APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next two weeks
BUDGET RANGE: ~$800 (excluding peripherals/accessories/monitor)
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: speakers, monitor
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: any US based site, also have a Microcenter fairly convenient (Boston)
PARTS PREFERENCES: Want good value in system that I won't need to upgrade really (at least not totally overhaul, maybe put in a better graphics card or OC the CPU) for a few years - won't be playing the latest games on it, maybe Starcraft 2 might be the only thing I really play
OVERCLOCKING: Probably not [ b]SLI OR CROSSFIRE[/b]: No
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Just purchased 24" Dell monitor - 1900x1200
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Have a wireless mouse but will be on the lookout for any sweet wireless keyboard or combo wireless mouse/keyboards deals in next couple of weeks
Here is what I am thinking for parts:
Antec 300
http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?pro...
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor Model HDZ940XCGIBOX - Retail
BIOSTAR TA790GXB A2+ AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
COMBO at Newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...
SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1100 (PC2 8800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8800CL5D-4GBPI - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
LG 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 IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...
XIGMATEK XLF-F1253 120mm 4 white LED LED Case Fan - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Total is ~$800 before tax, shipping, and rebates
Some questions I have are:
1) Overall, is this a good value build? Can I get more "bang for the buck" by using a more limited processor or GPU?
2) Do I have too much power supply?
3) Is the MB/CPU combo any good? Could I do better with a better MB but weaker CPU such as
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...
(supporting DDR3 memory - would save me having to buy new memory whenever I upgrade)
4) Do I need a cooler? I may want to do some limited overclocking. The CPU comes with a stock cooler, right?
5) This is my first time building - what else do I need? Any particular screwdriver recommendations? Do I need one of those antistatic wrist bands? What about thermal paste or does that come with the stock cooler?
6) I'll be able to keep using this copy of Windows Vista OEM, even if I do a major upgrade to the computer e.g. change the MB and CPU a few years from now? Assuming the Windows 7 upgrade comes as a CD so that will still work...
Note this is a follow-up to this thread:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/267647-31-computer-mo...