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First Time Build (MB, CPU Route Needed)

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - First Time Build (MB, CPU Route Needed)

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Budget: Under $2k
System Usage: Internet, Watching Movies, Burning/Editing, Music
Preferred Site: Honestly whatever's cheapest.
Parts Preference: Only WD for hard drive.
Overclocking: No.
Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050.
Additional Comments: Have Win 7 Ultimate to run on it (x64).
Parts Not Required: Mouse, Keyboard, Samsung LCD, THX Surround Sound Speakers (already checked with manufacturer and sound card companies on compatibility)

On to the important stuff. I'm 99.9% sure on what is listed unless there is an issue with the component or part conflict:

Video Card: ASUS GeForce GTX 275 896MB ($229.99 Newegg)
Power Supply: CORSAIR TX Series CMPSU-950TX 950W SLI & CrossFire Ready ($179.99 Newegg)
Memory: CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (4 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 ($239.99 Newegg)
Sound Card: ASUS Xonar DX 7.1 ($89.99 Newegg)
OS Hard Drive: WD VelociRaptor 300GB 10000 RPM ($229.99 Newegg)
Storage Hard Drive: WD Caviar Green 2TB ($199.99 Newegg)
CPU Fan/Cooler: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic ($33.98 Newegg)
Case: Not sure. I like the Silverstone cases, but I don't want to pay the same for a case as I did for the CPU. My only preference is a side easy opening case.

Motherboard / CPU Combo: (have 3 in mind)

1) ASRock P55 Extreme LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel ($139.99 Newegg)
Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core ($289.99 Newegg)

2) ASUS Rampage II GENE LGA 1366 Intel X58 Micro ATX Intel ($219.99 Newegg)
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core ($279.99 Newegg)
OR
Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core ($554.99 Newegg)

3) ASUS M4A79 Deluxe AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 140W Quad-Core Processor
(combo $372.99 Newegg)

Optical Drive: Tossup between:

PLEXTOR PX-880SA ($44.99)
SAMSUNG SH-S222A ($29.99)
Sony Optiarc AD-7241S-0B ($33.99)
Pioneer DVR-S18M ($44.99)

I think I have it pretty much nailed except the Motherboard/CPU/Optical Drive, the important stuff. On the Optical Drive I have an LG right now and it is a piece of junk to say the least, so no LG. I've built a computer from scratch before, but this would be my first time buying everything.

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Since your arent going to be gaming or overclocking you can save on quite a few options. Drop the GTX275 in favor of an HD 4670, it has plenty of power for every day tasks, since you arent overclocking the stock heatsink will be just fine for you.

The ASRock and i7 860 will be the best deal, the 860 performs as well as the 920 with a cheaper overall platform cost.

Drop the raptor, for that price you can pick up a solid state drive which is a lot faster. Also since you arent gaming drop the PSU down to a corsair 550VX, it will save you a ton since you dont need to power multiple high end graphics cards.

Reply to hunter315

Appreciate the response. I was thinking of a few things:

Video Card: ASUS Radeon HD 4850 1GB ($119.99 - save $110 over original option)
ASUS Radeon HD 4870 Dark Knight 1GB ($159.99 - save $70)
Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ($119.99 - save $60)
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ($139.99 - save $40)

I could save $170 right there.

Message edited by ravensgc_5 on 10-09-2009 at 03:31:13 AM

Reply to ravensgc_5

The only reason to need a 750 or an 850 watt PSU is if you intend to play games on high resolution and details settings and will need two powerful GPUs. I dont see gaming on your list, so the 4870 is too strong and even the 4850 is more than you need. The 550VX will save you $90 before MIR, and allow you to upgrade your GPU if you ever decide to game a bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=550vx
and the 4670 will save you $160, $250 in savings can buy you a very nice case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102816

Reply to hunter315

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First Time Build (MB, CPU Route Needed)

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - First Time Build (MB, CPU Route Needed)