I5 Build for $800

[LookOverThere]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next 3 days.

BUDGET RANGE: Ideally 800 Before Rebates although there is a little flexibility here.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, internet, general use.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, although I'm not opposed to using other sites if they are reliable

PARTS PREFERENCES: I would prefer to design the build around the Intel parts. (i5)

OVERCLOCKING: I would like to keep the option of SLI/Crossfire open to me in the future.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Here is the build I have come up with so far. It is a little over what I want to pay but I can front the money if needed. I could use any comments or feedback you have on how to better optimize performance for the price or any other changes you might have. Thanks in advance for any comments.

# Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
# 245583Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.245583 ($174.98)

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&cm_re=samsung_spinpoint-_-22-152-181-_-Product ($49.99)

# Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail
# 246586GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.246586 ($354.98)

# G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
# 256323SAPPHIRE 100279-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.256323 ($234.98)

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/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&cm_re=i5_cpu_cooler-_-35-103-065-_-Product ($29.99)

TOTAL - $845

 

[LookOverThere]

I also should add that if there is any component that would cost a little more but would give me significantly more mileage, I would be more than willing to consider it.

 

[Transmaniacon]

You could get under budget by going with the Antec 300 Illusion Case.

 

[era86]

The mobo/cpu combo is good, but I think if you go with the Asus PRO (same price as the Gigabyte) you save an extra $5-10. The boards are pretty much identical. I've decided to go with the Asus on my build even though I've owned nothing but Gigabyte. Time for a change I guess!

Also, I'm no pro gamer, but if you want to handle most games max, I'd invest a tad bit more for a 4890.

 

[mavanhel]

I think this a great build, and you've found some pretty good combo deals over at newegg. The only way I can suggest to cut back on some money would be to change the mobo to the GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R. Other than that you could look into getting a smaller PSU as the system as you have it now won't require 750W, but it would keep the crossfire option open. But ya, looks great to me.

 

[build]

@mavanhel: The 2nd PCI-E slot only has x4 bandwidth.

The UD4P is fine if you want to have the option of crossfire. If you want a cheaper one, consider this combo for $339.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.245501

 

[Transmaniacon]

Yea he is spot on with xfire/SLI expandibilty, UD4P + 750TX will handle mid-tier set-ups. Anything in the range of GTX280 and up will require more power, and see more benefits from an X58 setup.

 

[ronny77]

For the next three days it looks like I can get the sapphire 4890 for $164.99 after a $20 MIR. Does the 4890 provide a significant edge over the 4870?

 

[build]

yes it will perform better on higher resolutions (1920 x 1080 and up)

 

[era86]

4890 is quite comparable to the GTX 275 and outperforms the 4870 on most games out there. I JUST read some reviews on it. Check this out:

http://techreport.com/articles.x/16681
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3539

They have most Spring '09 graphics cards compared.

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259878 Combo Discount: -$30.00 Combo Price: $339.98 Free Shipping*
ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail

 

[era86]

+1 on the ASUS combo. Exactly what I had mentioned before.

 

[ronny77]

Thanks for all the replies. So here is where I am at right now. Let me know if there is any other changes you would make.

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM ($49.99)

SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100269VXLE Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail ($269.98)

Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC ... - Retail
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129021
Item #: N82E16817371026 ($174.98)

ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail ($339.98)


COOLER MASTER Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16835103065 ($29.99)

TOTAL w/ Shipping - $887.09

It's a little bit more than I would like to pay but it is feasible. Any other suggestions? I also need to throw a dvd/cd drive in their but the standard sony drive isn't available. Any cheap suggestions? Thanks again

 

[ronny77]

I should also mention for those who suggested I go with the Antec Illusion case, that the combo deal I've included is only $5 more than the cheapest combo deal I could find for the illusion that had a 750 W PSU. So, unless I am mistaken I wouldn't be saving all that much.