Newbe Help with System Build

[lansinwd]

I am looking to finish a build that I have been researching for a couple months. My goal with this system is to do a little bit of everything with. I am interested in playing around with OCing the build just to get a good feel for what all is involved. I am not a big gamer, I spend more time programming then anything although I would like to do a little video editing. I want to build a solid system for the next couple of years that will allow for upgrading as needed. So far this is what I have in the build, hopefully no big mistakes, but no going back for these components.

CM-690 case
PC Power and Cooling Silencer 750 Watts
Hitachi 750 GB 7K1000
Asus EAH4850 Top

I have about $400 to spend on the processor, mobo, and ram.

Also, should I go with Vista 64bit or 32 bit.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[lunyone]

* Well the case/PSU are very good selections. The PCP&C 750w PSU is way overpowered for your build. You could even go down a bit, but at $70 after MIR it's hard not to suggest it!!
* The Hitachi HD might be fine, but have you consider the WD 750 gb AAKS version HD? It's pretty fast and obviously has plenty of space. It's going for $75 shipped!!
* The 4850 GPU should do quite well for you as far as gaming is concerned. It should last you quite some time too. If you really don't game much than you can even get something less (4670 or something like it).
* I'd consider getting Vista Home Premium 64bit for your OS. That way you can add more than 4 gb's of DDR2 to your build (if you go with s775 based mobo) or allow you to use the i7 based mobo that supports more RAM.
* If you decide that a s775 mobo is what you want (maybe due to budget limitations) than I'd suggest getting an Asus or Gigabyte p45 based mobo. They will OC well and don't cost too much ($100-140).
* Ram for the s775 based mobo should be DDR2 800mHz CAS4 timings (4-4-4-12) and should be at stock voltage of 1.8v!

Recap:
CM 690 case at Buy.com for $84 shipped!
PCP&C 750w PSU for $110 - $40 MIR = $70!!
WD AAKS 750 gb HD for $75 shipped!!
Asus 4850 Top GPU for $175 - $30 MIR = $145!!
q6600 Quad core CPU for $190!!
or
e8400 w/Asus p5q pro mobo for $285 - $15 MIR = $270!!
Comparison of several p45 based mobo's. Any of them should do quite well for your needs.
DDR2 800 mHz CAS4 timed (4-4-4-12) RAM at stock 1.8v and only $45 shipped!!
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
Asus RETAIL DVD burner for $30 - $10 MIR = $20!! Has the software to read/burn DVD's!!

Total (using e8400/Asus p5q pro combo) ~$900 - $95 MIR's = $805!!! Not too bad. Not sure if that exceeds your original budget, but I included the DVD burner and OS, which you didn't list as something you need. If you don't need those than just subtract them out (~$120 w/MIR on DVD burner).

 

[alcattle]

^+1 Same CPU/MB combo I found. 4 GB of good RAM like G.Skill Black and you in at less then $350 including shipping.

As a programmer, you should get into Vista as soon as you can, XP is a good OS but Vista is future (until Windows 7)

 

[aevm]

+1 for Lunyone's post, all of it.

 

[lunyone]

+1 for Lunyone's post, all of it.

Thank you kind sir. I just try and explain what I understand and hopefully it makes sense to all.

 

[lansinwd]

Thank you all for sharing your expertise with me. I used to build computers about 5 years ago and I have been blown away by all of the changes in every facet of the build. I felt that I got pretty good deals on the components that I have already purchased (CM-690 -$80, PSU - $75 (after mir), 4850 Top - $110 (after mir) …). The budget of $400 for the mobo, ram, and processor is not set in stone, does it make since to add another $100 to the cost and try to work out a solution for i7 920 or the up and coming Phenom II 920? I didn’t know if it made since to spend more now on a processor and less on a mobo and ram, or try to mid range on all of them. (I also was looking at the Q6600, but wasn’t sure if it was too old at this point to consider).

Thanks again for helping me out.

 

[lunyone]

Well it all depends on your concerns. My concerns for me is good gaming, so I'd be going with a C2D/C2Q system with a bitchin' GPU to go with it. Since you appear to be into programming more than anything else the C2Q or the i7 build will probably fit you well. The C2D system will work fine too, I just think the Quad cores are the future. They might not be mainstream just yet, but they will be sooner than later, IMHO. The biggest drawback to the i7 right now is the cost. If the Phenom II's can compete close to the i7 setups than the costs will come down some. Not sure how this will pan out, but it's something to consider.

Snap shot of costs:
C2Q system
CPU - $190 q6600 is still a good buy, especially if you OC it, which should be considered.
Mobo - $100-130 p45 based mobo is all that you should need.
DDR2 - $30-60 for 4 gb's of DDR2 800 mHz RAM, CAS4 (4-4-4-12 timings).

i7 system
CPU - ~$300 for the entry level quad.
Mobo - ~$200-250 depending on which one you get.
DDR3 - $80-300 depending on which one and how much you get. 3x2 gb's is probably a good start, but 3x1 gb's would be the minimum I'd consider.

Both systems would share the same components (Case/PSU/DVD burner/etc.)

Total for C2Q system - ~$320 on the lower side for the CPU/Mobo/RAM
Total for i7 system - ~$580 on the lower side for the CPU/Mobo/RAM

Now with that information you can decide what you want to do. The >$250 difference, I'd put in a better GPU on the C2Q system. This is because I'm into gaming (when I have time) and the GPU is 70-80% of the gaming performance part.

 

[lansinwd]

Thanks for the input. I ended up going with the Q6700 on the PQ5-E motherboard with Crucial Ballistix 4GB 4-4-4-12

Hopefully I can start the build next week.