Recommendations on first build, <$750, Phenom based

[imlovinit]

I'm putting together a phenom-based computer on TigerDirect.com that I'll be using for computer animation and maybe some graphics design. I'm not a gamer.

It's got:
Phenom X3 2.30ghz
XFX nForce 750a mobo
8GB of Corsair 1066mz DDR2 ram
EVGA GeForce 9500 GT 1GB DDR2 graphics card
Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB 7200rpm Hard Drive
Corsair VX550W 550W Power Supply
2 Ultra120mm Case Fans
Ultra X-Blaster mid-tower case

If you want to see a complete parts list in one place, here's a link to my wishlist on TigerDirect: http://www.tigerdirect.com/sectors/wishlist/wishlist.asp?WishId=61118B2B-1643-45DD-AB09-0274D52E6391&&SRCCODE=WEBWISH

I need some advice because I have no experience building modern computers. I did build a P4 computer before I had any money...
I don't want to go over $700 if I don't have to, but I want a quality system that will last a few years. Right now the total with shipping is $761 - $60 in rebates. If I have to go a little less powerful on some components to get better quality and reliability, I'll do that. Is everything compatible? Am I missing anything? Keep in mind that I already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and OS (Kubuntu). Are there any recommendations of different parts that I could get for a better value? Any Recommendations at all? I just need general advice from all you experienced builders.
Thank you so much! I've been wanting to build a comp for years and I'm finally ready to take the plunge.

 

[dustyred14]

I'd have to recommend using newegg, as well as tigerdirect, to get the best price on parts. Newegg tends to be a bit cheaper then tigerdirect. (For example, the 8650 processor is $76 at newegg.) You are also planning to pay WAY too much for that 9500 card. I would have to recommend a video card by Asus, Biostar, MSI or Gigabyte- they carry 3 year warranties and EVGA cards tend to crap out before then. I think you should pick up a more powerful graphics card if you plan to do computer animation, the 9500 tends to be for mainstream desktop computing, I'd go at least with a 9600 or a Radeon 4670.

Next, I'd think about dropping the X3 8650 and going with the Phenom II X3 710 or 720, a Phenom II X4 or the Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400. The 8650 would suffice, but definitely wouldn't be fast for the animation. Also, 8GB of RAM for this application is complete overkill, unless you just want the bragging rights. 4GB should be more then enough.

Here is what I think you should consider:
AMD Phenom II X3 710 2.6GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103648

Gigabyte AMD 790X Mobo with Ultra Durable 4 and 3 year warranty (far superior to chipset on the XFX mobo)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378

ATi Radeon 4670 w/ 1GB (MSI)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127399

4GB DDR3 1333MHz DDR3 RAM (look for lower latency and faster clock, DDR3 is superior)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148227

The hard drive you chose is an excellent choice for your needs.

The power supply you chose is also excellent, however, I think I saw it cheaper on newegg.

The case is your preference, Ultra makes good cases.

If you want to save money, hit up newegg and see what they can do! Good luck on your build!

 

[imlovinit]

Thank you! I will look at newegg. I read some bad things about first-gen phenoms right after I posted this.. So maybe I will go with the phenom II. I'm trying to keep it under $750 though.. So, 8gb is overkill? I just saw how cheap it was so I thought I would fill it up. But you're probably right. I should get faster ram and less ram if I don't need that much. Yeah, it would be cool to say, "I have 8 gigs of ram.". I'm going to get a Nvidia card. Ati cards generally have a harder time running in Linux. I'm kind of busy but I'll try to post another similar build with your recommendations from newegg in the next day or two.

 

[dustyred14]

You can easily keep all that under $750 at newegg. The Phenom II's are good processors and formitable to the Core 2 Quads. Yes, RAM is cheap now, but it'll be even cheaper later so if for some reason 4 isn't enough, upgrading will be a snap. But with Linux, 2GB would be enough, 4GB is definitely plenty, so might as well focus on the clock speed. If you're going Nvidia try to find a good overclocked 9600GT or 8800. Those will work really well for what you need. Good luck!

 

[hoopslam]

You can do a lot better for $700 at newegg. Here's what I'd do if I were you:

CPU/Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.191010
Phenom II 710 + 760g motherboard (you don't seem like the overclocking type)

$158.99.

You can base your build around that combo and you'll be very well set up for a build in the $400-$500 range for pretty much double the performance of what you originally posted.

 

[batuchka]

1. Ditch the SLI mobo
2. Get a P2X4
3. Get a CUDA enabled IGP or discrete
http://www.nvidia.com/object/cuda_learn_products.html
4. Get a bigger HDD with the best $$/GB ratio

Get a 120mm fan for the front of casing and top up $30 for a Hitachi 1TB?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145233

 

[imlovinit]

Okay, here's the updated build on Newegg.

Phenom II X3 710 2.6GHz

Gigabyte 790X AM3 motherboard
I decided to go with dustyred14's mobo instead of hoopslam's because it allows ddr3 and it has am3. (more upgradeable)

Asus GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 Graphics Card
I couldn't find a ddr3 card with 1gb that was not more than I wanted to pay.

Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333 Memory
The memory that dustyred14 suggested is out of stock currently so I found this. It's a little slower..

Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

COOLER MASTER GeminII 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler
Is this a good CPU cooler?

Rosewill 0.8mm Japanese Cold Rolled Steel Screw-less Dual 120mm Fans Mid Tower Case
Couldn't find the Ultra X-Blaster case on Newegg. Is Rosewill a good brand? This case comes with two 120mm fans.

CORSAIR 550W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Grand total with shipping is $743.67. The rebates on some of the items add up to $60 off which puts it under $700! If you add up the items and find they don't equal $743.67 it's because I left out the DVD drive, surge suppressor, thermal compound, and anti-static wrist strap from the list above. I'm still welcoming any advice. Thanks!

 

[imlovinit]

Shall I go for it?

 

[hunter315]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

The sonata III comes with an Antec 500W earthwatts power supply and its alot less than the rosewill + corsair that you have listed

 

[imlovinit]

Thanks! I don't like the looks as much as the rosewill but it comes with a nice PSU.
Not sure if I'll do it though because it doesn't have free shipping and the corsair psu had a rebate. The total with the antec case and psu instead of the rosewill and corsair is only about $6 cheaper. I wouldn't have to mess with as many rebates though..
What about the CPU cooler? Is it going to be sufficient and reliable?

 

[Cpt Deadboots]

That's a great build. I'd honestly change the case to an Antec Three Hundred, though - you could save a few bucks by comboing it with an Earthwatts 430. Here's my build based on your aforementioned preferences:

Phenom II x3 720/Gigabyte 790X motherboard - I'd grab this quick; the combo deal ends tomorrow.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190734

Antec Three Hundred/Antec Earthwatts 430

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.193754

Xigmatek HDT-S1283 CPU cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

XFX Radeon HD4850 1GB w/free 4GB flash drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.194467

G. Skill 2x2GB DDR2-1066

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

WD Caviar Black 640

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Samsung SATA DVD-RW

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173

This comes out to $655 with shipping - if you want the surge suppressor, thermal grease, and anti-static strap that you listed above, I imagine it will be closer to $700 with shipping.

 

[imlovinit]

What's the difference between the 790X and the 790XT mobo? Is a 430w PSU enough? Thanks. By combining part of your build with part of mine, I may be able to only pay $650. I'll probably have to order tomorrow. I think some of the other deals also end tomorrow.

 

[hunter315]

the XT is part of gigabytes naming scheme, the boards ending in T are DDR3 compatible while the ones without it are DDR2 so make sure of which one you get

 

[imlovinit]

Bummer. I was going for DDR3...

 

[Cpt Deadboots]

DDR3 won't be a big performance boost over DDR2-1066... the video card and hard drive listed above will more than make up for the slight memory bandwidth decrease. The 4850 has more than twice the theoretical processing power of a 9600, and that hard drive has twice the cache of the 320 GB you had previously (which should result in better performance). If you want the benefits of CUDA (I don't know if any graphics animation/design programs utilize this), get a GTS 250 1GB instead of the 4850.

 

[Cpt Deadboots]

Additionally, the 790X (as opposed to the XT) is AM3 compatible - just not DDR3 compatible. It's up to you.

 

[imlovinit]

Okay, I've decided I want to keep this cheaper than I originally planned. So, no GTS 250 or 32mb cache HDD. :-( I'm okay though because I'm getting a faster computer than I originally planned for less $ than I originally planned. the total of this build comes to $642.63 after $40 in rebates.

CPU:
AMD Phenom II X3 710 2.6GHz

CPU Cooler:
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P AM3 DDR3

Memory:
Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333

Graphics Card:
ASUS GeForce 9600 GT 512MB GDDR3

Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s

Case:
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel

PSU:
Antec earthwatts 430W

DVD Drive:
SAMSUNG Black 22X with LightScribe

Thermal Compound:
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

Surge Suppressor:
APC 1750 Joules 8 Outlets

Anti-static wrist strap: (Yes, this is my first build.)
Rosewill RTK-002

Less than $650! I will probably order it tomorrow. However, this is a major purchase for me and I don't want to rush it. If you see anything obvious I should change, let me know. Or if you see anything that I could get a better deal for a similar part. I don't want to go over $650.

 

[Cpt Deadboots]

You can get a better card for $100 - here's a 4850 on Newegg for $100/$85 AR:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824

 

[Cpt Deadboots]

Just saw your post about getting an nVidia card for Linux (I need to start reading...) - here's an MSI 9800 GT for $100/$80 AR:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127406

An EVGA 8800 GTS 512 for $110/$90 AR:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130325

A Gigabyte 9800 GT for $100 flat (I'd get this one over the MSI, despite the rebate on the MSI):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125270

 

[imlovinit]

I just ordered the build about 5 minutes ago.
Basically the same as my last post except I went with an Antec Sonata Plus case with a 550watt psu, and GSkill ram instead of crucial. (a little faster) I also chose a COOLER MASTER GeminII instead of the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283.

Thanks so much everyone for all the advice and suggestions.