<$1000 PC for general applications

[1kpc]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Now

BUDGET RANGE: 800-1000$ limit (minimize)

SYSTEM USAGE (EQUALLY WEIGHTED): internet surfing and online videos, DVD, MS office, multiple processes, no gaming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: OS and softwares, monitor, RAM, graphics card

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: none

PARTS PREFERENCES: intel cpu, mid tower case

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Requirements might not justify the configuration, but would like the system to be as fast as possible within the budget.

Here's what I'm considering now:

1. Processor -- intel core i7 920 $290
http://www.pc-sprockets.com/site/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=354

2. Case -- Cooler master 690 for $79.72
http://www.provantage.com/cooler-master-rc-690-kkn1-gp~7COOL023.htm

3. Motherboard -- (a) Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD4P ~ $240 (tax and shipping included)
http://www.provantage.com/gigabyte-technology-ga-ex58-ud4p~7GIG905X.htm

or (b) Foxconn renaissance $219 (after tax, shipping and MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186161

4. Cooling: Vigor LT III $68
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835702007

5. Power supply: Corsair TX 650W $80
http://www.pcconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=8111223&oext=1038A&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=8111223

6. Storage (OS): 74GB WD raptor $87
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835702007

7. Storage (Data): 500 GB WD 7200 rpm $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

8. CD/DVD burner: I'll just pick any for sth around $25

My current total is $935. I've already purchased the following:
1. RAM (already purchased) OCZ platinum 3x2GB 12800 for $70
2. Graphics (already purchased) nvidia 9600 GSO 768 MB for $55
3. Samsung 24" LCD with TV tuner for $300

I would really like to bring the total cost down by 50-100 bucks. I'm trying to change the case, cooling and MB to make some saving. So any suggestion is welcome on these as well as on all the other components.

Thanks,
Nitin

 

[1kpc]

Forgot to mention that this is the first time I'll be building a desktop and would like to overclock it to sth around 3.5 GHz.

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 $39.99 Free Shipping*
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185093 $36.99 Free Shipping*
Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154003 $4.99
Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Retail

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020 $7.99 Free Shipping*
ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 $58.95 Free Shipping*
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-EX58U3R $179.99 | $164.99 after rebate
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3/ CrossFireX/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=I7-920 $265.99 Free Ground Shipping
Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, OEM

 

[gkay09]

^+1
And change the PSU...you don't need more than 500W for that setup...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022

And if you are planning to buy the Raptors, just drop it...they are not at all worth it IMO...
Get a single WD Black 640GB...It would be as fast as that Raptor(Google and check and will give you more space...
Well you can drop that option and get a single 1TB WD Black...

 

[1kpc]

Thanks a lot Why_me and gkay09. I'm taking your suggestions into account and looking into those components.

For Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R, it has 4 RAM slots and the maximum memory can go up to 16 GB (with 4GB per slot). However UD4P has 6 RAM slots and it can go upto 24 GB. But I guess 4GB high speed RAM is still very expensive and if I'm using 2 GB sticks, I'll can reach 8GB and 12 GB with these two MBs. Clearly UD4P has an advantage and that's why I'm inclined towards UD4P for an 50 bucks extra ($190 vs $240, all inclusive prices).

Case wise I do like antec three hundred and also 590, just that 690 has more features and a better product ad and review, for 20 bucks extra. But, I think you're right and I might go with antec 300 or CM 590, just cant make up my mind ;(

For the PSUs, I couldn't find a reputed 600-650W product which has significant price advantage. I don't want to go below 600, because I want to operate much below the maximum rating of the supply (and also think that bigger is better ..!!)

For the CPU coolers I'm juggling between the bit expensive vigor LT III which has two fans and has shown in the reviews to be very effective compared to other gaming system coolers, and the cheaper ones like xigmatek and scythe mugen which will same me ~20 bucks, but have one fan and seems vigor is much superior to them! Not to forget I'll be overclocking (upto 3.6GHz) for the first time and don't want to take any chance with my CPU.

Big mess in my mind right now. Thanks for helping me guys.

 

[xthekidx]

The Vigor isn't as good as the Xigmatek cooler. Check out Frostytech.com for reviews, they have the most complete database of coolers. The Vigor is OK, but its overpriced IMO.

Even if you went with a 500w PSU, you would be using about 50% of its total load. 500w would be plenty for you, but if you wanted 600w, then look at this PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010

 

[Helloworld_98]

you could get away with a 400w psu of decent quality if PSU calc's are to be believed. as long as you don't OC.

You could fit in a 4870 and you would need over 500w.

 

[1kpc]

Thanks guys. I see a lot of support for xigmatek cooler in this forum. At frostytech, they have a comparison of xigmatech thor hammer, xigmatech dark knight, akasa nero, noctua, ocz gladiator, thermaltake v1ax and from among them xigmatech comes out good. But this review doesn't include cooler master v8 and vigor LT monsoon. At legit reviews, they have noctua, cm v8, vigor and a few others in which noctua delivers best performance, but cm v8 is also not far behind. All these measurements were performed on an i7 system. I can't understand why noctua performs badly in frosttech reviews.

Anyways, any word of advice on the comparison between CM V8 vs xigmatek dark knight? CM v8 is at $53 and dark knight is at $40. I want to be on the safe side while overclocking and so want to pick the best out of these two.


xthekidx: thanks for your advice. The GSO 9600 requirements has minimum 400 W supply and atleast 26A on the 12V supply, ie, ~300W on 12V line. the online power calculators estimate my power requirements around 250 W and going for 550W isn't saving me any more than 10-15 bucks. So, I think I'll stick with 650W, unless there's a big price advantage for 550W.

Also, I have a question for you: did you have problems installing RAM on your machine with CM V8 heat sink? I'm more inclined towards gigabyte GA-EX58-UD4P, but even that has its RAM slots close to the processor.

 

[xthekidx]

No the cooler is tall enough that you should have clearance, unless you get the G skill PI black, ocz reaper, or Corsair dominator ram with the tall heatsinks.

 

[1kpc]

Thanks xthekidx. I bought CM V8 for $57.50 (taxes included) and 4 pack of cooler master 120 mm silent case fan (1200 rpm) for $10.00 from fry's which seems a good deal. My final configuration now looks like:

1. intel core i7 $290
2. Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD4P $235
3. Cooler master V8 $57.5
4. Corsair TX650 $80
5. Cooler master 690 case $80
6. CD/DVD burner $25
7. 6GB OCZ platinum 12800 $70
8. Nvidia Geforce 9600 GSO $55
9. Cooler master 120 mm silent fans 4 pack $10
10. Western Digital Black 500 GB $70

That makes the total 972.5 (including taxes, shipping and MIRs)

 

[smithereen]

Are you sure you need an i7? That's probably overkill if you don't do heavy gaming or editing. A Ph2 or Core2 quad should be good enough...

 

[1kpc]

Thanks for your comment. I want a high performance computer coz I'll be running matlab and usually have many programs running at the same time. Also i7 is in my budget so I guess its better to have it rather than core 2 quad.