Advice needed on first build

[jaredofnz]

Hey everyone, I'm getting $1500 NZD this week and am building a pc and need some advice on the parts I've chosen and how they will serve my purpose.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Movies, Web Surfing, School Work

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Peripherals

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: www.pricespy.co.nz

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD, ATI

OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1366 x 768

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Planning to get a ATI 5870 when they drop down a bit in price over here, I need verification that the graphics on the motherboard will be sufficient for gaming until i can get a 5870, I will be using an LG 32" HDTV for a monitor until i get a "proper" computer monitor. My budget is $1500 NZD.

Products i've put together: Prices in NZD.
Cooler Master HAF 932 E-ATX Full Tower Case, Side Window, Black - $290
Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 650W PSU - $135
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz - $390
Gigabyte GA-MA790GPT-UD3H - $260
Kingston HyperX 4GB 1600MHz DDR3 - $165
Samsung 1TB EcoGreen F2 SATA II 3.0Gbps 32MB - $145
Samsung SH-S223F SATA 22x DVD-RW - $60
Total: $1445/$1500

Any suggestions are more than welcome! I'm completely new to this, never built before.

 

[Why_Me]

This down below is just an example. But I would go with the i5 myself. I'm sure there's better prices than what I listed, but this gives you a basic idea.

http://www.elive.co.nz/asus-p7p55d-intel-motherboard-1156-sy1721.php $248.80 incl gst FREE SHIPPING
Asus P7P55D LE, Intel P55, Socket 1156, Core i5/i7, ATX, DDR3, CrossFire, Raid 2, Motherboard

http://www.elive.co.nz/intel-core-i5-750-cpu-sy1689.php $420.50 incl gst FREE SHIPPING
Intel Core i5 750 2.66 GHz Socket 1156 (8MB L3 Cache) CPU Processor

http://www.elive.co.nz/corsair-CMX4GX3M2A1600C9-4gb-ddr3-ram-ac0640.php $205.20 incl gst FREE SHIPPING
Corsair CMX4GX3M2A1600C9, 4GB (2x XMS3 2GB), PC-12800, 1600MHz, XMS KIT, DDR3 Memory

 

[jaredofnz]

Hmm thanks for the reply. Is there any particular reason to spend more for an I5 based system in relation to gaming over the AMD build, will I notice any difference? thanks,
Jared

 

[Why_Me]

Hmm thanks for the reply. Is there any particular reason to spend more for an I5 based system in relation to gaming over the AMD build, will I notice any difference? thanks,
Jared

If you hunt around NZ sites....I just used the first one I found on google, I'm sure you can find a better price on the cpu and mobo I posted. But after seeing how you don't intend to o/c, that AMD build should do just fine.

 

[jaredofnz]

Ok thanks. And on the subject of the integrated graphics being suitable for games until i get my 5870? I'll be playing mostly new games with the exception of a few older ones. Examples would be call of duty: world at war, call of duty 4, counterstrike: source etc. Mainly new ones though. will this graphics be sufficient for now? it's ATI radeon 3300 incase you weren't sure. Thanks again,
Jared

 

[Why_Me]

Ok thanks. And on the subject of the integrated graphics being suitable for games until i get my 5870? I'll be playing mostly new games with the exception of a few older ones. Examples would be call of duty: world at war, call of duty 4, counterstrike: source etc. Mainly new ones though. will this graphics be sufficient for now? it's ATI radeon 3300 incase you weren't sure. Thanks again,
Jared

http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=273340

 

[jaredofnz]

Hmmm ok. I think i'm overshooting with this build. It's a bit too much for me I think. How about downgrading to a phenom 945, AM2 mobo, 4gb ddr2 ram and a 922 case not 932 case for $100 less and get that 5870? will the 11 inch 5870 even fit in the coolermaster 922 HAF mid tower case? thanks again.

 

[Why_Me]

Hmmm ok. I think i'm overshooting with this build. It's a bit too much for me I think. How about downgrading to a phenom 945, AM2 mobo, 4gb ddr2 ram and a 922 case not 932 case for $100 less and get that 5870? will the 11 inch 5870 even fit in the coolermaster 922 HAF mid tower case? thanks again.

The Cooler Master 922 HAF is a large case. It's set up to run 3 vid cards.

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/landing/haf922/

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/landing/haf922/specs.php

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

 

[obsidian86]

since you dont need an igp get a 790x board

 

[jaredofnz]

Wow you are really helpful, thanks for that dude!
Soo... do you really think i'm going to notice a different if i'm not overclocking this rig? i'm only gaming and i can see cutting things down to 945, ddr2, am2 mobo and a 922 not 932 and instead getting a ati radeon 5870 a better option. will i actually notice a difference between the two? if it's either a difference so small the human eye can not pick it up it's not really worth it in my mind...
thanks again,
Jared

 

[obsidian86]

do you wanna crossfire in future?

 

[jaredofnz]

not really. definaetly not if i get the 5870. no need i don't think. so do you think i'll notice little if any performance difference? i know the ram is very little difference but what about the cpu? 955 ddr3 to 945 ddr2... thing i'm pretty worried about is if the 922 midtower will fit the 5870 because of it's size...

 

[obsidian86]

well here is a way to get the 955 and 5870 get a 500-550 watt power supply a 770 motherboard with ddr3 and the haf 922 will fit any card its a bid mid tower

 

[jaredofnz]

Cooler Master HAF 922 - $230
AMD Phenom II X4 945 3.0GHz AM3 quad core - $315
Western Digital 500GB 7200rpm SATA - $85
Gigabyte GA-M720-US3 ATX AM2+ - $140
Samsung SH-S223F SATA 22x DVD-RW - $60
OCZ PC6400 DDR2-800 4GB Kit 2X2GB - $100
Gigabyte 550W Superb Power Supply Peak Power 550W 120mm Fan - $95
ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB PCI-Express graphics card - $700
Total: $1700 approx

... How will that suffice for my needs? thanks,
Jared

 

[jaredofnz]

Anyone? ...

 

[jaredofnz]

bump. come one people i'm ready to order the parts =/