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Budget System Build - Under $700

Forum Homebuilt Systems : General Homebuilt - Budget System Build - Under $700

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: next couple weeks
BUDGET RANGE: US$500-750)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Photoshop editing, internet, emailing photos, uploading photos)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, DVD Drives

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com or Tigerdirect.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: No preference

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050 22"

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I used one of the recommended builds i found on the sticky thread but changed the Video Card to something a little cheaper but i have access to a Intel Q9550, should i go with the Intel Q9550 or the AMD below. IF i go with the Intel, which board should i go with?

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=720be
MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128387
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166
HSF: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835207004
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139005
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150337
DVD: USE STOCK IDE DRIVE
CASE: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119137

Budget: $726.98 Updated to a better RAM & HSF ... thanks shortstuff_mt

CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
HSF: Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2 - Retail
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail
GPU: SEE GPU LINK ABOVE
DVD: SEE DVD ABOVE, I HAVE AN IDE I'D LIKE TO KEEP TO KEEP COSTS DOWN
Case: COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Thermal Compound: Comes with heatsink.

I'd like to keep the build as cheap as possible, I just found out a friend has a Q9550, if i go with that i will have to get a different MOBO but won't have to buy the processor.

Looking for suggestions and recommendations.

ps. great forum! i've learned alot over the past couple days reading but my head is starting to spin!

Add a reply

Ok so i decided against teh Intel CPU. I'd rather just buy new, i don't want to get it and have issues with it and then have to go buy another CPU.

The case has several fans. Will this be loud? I do need something fairly quiet, if at all possible.

Reply to glasjoe

Hopefully the links work...I also went through bing and it says it's 10% CB.
Anyone see anything wrong with the build? I went with teh smaller HD, i've got an external 320GB as well i can use.

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119137
$69.99

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319
$49.99

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128387
$109.99

XFX HD-485X-YDFC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150337
$109.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139005
$99.99 - $10 Mail in rebate

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166
$59.99

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103649
$119.99

Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835207004
$39.99

Subtotal: $659.92

Message edited by glasjoe on 09-02-2009 at 06:51:41 AM

Reply to glasjoe

If this is a graphics workstation and not a gaming machine, then we're going to take a completely different approach to what you have. The PSU, GPU, and mobo are way overkill. But its deficient where it counts in the CPU.

If youre not sure youre going to OC, then I'd say use the stock HSF. You can always add that later.

AMD 955 x4 and Asus 790GX mobo. On board graphics will be plenty for photo editing.
$306 - $15mir = $291
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.239849

4 gigs DDR3 1333 Cas 7 ram
$84
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220333

450w Corsair PSU (if you do decide to game, powerful enough to run a 4850 which is a good match for 1680x1050)
$60-$20mir = $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139003

Coolermaster mid ATX Case
$40 (Free shippings saves about $20)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119161

500gb Spinpoint F3 HDD (much better performer than the cav blue)
$50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181

Windows Vista with win7 free upgrade
$110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116677

Total: $650 - $35mir = $615
All free shipping

If you do game, you can add that 4850 for around $100, or $120 for the 1gb version. If you need to save a little money, you can get the AMD 945 instead of the 955 and still come in at budget.

Message edited by skora on 09-02-2009 at 07:11:50 AM

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sKora's Design Guide
Reply to skora

Thanks Skora.

I do like that AMD 955, it's gotten great reviews and it looks like you can really pull some power out of it IF i decide to overclock.

Thanks for the reminder on the OP system, kinda forgot about that.

Will the 450watt PSU be enough if i do decide to add the 4850 and a HSF to overclock?

Reply to glasjoe

The 955 will be a great performer without overclocking. Same with the 945. They are easy to OC, but not required to be a stellar chip.

450w is enough for the 4850 and OC the CPU. If you wanted to add a second one or get a 4870 instead, then I'd go at least a 550w. OCZ makes decent enough PSUs and are a little cheaper than the other big names. But unless you're gaming, the onboard graphics for the mobo will be enough for photo editing.

------------------------------ TheAnimal's - HOW TO ASK FOR BUILD ADVISE - Use this FORMAT
sKora's Design Guide
Reply to skora

No plans to game. I have an xbox360 that i play every now and then, that's about it.

I'm ordering the powersupply in the next day to takedvantage of the price/rebate. I think i'm going to just keep watching the components and try and gt them on sale when I can. Wife would rather have me put the money towards new tile for the bathroom!

Thanks for your help, i appreciate it.

Reply to glasjoe

Since you don't need a vid card, the Corsair 400CX is a steal at $30 amir.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139008

You can also look at a 780G or 785G mobo to shave some more off the cost. Every little bit helps to keep the women happy.

------------------------------ TheAnimal's - HOW TO ASK FOR BUILD ADVISE - Use this FORMAT
sKora's Design Guide
Reply to skora

I think we have to buy a new car now, got in an accident today that deployed both airbags so i'm guessing they are going to total the car.

Everyone is ok thank god but the build just got put on the backburner.

BUT...

I just found a deal for an i7 920 for $200. Do you think that is worth jumping on over the AMD 955?

Reply to glasjoe

I'm glad everyone is all right.

The 920 would be the best editing processor performance wise and at $200, for the price too. Microcenter? The down side is the motherboards are more expensive. Cheapest one listed is $160 but I don't know anything about Jetway. On top of that, you'd have to buy a vid card too as there are no integrated graphics on the X58. It can be any GPU, even the under $40, but thats still $40. I don't think you could do the whole system in that $700 budget. Unless you are sure you're buying now, I'd hold off. An i5 might be a better fit (released on Tuesday) and more inline with your budget. Or, if you can still get that Q9550 from your friend for free, that's a very capable processor. Trades blows with the 955, but once the life of the CPU is over, you'll have to build from scratch. Granted, that CPU will last 4 years or so. We can build a system very cost effective with the free Q9550. Might be your best bet if you have to buy a car. If the CPU does fail on you and you live near a micro center, they are very reasonable for how much power they offer at $170. Unless the friend abused the CPU, it should work fine for a long time.

Message edited by skora on 09-06-2009 at 01:31:57 PM

------------------------------ TheAnimal's - HOW TO ASK FOR BUILD ADVISE - Use this FORMAT
sKora's Design Guide
Reply to skora

Thanks for the reply skora. I'm going to hold off for now. I appreciate your help. I need to figure out what is going to happen with the car and all that first, then it will be time to build.
I did indeed find the i7 at microcenter. I live couple hours from the closest Microcenter but i have a friend who lives in chicago and he's home all the time so that won't be an issue. Thanks again and i'll revisit this in a few weeks.

Reply to glasjoe

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Budget System Build - Under $700

Forum Homebuilt Systems : General Homebuilt - Budget System Build - Under $700