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Thoughts on my ~$750 E8400 Build

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Thoughts on my ~$750 E8400 Build

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Hey everyone, hope all is well. I have been throwing around the idea of building a new desktop for myself which will primarily be used for email, web browsing, photo editing, and web design. I am not new to building systems and have built about 5 in the past 6 months; however, now that it is my turn, I am unsure and would like to see some input about my build.
My goal is to keep the cost below $750 after rebates, and I plan to use this system for 3+ years. All the texts are embedded with links to the parts on Newegg.com. Any input, suggestions, comments are welcome! Thank You!

Quote :

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: By 9/13/2009 BUDGET RANGE: $650-$750

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Surf the net, watch HD video/content, Graphics & Web Design, Gaming.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, Operating System

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

PARTS PREFERENCES: I would like to use only an Intel CPU, with either an ASUS or Gigabyte motherboard, and Antec case.

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440x900 on 19 inch widescreen LCD (primary), 1360x768 on 22 inch widescreen LCD TV (secondary)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I don't care much about the noise level.

Case
Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Computer Case

Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400

Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R ATX Intel Motherboard

Memory
OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Graphics Card
MSI GeForce GTS 250 N250GTS-2D512-OCv2 Video Card

Power Supply
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W Power Supply compatible with core i7

Hard Drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive

CPU Cooler
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler

Optical Drive
Sony Optiarc DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B

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If you live close to a MicroCenter, an i5 750 can be had for $180 ($210 at Newegg), and a mobo at the same price as yours. The E8400 is good - got a couple running myself - but why not consider a much better all around processor? (You'd change memory as well, same price or a few dollars more).

I can't find a review for your psu that actually does a thorough test, and the OCZ brand on psus is spotty enough to get concerned about "bargains". I'd suggest a 550W Seasonic, $79.99 free shipping at Newegg in either case.

Reply to Twoboxer

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.245591 -$15.00 Combo Price: $99.94 Free Shipping*
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Antec Basiq BP500U 500W Continuous Power ATX12V Version 2.01 Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-P55M-D2 Combo Price: $299.98 | $284.98 - $15 off with P55 combo purchase w/ code OMGi5COMBO Free Shipping
GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 Socket 1156/ Intel P55/ DDR3/ CrossFireX/ A&GbE/ MATX Motherboard
Intel Core i5 Processor i5-750 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1156 CPU, Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.256305 Combo Discount: -$15.00 Combo Price: $184.98 $10.00 Mail-In Rebate Price After Mail-In Rebate(s): $174.98 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Retail
MSI N250GTS-2D512-OCv2 GeForce GTS 250 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181 $49.99 Free Shipping*
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827118030 $29.99 Free Shipping*
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM

Total: $664.98 *not including shipping/tax and mail in rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103064 $19.99
Cooler Master Intel Core i5 compatible Hyper TX3 Socket 775/1156/AMD 130W 92mm "heatpipe direct contact" CPU Cooler RR-910-HTX3-GP - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103065 $29.99
COOLER MASTER Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116677 $109.99 Free Shipping*
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM | Includes free Windows 7 upgrade coupon

Message edited by Why_Me on 09-11-2009 at 08:35:08 AM

------------------------------ "God invented Google so you would stop asking stupid questions."
Reply to Why_Me

thanks for the replies guys! would it not be smarter if I wait until the i5 has more builds and more people have used it? It was just recently released after all.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to skool

I got my parts the same day as i5 came out. It works. There are no problems.
I saved a lot of money at Micro Center.

Message edited by evongugg on 09-11-2009 at 03:49:36 PM

Reply to evongugg

skool wrote :

thanks for the replies guys! would it not be smarter if I wait until the i5 has more builds and more people have used it? It was just recently released after all.

Nope. Its smarter to get the new tech instead of a dead end socket like the 775. Why_Me gave you a great build at the lower end of you budget.

------------------------------ Phenom II X4 940 @ 3.4
GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P
2X2GB/ G.Skill PI Black PC6400
HD4770 XFire
Reply to AMDThunder

thanks for all the recommendations guys. I have looked at Why_Me's build and I really like it, so I will look more into the i5s.
If anyone has any more suggestions on i5 builds, please feel free to share them. Thank You!!

Reply to skool

Definitely agree, go with the i5. If you can wait though, the price should be lower in a couple months. Especially with the holiday season coming up, there are bound to be great deals. But if you need one now, the build above is a pretty good value.

Reply to gtnx

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Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Thoughts on my ~$750 E8400 Build