Advice me on this PC configuration - first build

[Guest]

I am trying to build a PC which I will primarily use for watching movies/email/surfing/ and some gaming ( not the hard core variety). Also I would like to keep this PC for a few years ~ 5 yrs plus. Currently I will use the Video onboard and buy a video card later so the budget is less than $800.
Here are some of the important items which I need your advice on:
Processor - AMD Phenom 9850 Black edition : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103249
Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-DS4H : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128352
RAM - mushkin: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146789
PSU- Crosair: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
HardDrive - Western Digital : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136149
Case- RaidMax Smilodon : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156063
Keyboards/mouse (combo deal with the Case above): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126032
DVD burner - Samsung : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171

I want to stick with the Mobo and processor. Also I know the PSU is more than I need but would like to keep it as in the future I might want to game a bit more or overclock.
ozooha

 

[jpdykes]

Welcome to the forums ozooha.

Recommendations as follows:

- Intel are still performing better than AMD in the CPU and chipset market. Therefore I would suggest you go on a hunt for a P35 board with onboard graphics and an E8500 ($189) processor.

- P35 should be fairly inexpensive and will allow you to add one GPU in PCIe 16x at a later date.

- You have spec'ed DDR2-1066 RAM. You definitely don't need it unless you are planning a huge overclock. DDR2-800 will work fine and is cheaper. 4Gb of RAM will be ample. Try Mushkin, Corsair, OCZ, geil. See who has the best deals going.

- You could have an extra 140Gb of storage from WD for only an extra $15.

I think if you implement the above you will save money and increase performance over the current setup.

Jeremy

 

[Guest]

Thank you jpdykes.
I have a question on whether the P35 mobo will let me upgrade to a quad-core later when they become cheap?
Also any preference for the southbridge on the P35 boards?
Intel ICH9
Intel ICH9DH
Intel ICH9R
Any mobo brand preference?
What about the PSU (range of wattage) unit keeping in mind that I might want to overclock or do some gaming as per my original post?
Ozooha

 

[jpdykes]

I use a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R, although the DS3L is slightly cheaper and still very good. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one.

PSU 500-600W will be overkill before you upgrade for a GPU. Look for Antec, Corsair, PC Power and Cooling. For longevity you might want to go for the Corsair 750TX which is good value at the moment ($100).

Jeremy

 

[iluvgillgill]

ICH9R is the best out of them.

 

[ahslan]

If you really want to stick with the 9850BE, you will be pleased with its performance...

If you are planning on overclocking, then the intel quad would be a better route...

Dump the ddr2 1066 ram for ddr2 800...

the psu you want is definitely overkill but at the same time is a good deal and will allow you to upgrade to any video card of your liking...

 

[Guest]

thanks Ahslan.
I wanted to future proof my pc as I want it to be relevant at least for the next 5yrs plus.
I believe the mobo (GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-DS4H) actually lets you OC the Phenom.
I can't really find a good intel mobo with onboard graphics which is relatively cheaper. Any suggestions?
If overall the cost come to the same with the intel setup..then would you recommend intel over AMD?
Any suggestions?

 

[Shadow703793]

Therefore I would suggest you go on a hunt for a P35 board with onboard graphics and an E8500 ($189) processor.

P35 chipset doesn't support onboard graphics. You have to look at the Gxx boards for onboard graphics.

See tech docs at:
http://www.intel.com/Products/Desktop/Chipsets/P35/P35-overview.htm

Or
G33

and
P35

Notice the missing IGP

 

[Guest]

What would be the INTEL equivalent of the AMD mobo - GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-DS4H
coz the graphics in the AMD board is good enough to have a poor level of Crysis.

 

[iluvgillgill]

the highest you can get is a G45 which will still underperform the 780G in everyway if you have to go for IGP.

 

[Guest]

Listed below is my updated list to the Phenom build.
Please do let me know your thoughts/insights so that I can tweak my build further.
ozooha
POWER SUPPY - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

MEMORY - Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model
PDC24G6400ELK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220227

CPU - AMD Phenom 9950 BLACK EDITION 2.6GHz Socket AM2+ 140W Quad-Core Processor Model HD995ZFAGHBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103273

THERMAL COMPUND - Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

CPU COOLER FAN- ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185125

MOBO -GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-DS4H AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128352

CASE -Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

CASE FAN - MASSCOOL FD12025S1L3/4 120mm Case Fan - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150070

GRAPHICS CARD - SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770

HARDRIVE - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

DVD DRIVE - SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q/BEBN - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173

MOUSE/KEYBOARD Logitech EX 110 Black USB + PS/2 Standard Cordless Desktop Keyboard & Mouse Kit - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126174

 

[ahslan]

^very nice setup [:mousemonkey:5]

 

[Shadow703793]

^+1. Imo, I would swap cooler to a XIGMATEK S1283.