Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > First Build - Need suggestions
Ask the community Add a reply
Word :    Username :           
 
tvguide123   08-04-2008 at 10:29:46 PM

Alright guys I'm planning on building my first PC at the end of august and I was hoping i could get some input on my choices.

The main uses for this PC will be gaming and regular internet browsing. I rarely ever do any video editing.

My budget for this build is $800 since i'm currently in university and between tuition fees, bus tickets, and food, this is all i could put aside for my build.

GOALS
I know my budget is smaller than most of the other builds that i see on this forum but i would still like my pc to run games at good settings and not require any upgrades for a while.

Also I'm looking for a PC that I could easily overclock once performance starts lagging.

Alright, so here is what i have so far:

Case:
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021

HDD:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136074

Video Card:
ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121253

Power Supply
OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI 700W ATX12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341002

Memory
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145034

Motherboard
ASUS P5Q-E LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131296

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115037


Total price = About $780

I'm not sure if this setup will be able to use crossfire with 2 4850s.

I don't really want to have a crossfire setup so I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how i could get a 4870 into my system becuase that is the card that i really wanted to get.

Add a reply
Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
aevm   08-04-2008 at 10:51:44 PM
- 0 +

All good choices. Yes it can do Crossfire.

 

Get a P5Q Pro, save $20.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] =P5Q%2bPro

 

Upgrade to 2x2GB RAM and to WD6400AAKS if you can.

 

Stick with the HD 4850, it's better bang for the buck than the HD 4870. To get a HD 4870 on that budget you'd have to make cuts elsewhere, like getting a crappy PSU or a case with bad cooling, or a slower CPU, etc. You're really better off with what you've got now.

 


Edit: OK, if you insist, you can have a HD 4870 on that budget if you get a GA-EP43-DS3L and a Sonata III with 500W PSU.

  


Message edited by aevm on 08-04-2008 at 10:54:09 PM
Reply to aevm
dirtmountain   08-04-2008 at 10:56:20 PM
- 0 +

Here's a link about crossfiring the HD4850 with different motherboards
http://www.legionhardware.com/docu [...] id=761&p=2
the P45 does well with them, just a small hit compared to the X38/X48

Reply to dirtmountain
tvguide123   08-06-2008 at 05:01:44 AM
- 0 +

Thx for the replies guys, and yes aevm I was thinking abotu going with 4 gigs of RAM but i'm not sure if it will show much gain in my gaming or day to day use since i don't do much picture or video editing.

Uh yea I guess i'll stick with the 4850 then. I was thinking that instead of having my system able to do crossfire, i could save some money and get a single 4870 since i would prefer to have a single current gen. card in the future rather than have a pair of older cards. Note: I'm not sure that this mindset is correct and what the disadvantage of it is. If anyone knows please tell me.

Reply to tvguide123
aevm   08-06-2008 at 03:52:47 PM
- 0 +

No worries, there's no "correct" mindset. Just personal preference. In some games a pair of HD 4850 will beat a single HD 4870, while in others the single HD 4870 will win. Not that it really matters - performance and price are very close anyway.

Reply to aevm
tvguide123   08-09-2008 at 04:36:55 AM
- 0 +

Ok great thanks a bunch for your help!

I guess i'm all set for a new PC now :D

Reply to tvguide123
Ask the community Add a reply
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > First Build - Need suggestions
Go to:

There are 517 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Forum map
Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 0.270 seconds
Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Related Topics
See all relatives topics
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them
How do I win badges?