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New ~$1900 build

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - New ~$1900 build

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This is actually my first actual build from scratch, so i just want to know what everybody thinks of my configuration. I'm going to be doing mostly video and audio editing and some gaming with some mild overclocking. All parts will be purchased from Newegg.com (and include current deals on pricing). I also am not purchasing until the end of November or early December so prices will fall by then.

Case: Antec 900 - $109.99
Motherboard: ASUS X48 Rampage Formula - $288.99
CPU: Intel Q9550 - $319.99
Video Card: Sapphire 4870 1GB - $299.99
PSU: Thermaltake W0116RU 750W - $159.99
Memory: G.SKILL 4GB DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) - $67.99
Hard drive: 2X - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB - $74.99 each
Optical Drive: HP 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - $29.99
CPU Fan: Zalman 9500A - $54.99
Operating System: Windows Vista Ultimate (Retail) (I am going to be using 64-bit) - $267.49
I already have a Creative x-Fi Elite for my sound

Subtotal: $1,749.39
Total (w/ tax & S+H): $1,887.60

I would appreciate any help that I can get. Thanks

Message edited by eblood613 on 10-26-2008 at 02:19:39 AM

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thats a good build maybe go with a p45 vs the X48. they are generally considered a better buy

Reply to ke7diz

i want to stick with ASUS, but i wanted the X48 rather than the P45 so that i can maybe add another graphics card in the future if I see the need to. AND my budget at most is $2000

Reply to eblood613

That's a nice build. Here are a few friendly suggestions.

The Corsair 750TX is a higher quality PSU for cheaper.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=750tx

I own the Zalman 9500A cooler and like it, but the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 cools better, is quieter, and costs less.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233003

Make sure to pick up the bracket for it also.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233019

Do you really need the retail version of Ultimate? You can pick up 64-bit Vista Home Premium for $100.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116488

Make sure to pick the SATA version of that burner also.

Reply to shortstuff_mt

If you replace the PSU with the 750TX and the MB with a P5Q Pro, then you can afford to replace the video card with a HD 4870 X2 and you won't need to add another card later.

Consider a RC-690 case ($72 with free shipping at www.buy.com).

I like the HDT-S1283 but the price is $51 if you add the bracket and shipping for it. The Sunbeam Core Contact is only $34 these days after rebate and shipping, and it's just as good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835207004

Reply to aevm

Definately drop to Vista Home Premium, that $160 saved already.

Unless you are overclock drop the faster RAM, DDR2-800 is fine, equally the cooler can go if you don't plan an overclock. Probably save $20

I would probably also suggest a drop to P45, if you aren't planning on xfire now then by the time you do think about it there will be better cards at a reasonable price. Moving to P5Q Pro saves $180.

Total save = $360.

That should probably go toward one of the following:
- 4870X2 if you are playing on a very large monitor,
- 24" monitor if you have something much smaller,

If you took out the second HDD as well you might just sqeeze in an SLC solid state drive to use for booting.

Equally you could keep the spare!

Jeremy

Reply to jpdykes

Thanks for all the suggestions; as it stands now I'm looking at

Case: Antec 900 - $109.99
Motherboard: ASUS P5Q Pro - $119.99
CPU: Intel Q9550 - $319.99
Video Card: Sapphire 4870 X2 2GB - $549.99
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W - $119.99
Memory: G.SKILL 4GB DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) - $67.99
Hard drive: 2X - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB - $74.99 each
Optical Drive: HP 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - $29.99
CPU Fan: Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120mm "Core Contact Freezer" - $34.99
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit (OEM) - $99.99

Total (including tax and S+H): $1,730.11

I'm not really too concerned with hard dirve performance. And the "DDR2-800" RAM over the "1000" would only save me about $5 (from Newegg).
I aleady have a 22" monitor, but i will probably upgrade in the future

Reply to eblood613

If you are only running 22" then you don't need the 4870X2, you will see no noticable benefit for the extra $250. A 4870 will max any current game at that resolution. It will make a good job of it at 24" as well.

Difficult problem:
- Could invest in 24", but not that much bigger than 22".

- Could invest in 4870X2 but no noticable benefit over 4870 at 22" and doesn't leave enough for a big enough monitor upgrade.

- Could sit on the money for a period and see if screen prices continue to fall and then upgrade to something larger, but then the 4870 may not give you maxed out detail at the higher resolution - one way round this may be to xfire two 4850 cards.

Currently THG are suggesting nothing above 2x 4850's and then only for very large monitors / high res.

Jeremy

Reply to jpdykes

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