Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > Looking for Advice on a new PC
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dmastro   05-29-2009 at 11:15:51 PM

Ok, it’s been several years since I built my last PC and I don’t much have time to follow new technology anymore, so I’m now desperately out of touch with current components… That being said, I’m planning to build a new system to handle some light gaming (eq2, Fallout3, etc) and video editing (home movies of the kids), as well as general computing (photo/music storage, MS Office work, etc). I think it would forever and a day to educate myself enough to make an intelligent purchasing decision, so I leave myself in your capable hands to help recommend a build…

 

I'm hoping to make a purchase in the next month, and would like to keep pricing as close to $600 as I can.

 

I've typically purchased from Newegg but I'm open to other vendors if they have a good track record.

 

Case: Would like to reuse my Antec Sonata II http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/pr [...] ==&id=NjYy if possible.

 

CPU: Core @ Duo E8400 ($167) / E8500 ($189) or Core 2 Quad Q8400 ($185). Which makes the most sense for me? Or is there an altogether better product at this price point?

 

Heatsink/Cooling System: Need a suggestion given the case and CPU.
Mobo: P45, Crossfire would be nice, legacy ports (PATA), onboard audio with optical output. I’m probably not terribly concerned with overclockability unless it can be done very easily.

 

Memory: 4GB if I stick with XP Professional, 6GB if I move to Vista. Open to suggestions as to brand and timing.

 

PSU: I appear to be right on the cusp, but I presume my 450W PSU will not be sufficient, and definitely will not be when I decide to add a second graphics card. I’m thinking of purchasing an Antec EA 750 PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371026, assuming I can swap it into my case.

 

Hard Drive: WD Caviar Black 1TB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136284

 

DVD: Will reuse my existing internal DVD drive (PATA) and external USB DVD drive

 

OS: I own XP Professional free and clear. It is worth buying Vista 64? Should I run Windows 7 release candidate and then buy when it releases? Reliable performance with minimal tweaking is desired.

 

Keyboard/Mouse/Monitor: Reusing my current components.

 

Did I miss anything?

 

I appreciate all your suggestions to help me avoid mistakes when putting together this new system!

 

edited: to add required information

 


Message edited by dmastro on 05-29-2009 at 11:45:05 PM
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Proximon   05-30-2009 at 01:35:12 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

Core @ Duo E8400 ($167) / E8500 ($189) or Core 2 Quad Q8400 ($185). Which makes the most sense for me? Or is there an altogether better product at this price point?



Quad core, but probably an AMD X4 940. Let's see how the budget works. AMD has the better bang for the buck right now, and a 940 is faster than a Q8400.


While the EA750 is a fine PSU, the Corsair 650TX is probably what you need. You did not list GPU anywhere but that would handle crossfire 4850s.



AMD X4 940 and Gigabyte 790X MB UD4P
Mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800

Sunbeam CCTF CPU cooler

Corsair 650TX

XFX 4850
recommended because of cooling and warranty
OR
Sapphire 4850
great price on a quality product, but will make your case warmer.

------------------------------ My Guide to choosing parts
A big list of recommended parts
Troubleshooting Guide w/links
 Reply to Proximon
Proximon   05-30-2009 at 01:36:30 AM
- 0 +

Oh, and don't think about crossfiring 4850s in the Sonata, it doesn't have the air flow ;)

------------------------------ My Guide to choosing parts
A big list of recommended parts
Troubleshooting Guide w/links
 Reply to Proximon
xthekidx   05-30-2009 at 02:26:52 AM
- 0 +

I don't think you will need crossfire, I would just forget about it. Just get a single GPU that is decent and it should be enough for you. Crossfire consumes a lot of power, and makes a lot of heat. I would go for a 500W PSU, like the Antec EA500 Earthwatts or OCZ 600w and a 4850 or GTX 260, On a 770 MB with the PII 940, or 810 if the 940 is too much.

Look at something like this:
MB/PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.190124
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103471
Ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231241
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 7&Tpk=4850

------------------------------ Asus P6T & i7 920 @ 3.6ghz
GTX 260 Core 216
6gb 1443MHZ 7-7-7-18 1T OCZ Platinum
CM RC-690, CM V8 HSF
Reply to xthekidx
batuchka   05-30-2009 at 03:25:49 AM
- 0 +

Hmm ok here is my suggestion:

Case: Resued as stated
ODD: Ditto
$574 with ship less MIR
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q205/batuchka/5xxDBj.jpg
+1 on advise not to CF in your casing and your gaming needs do not justify it anyway hehe

Reply to batuchka
dmastro   06-01-2009 at 08:49:06 PM
- 0 +

Hi everyone, thanks for the helpful responses. I was actually putting the final specs together this weekend when I happened upon the following PC on Craigslist.

Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Wolfdale 2.8GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115206

Thermaltake V1 Max-Performance CPU Cooler with Massive 110mm Blue LED Full-Range Variable Speed Fan CL-P0401 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835106102

HIS Hightech H487FN512P Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161268

GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128380

6GB RAM – G.Skill (model # unknown)

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136284

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800AAJS 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136195

Thermaltake SopranoRS VG7000BWS Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] %20soprano

Ultra V-Series 500 Watt PSU
http://www.ultraproducts.com/produ [...] ductID=369

Sony DL DVD-RW

Sony CDRW

Logitech Wave Pro Desktop Black USB 2.4 GHz Wireless Keyboard & Mouse Combo - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6823126042

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition


I inspected the PC and everything checked out OK. I have manuals, drivers, etc. The only thing missing is the mobo lacks an IEEE 1394 port so I ran down to Fry's and picked up an add-in card so I could connect my camcorder.

I got out the door for just over $400, including my Firewire card purchase, so I'm quite pleased with this purchase. The specs beat anything I could have put together at this price.

One question though - I don't know much about the Ultra brand. Is this a decent enough PSU?

Reply to dmastro
Helloworld_98   06-01-2009 at 08:53:36 PM
- 0 +

get a new PSU, I wouldn't trust that one with a 4870.

Reply to Helloworld_98
Proximon   06-01-2009 at 09:01:17 PM
- 0 +

No it's poor quality. The only decent current models they have are the X3 line. They used to do better. It's not complete junk though. Call it tier 4. They are normally fairly safe I think. Good protection and poor regulation.

The AAJS drive will run hot and be a bit slow. Why is it even there?

The V1 CPU cooler is heavy and mostly for show, but it will cool a bit better than stock. Just be careful with the weight on the board. Does it have a backplate to support it?

You certainly got a good deal at 400 bucks :)


------------------------------ My Guide to choosing parts
A big list of recommended parts
Troubleshooting Guide w/links
 Reply to Proximon
xthekidx   06-01-2009 at 09:02:40 PM
- 0 +

Ultra makes some decent PSU's, but I would also get a new one, that one isn't that great for a 4870. A Corsair 550vx would be a nice option.

------------------------------ Asus P6T & i7 920 @ 3.6ghz
GTX 260 Core 216
6gb 1443MHZ 7-7-7-18 1T OCZ Platinum
CM RC-690, CM V8 HSF
Reply to xthekidx
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