Review my Build - $900 General System

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pguidry

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Jul 20, 2009
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18,510
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 1-2 weeks

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Web browsing (90%), CD burning, IPOD, GPS Software,

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, mwave, tigerdirect

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel CPU

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1024x768,

Here's what I put together based on Proximon's recommendations. It's probably overkill but I'm leaning for 6GB memory. I could probably go with integrated graphics. Does the P45 chipset come w/ on board graphics? Here's my parts list from Newegg:

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $134.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Wolfdale 2.8GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail 119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115206

HIS H485FN512P Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Reta 109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161259

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

NZXT TEMPEST Crafted Series CS-NT-TEM-B Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $87.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146047

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM 74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM 109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model SH-S222A - OEM $24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151175
 
hunter315

hunter315

Champion
May 12, 2009
10,653
3
51,960
The board you picked doesnt support DDR3, and doesnt support triple channel either. Any particular reason for the intel preference? Also with a 4850 at that resolution you will be able to run crysis at ~100 FPS so spend less on the graphics card, hell onboard solutions can handle 1024x768 pretty well. And you definitely dont need that PSU for a 4850 if you arent going to crossfire.

Ram for that mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227420

PSU that isnt overkill
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007&Tpk=EA500

Graphics card more suited for your resolution
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102820

I didnt change the board or processor you picked because you want an intel build, but i would suggest against a build based around 775 right now as it is EOL and you can get a much better AMD processor and motherboard for less than the intel processor and motherboard.
 
G

Gedoe_

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Mar 14, 2009
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I think you spend alot of your equips, but way too little on your GPU and CPU. But the CPU and GPU are what going to matter in gaming preformance, so spend more on those. $900 should buy at least E8x00, AMD quad or even i7 quad, though a $900 i7 build does not include a vista lisence
 
mlcloud

mlcloud

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Mar 16, 2009
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gedoe_, how about you READ the opening post before typing? People are getting rather sloppy nowadays.

To OP: any reason you want to get the 4850? What justifies the purchase?

If web browsing and misc. are all you need, you could get away with $600, maybe even $500.
 
astrodudepsu

astrodudepsu

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Jun 11, 2009
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18,790
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R --------------------$114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359

E5200 -------------------------------------------$69
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072&Tpk=E5200

Radeon HD 4670 512MB -------------------------$68
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121274

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) --------------------------$43
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231207

PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500D 500W ---$75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703016

COOLER MASTER RC-690 -------------------------$80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137&Tpk=rc-690

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB--$75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

SAMSUNG Black 22X SATA DVD Burner--------------$26
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler ---$36
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003&Tpk=xigmatek%20s1283

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM ---$110


That's just under 700
 
gkay09

gkay09

Splendid
Jul 28, 2008
8,861
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31,960
@pguidry, hi...

The parts that you have chosen are all good components but like others have pointed out, there are some incompatibilities...

And like hunter said, you should check out the AMD CPUs, the reason is because the mobos have very good integrated graphics(3200/3300 chips) and actually can play some of the current games @ your current resolution...
And currently they have a very good CPU + Mobo combo @ newegg, which has a more powerful CPU and the feature-rich mobo

Here is a very good config, that you can consider...

X3 720 + ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX
This mobo has the most powerful onboard desktop graphics
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205337

RAM - 6GB is an overkill...For now get 4GB, later when you feel the need, get 4GB more...
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189

HDD - Same - WD Black...

DVD - Don't get the IDE version of the drive, get the SATA one...It has a thinner cable, hence less clutter...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187

Power supply - You wont require the 750W at all...Change to this power supply...
It can also power discrete cards too...

Antec EA650
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

But as you are getting a case with window, get a modular powersupply...
Reason - You can remove unused connectors, that would keep the interiors clutter-free...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017

Actually you can do away with the Corsair 450VX but just incase if you want to add a separate graphics card, you wont have the required power connectors for cards above 4850/ GTS 250...

And with these changes, you could save some cash, and mabye can look into getting yourself a bigger wide-screen monitor as it would be good for Web browsing...
These are very good one and just cost about $120...
Acer X193W+BD Black 19" 5ms
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009127
ASUS VH202T-P Glossy black 20"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236063
 
mlcloud

mlcloud

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Mar 16, 2009
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For the needs you listed pguidry, I think the above is appropriate as well. You don't need the 4850, which would play crysis rather easily at your resolution xD.

+1 from meh.

You know, since our OP isn't overclocking (and hence not getting gigantic tower heat sinks), he won't have any problems with tall RAM, so why not this one for 2$ more and 7-7-7-18 timings? (as opposed to the not-so-tall RAM with 8-8-8-21)

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231200

The PSU is definitely overkill for that system, so pguidry, if you KNOW you're never going to play high-graphic video games (the onboard could probably handle warcraft III and some of the lighter FPSs) then you might wanna ask/look for some non-modular PSUs with slightly lower wattage to see if you can save a few bucks. On the other hand, leaving yourself open to upgrades is never a bad idea.
 
P

pguidry

Distinguished
Jul 20, 2009
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18,510
All,

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll dig through them. I am pretty committed to Intel. I worked there 17 years. Kind of hard to shake that one :) I do believe the AMD on board graphics would be a great solution. I just can't go to the other side on that one.

I'll look at some of the other PSU and GPU's.

Paul
 
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