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First time gaming/general use build $900-1250

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - First time gaming/general use build $900-1250

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usernts   07-03-2009 at 04:22:03 AM


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within 2 weeks

BUDGET RANGE: US $900-1250 (might have a little room to stretch, but I would like to stay much closer to the low end)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Internet, Movies occasionally.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Mouse, Keyboard, Speakers, Microphone, Optical Drives, Monitor (unless you find a heck of deal)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Doesn't really matter too much as long as they are reputable. I would prefer free shipping and to buy everything in the same place.

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel CPU, maybe XFX gpu, maybe asus mobo? (up for suggestions)

OVERCLOCKING: Probably

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe in the future

MONITOR RESOLUTION: My current monitor is 1280x1024 but I would being willing to work with higher wide screen resolutions if I can find a deal on a monitor. Nothing too crazy

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Aesthetics don't make much of a difference as long as it's not hideous. I suppose I'm looking for a quadcore (for future-proofing maybe i7 920?) . DDR2 or DDR3?

I've haven't really kept up with the computer scene for some time, so you'll have to forgive the lack of parts selection.

Q or i7?

Definitely an Intel chipset and around 4gb of RAM.

These builds sparked my interest.
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/foru [...] _13_0.html
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/foru [...] _13_0.html

Thanks






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Bronze Home Brew badge niklas_13   07-03-2009 at 05:10:25 AM
- 0 +

CASE COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119137

MOBO GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128374

CPU Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115202

RAM OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227365

GPU XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150359

HDD Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319
X 2 for raid setup

PSU CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006

HEATSINK ZALMAN CNPS9900LED 120mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835118046

1249.90 + tax and shipping – 45 in MIR

With this setup you should be good to go. Be able to xfire latter and be able to add a new monitor when ready and OC just add some cpu glue in with the order.

Others might be able to help more

GL with the build

Reply to niklas_13
Bronze Home Brew badge gkay09   07-03-2009 at 06:49:45 AM
- 0 +

niklas_13' build is very good...but I would change a few things...

1. Definately the CPU cooler...That Zalman is overpriced for the performance it offers...
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/c [...] undup.html

The Scythe Mugen 2 offers better performance for far less...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835185093

2. Mobo - That Gigabyte is definately a very good mobo no doubt...but it is prices high on newegg...

Here are few ASUS options ...
If you will only crossfire -
ASUS P6T SE LGA 1366
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131386

But my favourite - Just $30 more but well worth it...
ASUS Rampage II GENE LGA 1366 Intel X58
Review - http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,2302.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131371

And look out for combos in newegg...would save you lot of cash...
RAM + Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.209924

Reply to gkay09
Bronze Home Brew badge Why_Me   07-03-2009 at 09:44:35 AM
- 0 +

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129042 $54.95
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] e=10006382 $109.99 Free Shipping
PC Power and Cooling SILENCER 750W QUAD S75CF Power Supply Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.209740 Combo Discount: -$20.00 Combo Price: $459.98 $15.00 Mail-In Rebate
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233029 $39.98
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835154003 $4.99
Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102830 $199.99 ($189.99 after $10.00 Mail-In Rebate Card) Free Shipping*
SAPPHIRE 100269SR Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.204577 Combo Discount: -$7.00 Combo Price: $167.98 $15.00 Mail-In Rebate Free Shipping*
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824254035 $149.99 Free Shipping*
Hanns·G Hi-221DPB Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 Built in Speakers - Retail

Total: $1,187.85 | $1,142.85 w/mail in rebates

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us [...] ID=mscomsc <--- Save yourself some money on an o/s until March 2010 and dl the 64 bit version of Windows RC 7

------------------------------ "God invented Google so you would stop asking stupid questions."
 Reply to Why_Me
Bronze Home Brew badge Why_Me   07-03-2009 at 09:51:25 AM
- 0 +

I can't edit my post because of a "new" forums bug...arrgghhh. Anyways tack this burner on to that build up above.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151171 $25.99
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner - OEM

------------------------------ "God invented Google so you would stop asking stupid questions."
 Reply to Why_Me
usernts   07-03-2009 at 07:43:36 PM
- 0 +



Thanks a ton. I really appreciate you guys going out of your way to help me out.

Oh, and Why_Me, I already have an optical drive, but thank you for the suggestion.

So, here is what I came up with after going through all the parts you guys posted. Hopefully there's nothing wrong.

$1260.82 shipped - $1240.82 after rebates :bounce: Perfect

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu8/usernts/finalcomp.jpg

Reply to usernts
Bronze Home Brew badge niklas_13   07-03-2009 at 08:40:58 PM
- 0 +

looks good !!!

1.You could pickup a 2nd HDD latter if you like for raid

2. Dload a free copy of Windows 7

3. Make sure your old dvd is sata

Then you are set with a sweet system :) damn i should of waited 4 months before i built mine lol

------------------------------ P55-UD4P / i5 750 @ 3.6 180X20 / GSkill 1600 @ 1420 7-7-7-22 / WD Black 640 / HD 5850 / Corsair 750 / Win 7
Reply to niklas_13
Helloworld_98   07-03-2009 at 09:16:24 PM
- 0 +

get a bigger case, the antec 300 is an absolute nightmare to work with higher end PC's like yours.

Reply to Helloworld_98
usernts   07-03-2009 at 09:19:23 PM
- 0 +

Uh oh. My old optical is IDE. I didn't notice the lack of IDE ports. I guess ill be adding that drive.

Reply to usernts
usernts   07-03-2009 at 09:44:54 PM
- 0 +

Case and SATA DVD drive suggestions ( the drive you posted is not in stock)? Money is an issue.


Message edited by usernts on 07-03-2009 at 09:51:36 PM
Reply to usernts
waynec121   07-03-2009 at 09:56:59 PM
- 0 +

CM 690 - Plenty of space, ample cooling, and well priced.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119137

------------------------------ Fire Protection Engineering Major @ UMCP

i7 920~ EVGA x58~ XFX 5770
 Reply to waynec121
Bronze Home Brew badge niklas_13   07-04-2009 at 01:09:21 AM
- 0 +

+1 for the CM 690 same as in my post

For the DVD a SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223Q LightScribe Support - OEM is all you should need

NEWEGG is out of them try another store :)

------------------------------ P55-UD4P / i5 750 @ 3.6 180X20 / GSkill 1600 @ 1420 7-7-7-22 / WD Black 640 / HD 5850 / Corsair 750 / Win 7
Reply to niklas_13
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