$900 non-gaming PC?

[jwatter_1]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 1 week BUDGET RANGE: $900 After Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: iTunes, internet, Runescape, Rollercoaster Tycoon

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, but I'm not picky

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I've got about 1K cds I'd like to rip and I need lots of room for digital pictures. I've built 3 PCs, but never overclocked and would like to give that a try. The kids are wanting to play some games, but nothing too intense. I can go either AMD or Intel, I like the looks of the i5 and the Phenom II X 4 955, but are they overkill? The only thing I've really decided is I like the look of is this monitor

ASUS VW224U Black 22" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ HDCP Support 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 5000:1) Built in Speakers - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236050

All your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[pepperman]

budget case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387

cpu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

GPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824

HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Total with your monitor is $873.93 USD

This setup should tide you over for the next couple years

P.S. this list does not include an os; if you would like me to rework the comp with the os's cost in consideration, just ask.

 

[Raidur]

If you aren't gaming much (especially) you might favor the better performance and lower power consumption/heat from i5 which is only $10 more.

 

[build]

Intel Core i5-750
+
GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2
Combo Price: $294.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.246589

OCZ Obsidian 4GB DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
+
MSI N250GTS-2D512-OCv2 GeForce GTS 250 512MB
Combo Price: $186.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.263428

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W
+
SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model
Combo Price: $82.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.248196

COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-BWN1-GP Black Steel
$34.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119203

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache
$49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

ASUS VW224U Black 22" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen
+
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit w/ free Windows 7 upgrade coupon
Combo Price: $249.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259598.24-236-050

Grand Total:* $899.90
$50 Mail in Rebate

 

[Proximon]

One of the great advantages to AMD builds still is the ability to use DDR2 and less expensive motherboards. This enables you to put your money where it's most needed, into the HD and such.

Asus 785G mATX board in combo with the X4 955
G.skill DDR2 1066 4GB
---
Scythe Mugen CPU cooler
TX-2 thermal paste
---
Cooler Master Elite 341 You don't need a full sized case. this one has decent cooling with an added fan in the front.
CM blue case fan This will make the case look nicer as well as help cool.
OCZ500SXS PSU This would be the minimum. If it's in the budget get this:
Corsair 450VX The power from this unit will be a bit cleaner and so help with the overclock.... You said rebates were cool right? Just get the Corsair then.
---
Caviar Black 1TB
DVD burner
---
HIS 4850 This is a strong video card that should keep you for a while given your lack of hardcore gaming.

The other's builds were OK, but I notice they didn't really address your desire to OC. They also used DDR3... there is something to be said for that, but I think this build is more in line. There is no advantage to DDR3 except that your next build might use it, making for a better investment. DDR2 is going away, so you get it a bit cheaper today.

 

[jwatter_1]

Thanks for the replies! I noticed both of the AMD builds have mobos with onboard GPUs, but still recommend a video card. Are the onboard GPU's insufficient?

 

[pepperman]

You might be able to get away with an onboard gpu for now, but you'd be better off down the road if you got a discrete. Also, since you want to OC you don't want the added heat on the northbridge from running integrated graphics.

 

[jwatter_1]

That's what I needed to know. Thanks.

 

[jwatter_1]

Ok I'm ready to place an order. I decided to upgrade the case and hold off on ocing for a bit. I used a little from each of the AMD builds and came up with this:

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE ... - Retail
$134.90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.245596

HIS H485FM512H Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
$102.99 - $10 MIR = $92.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161297

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
$69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
ASUS VW224U Black 22" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
$249.98 - $20 MIR = $229.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259598.24-236-050

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P Socket AM2+/ AMD 790X/ CrossFireX/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard
AMD Phenom II X4 Processor 955 AM3, Retail
$284.99 - $15 FUN15 code = $269.99
https://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-M79UD4P

Samsung HD103SJ 1TB SATA2 7200rpm 32MB Hard Drive
$79.99
https://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=HD-HD103SJ

Samsung SH-S223B/BEBE 22X SATA DVD+/-RW Internal Drive (Black), Bulk w/o Software
$29.99
https://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=SHS223B_BE

$907.83 + $24.67 shipping = $932.50

Thanks for all your help.

 

[Proximon]

Should work out well.