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First Computer Build ($1500 - $1900 Budget)

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - First Computer Build ($1500 - $1900 Budget)

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Ok, I've know about this website for awhile but this is my first post.

I'm looking to build a new computer but I don't know if I should wait till the end of this year for better deals or if I should start gathering up the parts. This is my first build ever and I want it to last me for awhile.

I will be using it to game, photo / video editing ect. I want it to be as fast as possible within my budget. I will be using this build on most likely a 24" Monitor.

Since this is my first build I need all your help from the ground up. I would like it to have an o/s also of course.

Preffer a Intel Quad core (what's the best bet?)
Video Card ( ATI? Nvidia?)
and all of the above to make it work.

Any type of suggestion and help will be gladly appreciated.

Thanks!

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SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151173 $27.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115041 $319.99

VisionTek 900250 Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814129114 $549.99

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128358 $134.99 -$20.00 MIR

Corsair CMPSU-1000HX ATX12V &EPS12V Power Supply - CMPSU-1000HX
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-10 [...] 10101.html $220.49 -$20.00 MIR

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136218 $74.99

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-nine [...] 97579.html $99.24

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116488 $99.99

G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231209 $69.99

Total $1,597.66 -$40.00 MIR's = $1,557.66

You could step up to a X48 chipset motherboard to get full speed crossfire, but would need a 30" monitor to justify that. I would just stick with the 4870x2 and P45 chipset.

Edit: Since there's still a little room in the budget, you could pick up a VelociRaptor in addition to the 640GB drive as a system drive. That would be a nice combination.

I've got to stop putting these builds together. It makes me want one for myself. :lol:

Message edited by shortstuff_mt on 10-29-2008 at 12:42:33 AM

Reply to shortstuff_mt

+1^

however, i might add that maybe another hard drive might be nice for space and speed.

so 2x the 640GB Caviar.

EDIT: Haha, just saw the edit. That would probably be a very nice choice.

Message edited by the last resort on 10-29-2008 at 12:43:55 AM

Reply to the last resort

Thanks for the advice, would 8gb of Ram be overkill? I usually multi task alot. Also, would I need a better cpu fan? I was thinking about overclocking the system. And would the fans from that case be good enough to keep the system cool?

Edit : Will the antec 900 case be enough space for that video card? Will a antec 1200 case be better?

Message edited by antekz on 10-29-2008 at 01:18:45 AM

Reply to antekz

8GB of RAM is generally considered overkill, but it's so cheap you might as well add it. The XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 is a very popular CPU cooler.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233003 $36.99

Be sure to add the backplate also:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233019 $6.99

The Antec 900 is a nice case, but the 1200 is nicer! The 1200 would cool a little better and includes filters for the fans.

You will definitely want at least two hard drives for video editing. It helps the speed quite a bit to have the source and destination on separate drives.

Reply to shortstuff_mt

8GB wouldn't be overkill, however it would be quite useful and speed up the computer quite alot.

Since I'm not seeing a CPU cooler above, I would recommend a Xigmatek.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233023

with

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233020

as for the case, I think the 1200 would house things better, but its really a matter of personal preference. I am thinking about getting the 1200, I really like the black paint on the inside. As for the fans on the case, they should keep the system cool, however it might get a little loud on full. I wouldn't really worry about it though.

Reply to the last resort

Thank you all very much for your suggestions.

Reply to antekz

i would get a lower wattage psu... you don't need that much power, and with the moeny you save, jump on a x48 motherboard

i would say get 4gb, its so cheap... if you get 8gb, its usually 4x2gb sticks, which will hurt overclocking potential... just stick with 4gb right now until 4gb on 1 stick gets cheaper[maybe a year?]

hope you got space for the antec1200, but if you do, go for it!

i envy you btw.. a year ago i spent $2500 on a computer that is 4 times slower than what your getting... worse time to buy a computer ever....

0o0 and if you do have extra money, i would get a flash drive, preferable slc... and install your OS on it, your bootups will be insane.. one hdd for media, another for OS

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by eklipz330 on 10-29-2008 at 04:25:43 AM

Reply to eklipz330

eklipz330 wrote :

...i envy you btw.. a year ago i spent $2500 on a computer that is 4 times slower than what your getting... worse time to buy a computer ever....

I feel ya man, in the same boat as you!

------------------------------ e6600(3.0ghz 1.325v) on Noctua U12F,XFX 680i mobo, EVGA 640mb 8800gts, Modded antec 900 for CM, 1tb(2x500gb wd re2)+150gb raptor, Vista home premium 64 bit, mx 5000 K+M, dual sammy's 19(193p+)+22(226bw "s" ), z5500+HD595's, xfi plat, 850watt enermax Galaxy
Reply to eric54

Thanks eklipz330 and eric54

By the way... Whats a x48 Motherboard?

Reply to antekz

X48 is an Intel chipset that supports full speed crossfire. The P45 chipset also supports crossfire, but at 8x/8x speed instead of 16x/16x.

Reply to shortstuff_mt

Can you link me to one?

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to antekz

antekz wrote :

Can you link me to one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] ntel%20X48

Here's a list of X48 boards you can browse through. I personally like Asus or Gigabyte and both make pretty solid motherboards. And a list of P45 boards if you're interested in saving a little dough for weed and/or beer.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] ntel%20P45

------------------------------

http://valid.x86-secret.com/cache/banner/430630.png

Asus P5Q Deluxe,
Q6600 @ 3.0 ghz (333x9),
EVGA 8800GTS 320MB stock,
Reply to aeiouandxyz

Thanks, what x48 board do you guys think will be best?

Edit :

ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131284

Would this be the best bang for the buck?

Message edited by antekz on 10-29-2008 at 09:22:52 AM

Reply to antekz

Hey Antekz-

VoodooDan here from HP. If you haven’t decided on a system yet you should check out one of ours - the HP Blackbird 002.

It kind of has the best of both worlds, and might be a good starting point for you to consider if you’re a first time DIY’er. The system uses industry standard components and it can be easily upgraded and added to as time goes on. It’s under warranty too, so your investment is well protected.

We now have a config available for $1,999. You can check it out here: http://h20435.www2.hp.com/#/HOME

Also, feel free to take a look at a review of Blackbird here: http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/h [...] 92299.html

Reply to VoodooDan

Let me know if you've got any other questions though - I'm happy to help.

Message edited by VoodooDan on 10-30-2008 at 01:48:58 AM

Reply to VoodooDan

Voodo, thanks, but I would like to enjoy building a computer myself. I also think it would be alot cheaper and faster that way.

Thanks!

Also, can anyone suggest a good x48 mobo for me?

Reply to antekz

GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] ga-x48-ds4 $224.99

ASUS P5E Deluxe LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131317 $219.99

Message edited by shortstuff_mt on 10-30-2008 at 03:17:37 AM

Reply to shortstuff_mt

Should I wait for black Friday or Christmas time to find better deals?

Reply to antekz

Anyone?

Reply to antekz

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