Newbie building first time i5

[nikegeo]

hey guys, started reading a bunch of the posts regarding custom builds after my comp crashed (6-5 year old p4 2.33ghz, 1.5gb ram, 1tb hdd, and 180gb, 64mb radeon graphic card). pretty sure the motherboard fried... anyways...

my background/preferences - not a gamer, because my old system couldnt handle sh*t...but maybe interested in joining the FPS community. this comp would be mainly used for web browsing, music editing (a little bit), loads of media (mostly music) and want to venture into the realm of making my pc a dvr and media center)

i dont need - hdd's (have 180gb with winxp, 2 1TB drives (1 hold all my music and media and the other one had trouble installing a day or 2 before the crash)), mouse & keyboard, monitor (24 inch acer), tower (going to use my old one for a few months until i pay off most of this build)

budget - i really dont want to break the bank on this build and my budget i want to keep between $600-$700

so far i have the following on my list:

processor - i5 750 from micro center - $160 (set on this chip as i do not want to spend more on the chip, mobo, and ram)

mobo - GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - newegg - $140

video card - SAPPHIRE 100258-1GHDMI Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
&
memory - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) Desktop Memory Model F3-16000CL9D-4GBRH - newegg combo total= $205

my main confusion and indecisiveness comes with the plethora of Video cards out there and which PSU to use...

your suggestions and input are much appreciated and thanks in advanced!!!!

 

[dndhatcher]

The 4850 is probably a good choice for light gaming, though you may find a 4870 for not much more.

PSUs are Corsair, Seasonic, OCZ, Antec (Signature, TruePower or Earthwatts) and you need about a 500-550W with two PCIE power cables.

If you are in the US, right now at newegg the OCZ Fatal1ty 550W PSU is $65 minus a $25 MIR for a net $40!

 

[nikegeo]

thanks for the reply...

4870 - any particular brand? not sure which brands are any better than others...

PSU - is the OCZ brand any good? was eyeing a 500w antec earthwatt for 70-80 on newegg?

 

[snakej]

i recommend this and not less, otherwise you might ended up upgrading again soon, but that can be fix with the fallowing

CPU & Motherboard combo: Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail & ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
1. Intel BX80605I5750: $199.99
2. ASUS P7P55D PRO: $169.99
Combo Discount: -$20.00
Combo Price: $349.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273251

HSF: COOLER MASTER Intel Core i7 compatible Hyper N 520 RR-920-N520-GP 92mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail
$44.99
Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103057

Memory Ram: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Retail
Dual Channel Intel Core i5 & Core i7 CPU for P55 motherboar
$85.99
Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

GPU: POWERCOLOR AX4870 512MD5 Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Special edition, S.T.A.L.K.E.R game include
$126.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131140

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
Voted Best Power Supply Manufacturer by Custom PC 2008
$89.99
($79.99 after $10.00 Mail-In Rebate Card )
Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Grand Total: $705.50

Like I said i cant recomend you less than that, I strongly advise you go with this. good luck!

 

[nikegeo]

snake - thanks for the detailed list. a few questions for you:

1. ram - 1600 vs. 2000 - any significant difference?

2. mobo - is the asus that much better than the gigabyte?

i already bought the i5 chip @ microcenter for 160 so saved myself $40 , im trying to order everything today (fri).

much thanks for your time and replies!

 

[obsidian86]

there is a marginal difference between 1600 and 2000 ram the main factor in ram performance is the cas latency or timings of the ram the asus is better due to it having the second pci slot running at x8 for more effective dual graphics card setup instead of the gigabyte's second pci slot running at x4

 

[snakej]

yes thanks obsidian, actually its just as obsidian said, there isn't a difference between memory 1600 and 1800, and the Asus its better due to the standards, meaning that it isn't a budget board, it comes with all features that EVO version come except for dual gigabyte LAN, but that isn't need it.

Good luck, keep us posted when you get the build, looking forward to it..

 

[nikegeo]

thanks for the quick reply - i just noticed the 2 pci 16 slots in the asus, i guess im turned...

so snake - it looks like im going to go with your set up.

quick question with the heatsick - i was looking at the following:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

and i have about $15-20 to spare - any upgrade in video card i can do or will that card suffice?

 

[snakej]

ya the cooler is also a good option, and if that leave with money for a better video card even better, here go for this one instead
SAPPHIRE 100279-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
$10 off with promo code EMCMLLT73, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102849
make sure to use the promo code to save 10 but have to buy before monday because thats when it expire.

 

[nikegeo]

so whats better for heatsink/fan:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103057

and i added that video card

 

[nikegeo]

snake - thanks for all your help, went with the cheaper heatsink and upgraded the video card.

appreciate everything

 

[snakej]

not a single tiny problem

I'm exited for you

keep me posted on how the build goes, and feel free to send me a personal message if you need any help with building..

also i wanna see!! that build..post some pics will ya..

 

[nikegeo]

you got it... mind you for now im using my old piece of crap tower so it may not be so aesthetically pleasing. again many thanks and if i run into trouble im glad i can count on someone

 

[Coool122]

may be not such a good idea to use a old case, because if you eventually want to go for looks then it will be a royal pain moving everything (mobo, psu, 3.5"s) to a new case. Also pretty impressed by ur build

 

[snakej]

look at the date. try not to revive an old post.