make sure your CPU cooler will have enough clearance over your Motherboard components...my build got delayed a day for this reason and I had to go get a different cooler.

Nice build, it'll last you for a while.

 

[guanyu210379]

Info : Did you know that there is a combo from ASUS HD4850 and ASUS P5Q on newegg?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCombos.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299&SubCategory=280&SortField=0&PageSize=10&page=1

 

[m0o]

thanks, but ive decided to go with the 4870

I've changed the case to the Coolermaster RC-690:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

The 4870:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102748

And the X48 for the mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128336

This brings the total before shipping or mail in's to: $1450.89

Any other suggestions?

 

[m0o]

is it worth the extra money for this mobo?

ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131284

 

[ilovebarny]

you know i was just looking at the x38asus version of that mobo. the only thing i noted was the x48 had dual lan ports. not really a big thing. but the x48 is not much more expencive. i would suggest getting ether the asus x48 or the asus x38.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219
the x38 has more reviews.

 

[guanyu210379]

If you are looking for an ASUS X38 series than I wanna suggest you the one that I use right now. The main reason or difference why I have not chosen Gigabyte X38 DS5 is that my ASUS X38 is already bundled with a 7.1 channel HD-Audiocard. This card comes together with every P5E X38. So DS5 has a minor minus point just because that it has a normal AC97 audio device.
And I think X48 is still zoo expensive.