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Help picking parts

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I'm looking to build a new system. I haven't been in teh market for hardware for about 6 years so I could use some help. I've been looking for parts on new egg but finding the best bang for the buck has been difficult.

I have $1000 to budget
I really like an hp 23" monitor which is $230 so mine as well make the budget $800

Primary uses - Programming. Im constantly multitasking with 1-8 IDE's open at once. I also like to archive my DVD's and sometimes play old video games. I'd like to be able to have the option to play new games but im fine with settling for basic settings.

Processors I like however im open to other suggestion Q9550 and i7 920

I prefer DDR 3 and atleast 6GB

Everything else i leave in your hands.


thanks,
Nick

More about : picking parts

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So the total budget is about $900? Im going to suggest an AMD build, it will give you more upgrade potential and will out perform the Q9550 and the i7 is a bit out of your budget.

PII 955/Sapphire 4890 $375
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

ASUS 790GX/Vista Home Premium 64 bit $225
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

2x Patriot 2x2GB DDR3 1333MHz CL7 Ram $84x2=$168
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Corsair 750TX $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

640GB HDD $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

DVD Burner $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Antec 300 $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

If you only get 1 ram kit for now and dont need vista you can come in under budget, right now it totals up to 1053, unfortunately all of the less expensive parts appear to be sold out. You can also easily come in under budget if you use a 4870 instead of a 4890, it will cut about 60 off.

Thanks for the advice. I think I might be able to save some money on the video card. I usually play games like Diablo I and WarCraft II CoD I and II i guess i just want the option to play IV, but i'd settle for very low settings.
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Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price



SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151188
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

$29.99



COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119137
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant $84.99
$69.99



Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136284
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant $109.99
$94.99



OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227365
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate
$139.99
$124.99



GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128375
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$189.99




CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139005
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
SAPPHIRE 100258-1GHDMI Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814102837
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

-$65.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$289.98
$204.98
Subtotal: $714.93

CPU i7 @ micro center 199.99 http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml...

915.00

Maybe this will work for you ?

DVD drive... all the same basicaly $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Case..... Antec 300 $60 with free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

GPU..... XFX 4850 $110 with free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

MOBO.... Gigabyte MA790XT-UD4P $127 with free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

CPU.... AMD Phenom II x4 955 $200 with free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

PSU.... OCZ 600W $75 with free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

RAM.... Crucial 4GB RAM cas6 $72.... buy 2 packages (4 sticks) for 8GB $144
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

HDD... WD Caviar Black 640GB $75 with free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Total: $821 with almost no shipping charges

OS... Windows 7 RC FREE
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/download...



or if you are good with Biostar MOBO's, try this combo...
AMD 955 with Biostar TA790GX $300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

just watch out on buying cases or PSU's online since shipping can run $15-25 each. look for free shipping or get them at a local store.

+1 @niklas.
For the OP's stated uses, the i7 will be the better CPU option. For the video card, if the monitor is up to 1680x1050 then even a HD4670 will do. Without a high-end gaming card, this system will run on an Earthwatts 380 PSU.
I'm at work now, but will post a build shortly.

The following build is all Newegg. I didn't worry about going over budget, because ordering the i7 920 from Microcenter will bring it back into budget. Comments with each item.

ASRock X58 Deluxe LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #:X58 Deluxe
Item #:N82E16813157155
I've had good results from other ASRock boards. The cheaper Gigabyte curiously only has 4 RAM slots, although I believe it will run in triple-channel mode if only three of them are used. This mobo won't have that anomaly, and has nice connection options. A cheaper version is currently out of stock.
$214.99 -$10.00 Instant $204.99

Antec Two Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #:Two Hundred
Item #:N82E16811129070
This new offering simply looks good. I haven't used this one yet, but other Antec cases I've used have been very well-made. This one will have nice cooling, with the top-mounted fan.
$54.95 $54.95

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:WD6401AALS
Item #:N82E16822136319
Not much to say. Supposedly as fast as a Raptor, but a lot bigger. I usually buy WD or Seagate drives.
$74.99 $74.99

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
Model #:AD-7240S-0B
Item #:N82E16827118030
Eh. I have yet to note any real difference in any of the optical drives I've used.
$29.99 $29.99

HIS H485QT512P Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported IceQ4 Turbo Video Card - Retail
Model #:H485QT512P
Item #:N82E16814161244
The 23" HP monitor appears to have a 1920x1080 resolution, so I think the HD4670 wouldn't quite be enough. This card is not the cheapest 4850 out there, but the extra money buys a very nice cooler that is also quiet.
$129.99 $129.99

Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible ... - Retail
Model #:EA500
Item #:N82E16817371007
A 500W PSU gets you some headroom, and will put this system's load into a very efficient range (although it is 80+ certified). Despite the end-mounted fan, it is also very quiet.
$89.99 -$20.00 Instant $69.99

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
Model #:BX80601920
Item #:N82E16819115202
Get this at Microcenter to save $80. For the multitasking you intend, this chip will outperform anything AMD offers, without really trying.
$288.99 -$9.00 Instant $279.99

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7T-6GBPK - Retail
Model #:F3-10666CL7T-6GBPK
Item #:N82E16820231230
DDR3-1333 seems about the price/performance sweet spot. This RAM doesn't need high voltage to achieve its claimed timings, so you can expect it to be stable at stock.
$114.99 $114.99

Subtotal: $959.88 (or $880 if you get the i7 at Microcenter)

You can save a little money by using a cheap Rosewill case; any of the ATX models should work fine, but you may want to add a front fan, so you'd really only save $15 or so.
You can drop the video card back to a HD4670 (or nVidia 9600GT), but for better options on the games you may be able to play and enjoy, it may not be worthwhile to save $30-$40 here.

Oh yeah...get the Windows 7 RC at no cost, but only up to 08/20.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'm still a little unsure of what I'm going to pick. I've been looking at complete systems on newegg too. I just don't want the hassle of sending parts back if they come DOA especially is if its a motherboard. I'm extremely lazy and don't want to go a couple weeks with a new dead computer sitting in my living room.

This complete system looks decent for the cost. What do you think of the complete build and the ATI HD 4830?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

I'm incredibly indecisive and still looking at all options.

Since the focus isnt gaming at a budget

your best choice is an intel i7 920

a good but not outrageous X58 mb .Most have features you dnt want like 3 or 4 gfx card slots , but you will find a decent mb for less than $200

3 x2 gig of ram

case

500 watt psu

ati 4770/4830/4670 nvidia 9600

decent 500- 550 watt psu OCX cheap with rebates

wd green 1 terabyte drive was also discounted

The cyberpower uses junk case and psu but its definitely in the area of components I think you need to be

You could buy that one, and have cheeper parts

You could build one and have a DOA part and have to wate

You could buy a complete system and have it DOA


When you figure out what you want, (pull the tiger)

Both of those use crappy PSUs. The second is a XION PowerReal (5.5 at Jonnyguru), and I can't tell on the first, but it might be Apevia, since they sell some "680W" units; a Google search for "ULT-XF700S" turns up nothing useful. Both have a little red voltage switch, indicating that, AT BEST, they are older, inefficient designs. At worst, they are overrated, unstable pieces of junk that will damage any computer parts plugged into them with spikes, noise, and/or out-of-spec voltages, possibly occurring over time.

I purchased it last night. I haven't sent the check in yet. It looks like it has everything i need without the hassle of putting it together. I know its not hard I've built 3 in the past, I just don't want to deal with it.

based on prices is seems like if i built it myself i could probably get a better PSU and an ATI HD 4850. But thats what im willing to give up(as long as the psu is stable) to avoid the hassle.

I have an old Antec 450w psu, think i should swap them out?

No, an older 450 is probably not quite enough. You may wish to pick up something like an Earthwatts 500W. Read the review of the Xion PSU at www.jonnyguru.com. It may be adequate for your rig, at least for a while, since you won't be pulling too much from it.
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